Abstract: A protein assay method, including: 1) dissolving 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid in an ethanol, methanol, or acetonitrile aqueous solution to prepare a hydrolysis reagent, adding a protein sample and the hydrolysis reagent to a hydrolysis tube, and uniformly mixing the protein sample and the hydrolysis reagent, charging argon or nitrogen into the hydrolysis tube to remove dissolved oxygen, sealing and drying the hydrolysis tube, and hydrolyzing the protein sample; 2) cooling the hydrolysis tube to room temperature, filtering and adding a resulting hydrolysate to a volumetric flask, washing the hydrolysis tube and a filter paper, collecting and adding a resulting washing solution to the volumetric flask to a constant volume; 3) drawing a hydrolysate solution from the volumetric flask, completely drying the hydrolysate solution to yield a solid product; and 4) diluting the solid product using a diluent, and analyzing amino acids of the solid product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the enzymatic production of a dipeptide composition from a cyanophycin (CGP) or CGP-like polymer preparation by degrading the polymer preparation with an CGPase, a CGPase particularly adapted for said process, and the use of cyanophycin (CGP) or CGP-like polymers or fragments thereof, notably a dipeptide composition obtained by the process as defined above, as pharmaceutical composition, medicament, or as food or feed substitute.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of hydrolysis of the peptide bond between R1 and B in a specific designed amino acid sequence R1BXJZR3R2, where R1 represents a polypeptide of interest, R2 represents a sequence capable of specific binding to another component or molecule or another domain which needs to be cleaved, R3 represents an optional short peptide sequence, B represents a residue capable of accepting an acyl group, J represents a residue capable of metal ion binding, and X and Z represent amino acid residues, wherein the said method is based on a novel molecular mechanism of peptide bond hydrolysis, occurring in a specific complex of this metal ion with the BXJZ sequence. This method can be used to remove BXJZR3R2 domains in recombinant polypeptides, such as sequences capable of specific binding to another component or molecule to yield pure, unmodified R1 polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing antihypertensive active peptides with corn germ protein as the material. The method comprises an alkali-heat treatment and continuous enzymolysis of the corn germ protein. The components with molecular weight less than 1000 Da in the active peptides obtained according to the present method account for more than 92%, and alanine-tyrosine (Ala-Tyr, AY) as the characteristic peptide fragments in the antihypertensive peptides accounts for more than 0.6%, so that the active peptides have a good ACE inhibitory activity in vitro as well as stability against temperature, pH and major gastrointestinal digestive enzymes, and have a significant effect of lowering blood pressure on spontaneous hypertension rats in vivo. The active peptides can be applied as a new functional nutrient to development and production of food, health food and pharmaceutical.

Abstract: Apparatus using gold nano-particle surface Plasmon resonance heating for a rapid, reagentless and site specific cleavage at the C-terminal of aspartic acid and at the N-terminus of the amino acid cysteine in peptides and proteins induced by the thermal decomposition at 220-250° C. for 10 s in solid samples.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casein hydrolysate containing free amino acids and in vivo indigestible peptides having minimally suppressed in vivo enzymatic digestibility, and expected to express functions, such as hypotensive effect, in living organism, and to a method for preparing such a hydrolysate, and use thereof. The casein hydrolysate of the present invention contains free amino acids and peptides, such as in vivo indigestible peptides including Xaa-Pro and Xaa-Pro-Pro, obtained by hydrolyzing animal milk casein to have an average chain length of not longer than 2.1 in terms of the number of amino acid residues, and has ACE inhibitory activity or hypotensive effect.

Abstract: The invention provides novel peptide prodrugs that contain cleavage sites specifically cleaved by human kallikrein 2 (hK2). These prodrugs are useful for substantially inhibiting the non-specific toxicity of a variety of therapeutic drugs. Upon cleavage of the prodrug by hK2, the therapeutic drugs are activated and exert their toxicity. Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders are also featured in the invention.

Abstract: A method for processing protein-containing materials and utilization of protein-containing waste for production of mixtures of natural amino acids, mixtures of low-molecular weight peptides, and mixtures of oligopeptides, which can be used in the manufacture of reagents for the detoxification and bactericidal treatment of sewage sludge, surfactants, wetting agents, foaming agents, detergents and cleaners. The method includes processing protein-containing waste by hydrolysis with aqueous solutions of alkalis with additives in the form of ammonium salts of organic and mineral acids introduced into the reaction mixture of these components, and the wastes are processed in the mixture with water, alkali and additive, in the ratio of 1:(0.3-1.5):(0.03-0.45):(0.01-0.2), at 100-110° C. for 20-60 min.

