Abstract: The invention provides a scintillation proximity assay for detecting peptidoglycan synthesis. The assay is especially suitable for high throughput screening of compounds affecting peptidoglycan synthesis.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a patient, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a sample of an appropriate body fluid from said patient; (2) detecting the presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an altered glycosylation pattern in said sample. It has been established that approximately 75-95% of the AChE in the CSF of AD patients binds to Concanavalin (Con A) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) but with different specificity to each. Accordingly, in order to identify the glycosylation pattern of AChE in the sample, the binding to Con A is determined, then the binding to WGA is determined, and a ratio calculated. The ratio is characteristic of the glycosylation pattern. In alternative embodiment of the invention a monoclonal antibody specific for AChE with an altered glycosylation pattern is used to detect its presence.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation of a novel putative efflux gene from Pseudomonas mendocina. The putative efflux gene is useful for probing an organism's efflux system to gain an understanding of the mechanisms of solvent tolerance. The invention further provides a Pseudomonas mendocina strain deficient in this gene. This strain is unable to grow in the presence of chloramphenicol and, compared to the wildtype strain, grows slowly in the presence of high concentrations of PHBA.

Abstract: The invention relates to lipopeptides with very homologous amino-acid sequences but different fatty acid residues (lipid portion) which are synthesized by Actinoplanes sp. during fermentation and are released into the culture medium, to a process for isolating the lipopeptides from the culture medium and purifying them, to the use of the lipopeptides as pharmacologically active substances, in particular against Gram-positive bacteria, and to Actinoplanes sp. DSM 7358 for producing the abovementioned lipopeptides.

Abstract: New mutant glucose isomerases are provided exhibiting improved properties under application conditions. These glucose isomerases are obtained by expression of a gene encoding said enzyme, having an amino acid sequence which differs at least in one amino acid from the wildtype glucose isomerase. Preferred mutant enzymes are those derived from Actinoplanes missouriensis glucose isomerase.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing a new immunosuppressant, L-682,992, a C-13, C-31 demethylated ring-rearranged analog of L-679,934, under novel fermentation conditions utilizing the microorganism, Actinoplanacete Sp., (Merck Culture Collection MA 6559) ATCC No. 53771. The macrolide immunosuppressant is useful in preventing human host rejection of foreign organ transplants, e.g. bone marrow and heart transplants.

Abstract: Fermentation of the microoganism Actinoplanacete sp. in the presence of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, 5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-((2'-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl-3H-imidazo[ 4,5-b]pyridine, compound III, ##STR1## yields 2-ethyl-5-hydroxymethyl-7-methyl-3-((2'-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl -3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, compound I, and 2-ethyl-7-hydroxymethyl-5-methyl-3-(2'-tetrazol-3-((2'-tetrazol-5-yl)biphe nyl-4-yl)methy-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, compound II, ##STR2## both of which are angiotensin II receptor antagonists useful in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure and other indications known to respond to angiotensin II antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new teicoplanin-like antibiotics differing from the parent compound in the length of the acyl group.The compounds of the invention are obtained according to a microbiological process and possess an antimicrobiol activity mainly against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: An efficient process of optical resolution is provided for producing an L-amino acid represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 H, --CH.sub.2 CONH.sub.2, --CO.sub.2 H or ##STR2## in which R.sup.1 is hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The process comprises an optical resolution of an N-substituted carbonyl-D,L-amino acid represented by the formula (II): ##STR3## (wherein R is the same as defined above and R.sup.

Abstract: Novel biotransformation compounds I and II are prepared by fermenting 3-[(2'-tetrazol-5-yl-biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-imidazo[4, 5-b]pyridine in a culture of Actinoplanacete sp., Accession No. ATCC 53771.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing a new immunosuppressant, "demethomycin" (L-682,993) a C-31 demethylated analog of L-679,934 under novel fermentation conditions utilizing the microorganism, Actinoplanacete sp., (Merck Culture Collection MA 6559) ATCC No. 53771. The macrolide immunosuppressant is useful in prevent human host rejection of foreign organ transplants, e.g. bone marrow and heart transplants.

Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a method for selectively increasing the ratio of the single T-A2 major components in the T-A2 complex. More particularly, the object of this invention is a process for obtaining teicoplanin A.sub.2 selectively enriched in any of its major components, T-A2-1, T-A2-2, T-A2-3, T-A2-4 and T-A2-5 which consists in adding to the culture medium of Actinoplanes teichomyceticus nov. sp. ATCC 31121 or a mutant thereof which produces T-A2 complex through the same metabolic pathway, a selectively effective amount of an appropriate precursor.

Abstract: Antibiotic A26201-1 and antibiotic A26201-2 are produced by the novel microorganism, Actinoplanes species A26201 (ATCC 39573), under aqueous aerobic fermentation conditions. The antibiotics are useful for inhibiting bacteria, particularly gram positive bacteria, and are also useful for promoting the growth of monogastric and ruminant animals.

Abstract: New glycopeptide antibiotic CUC/CSV which has the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is L-ristosaminyl;R.sub.1 is the disaccharide mannosyl-glucosyl; andR.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are mannosyl, and its salts, particularly the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are useful new antibiotics are active against gram-positive bacteria and increase feed-efficiency utilization and enhance milk production in ruminants.

Abstract: Glycopeptide antibiotic A-4696G is produced by culturing Actinoplanes missouriensis mutant strain ATCC 31681 under submerged aerobic fermentation conditions, and is recovered from the fermentation broth by resin adsorption and chromatographic purification. A-4696G inhibits the growth of bacteria pathogenic to man and animals and also enhances the growth of ruminants by increasing feed utilization.

Abstract: New Actinoplanes missouriensis strains CUC 014 (NRRL 15647) and CSV 558 (NRRL 15646) which operate together to cosynthesize the useful glycopeptide antibiotic CUC/CSV.

Abstract: A-21978C cyclic peptides of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an amino-protecting group , 8-methyldecanoyl, 10-methylundecanoyl, 10-methyldodecanoyl, the specific C.sub.10 -alkanoyl group of A-21978C factor C.sub.0 and the specific C.sub.12 -alkanoyl groups of A-21978C factors C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 ; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are, independently, hydrogen or an amino-protecting group, and salts thereof, are prepared by enzymatic deacylation of an antibiotic selected from A-21978C complex, A-21978C factors C.sub.0, C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.4 and C.sub.5 and blocked A-21978C complex and factors C.sub.0, C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3, C.sub.4 and C.sub.5, using an enzyme produced by the Actinoplanaceae, preferably by Actinoplanes utahensis. The A-21978C cyclic peptides and salts thereof are useful intermediates to prepare new semi-synthetic antibacterial agents.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a chlorine containing antibiotic substance, named antibiotic A/16686 factor A.sub.2, in an essentially pure form. The invention also relates to the process for the production of antibiotic A/16686 factors A.sub.2 by cultivation of an Actinoplanes strain and to the co-produced antibiotic A/16686 factos A.sub.1 and A.sub.3. Antibiotic A/16686 factors A.sub.1, A.sub.2 and A.sub.3 as well as the corresponding non-toxic physiologically acceptable acid addition salts are antimicrobial agents particularly active against gram-positive bacteria.

Abstract: Antibiotic A-4696 factors B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, C.sub.1a, C.sub.3, and E.sub.1 are isolated from antibiotic A-4696, the latter being produced by Actinoplanes missouriensis strains ATCC 31680, ATCC 31682, and ATCC 31683 under submerged aerobic conditions in a culture medium and isolated from the fermentation broth by absorption on an ion exchange resin and eluted therefrom at p.sup.H 10.5 with sodium hydroxide. The novel factors are separated by thin layer chromatography and high pressure liquid chromatography and have antimicrobial and growth promotant activity.

Abstract: Antibiotic A-7413 complex, comprising a major microbiologically active factor A, and minor active factors B, C, and D, is produced by fermentation of Actinoplanes sp. NRRL 8122. The individual factors are isolated and separated by extraction and chromatography. The A-7413 antibiotics are antibacterial agents. The A-7413 complex and A-7413 antibiotic compounds are also useful as growth-promoting agents and in the control of dental caries and acne.

