TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi- DON, a method for reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON as well as a method for converting a trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group into a trichothecene comprising a 3-hydroxy group using one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % to SEQ ID NO. 1. Also envisioned are feed or food additives or feed or food as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 as well as the manufacture thereof. Encompassed are further polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1. Also envisioned are host cells or plants.

DESCRIPTION

[002] Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. One representative of mycotoxins is deoxynivalenol (DON), or vomitoxin a type-B trichotecene, which is produced by a variety of Fusarium fungi and can be found throughout the world. These fungi infest cultivated plants, among others, such as various types of grain, wherein the fungal infestation usually occurs before the harvest when the growth of the fungi and/or the mycotoxin production may take place before storage or may even take place after harvest, either prior to storage or under improper storage conditions. In an international study spanning 8 years, a total of 19,757 samples was analyzed from January 2004 to December 2011; 72 % of them testing positive for at least one mycotoxin, 39 % were found to be co contaminated, and 56 % testing positive for DON (Schatzmayr and Streit (2013)). Trichothecenes and thus also DON have been found in all regions of the world and in all types of grain and feed crops tested, such as corn, soy flour, wheat, wheat bran, DDGS (dried distillers grains with solubles) as well as in finished animal feed mixtures with an incidence of up to 100 %. [003] The primary strategy for reducing trichothecene contamination of foods and animal feed products is to restrict the growth of fungi, for example by maintaining "good agricultural practice". This includes, among other things, ensuring that the seed is free of pests and fungal infestation or that agricultural waste products are removed from the field promptly. In addition, fungal growth in the field can be reduced by the use of fungicides. After the harvest, the harvested material should be stored at a residual moisture level of less than 15 % and at a low temperature to prevent the growth of fungi. Likewise, material contaminated by fungal infestation should be removed before further processing. Despite this long list of preventive measures, even in regions with the highest agricultural standards such as North America and Central Europe, up to 68 % of the tested samples were found contaminated with DON as a representative of trichothecenes in the years 2004 to 2011 (Schatzmayr and Streit (2013)).

[004] It is known that toxicity of trichothecenes is (at least) partly due to hydroxyl (-OH) group present at the C-3 atom. One of the most abundant trichothecenes having such a 3- hydroxy group is deoxynivalenol (DON).

[005] Yet, the hydroxyl group of DON and other trichothecenes can be present in two isomeric states, namely in S conformation (DON) or the R conformation (3-epi-DON), as discussed in several publications, e.g. He et al. (2015), Payros et al. (2016) and Pierron et al. (2016).

[006] Hassan et al. (2017) claims that the epimerization of DON to 3-epi-DON proceeds via a two-step process through the formation of 3-keto DON. 3-keto DON comprises a 3-oxo group instead of a 3-hydroxy group as present in the isomers. Finally, Carere et al. (2018) identified an enzyme, namely DmDepB from D. mutans 17-2-E-8 that performs the reduction from 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON and DON. WO2019/046954 describes this very same enzyme as Hassan et al. (2017) and a further DepB enzyme obtained from Rhizobium leguminosarum (RIDepB). He et al. (2020) describe similar enzymes, with the difference of having two homologs to DepB, instead of only one (He et al. (2020) “A quinone-dependent dehydrogenase and two NADPH-dependent aldo/keto reductases detoxify deoxynivalenol in wheat via epimerization in a Devosia strain.” Food Chemistry, 321:126703).

[007] However, there is still a need to provide enzymes which have a better efficiency in converting 3-keto-DON into the non-toxic isomer 3-epi-DON or to convert trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group into trichothecenes comprising a 3-hydroxy group in S configuration.

[008] The solution of the present invention is described in the following, exemplified in the examples, illustrated in the Figures and reflected in the claims.

[009] The present invention relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi- DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 with 3-keto DON.

[0010] The present invention relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi- DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 with 3-keto DON, respectively.

[0011] The present invention also relates to feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID

NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[0012] The present invention also relates to feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID

NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3, respectively.

[0013] The present invention further relates to polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 , 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1, 2 or 3 wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON, respectively.

[0014] In addition, the present invention relates to a method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 or subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3, respectively. [0015] Also, the present invention relates to a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein for converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON and/or into DON.

[0016] Further, the present invention relates to a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein in the manufacture of a feed additive or feed composition, a pharmaceutical composition. [0017] The present invention concerns a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein in the manufacture of biogas, bioethanol, or sugar, preferably from sugar cane or sugar beets.

[0018] Further, the present invention relates to an additive for use in agrarian compositions comprising 3-keto-DON or DON, the additive comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[0019] Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of converting a trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group into a trichothecene comprising a 3-hydroxy group, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein with a trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group.

[0020] Further, the present invention concerns a host cell comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[0021] Also encompassed by the present invention is a plant genetically modified to express one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a seed of a plant as disclosed herein.