Abstract: Method for the extraction and hydrolysis of any protein substance, natural auxins and polyphenols from sources of plant origin and their derivatives, which from a any vegetable matter (roots, stems including bark, leaves, fruits, seeds and derivatives) and by an hydrolysis in acid alcohol which is added alcohols and mineral acids, the resulting mass is subjected to a thermodynamic treatment, with subsequent utilization of physical systems of separate solid/liquid plant extract is obtained a hydro alcoholic.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of ovoproducts containing bioactive peptides from the egg white subjected to enzymatic treatment. Said peptides have an inhibiting activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE inhibiting activity) in vitro and/or anti-hypertensive activity in rats and/or antioxidant activity. Said ovoproducts, complete hydrolyzates, the fractions thereof with low molecular weight or their constituent peptides could be used as therapeutic substances with ACE inhibiting activity and/or anti-hypertensive activity and/or anti-oxidant activity, either as functional food products, food additives or ingredients or pharmaceutical products for the treatment and/or prevention of hypertension in all its forms in humans or animals and for the treatment and/or prevention of any disorder associated with hypertension in humans or animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to the recombinant expression of a peptide of interest in the form of a fusion protein comprising a solubility tag. The fusion protein comprises at least two portions separated by a cleavable peptide sequence wherein one portion is devoid of cysteine residues and the second portion comprises an effective number of cross-linkable cysteine residues. After cell lysis and isolation of the fusion protein, the fusion protein is subsequently cleaved into a mixture of first and second portions. Oxidative cross-linking is used to selectively precipitate one of the two portions to facilitate simple and effective separation of the peptide of interest.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of hydrolysis of the peptide bond between R1 and B in a specific designed amino acid sequence R1BXJZR3R2, where R1 represents a polypeptide of interest, R2 represents a sequence capable of specific binding to another component or molecule or another domain which needs to be cleaved, R3 represents an optional short peptide sequence, B represents a residue capable of accepting an acyl group, J represents a residue capable of metal ion binding, and X and Z represent amino acid residues, wherein the said method is based on a novel molecular mechanism of peptide bond hydrolysis, occurring in a specific complex of this metal ion with the BXJZ sequence. This method can be used to remove BXJZR3R2 domains in recombinant polypeptides, such as sequences capable of specific binding to another component or molecule to yield pure, unmodified R1 polypeptides of interest.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a whey protein and/or whey protein hydrolysate which stimulate the cellular release of the satiety peptides choleocystokinin and glucagon-like-peptide in the preparation of edible compositions. The edible compositions can be used to control body weight and have beneficial effects on satiety. Edible compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Glycopeptides and peptides having the formula: where X represents a hydrogen atom or a sugar chain, provide a taste improving function, particularly a kokumi taste imparting function. Such glycopeptides and peptides may be used to impart the kokumi taste to foods or seasonings and to improve the kokumi taste in foods with the use of seasonings that contain such glycopeptides and peptides.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing a protein filling agent for leather utilizing animal hairs. The method includes pre-treating the animal hairs to obtain pre-treated animal hairs, wherein the pre-treating comprises soaking the animal hairs in an inorganic acid solution and a reducing agent solution. Next, the pre-treated hairs are hydrolyzed in an alkaline compound to obtain a viscous liquid and then, neutralized and dried to obtain the protein filling agent for leather.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active agent, in particular a metalloproteinase inhibitory agent of casein-derived peptides obtained by hydrolysis of casein by a food grade bacteria. The invention also relates to the manufacture of an active agent, in which a food grade bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus helveticus is contacted with casein in order to perform a hydrolysis and obtain casein-derived peptides exhibiting metalloproteinases inhibitory property. The present invention also includes isolated and purified inhibitory peptides obtained by hydrolysis of casein by the bacteria.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: A soy protein isolate and method for preparing the same are shown. The novel soy protein isolate possesses excellent suspension stability and flavor. The process used to produce the soy protein isolate includes an enzyme hydrolysis process, and the resulting soy protein isolate can be used in acidic beverage formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assaying the teichoic acids present, most commonly in residual form, in a preparation of Gram+ bacterial antigens. This method requires, first of all, a controlled hydrolysis with hydrofluoric acid at a temperature of less than or equal to 40° C., in order to release the oligosaccharides specific for teichoic acids. The assaying of the specific oligosaccharides can then be carried out by various techniques, in particular by high performance chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). The method according to the invention can in particular be used to assay the residual amounts of teichoic acids present in preparations containing capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae, which may be useful as vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an active agent, in particular a metalloproteinase inhibitory agent of casein-derived peptides obtained by hydrolysis of casein by a food grade bacteria. The invention also relates to the manufacture of an active agent, in which a food grade bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus helveticus is contacted with casein in order to perform a hydrolysis and obtain casein-derived peptides exhibiting metalloproteinases inhibitory property. The present invention also includes isolated and purified inhibitory peptides obtained by hydrolysis of casein by the bacteria.

