This invention relates to a novel approach for the identification and stratification of subtypes of cancer, particularly subtypes of cancer characterized by an increased expression of BCAT1, particularly Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The invention furthermore relates to a novel approach with respect to the treatment of cancer, particularly subtypes of cancer characterized by an increased expression of BCAT1, particularly Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

This document describes biochemical pathways for producing 7-hydroxyheptanoate methyl ester and heptanoic acid heptyl ester using one or more of a fatty acid O-methyltransferase, an alcohol O-acetyltransferase, and a monooxygenase, as well as recombinant hosts expressing one or more of such exogenous enzymes. 7-hydroxyheptanoate methyl esters and heptanoic acid heptyl esters can be enzymatically converted to pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, or 1,7-heptanediol.

The present invention generally relates to the microbiological industry, and specifically to the production of L-serine or L-serine derivatives using genetically modified bacteria. The present invention provides genetically modified microorganisms, such as bacteria, wherein the expression of genes encoding for enzymes involved in the degradation of L-serine is attenuated, such as by inactivation, which makes them particularly suitable for the production of L-serine at higher yield. The present invention also provides means by which the microorganism, and more particularly a bacterium, can be made tolerant towards higher concentrations of serine. The present invention also provides methods for the production of L-serine or L-serine derivative using such genetically modified microorganisms.

Provided are a transaminase mutant and an application thereof. Compared with an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, an amino acid sequence of the transaminase mutant includes at least one of the following mutation sites: L166, K149, K146, A168, H73, F133, H82, E24, V194, T294, A295, G235 and F236. The mutant of the present invention has the improved catalytic activity for a transammonization reaction of ketone substrates, and is suitable for industrial production of chiral amines.

Provided are a co-immobilized enzyme, a preparation method and use thereof. The co-immobilized enzyme includes: an amino resin carrier, a main enzyme, and a coenzyme. The main enzyme and the coenzyme are co-immobilized on the amino resin carrier, herein the main enzyme is covalent-immobilized on the amino resin carrier, and the coenzyme is immobilized on the amino resin carrier by a mode of covalent and/or non-covalent; and the main enzyme is selected from any one of the following enzymes: transaminase, amino acid dehydrogenase, imine reductase, ketoreductase, enoyl reductase, and monooxygenase. The main enzyme and the coenzyme thereof are co-immobilized on the amino resin carrier for co-immobilization, so the activity and the recycling efficiency of the enzyme are improved.

A microorganism is transformed to be capable of producing guanidinoacetic acid (GAA). A method can be used for the fermentative production of GAA using such a microorganism. A corresponding method can be used for the fermentative production of creatine.

Provided are a transaminase mutant and use thereof. The transaminase mutant has an amino acid sequence obtained by mutation of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, the mutation at least includes one of the following mutation site combinations: T7C+S47C, Q78C+A330C, V137C+G313C, A217C+Y252C and L295C+C328C; or the transaminase mutant has an amino acid sequence which has the mutation sites in the mutated amino acid sequence and has 80% or more identity with the mutated amino acid sequence. The transaminase mutant realizes the change of protein structure and functions, reduces the enzyme amount, increases the enantiomeric excess (ee) value of a product, and reduces the difficulty of post-processing, so that the transaminase mutant may be suitable for industrial production.

The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms and methods for the biological production of ethylene glycol and precursors of ethylene glycol. In particular, the microorganism of the invention produces ethylene glycol or a precursor of ethylene glycol through one or more of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, oxaloacetate, citrate, malate, and glycine. The invention further provides compositions comprising ethylene glycol or polymers of ethylene glycol such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Described is a method for the incorporation of formaldehyde into biomass comprising the following enzymatically catalyzed steps (1) condensation of pyruvate with formaldehyde into 4-hydroxy-2-oxobutanoic acid (HOB); (2) amination of the thus produced 4-hydroxy-2-oxobutanoic acid (HOB) to produce homoserine; (3) conversion of thus produced homoserine to threonine; (4) conversion of the thus produced threonine into glycine and acetaldehyde or acetyl-CoA; (5) condensation of the thus produced glycine with formaldehyde to produce serine; and (6) conversion of the thus produced serine to produce pyruvate, wherein said pyruvate can then be used as a substrate in step (1).

The invention provides compositions and methods for suppressing autoimmune components of neurodegenerative diseases and thereby providing therapeutic effects to patients suffering from such diseases, Compositions and methods include immunosuppressive moieties such as regulatory T cells (Tregs) and proteins expressed by Tregs coupled to a chimeric antigen receptor or protein that specifically binds one or more glial cell markers. Therapeutically effective doses of said compounds for treating neurodegenerative diseases including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), multiple sclerosis, and prion diseases are disclosed.