[0023] Further, the present invention relates to a preparation comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[0024] In addition, the present invention relates to one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein for use in the prevention and/or treatment of mycotoxicosis. In addition, the present invention relates to one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein for use as a medicament and/or for use in a method of prevention and/or treatment of mycotoxicosis. [0025] Further, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more polypeptides as disclosed herein (e.g., comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[0026] The Figures show:

[0027] Fig. 1 ClustalO sequence alignment of SEQ ID NO. 1-28.

[0028] Fig. 2 ClustalO sequence identities of SEQ ID NO. 1-28.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows data for different enzymes of SEQ ID NO. 1-28 as well as prior art enzymes with regard to the enzyme activity as well as stereoselectivity.

[0030] It was surprisingly found that reductases of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28 convert 3- keto-DON into 3-epi-DON with a higher activity than prior art enzymes. In this conversion a 3-oxo group of trichothecenes (e.g. DON) is converted into a 3-hydroxy group more efficiently compared to prior art enzymes SEQ ID NO. 29 (DmDepB) and SEQ ID NO. 30 (RIDepB). This better activity is shown in the examples. Since most of the trichothecenes share the feature that they comprise a 3-oxo group at position 3 (as will also be discussed later herein) this group can be converted into a 3-hydroxy group, similarly to the reaction seen for DON. The enzymes of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28 are thus capable to convert any trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group into trichothecenes comprising a hydroxyl group. [0031] Notably, the enzymes of the present invention are also capable of a highly stereoselective conversion. This means that the 3-oxo group is converted into a 3-hydroxy group of a specific isomer with higher efficiency than the other 3-hydroxy isomer. Specifically, as shown in the examples the polypeptides used in the invention can convert the 3-oxo group with higher efficiency into the hydroxyl group in S conformation (e.g. 3-epi-DON) than into the hydroxyl group in R conformation (e.g. DON).

[0032] It was further found that the enzymes of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28 share sequence identities in specific motifs as shown in the sequence table herein.

[0033] The present invention relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi- DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 with 3-keto DON. The present invention relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 with 3-keto DON, respectively. [0034] The polypeptides of the present invention or used in the present invention are capable of converting or convert the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi- deoxynivalenol (abbreviated as 3-epi-DON herein) and deoxynivalenol (abbreviated as DON herein). The reaction described herein is depicted in the reaction scheme below obtained from Hassan et al. (2017) “The enzymatic epimerization of DON by Devosia mutans proceeds through the formation of 3-/cefo-DON intermediate.” Scientific Reports 7, article number 6929.

3-keto DON

Reaction scheme: Conversion of 3-keto DON into two isomers 3-epi-DON and DON adapted from Hassan et al. (2017).

[0035] As can be seen from the above reaction scheme 3-keto DON can be converted into two isomers, namely DON (R configuration) and 3-epi-DON (S configuration).

[0036] The term “polypeptide” when used herein means a peptide, a protein, or a polypeptide, which is used interchangeably and which encompasses amino acid chains of a given length, wherein the amino acid residues are linked by covalent peptide bonds. Also encompassed by the invention are amino acids other than the 20 proteinogenic amino acids of the standard genetic code known to a person skilled in the art, such as selenocysteine. Such polypeptides include any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28.

[0037] The term polypeptide also refers to, and does not exclude, modifications of the polypeptide. Modifications include glycosylation, acetylation, acylation, phosphorylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphatidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation of pyroglutamate, formulation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, pegylation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination; see, for instance, PROTEINS - STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton, W. H. Freeman and Company, New York (1993); POST-TRANSLATIONAL COVALENT MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS, B. C.

Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York (1983), pgs. 1-12; Seifter, Meth. Enzymol. 182 (1990); 626-646, Rattan, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 663 (1992); 48-62.

[0038] It is envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 75.0 %, at least 80.0 %, at least 83.0 %, at least 85.0 %, at least 87.0 %, at least 88.5%, at least 89.0%, at least 90.0 %, at least 91.0 %, at least 92.0 %, at least 93.0 %, at least 94.0 %, at least 95.0 %, at least 96.0 %, at least 97.0 %, at least 98.0 %, at least 99.0 % or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[0039] It is further envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2-28.

[0040] Additionally, or alternatively the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2-7.

[0041] Additionally, or alternatively the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3, respectively.

[0042] It is also contemplated that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28.

[0043] As described herein the one or more polypeptides may have a certain sequence identity to any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28. This implicates that these polypeptides can also be fragments and thus comprise amino acid deletions with regard to any one of SEQ ID NO. 1- 28.

[0044] In accordance with the present invention, the term “identical” or “percent identity” in the context of two or more polypeptide sequences such as SEQ ID NO. 1-28 refers to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same, or that have a specified percentage of nucleotides that are the same (e.g., at least 85.0 %, 88.5%, 89.0 %, 90.0 %, 91.0%, 92.0%, 93.0%, 94.0%, 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 % or 99.0 % identity), when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a window of comparison, or over a designated region as measured using a sequence comparison algorithm as known in the art, or by manual alignment and visual inspection. Sequences having, for example, 80.0 % to 95.0 % or greater sequence identity are considered to be substantially identical. Such a definition also applies to the complement of a test sequence. Those having skill in the art will know how to determine percent identity between/among sequences using, for example, algorithms such as those based on CLUSTALW computer program (Thompson Nucl. Acids Res. 2 (1994), 4673-4680) or FASTDB (Brutlag Comp. App. Biosci. 6 (1990), 237-245), as known in the art.