Abstract: An anti-hypertensive fish protein hydrolysate is provided, wherein the fish is of the genus Salmo or Oncorhynchus, and wherein the fish protein hydrolysate comprises at least 1 peptide selected from the group consisting of: Leu-Ala-Phe, Leu-Thr-Phe, Ile-Ile-Phe, Leu-Ala-Tyr, Ile-Ala-Tyr, Val-Phe-Tyr, Tyr-Ala-Tyr, Val-Leu-Trp, Ile-Ala-Trp, Tyr-Ala-Leu and Tyr-Asn-Arg. Methods of making and methods for using such fish protein hydrolysates are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of applying mass spectrometry to analyzing peptides or proteins, especially in the proteome setting. More particularly, the invention relates to a mass spectrometry-based method for detection of protein/peptide phosphorylation wherein the side chains of glutamic acid and/or aspartic acid residues of said peptides or proteins are chemically modified as to improve the selectivity/efficiency of identification of the phosphorylated protein/peptide.

Abstract: Nonnatural C-linked carbo-?-peptides with robust secondary structures, which involves the synthesis of a new class of ?-peptides called C-linked carbo-?-peptides. The compounds are favorably disposed for the formation of stable helical structures and are useful as biologically active carbo-?-peptides. The new class of ?-peptides have the following formula The new class of ?-peptides are useful as biologically active molecules to disrupt biological interactions of proteins, for molecular design and to synthesize peptide libraries.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for modifying the cyclic peptide ring system of Echinocandin-type compounds to produce new analogs having antifungal activity is provided. The inventive process comprises opening the cyclic peptide ring, cleaving the terminal ornithine unit, inserting at least one new amino acid or other synthetic unit and closing the ring to produce a new cyclic peptide ring structure. The process allows one to incorporate features such as water-solubility into the cyclic peptide ring nucleus, sites for further modification, increase or decrease the number of amino acid or peptide units within the ring nucleus, and increase or decrease the total number of members within the ring. The invention further provides novel Echinocandin type compounds and their use as antifungal or anti-parasitic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a partial hydrolysate of whey protein which contains bioactive peptides but does not have a bitter flavor. The hydrolysate is carried out using selective enzymes which produce the active peptides and is terminated at a degree of hydrolysis before substantial bitter flavors are created. There are also described novel peptides and a method of reducing systolic blood pressure through the administration of the peptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene Any-RF derived from an insect, having dormancy-control activity and biological cell-control function; a dormancy-control substance and a method for preparing the same; as well as a biological cell-control agent, which comprises, as an effective component, a physiologically active substance having a biological cell-control function and which never causes any antigen-antibody reaction in the living body. The gene encodes for a protein having an amino acid sequence specified as Sequence No. 1 in SEQUENCE LISTING: Asp-Ile-Leu-Arg-Gly, whose C-terminal is amidated and having a molecular weight of 570.959. The physiologically active substance comprising such a gene is a peptide, which can be isolated and purified by adding an acid-methanol aqueous solution to Antheraea yamamai, triturating the resulting mixture, centrifuging the same and then treating the resulting supernatant in an HPLC system.

Abstract: a peptide product is made by enzymatically hydrolyzing a protein, such as whey protein concentrate, in two stages. A fungal protease is used to hydrolyze the protein in each stage. The hydrolyzed protein is dried to form a peptide product. The peptide product is non-allergenic and lacks the bitter taste that some other peptide products have. If can be used to make milk replacement products and various other food products.

