The invention relates to the use of at least one bacterial phytase in combination with one or more protease(s) in animal feed for improving nutrient and E ileal digestibility of animal feed, in particular an improved digestibility of Threonine, Proline and Cysteine, the method comprising the step of applying to the animal a feed with an efficient amount of one or more proteolytic enzyme in combination with at least one phytase.

The invention relates to the use of at least one bacterial phytase in combination with one or more protease(s) in animal feed for improving nutrient and E ileal digestibility of animal feed, in particular an improved digestibility of Threonine, Proline and Cysteine, the method comprising the step of applying to the animal a feed with an efficient amount of one or more proteolytic enzyme in combination with at least one phytase.

Covalently cross-linked pilus polymers displayed on the cell surface of Gram-positive bacteria are assembled by class C sortase enzymes. These pilus-specific transpeptidases located on the bacterial membrane catalyze a two-step protein ligation reaction—first, cleaving the LPXTG motif of one pilin protomer to form an acyl-enzyme intermediate, and second, joining the terminal threonine to the nucleophilic lysine residue residing within the pilin motif of another pilin protomer. Informed by the high-resolution crystal structures of corynebacterial pilus-specific sortase (SrtA) and by developing structural variants of the sortase enzyme whose catalytic pocket has been unmasked by activating mutations, we have developed new reagents capable of forming isopeptide bonds in vitro. The reagents disclosed herein can catalyze ligation of isolated SpaA domains in vitro provide a facile and versatile new platform for protein engineering and bio-conjugation that has major implications for biotechnology.

Covalently cross-linked pilus polymers displayed on the cell surface of Gram-positive bacteria are assembled by class C sortase enzymes. These pilus-specific transpeptidases located on the bacterial membrane catalyze a two-step protein ligation reaction—first, cleaving the LPXTG motif of one pilin protomer to form an acyl-enzyme intermediate, and second, joining the terminal threonine to the nucleophilic lysine residue residing within the pilin motif of another pilin protomer. Informed by the high-resolution crystal structures of corynebacterial pilus-specific sortase (SrtA) and by developing structural variants of the sortase enzyme whose catalytic pocket has been unmasked by activating mutations, we have developed new reagents capable of forming isopeptide bonds in vitro. The reagents disclosed herein can catalyze ligation of isolated SpaA domains in vitro provide a facile and versatile new platform for protein engineering and bio-conjugation that has major implications for biotechnology.

Rapid, animal protein free, chromatographic processes and systems for obtaining high potency, high yield botulinum neurotoxin for research, therapeutic and cosmetic use.

Rapid, animal protein free, chromatographic processes and systems for obtaining high potency, high yield botulinum neurotoxin for research, therapeutic and cosmetic use.

Methods of using thermostable serine proteases are described herein.

Polypeptides, and methods for their use, are disclosed that have an amino acid sequence at least 75% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, are provided, wherein (a) the polypeptide degrades a PFQPQLPY (SEQ ID NO: 140) peptide and/or a PFPQPQQPF (SEQ ID NO: 68) at pH 4; (b) residue 467 is Ser, residue 267 is Glu, and residue 271 is Asp; and (c) the polypeptide comprises an amino acid change from SEQ ID NO: 1 at one or more residues selected from the group consisting of 221, 262E, 268, 269, 270, 319A, 320, 354E/Q/R/Y, 358S/Q/T, 368F/Q, 399, 402, 406, 424, 449, 461, 463, 105, 171, 172, 173, 174, and 456.

Polypeptides, and methods for their use, are disclosed that have an amino acid sequence at least 75% identical to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, are provided, wherein (a) the polypeptide degrades a PFQPQLPY (SEQ ID NO: 140) peptide and/or a PFPQPQQPF (SEQ ID NO: 68) at pH 4; (b) residue 467 is Ser, residue 267 is Glu, and residue 271 is Asp; and (c) the polypeptide comprises an amino acid change from SEQ ID NO: 1 at one or more residues selected from the group consisting of 221, 262E, 268, 269, 270, 319A, 320, 354E/Q/R/Y, 358S/Q/T, 368F/Q, 399, 402, 406, 424, 449, 461, 463, 105, 171, 172, 173, 174, and 456.

Vesicles that incorporate reporting constructs for characterizing Botulinum neurotoxin protease activity and suitable for use in an assay are provided. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert. The reporting constructs are a pair of recombinant hybrid proteins that act in concert, and that include a Botulinum neurotoxin protease recognition and cleavage sequence positioned to release a fluorophore upon cleavage.