Abstract: The invention relates to an enzyme capable of fragmenting a high molecular mass N-acetylheparosan. This enzyme was obtained with the strain Escherichia coli (K5), strain SEBR 3282.

Abstract: A protein and gene encoding it are disclosed which confer sensitivity to B. maydis T toxin and the insecticide methomyl, in cells carrying the gene and expressing the protein. Toxin sensitivity domains of the protein have been identified wherein a modification yields a toxin-insensitive product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for biodetection and identification of antibiotic susceptibility tested in bacteria by cerating spectrum against target cells and comparing them.

Abstract: 2',3'-Dideoxy purine nucleosides represented by following general formulae [I] and/or [II] ##STR1## (wherein X and Y indicate nitrogen atoms or carbon atoms and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 indicate each independently any of hydrogen atom, hydroxyl group, amino group, alkyl group, halogen atom, alkoxy group and mercapto group) are produced by bioconversion with strains of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and E. herbicola.

Abstract: A process for production of L-aspartic acid comprising the steps of (1) contacting (A) an enzyme-containing material having maleate isomerase activity and aspartase activity, or (B) an enzyme-containing product having maleate isomerase activity and an enzyme-containing material having aspartase activity, with a substrate solution containing maleic acid and ammonia, and/or ammonium maleate to form L-aspartic acid, and (2) recovering L-aspartic acid from the reaction solution, characterized by adding maleic anhydride and/or maleic acid to the reaction solution to crystallize L-aspartic acid, and (3) recycling the mother liquors as the substrate solution by addition of ammonia.

Abstract: An immunotherapeutic agent is prepared from cells of E. coli or members of the genus Mycobacterium. The material is effective as an anti-tumor agent, an immunostimulant, and an adjuvant. Also disclosed is a method of evoking an immunostimulatory response through the activation of the RAS gene.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process and a medium for simultaneous determination of the number and presence of living fecal coliform and Escherichia coli in a sample comprising 6-O-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-D-glucose or isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside as a galactosidase inducer and methyl-beta-D-glucuronide as a glucuronidase inducer. The sterile semi-solid medium also comprises non-target bacterial inhibitors, target bacterial enhancers, and multiple fluorogen and/or chromogan substrates that produce color and fluorescence upon cleavage by a specific enzyme expressed by the target bacteria in which expression is enhanced. The simultaneous detection of total coliforms via its expression of beta-galactosidase, and Escherichia coli as the target bacteria via its expression of beta-galactosidase and beta-glucuronidase is achieved rapidly and efficiently using this medium.

Abstract: A polypeptide having mutarotase activity is obtained from a host microorganism that has been transformed with a molecule having a recombinant DNA sequence. The molecule having a recombinant DNA sequence is prepared by removing the first 60 nucleotides of a DNA sequence originating from the genome of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus that codes for the polypeptide, modifying the following 21 nucleotides and fusing of the resultant structural gene with the start of the tetracycline-repressor gene and with an effective promotor sequence. The tetracycline-regressor gene and the promotor sequence preferably originate from the same microorganism such as E. coli in which expression of the polypeptide is carried out, and result in increased yield of the expressed polypeptide having mutarotase activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing retroviral proteins which are protease, everse transcriptase and endonuclease. The method is characterized by the consecutive expression and processing of retroviral genes by the stepwise cultivation of hosts transformed with a vector constructed to carry retroviral gene fragments comprising at least a protease gene and one or more of the other genes coding for retroviral proteins. The retroviral proteins of this invention are used as specific reagents for the diagnosis of retroviral disease, e.g., AIDS, malignant tumors and so forth, also may be used as the basis for research and development of antiviral agents and a vaccine against the above infectious diseases, and for genetic engineering.

Abstract: The invention relates to coryneform microorganisms capable of assimilating lactose which carry a recombinant DNA capable of conferring the ability to assimilate lactose on coryneform microorganisms; and to a process for producing L-amino acids which comprises culturing said coryneform microorganism capable of assimilating lactose in a culture medium containing lactose to form an amino acid, and recovering said amino acid accumulated in the culture broth. Further, the invention relates to a method for preparing recombinant plasmids containing a DNA fragment essential to the expression of a gene in coryneform microorganisms.