Abstract: Novel cyclodepsipeptide intermediates have been prepared from the A21978 complex and used to synthesize new lipodepsipeptide antibiotics. The three intermediates can be readily derivatized to give new families of antibiotics that have potent antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for trans-splicing peptides is provided. In the method, at least two extein peptides are provided, or are synthesized by recombinant methods, the extein peptides having co-reacting portions of a split intein attached thereto, so that the peptides will splice automatically under suitable conditions. A vector is also provided which includes at least one extein gene for expressing at least one of the extein peptides. Further provided is a method for circumventing packaging limitations in a gene delivery vehicle, by splitting a coding region for a protein to be delivered into two or more extein genes, which are packaged in separate virus particles and are co-delivered to a target cell for expression and for subsequent trans-splicing to form the complete protein. A pharmaceutical composition and a therapeutic method are also provided in which the recombinant viral particles are delivered to a cell and are expressed to produce a trans-spliced protein.

Abstract: Compounds that are analogs of glycopeptide antibiotics are disclosed. The compounds have the formula A1-A2-A3-A4-A5-A6-A7 wherein each of the groups A2 to A7 is a modified or unmodified &agr;-amino acid residue, A1 is optional and, when present, is an organic group other than N-substituted leucine, and at least one of the groups A1 to A7 is linked via a glycosidic bond to one or more glycosidic groups each having one or more sugar residues, wherein at least one of said sugar residues is modified to bear at least one hydrophobic substituent. Methods of making these compounds, compositions including these compounds, and methods of using the compounds to treat infections in a host are also disclosed.

Abstract: The synthesis of moisture-resistant adhesive polypeptides, conditions for their use, and conditions for controlling characteristics of the crosslinked matrix are disclosed. By specifically manipulating the conditions under which these networks are formed, the characteristics of the networks may be precisely regulated. These manipulatable adhesive networks are water-based, show exceptional bonding capabilities toward wet materials (including biological tissues), and have a variety of biotechnological applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nitrogenous composition resulting from the enzymatic hydrolysis of an aqueous solution of maize gluten, having a ratio of the concentrations of inorganic phosphorus to total phosphorus (Pi/Pt) greater than or equal to 0.05, preferably from 0.05 to 0.5 and a ratio of the concentrations of amine nitrogen to total nitrogen (Na/Nt) greater than or equal to 0.025. The invention also relates to the use of a nitrogenous composition according to the invention in culture media for microorganisms which produce, in particular, organic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for the preparation of high protein dietary food containing optimum nutritional composition of amino acids. The novelty of the process lies in the step of producing optimally mixed flour from different oilseed flours by hydrolysing the protein using successive and specific enzymatic reaction to get a final product having optimum desired nutritional composition of amino acids and quality protein.

Abstract: A method for producing a peptide mixture from a starting protein by (1) adding at least one protease to an aqueous solution of at least one starting protein to hydrolyse the starting protein, (2) measuring the amount of a free amino acid selected from the group consisting of lysine, phenylalanine, leucine and arginine produced during the hydrolysis of the starting protein, (3) calculating the amount of the free amino acid with respect to the total amount of amino acid contained in the starting protein, and (4) terminating the hydrolysis when the calculated amount of the free amino acid with respect to the total amount of the amino acid contained in the starting protein falls within a predetermined range. The inventive method provides a starting protein hydrolysate of uniform and consistent quality.

Abstract: Trisubstituted N-protected guanidines and methods for use as guanidinylating reagents to yield N-protected guanidine derivatives.

Abstract: Novel bioactive peptide compositions and process for producing the same and the use of such compositions for enhancing the growth of warm blooded animals and fish is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for the synthesis of &agr;-hydroxy-&bgr;-amino acid and amide derivatives and &agr;-ketoamide derivatives and novel derivatives made by these methods are provided. These methods involve reacting a N-terminally blocked (protected) aminoaldehyde with an isonitrile and a carboxylic acid to give an amino-&agr;-acyloxy carboxamide. The acyloxy group may be removed to give the derivative. Alternatively the protecting group is removed and acyl shift occurs to give the derivative. These derivatives are useful in the synthesis of compounds such as peptidyl &agr;-ketoamides and &agr;-hydroxy-&bgr;-carboxylic acid and amide derivatives. Certain of these compounds have been reported to have activity as inhibitors of proteases, such as serine proteases and cysteine proteases.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of peptides of general formula R1-L-Tyr-L-Arg-R2 in which R1=H or a R3-C=0 with R3=a C1 to C20 alkyl chain, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturate, hydroxylated or not, or with R3=an aryl, aryl-alkyl or alkyloxy or aryloxy or arylalkyloxy group, and in which R2=OH or a O-R4 group with R4=a C1 to C20 alkyl chain, or R2=a NH2, NHX or NXX group with X=a C1 to C4 alkyl chain. The peptides have a soothing effect on the skin, including by topical application, and attenuates the effects of benign skin sores (after shave irritation, sunstroke, frostbite, chaps, depilation). They are used in acceptable cosmetic excipients and in effective in vivo concentrations.

