Luan Tao

US Patent:

6984523, Jan 10, 2006

Filed:

Jul 30, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/209372

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US

Assignee:

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12N 15/54

US Classification:

435410, 4352523, 43525411, 4352522, 435193, 536 232

Abstract:

A ketolase gene has been isolated from AN12 strain encoding a carotenoid modification enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The gene and gene product are the first isolated from a strain. Six conserved amino acid motifs have been identified as the characteristic of this type of ketolase enzymes. The gene and gene product of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of keto-carotenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.

US Patent:

7034140, Apr 25, 2006

Filed:

Apr 22, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/128713

Inventors:

Michael G. Bramucci - Folsom PA, US
Patricia C. Brzostowicz - West Chester PA, US
Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Kristy N Kostichka - Wilmington DE, US
Pierre E. Rouviere - Wilmington DE, US
Vasantha Nagarajan - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US
Stuart M. Thomas - Wilmington DE, US

Assignee:

E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12N 15/31
C12N 15/63
C12N 15/74
C12N 15/82

US Classification:

536 237, 536 231, 536 232, 435183, 4353201, 435419

Abstract:

Genes have been isolated from AN12 strain encoding the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The genes and gene products are the first isolated from a strain. The genes and gene products of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of isoprenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.

US Patent:

7063955, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Nov 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/292577

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12P 23/00
C12N 9/02
C12N 1/19
C12N 1/21
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

435 67, 435143, 435183, 435189, 4352523, 43525233, 43525411, 435410, 536 232

Abstract:

Genes have been isolated from and which encode a specific lycopene β-cyclase capable of converting acyclic carotenoids with at least one ψ-end group to the corresponding asymmetric carotenoid containing a single β-ionone ring end group. The genes are new. Transformed host cells expressing the present genes and methods for the bio-conversion of acylic carotenoid substrates to corresponding asymmetric carotenoid are also provided.

US Patent:

7064196, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Mar 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/808979

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12N 15/31
C12N 15/54
C12N 15/55

US Classification:

536 237, 536 232, 435193, 435195, 435198

Abstract:

Genes have been isolated from strain DC260, a member of the Enterobacteriaceae family, encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthetase (CrtE), phytoene synthase (CrtB), phytoene desaturase (CrtI), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), β-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ), and zeaxanthin glucosyl transferase (CrtX) activity. The genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

US Patent:

7070952, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Mar 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/804677

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Natalia Sedkova - Cherry Hill NJ, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12P 5/00
C12P 5/02
C12N 9/00
C12N 1/20
C12N 1/14

US Classification:

435 67, 4352523, 435183, 435325, 43525411, 4352572, 435419, 43525421, 43525422, 43525423, 4352546, 4352522, 43525231, 43525232, 43525233, 43525234, 43525235, 536 232

Abstract:

Genes have been isolated from encoding geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) synthase (CrtE), phytoene synthase (CrtB), phytoene desaturase (Crtl), lycopene cyclase (CrtY), β-carotene hydroxylase (CrtZ), and zeaxanthin glucosyl transferase (CrtX) activity. The genes and their products are useful for the conversion of farnesyl pyrophosphate to carotenoids. Vectors containing those DNA segments, host cells containing the vectors and methods for producing those enzymes by recombinant DNA technology in transformed host organisms are disclosed.

US Patent:

7074588, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Jun 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/152747

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Havertown PA, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12P 23/00
C12N 9/10

US Classification:

435 67, 435193

Abstract:

A ketolase gene has been isolated from AN12 strain encoding a carotenoid modification enzyme of the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. The gene and gene product are the first isolated from a strain. Six conserved amino acid motifs have been identified as the characteristic of this type of ketolase enzymes. The gene and gene product of the present invention may be used in a variety of ways for the production of keto-carotenoid compounds in a variety of organisms.

US Patent:

7074604, Jul 11, 2006

Filed:

Dec 29, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/025177

Inventors:

Xiao-Song Tang - Hockessin DE, US
Qiong Cheng - Hockessin DE, US
Joanne Y. Shyr - Newark DE, US
Luan Tao - Claymont DE, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12N 9/02
C12N 9/00
C12N 1/20
C12N 15/00
C07H 21/04

US Classification:

435189, 435 691, 435183, 4352523, 43525233, 435858, 4353201, 536 232

Abstract:

Protein engineered nucleic acid fragments encoding a CrtO ketolase and a CrtZ hydroxylase are provided with increased astaxanthin synthesis activity. Methods using the present nucleic acid fragments are also provided for increasing or altering astaxanthin production in suitable production hosts.

US Patent:

7091031, Aug 15, 2006

Filed:

Aug 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/200394

Inventors:

Qiong Cheng - Wilmington DE, US
Luan Tao - Havertown PA, US
Natalia Sedkova - Cherry Hill NJ, US

Assignee:

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

C12N 1/21
C12N 1/13
C12N 1/15
C12N 1/19
C12N 5/10
C12N 15/63
C12N 9/02

US Classification:

4352523, 435189, 4353201, 4352541, 4352551, 435419, 435411, 435412, 435414, 435415, 4352521, 43525231, 43525232, 43525233, 43525234, 43525235, 43525421, 43525422, 43525423, 4352543, 4352546, 4352572, 536 232

Abstract:

A novel CrtZ carotenoid hydroxylase, isolated from DC263, is provided that is useful for the production of hydroxylated carotenoids. Additionally, a previously identified hypothetical protein from has found to have carotenoid hydroxylase activity. Both hydroxylase genes exhibit low homology in comparison to other CrtZ hydroxylases previously reported. Expression of the hydroxylases in heterologous host cells enabled production of hydroxylated carotenoids.