An acyl-ACP thioesterase consisting of an amino acid sequence of the 115.sup.th to 274.sup.th amino acids set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1; an acyl-ACP thioesterase gene encoding the protein; a transformant having the gene; and a method of producing a lipid using the transformant.

The present disclosure provides a gene encoding a protein having ?-ketoacyl-ACP synthase activity having at least 60% or more identity with the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, the protein encoded by the gene, a method of producing a transformant by transforming a host with the gene, a transformant that is transformed with the gene, and a method of producing a lipid, especially, a lipid containing a medium chain fatty acid or ester thereof, by culturing the transformed host that expresses the gene. In some embodiments, the transformant also has a gene encoding an acyl-ACP thioesterase.

The disclosure provides novel molecules related to growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF8), in particular epitopes specific to GDF8 and other specific antagonists of GDF8 in particular anti-GDF8 antibodies or antigen binding protein or fragment thereof which may inhibit GDF8 activity and signal in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides for an immunoassay used to detect and quantitate GDF8. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, ameliorating, and treating GDF8-associated disorders, e.g., degenerative orders of muscle, bone, and insulin metabolism. Finally, the disclosure provides pharmaceuticals for the treatment of such disorders by using the antibodies, polypeptides, polynucleotides, and vectors of the invention.

Described is a method for the production of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid by enzyme-catalyzed covalent bond formation between the carbon atom of the oxo group of acetone and the methyl group of a compound which provides an activated acetyl group. Also described are recombinant organisms which produce 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, and related compositions and methods.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a genetically enhanced cyanobacterium for the production of a first chemical compound, comprising at least one first recombinant gene encoding a first biocatalyst for the production of the first chemical compound, wherein the gene is under the transcriptional control of a Co.sup.2+ or Zn.sup.2+-inducible promoter. Such a cyanobacterium can provide a tighter control of the production of the first chemical compound.

The present invention provides host cells and methods for making mogrol glycosides, including Mogroside V (Mog. V), Mogroside VI (Mog. VI), Iso-Mogroside V (Isomog. V), and glycosylation products that are minor products in Siraitia grosvenorii. The invention provides engineered enzymes and engineered host cells for producing mogrol glycosylation products, such as Mog. V, Mog. VI, and Isomog. V, at high purity and/or yield. The present technology further provides methods of making products containing mogrol glycosides, such as Mog. V, Mog. VI, and Isomog. V, including food products, beverages, oral care products, sweeteners, and flavoring products.