Abstract: L-Thienylalanines are prepared via the hydantoin or the azlactone route. The starting substances used for the biotransformation are 2-hydroxy-3-thienylacrylic acids. The innovative step consists in the transamination of the enol form of the 2-hydroxy-3-thienylacrylic acids to give L-thienylalanines with the aid of biotransformation. The transaminiation is carried out in the presence of L-aspartic acid or L-glutamic acid as amino donor.

Abstract: A process is provided for cleaving a polypeptide into at least two polypeptide components comprising treating a reduced, free-cysteine form of the polypeptide with a cleaving agent under conditions for cleaving the polypeptide at a desired junction between the polypeptide cleavage products. More preferably, the process for cleaving comprises culturing cells containing DNA encoding said polypeptide, wherein at least one Asp codon is present in said DNA at a desired junction between the components to be cleaved from each other, said culturing resulting in expression of the DNA to produce the polypeptide in the host cell culture; and treating a reduced, free-cysteine form of the polypeptide with dilute acid under conditions for cleaving the polypeptide at the Asp junction.

Abstract: A process for the production of L-isoleucine using the microorganism, Escherichia coli H-8670 (FERM BP-4051) which has resistance to 0.2 g/l S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine or Escherichia coli H-8683 (FERM BP-4052) which has a resistance of 20 g/l of D-serine. The microorganism is cultured in a nutrient medium for a time and under conditions sufficient to produce L-isoleucine and the L-isoleucine is recovered from the medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a tumor suppressor protein of the retinoblastoma family (pRb2) which binds to the E1A transforming domain and to DNA encoding for the pRb2 protein.

Abstract: A process for the activation of t-PA or IgG after expression in prokaryotes is described. The process includes cell digestion, solubilization under denaturing and reducing conditions and activation under oxidizing conditions in the presence of GSH/GSSG.

Abstract: An extract based on modified bacterial proteins includes a mixture of acid bacterial polyanions having a molecular weight in the range from 10,000 to 1,000,000 and an isoelectric point in the range from 2.5 to 5.5, and in which the added weights of the constituent amino acids amount to at least 50% of the extract. The preparation or this protein extract includes a cultivation of bacteria in an aqueous medium and then the alkaline extraction of this bacterial suspension and the purification of the protein extract. The alkaline extraction is carried out in the presence of a dilute aqueous source of OH.sup.- ions and at a stable pH in the range from 11 to 13, the decrease of this pH during the acid extraction not exceeding 0.4. The protein extract thus obtained can be used as an active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: 1. Recombinant microbial cloning vehicles comprising heterologous DNA coding for the expression of mammalian hormone (e.g., somatostatin) and other polypeptides, including plasmids suited for the transformation of bacterial hosts. The latter incorporate a regulon homologous to the host in its untransformed state, in reading phase with the structural gene for the heterologous DNA;2. Cloning vehicles coding for the microbial expression of a protein variously comprising (a) a polypeptide hapten and additional protein sufficient in size to confer immunogenicity on the product of expression, which may find use in raising antibodies to the hapten for assay use or in the manufacture of vaccines; and (b) a desired polypeptide product and additional protein from which the desired product may be cleaved; and3. Methods of preparing synthetic structural genes coding for the expression of mammalian polypeptides in microbial cloning systems.

Abstract: The invention concerns a recombinant DNA which contains(1) the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1,(2) a sequence corresponding to this sequence within the scope of the degeneracy of the genetic code or(3) a sequence which hybridizes with a sequence from (1) or/and (2) under stringent hybridizing conditionswhereby the DNA sequence codes for a protein with N-carbamoyl sarcosine amidohydrolase activity.Furthermore the invention concerns a recombinant vector with the DNA according to the present invention as well as a process for the isolation of a recombinant protein with N-carbamoyl sarcosine amidohydrolase activity and its use for the determination of creatinine.

Abstract: A method for enhanced production and recovery of phosphate starvation inducible (PSI) gene products. A bacterium having C-P lyase activity is cultured using phosphonate or phosphite (or their mixtures) as the predominant phosphorus source for growth so as to enhance PSI gene product accumulation. PSI gene product is then recovered.