Abstract: Additive for use in any energy supplementation or metabolic nutrient in the form of a beverage or other nutrient for athletes or other persons in need of increased glycogen level, use of a protein hydrolysate to the preparation of such an energy supplementation and an energy supplement containing such an additive. The protein hydrolysate can be of animal or vegetable origin.

Abstract: A leather hydrolysate metal proteinate to be used as a metal nutrient for an animal feed. Chrome tanned leather scrap and shavings are heated in an aqueous solution with an alkali material to produce a water soluble, low molecular weight protein hydrolysate and insoluble chromium compounds which are subsequently separated from the hydrolysate. The hydrolysate is then oxidized to remove any objectionable trace organic residuals from the tanning process, and a di- or tri-valent water soluble metal salt is mixed with the hydrolysate to provide a metal proteinate. The metal proteinate, either as a liquid or a dried powder, can be used as animal or aquaculture diets.

Abstract: The invention concerns a complex containing biologically assimilable orthosilicic acid and a process of preparation of said complex. In this complex, orthosilicic acid is complexed with a polypeptide and the complex is under solid, stable and concentrated form. The present invention also concerns cosmetic or therapeutic compositions, and a nutritional supplement containing said complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for chemically removing a N-terminal methionine residue selectively, specifically and efficiently from a peptide or a salt thereof having an optionally oxidized methinine residue at its N-terminal. The method reacts a peptide or a salt thereof having an optionally oxidized methinine residue at its N-terminal with an &agr;-diketone derivative, followed by hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the enzymatic preparation of protected di- and oligopeptides and the separation of the protective groups used. The process according to the invention enables peptides to be synthesized simply and economically and the protective group to be separated carefully. The process comprises three reaction steps: 1. Preparation of N-carbamoyl amino acid or N-carbamoyl amino acid derivatives; 2. Formation of the peptide bond between the carbamoyl-protected electrophile and nucelophile; and 3. Separation of the carbamoyl-protective group.

Abstract: A short chain peptide material is provided containing a peptide material derived from a protein material. At least a majority of the peptides in the peptide material have a peptide chain length of 7 peptides or less. The peptide material is at least 95% soluble in an aqueous solution having a pH at which the protein material from which the peptide material is derived is insoluble. A process for forming the short chain peptide material is also provided. A slurry is formed of a protein material at a pH at which the protein material is substantially insoluble. The protein material is contacted with an enzyme having substantial endopeptidase activity and substantial exopeptidase activity at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form the peptide material of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fine fibrous assembly having a molecular structure of a bola-form peptide lipid containing L- or D-valine residues which can be obtained by spontaneous crystallization precipitation when an aqueous solution of the peptide lipid compound of the general formula ##STR1## in which Me is a methyl group, the subscript m is 1, 2 or 3 and the subscript n is a positive integer in the range from 6 to 18, in the form of an alkali metal salt is kept standing over days under an atmosphere of a saturated vapor over a dilute aqueous solution of a vaporizable acid such as acetic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to analogs of peptidase substrates in which the amide group containing the scissile amide bond of the substrate peptide has been replaced by an activated electrophilic ketone moiety. These analogs of the peptidase substrates provide specific enzyme inhibitors for a variety of proteases, the inhibition of which will have useful physiological consequences in a variety of disease states.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that block calcium channels having the Formula I shown below. ##STR1## The present invention also provides methods of using the compounds of Formula I to treat stroke, cerebral ischemia, head trauma, or epilepsy and to pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds of Formula I.

Abstract: A process employs amidine or amidine base and a metal compound in the presence of an alcohol or water to transesterify, or saponify esters or amides. Since the process employs relatively mild conditions, it is especially suitable for the production of optically active substances and biomolecules, e.g. peptides, amino acids and nucleic acids which are sensitive to elevated temperatures, extreme pH values and/or long reaction times since these compounds are easily racemised or denatured. The conditions additionally find use in solid phase systems. When amino acid or peptide esters are saponified, the splitting is brought about with lithium hydroxide alone under mild conditions. The use of an amidine base, more particularly DBU or DBN, in combination with the metal salt additionally accelerates the reaction so strongly that even sensitive acid derivatives can be reacted under mild conditions.