Abstract: A novel antibiotic substance, named "Mycoplanecin", of presently unknown structural formula, is produced by cultivating a Mycoplanecin-producing microorganism of the genus Actinoplanes, especially the Actinoplanes nov. sp. Strain No. 41042, NRRL No. 11462.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glycopeptide antibiotic arbitrarily designated as A/16686 antibiotic, and to its physiologically-acceptable acid addition salts. Antibiotic A/16686 free base, and its acid addition salts are antibacterial agents, especially active against grampositive microorganisms. The process for producing antibiotic A/16686 by culturing a novel strain of the actinoplanes genus, designated as Actinoplanes sp. ATCC 33076, is a further object of the present invention.

Abstract: A biologically pure culture of Actinoplanes sarveparensis.

Abstract: A herbicidally active compound of the empirical formula C.sub.10 H.sub.14 N.sub.6 O.sub.3, exhibiting substantially the IR KBr-absorption spectrum shown in FIG. 2, is produced by aerobic culturing of a micro-organism of the family of the Actinoplanaceae under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium which contains an assimilable carbon source, at least one assimilable nitrogen source and mineral salts, at a pH of 6 to 8 and a temperature of 20.degree. to 40.degree. C.

Abstract: Antibiotics 10-dihydrosteffimycin (U-58,875), and 10-dihydrosteffimycin B (U-58,874) are produced by carbon 10 ketonic carbonyl reduction in fermentation processes using the known antibiotics steffimycin and steffimycin B, respectively, as starting materials. These novel antibiotics are active against various microorganisms, for example, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Sarcina lutea, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Mycobacterium avium. Thus, these antibiotics can be used to inhibit the growth of the above microorganisms in various environments.

Abstract: A process for purifying an enzyme such as glucose isomerase which comprises precipitating nucleic acids from a cell-free, heat-treated enzyme solution in a suitable buffer and chromatographing the supernatant on a cellulosic medium. Subsequent chromatography on a hydrophilic, molecular-sieve medium affords enzyme of about 90% purity.

Abstract: A composition comprising intracellular or extracellular glucose isomerase may be purified by a method comprising heat treatment at a temperature from about 40.degree. C. to about 80.degree. C. The resultant enzyme solution, when utilized to prepare an immobilized enzyme system, is operationally equivalent to glucose isomerase purified by the traditional physico-chemical methods.

Abstract: This application concerns a method for treating a flocculated homogenate of whole cell glucose isomerase derived from the microorganism Actinoplanes so that the preparation can be dried, preferably after being extruded into cylindrically-shaped particles. The critical step in this method is the addition of a water absorbing smectite filler to the flocculated homogenate prior to drying. The floc also may be frozen and thawed prior to addition of the filler.

Abstract: A process for purifying glucose isomerase comprises the steps of acid treatment and salt fractionation. An enzyme solution is treated with an acid, such as acetic acid, to a pH from about 3.5 to about 5.0. The proteinaceous solids are collected and extracted with a buffer, such as imidazole, whose solution has a pH of about 6 to about 8. The solution is then collected and a salt, such as ammonium sulfate, is dissolved therein from about 40% to about 50% of its saturation point. The proteinaceous solids which form are removed and additional ammonium sulfate is dissolved to attain from about 41% to about 60% of its saturation point, followed by collection of the solids containing purified enzyme. A composition which preserves enzyme activity upon storage of glucose isomerase and which imparts resistance to thermal deactivation of said enzyme comprises an aqueous solution of glycerol, a buffer whose solution is at a pH of about 6 to about 8, divalent cobalt ions and magnesium ions.

Abstract: Antibiotic A-7413 complex, comprising a major microbiologically active factor A, and minor active factors B, C, and D, is produced by fermentation of Actinoplanes sp. NRRL 8122. The individual factors are isolated and separated by extraction and chromatography. The A-7413 antibiotics are antibacterial agents. The A-7413 complex and A-7413 antibiotic compounds are also useful as growth-promoting agents and in the control of dental caries and acne.

Abstract: A species of Actinoplanes, designated Actinoplanes deccanensis Parenti, Pagani and Beretta subsp. salmoneus Huang subsp. nov., ATCC 31355, when subjected to submerged aerobic fermentation, produces a new antibiotic complex. Methods for the recovery and purification of the antibiotic complex and some of the individual antibiotic components are described.