Abstract: A novel E. coli strain which can produce L-phenylalanine and is resistant to high osmotic pressure and a process for producing L-phenylalanine by use of the novel E. coli (KCCM 10,016) are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant and discloses a process for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation using a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia. The L-glutamic acid is produced and accumulated in a culture medium by culturing a mutant designated as FERM P-12379 which is derived from Escherichia coli K-12 strain and the mutant is deficient or low in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity, has low L-glutamic acid decomposing ability, and is capable of producing L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mutant and a process for producing L-glutamic acid by fermentation using a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia. In the present process, L-glutamic acid is produced and accumulated in a culture medium by (A) culturing an Escherichia mutant which is deficient or low in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity, has low L-glutamic acid decomposing ability, and is capable of producing L-glutamic acid.

Abstract: Cytokine receptors for tumor necrosis factor e which are found on microorganisms may, if bound with exogenous TNF.alpha., enhance the response of natural killer cells activated by the microorganisms, or increase TNF.alpha. production by peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with the microorganisms. Microorganisms with receptor-bound exogenous TNF.alpha. have enhanced cellular invasion ability which may change the immune response thereto. Clinical and pharmaceutical applications of these discoveries are provided.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of bacteria in a sample and particularly relates to a culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and count of coliform bacteria. The bacterial culture medium which facilitates the early detection and count of coliform bacteria is a mixture of tryptose, lactose, sodium chloride, bile salts, guar gum and an excess amount of phenol red sufficient to provide a high concentration of phenol red in close proximity to the growing bacteria in order to allow detection and count of the growing bacteria in less than 12 hours.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing L-isoleucine which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia and having resistance to an isoleucine analogue and either ethionine or argonine hydroxamate and an ability to produce L-isoleucine until L-isoleucine is accumulated in the culture, and recovering L-isoleucine therefrom.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody specific for enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and 026:H11 is produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with a strain of E. coli 0157:H7. The antibody reacts strongly by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with an approximately 5,000-6,000 dalton molecular weight outer membrane protein of strains of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and 026:H11. A rapid and sensitive assay for detecting these organisms is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying a TonB inhibitor in a test sample comprising:(a) growing a TonB.sup.+ microorganism in the presence of the test sample and a lethal agent, the activity of which is mediated by TonB;(b) identifying as positive a test sample with which the lethal activity of the agent is not observed;(c) growing on a low-iron medium a TonB.sup.+ microorganism in the presence of the test sample identified as positive in (b);(d) confirming as positive a test sample with which growth inhibition of the microorganism is observed on a low-iron medium.

Abstract: Methods for recombinant production in procayotic microorganisms such as E. coli of ribotoxins such as restrictocin, alpha-sarcin and mitogillin are described. Known methods were relatively low yielding and not cost effective for commercial use such as in the pharmaceutical industry where relatively large quantities of toxin with consistent batch to batch quality may be required for immunotoxin production. Use of recombinant methods of production open up the possibility of making ribotoxin analogues. Toxicity of ribotoxins was recognised as a concern in development of a high yielding cost effective production method. Methods for high yielding intracellular accumulation or secretion of ribotoxins are described. Use of protease deficient strains and other methods of minimising breakdown of ribotoxin by protease are preferred. Vectors and host strains for use in the methods are described.

Abstract: A novel E. coli (KCCM 10,013) which can produce high yields of L-phenylalanine and a method for production of L-phenylalanine by recombinant E. coli which may be transformed with a novel plasmid pMW16 containing two promoters and a temperature-sensitive repressor for expressing a pheA gene and an aroF gene wherein chorismate mutase p-prephenate dehydratase is coded for by the pheA gene and 3-deoxy-D-arabinoheptulosonate.7-phosphate synthase is coded for by the aroF gene.

Abstract: New strains of microorganisms producing anti-Campylobacter metabolites have been identified which have the ability to utilize mucin as a sole substrate for growth and the ability to reduce and/or inhibit the incidence of Campylobacter jejuni colonization in poultry.

