The invention relates to a polypeptide for the hydrolytic cleavage of zearalenone and/or at least one zearalenone derivative, said polypeptide being a hydrolase having an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1-15 or a functional variant thereof, wherein the sequence of the functional variant is at least 40% identical to at least one of the amino acid sequences. The invention also relates to: an additive containing the polypeptide; an isolated polynucleotide that encodes the polypeptide; and a method for the hydrolytic cleavage of zearalenone and/or of at least one zearalenone derivative using the polypeptide.

Methods and compositions are provided for assessing, treating, and preventing diseases, especially cancer, using cancer-associated targets (CAT). Methods and compositions are also provided for determining or predicting the effectiveness of a treatment for these diseases or for selecting a treatment, using CAT. Methods and compositions are further provided for modulating cell function using CAT. Also provided are compositions that modulate CAT (e.g., antagonists or agonists), such as antibodies, proteins, small molecule compounds, and nucleic acid agents (e.g., RNAi and antisense agents), as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Further provided are methods of screening for agents that modulate CAT, and agents identified by these screening methods.

Provided are a method and a reagent for improving the activity of PETase. The method includes adding a surfactant, when a PETase (a) an aromatic polyester-degrading enzyme consisting of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 in the sequence listing; or PETase (b) an aromatic polyester-degrading enzyme consisting of an amino acid sequence comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids with respect to the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 or 4 in the sequence listing, and having an aromatic polyester-degrading activity is allowed to act on PET so as to degrade the PET.

The present invention relates to novel esterase, more particularly to esterase variants having improved thermostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID No 1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.

The present invention provides a transgenic strain for producing succinate. The transgenic strain comprises an autotrophic host cell, and a plurality of exogenous genes within the host cell. The exogenous genes include a gene for expressing -ketoglutarate decarboxylase (Kgd), a gene for expressing succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GabD), a gene for expressing citrate synthase (GltA) and a gene for expressing phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (Ppc). Further, expression of at least one of the native genes encoding glucose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase (GlgC), succinate dehydrogenase subunit A (SdhA), and succinate dehydrogenase subunit B (SdhB) is suppressed in the host cell. The present invention further provides a method for producing succinate, which comprises: providing a transgenic strain of the present invention, and culturing the transgenic strain under a preset condition.

Compositions and methods for treating or preventing S. aureus infections are provided. The compositions can be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions or as disinfectants, sanitizers, detergents or antiseptics, and can be used to eradicate or reduce S. aureus populations and thereby treat or prevent infection by S. aureus. The compositions include one or more digestive enzymes, e.g., one or more protease, lipases, and amylases. Methods of use of the compositions are also provided.

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides with lipase activity. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the polypeptides.

A treatment for pruritus is described that is based upon amylase. The amylases (-, -, -amylase) are noted for the cleavage of the -glycosidic bonds of polysaccharides, yielding lower molecular weight carbohydrate/sugar fragments. It has now been found that -amylase is effective in the reduction of pruritus (itching) of affected tissue.

Isolated polypeptides with lipase activity; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the polypeptides for cleaning are disclosed.

The present invention relates to a method for solubilisation or hydrolysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) with an enzyme blend and an enzyme composition for solubilization of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), the enzyme composition comprising a cellulolytic background composition and a protease, lipase and/or beta-glucanase.