Kabushiki Kaisha Yakult Honsha

Ciba Geigy Japan Limited

Daisuke Tsuru

Tadashi Yoshimoto

Kunio Kado

Tetsuya Inaoka

Hisao Hagiwara

Toshio Kokubo

The invention concerns DNA encoding prolylendopeptidase, hybrid vectors containing such DNA, transformed hosts capable of expressing prolylendopeptidase, a process for the production of prolylendopeptidase including the steps of: culturing a host organism transformed with an expression vector including a DNA coding for prolylendopeptidase and optionally, recovering the produced prolylendopeptidase; and a process for the production of a C-terminal amidated peptide from two precursors, including the steps of: placing the two precursors in contact with a prolylendopeptidase in a medium to convert the precursor peptides to the C-terminal amidated peptide, and recovering the resulting C-terminal amidated peptide.

DNA molecule encoding prokaryotic prolylendopeptidase

An anti-amnestic agent which comprises as an active ingredient thereof at least one prolinal derivative of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein A is a protective groups for amino group in the field of amino acid chemistry and X is a residue of an amino acid, in a pharmacologically active amount together with an exipient. This agent is less toxic and can be safely administered to patients orally or intravenously for the remedy of memory disorder.

Anti-amnestic agent

Growing community of inventors

Nagasaki, Japan

Daisuke Tsuru