Abstract: A rapid process for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in products for human consumption comprises contacting the microorganisms with a methylumbelliferone substrate. The substrate is hydrolyzed into methylumbelliferone by an enzyme given off by the microorganisms. Hydrolysis is accelerated by sodium lauryl sulfate, which renders the microorganisms more permeable to the substrate, the enzyme, or both. The methylumbelliferone is detected by its fluorescence, either in solution or on an agar medium supporting microcolonies formed from individual microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for cultivating a microorganism transformed with a recombinant plasmid at least containing (a) a DNA fragment containing a promoter and a regulator gene tnaC located downstream of the promoter in a tryptophanase operon (tna), and (b) a DNA fragment containing a desired structural gene which can be expressed by the promoter, which comprises cultivating the transformed microorganism in a culture medium while adding glucose as a carbon source continuously or intermittently so that the concentration of glucose is maintained within the range of 0.01 to 0.3%, and thereby allowing the desired structural gene to be expressed in the microorganism.

Abstract: There is described a biocatalytic method for the synthesis of cathecol from a renewable source such as glucose. The method comprises inducing a divergent pathway in the shikimate pathway of a host cell. Additionally, there are described methods for making precursors to cathecol such as protocatechuate.

Abstract: Cytokine receptors for tumor necrosis factor .alpha. which are found on microorganisms may, if bound with exogenous TNF.alpha., enhance the response of natural killer cells activated by the microorganisms, or increase TNF.alpha. production by peripheral blood lymphocytes treated with the microorganisms. Microorganisms with receptor-bound exogenous TNF.alpha. have enhanced cellular invasion ability which may change the immune response thereto. Clinical and pharmaceutical applications of these discoveries including vaccines with increased efficacy are provided.

Abstract: Microorganisms belonging to the genus Providencia or the genus Escherichia and having a resistance to isoleucine antagonist, produce L-threonine by fermentation in higher yield and in more amount of L-threonine accumulated.

Abstract: Methods for the isolation and purification of the phytotoxin cercosporin are disclosed as well as methods for identifying microorganisms capable of degrading cercosporin. Cercosporin can be purified from members of the fungal genus Cercospora and incorporated into culture medium for selection of those organisms resistant to cercosporin. Once identified, these organisms can be used to isolate the protein and the gene responsible for conferring cercosporin-resistance. The gene can be cloned and inserted into a suitable expression vector so that the protein can be further characterized. Additionally, the DNA encoding for cercosporin-resistance can be inserted into a vector suitable for transforming an Agrobacterium and the Agrobacterium in turn used to transform plant cells normally susceptible to Cercospora infection. Plants can be regenerated from the transformed plant cells. In this way, a transgenic plant can be produced with the capability of degrading cercosporin.

Abstract: A method of selectively inhibiting pyruvic acid decomposition activity in microorganism cells containing tryptophanase or a treated product thereof, which comprises heat-treating said cells or the treated product thereof in the presence of an ammonium ion.

Abstract: It is possible to produce and accumulate D-alanine selectively and to improve the amount of production and accumulation of D-alanine by cultivating a microorganism having both an ability to produce D-alanine and a resistance to D-cycloserine and belonging to the genus Brevibacterium.

Abstract: This invention describes processes for producing mature human members of the NGF/BDNF family of neurotrophic proteins that are fully biologically active. In addition, the gene encoding human BDNF and processes for obtaining the same are disclosed.A previously-unreported member of the NGF/BDNF family of neurotrophic proteins, NGF-3, has been identified and a portion of the gene encoding for the NGF-3 has been described. Processes for identifying additional previously unreported members of the NGF/BDNF family are also described.

Abstract: A gene and gene structure coding for an aminotransferase, and microorganisms which express this gene The preparation of L-2-amino-4-methylphosphinobutyric acid (L-PPT) by transamination of (3-carboxy-3-oxopropyl)-methylphosphinic acid with the aid of the L-PPT-specific transaminase from E. coli DH 1 is very much more efficient when the gene coding for this enzyme is isolated, incorporated into a plasmid and then a microorganism is transformed therewith.

