Disclosed herein is an agent that modulates a cis interaction between Repulsive Guidance Molecule A (RGMa) and Neogenin or lipid rafts. Modulation by the agent may include blocking the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin and/or disrupting lipid rafts. In turn, this promotes neuronal cell survival and axon growth and/or regeneration. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a disease in a subject in need thereof. The method may include administering the agent to the subject. Further disclosed herein is a method of identifying an agent that modulates the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.

The object is to provide a novel enzyme exhibiting cholesterol dehydrogenase activity. Provided is a mutant enzyme having an amino acid sequence of a microorganism-derived cholesterol oxidase, which is composed of: (1) an amino acid corresponding to the amino acid at the position 113 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (2) an amino acid corresponding to the amino acid at the position 362 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (3) an amino acid corresponding to the amino acid at the position 402 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (4) an amino acid corresponding to the amino acid at the position 412 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; (5) an amino acid corresponding to the amino acid at the position 468 of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and others.

There is provided a kit that is used for fractionation of cholesterol (lipoprotein C) in a lipoprotein other than small dense LDL in a sample, the kit containing a first reagent composition having at least one activity selected from the group consisting of a cholesterol esterase activity and a cholesterol oxidase activity and a second reagent composition for quantifying the lipoprotein C of a measurement target, where a ratio R1 represented by ABS400/ABS450 is 0.90 or more and 3.50 or less, and in an absorption spectrum after storing the second reagent composition at 37° C. for two weeks, the ratio R1 represented by ABS400/ABS450 is 0.90 or more and 9.00 or less.

Disclosed herein is an agent that modulates a cis interaction between Repulsive Guidance Molecule A (RGMa) and Neogenin or lipid rafts. Modulation by the agent may include blocking the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin and/or disrupting lipid rafts. In turn, this promotes neuronal cell survival and axon growth and/or regeneration. Also disclosed herein is a method of treating a disease in a subject in need thereof. The method may include administering the agent to the subject. Further disclosed herein is a method of identifying an agent that modulates the cis interaction between RGMa and Neogenin.

A starch biosynthesis method may implement total artificial biosynthesis from simple compounds such as dihydroxyacetone, formaldehyde, formic acid and methanol to starch. By coupling with methods such as chemical reduction of carbon dioxide, even total artificial biosynthesis of starch taking carbon dioxide as a starting raw material can be implemented. The method can utilize carbon dioxide of high concentration and high density and electric energy and hydrogen energy of high energy density, is more suitable for an industrial production mode, and the production cycle is shortened from several months in farming to several days.

An electrochemical test for total cholesterol includes a test strip for an electrochemical testing testing of a blood analyte which includes a first receiving port, the first receiving port for receiving a blood sample, the first receiving port at a first end of the test strip. The test strip further includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first and second electrodes proximate to the first receiving port. The test strip further includes a first contact and a second contact, the first and second contacts at a second end of the test strip, the first and second contacts interconnected with the first and second electrodes, respectively. The test strip further includes cholesterol oxidase, located proximate to the first and the second electrode. The test strip further includes a mediator, located proximate to the first and the second electrode, wherein the cholesterol oxidase and the mediator interact with the blood sample and the first and second electrode to generate a measurable electrical event.

Disclosed herein are compositions, constructs, cassettes, vectors, cells, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods for reducing cholesterol and lipid buildup in mammalian subjects, via gene and/or cell therapeutic treatments. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods may help to reduce lipid levels in mammals. In one embodiment, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods are useful in reducing lipid build-up, especially cholesterol, in liver cells.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.