Enzymes

Gene-Encoding Enzyme Having Flavin Reducing Activity and Nitroreductase Activity Inouye et al. Chisso Corporation US 5468631; November 21, 1995 A gene-encoding an enzyme having the flavin reducing activity and nitroreductase activity, an enzyme produced therefrom, a re- combinant vector containing the gene, and bacteria containing the recombinant vector.

Salt Stabilization of Antibody-Enzyme Conjugates Heat-Dried into Paper Richards Immunomatrix, Inc. US 5468622; November 21, 1995 Methods of producing stabilized enzyme antibody conjugates which are particularly useful in forming multilayer immunoassay test devices. The stabilized enzyme-antibody conjugate can be formed on a continuous web and dried in a heat tunnel. The pro- cess allows for more efficient production of multilayer test strips.

Multienzyme-Powdered Composition Containing Bacteria for Treatment of Waste Bruno Enzyme Research & Development Corporation US 5464766; November 7, 1995 A stabilized dust-free powdered enzyme/bacterial fermentation product for readily treating drains, septic tanks, distribution boxes, holding tanks, drain fields, sewer lines, dry wells, grease traps, compost heaps, and garbage disposals. The stabilized powdered formulation effectively digests and liquifies most organic wastes flushed into on-site waste disposal systems. The environmentally attractive product can also be used for regular periodic sludge pumpouts. The waste-digesting composition can include: enzymes, enzyme preservatives, enzyme activators, nonpathogenic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, bacterial nutrients, buffers, emulsifiers, and heavy metal scavengers.

Human Endothelin-Converting Enzyme Isolated from Blood or Placenta by Hydrated Density Ohwaki et al. Nisshin Flour Milling Co. Ltd. US 5462869; October 31, 1995 Human endothelin-converting enzyme isolated from blood or pla- centa by a series of centrifugation steps at different densities.

Method for Improving Enzyme Activities with Noble Gases Boisrobert et al. American Air Liquide US 5462861; October 31, 1995 A method for regulating enzyme activity which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble

gases or mixtures thereof. The activity of an enzyme on a substrate can be improved by contacting the enzyme with a noble gas under specific temperatures and pressures.

Diagnosing Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility by Detection of Abnormal Proteolytic Enzyme Digestion Fragments of the Ryanodine Receptor Campbell et al. University of Iowa US 5462857; October 31, 1995 A method of diagnosing malignant hyperthermia susceptibility by detecting abnormal ryanodine receptor fragments following pro- teolytic enzyme digestion of ryanodine receptors isolated from the sarcoplasmic reticulum of mammalian skeletal muscle.

Inverse-Linkage Oligonucleotides for Chemical and Enzymatic Processes Coassin et al. Beckman Instruments, Inc. US 5462854; October 31, 1995 Inverse-linkage oligonucleotides useful in an enzymatic process amenable to enzymatic elongation from either, or most preferably, both termini.

Bacteria

Bacillus thuringiensis Anti-Giardia Treatment Gaertner et al. Mycogen Corporation US 5468483; November 21, 1995 A novel isolate of Bacillus thuringiensis which has activity against protozoans. The isolate, designated PS81F, or the purified protein toxin or inclusion bodies from this isolate can be used to treat humans and animals hosting a parasitic protozoan. The gene en- coding the toxin can be transferred to a suitable host via a bio- logical vector.

Bacillus thurirzgiensb Strains and Their Genes Encoding Insecticidal Toxins Lambert et al. Plant Genetic Systems NV US 5466597; November 14, 1995 Two new Bacillus thuringiensis strains which are deposited at the DSM under accession nos. 5870 and 5871 produce new crystal proteins during sporulation that are toxic to Coleoptera and are encoded by new genes. The crystal proteins contain protoxins which can yield toxins as trypsin digestion products.

Richard S. Parr is Editor of the biotechnology patent newsletter BIOTECH Patent News, P.O. Box 4482, Metuchen, NJ 08840.

Enzyme and Microbial Technology 20:75-78, 1997 0 1997 by Elsevier Science Inc. 655 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10010

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