Abstract: The Specification discloses:1. Recombinant microbial cloning vehicles comprising heterologous DNA coding for the expression of mammalian hormone (e.g., somatostatin) and other polypeptides, including plasmids suited for the transformation of bacterial hosts. The latter incorporate a regulon homologous to the host in its untransformed state, in reading phase with the structural gene for the heterologous DNA;2. Cloning vehicles coding for the microbial expression of a protein variously comprising (a) a polypeptide hapten and additional protein sufficient in size to confer immunogenicity on the product of expression, which may find use in raising antibodies to the hapten for assay use or in the manufacture of vaccines; and (b) a desired polypeptide product and additional protein from which the desired product may be cleaved; and3. Methods of preparing synthetic structural genes coding for the expression of mammalian polypeptides in microbial cloning systems.

Abstract: A (1R,2S)-2-hydroxycycloalkanecarboxylic acid ester is efficiently and selectively produced by microbial asymmetric reduction of a 2-oxocycloalkanecarboxylic acid ester with a bacterial strain or its processed material.

Abstract: A method for prophylactic treatments of the colonization of a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strain having the ability to bind to fibronectin in a mammal. The method comprises administering a prophylactic therapeutically active amount of a protein having fibronectin binding properties to a mammal in need of such treatment. The generation of infections, such as mastitis, caused by a Staphylococcus aureus bacterial strain are thereby prevented. The administration may be via vaccination to induce immunization.

Abstract: A bacterial strain of Escherichia coli BKIIM B-3996, a producere of L-threonine, containing a recombinant plasmid pVIC40 and deposited on Nov. 19, 1987 in the collection of microorganism cultures at the USSR Antibiotics Research Institute under Reg. No. 1867.

Abstract: A new transaminase has been isolated from E. coli DH-1 (ATCC 33849). It is possible to use the transaminase with great efficiency to prepare L-phosphinothricin and gamma-aminobutyric acid from appropriate precursors by transferring an amino group from glutamate.

Abstract: Cultivation of microorganisms or animal cells or plant cells is carried out to produce high density cultivation, high cell yield and high production of desired metabolite products by monitoring acetate concentration in culture broth and regulating assimilation of acetate in the culture broth by the microorganisms or animal cells or plant cells to control the acetate concentration to a set value or less. Preferably, an acetic acid-producing bacterium that is inhibited by acetic acid and is capable of assimilating acetic acid is cultured to produce biologically active substances such as enzymes. The bacterium may be a recombinant Escherichia coli and an inducer which acts on a promoter in an expression vector is added to produce the desired metabolite product. The inducer is 3-.beta.- indolylacrylic acid when the promoter is trp-promoter or isopropyl-.beta.-D-thiogalactoside when the promoter is lac-promoter or tacpromoter.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a purified transaminase having a molecular weight of 20,000 to 250,000 daltons, an isoelectric point at a pH between 3.0 and 8.0, a pH optimum in a range from 5.0 to 10.0 and a substrate specificity for the transamination of (3-carboxy-3-oxo-propyl)-methyl-phosphinic acid or the esters thereof.The production of the enzyme comprises cultivating E. coli ATCC 33849, disrupting the cultivated E. coli ATCC 33849, obtaining a supernatant therefrom containing the enzyme and isolating the transaminase by heating the supernatant at a temperature and for a time sufficient to denature proteins other than the transaminase and than finally removing the denatured proteins from the supernatant.

Abstract: The ilvE gene from the strain E. coli ATCC 11303 is suitable for achieving overproduction of the coded aliphatic transaminase and thus for preparing the branched-chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine from the corresponding keto precursors.

Abstract: A method of transforming eukaryotic or prokaryotic hosts sensitive to an antibiotic of the phleomycin family to confer resistance to the antibiotic is disclosed in which a phleomycin resistance gene is used as a selectable marker.

Abstract: A method for obtaining DNA expressing histidine rich protein of various types of Plasmodia is disclosed. The method involves hybridization with the comparable DNA of P. lophurae. The method of particularly well suited for obtaining P. falciparum DNA, whether it is associated with know or knobless phenotype. Additionally, the invention disclosed a safe method for diagnosing P. falciparum infection.