[0045] Also available to those having skills in this art are the BLAST and BLAST 2.6 algorithms (Altschul Nucl. Acids Res. 25 (1977), 3389-3402). The BLASTP program for amino acid sequences uses as defaults a word size (W) of 6, an expect threshold of 10, and a comparison of both strands. Furthermore, the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (Henikoff Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 89, (1989), 10915; Henikoff and Henikoff (1992) ‘Amino acid substitution matrices from protein blocks.' Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992 Nov 15; 89(22): 10915-9) can be used.

[0046] For example, BLAST2.6, which stands for Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (Altschul, Nucl. Acids Res. 25 (1997), 3389-3402; Altschul, J. Mol. Evol. 36 (1993), 290-300; Altschul, J. Mol. Biol. 215 (1990), 403-410), can be used to search for local sequence alignments.

[0047] It is also contemplated that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein can be a reductase. For example, the polypeptide(s) can be an aldo-keto reductase.

[0048] It is further envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprises one or more of the following polypeptide sequences:

(i) YRKLGNSG (SEQ ID NO. 31);

(ii) LGTMTFG (SEQ ID NO. 32);

(iii) AGGNFX ₁ DTAX ₂ VYS, wherein X _! is I or L and X ₂ is N or D (SEQ ID NO. 33);

(iv) ETLRFLDD (SEQ ID NO. 34);

(v) GKIX ₃ YYGFSN, wherein X ₃ is A or G (SEQ ID NO. 35);

(vi) RDIEHEX ₄ VPA, wherein X ₄ is I or V (SEQ ID NO. 36);

(vii) GLLPWSPLGGGWL (SEQ ID NO. 37);

(viii) GATRLGENP (SEQ ID NO. 38);

(ix) AQVALAW (SEQ ID NO. 39); and/or

(x) PAVX ₅ SVI LGA RT, wherein X ₅ is T or A (SEQ ID NO. 40).

[0049] It is contemplated that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprises 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the peptide sequences shown in (i)-(x). Preferably, the polypeptide(s) comprise all of the peptide sequences shown in (i)-(x).

[0050] It is further envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) comprising a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1.

[0051] It is further envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) comprising a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3, respectively.

[0052] It is also contemplated that the one or more amino acid substitutions comprise or consist of conservative amino acid substitutions, preferably a highly conservative amino acid substitution.

[0053] As used herein, “conservative” substitutions mean substitutions as listed as “Exemplary Substitutions” in Table 1 below. “Highly conservative” substitutions as used herein mean substitutions as shown under the heading “Preferred Substitutions” in Table 1 below.

Table 1 . Conservative amino acid substitutions.

[0054] It is also encompassed by the present invention that the one or more polypeptide(s) of or used in the present invention comprise or consist of more than 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330 or more than 340 amino acids. It is further envisioned that the polypeptide(s) comprise or consist of 320, 321 , 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331 , 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341 , 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348 or more amino acids. The polypeptide(s) can comprise or consist of 341, 342 or 343 amino acids.

[0055] Notably, the polypeptides of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28 are highly efficient in converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON. This can also be seen by the fact that only a small amount of polypeptide is necessary to produce 1 pmol 3-epi-DON per minute (see also Fig. 3). This measurement indicates that the polypeptides described herein have a high activity. [0056] It is thus further envisioned that the polypeptide(s) as described herein is/are capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON with an activity of at least 0.06 pmol 3-epi-DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[0057] The “activity” as used herein relates to the “specific activity”, namely the product formation rate per enzyme. The specific activity is the amount of product in pmol, which is formed in 1 minute by 1 mg of polypeptide (enzyme) (pmol/min/mg). One way of how the specific activity can be measured is disclosed in the examples.

[0058] It is also encompassed that the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON with an activity of at least 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 1.00, 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, 1.20, 1.25, 1.30, 1.35, 1.40, 1.45, 1.50, 1.55, 1.60, 1.65, 1.70, 1.75, 1.80, 1.85, 1.90, 2.00 or more pmol 3-epi-DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[0059] On the other hand, the activity of the polypeptides described herein for converting 3-keto-DON into DON is lower than for the conversion into 3-epi-DON.

[0060] It is thus envisioned that the polypeptide as described herein is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product DON with an (specific) activity of at most 0.20, 0.19, 0.18, 0.17, 0.16, 0.15, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.11 , 0.10, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01 or less pmol DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide. It is further contemplated that the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product DON with a specific activity of at least 0.015, 0.02, 0.03 or more pmol DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[0061] It is further possible to calculate the activity ratio of a polypeptide from the activity seen for the formation of 3-epi-DON and for DON. The ratio is calculated by dividing the activity of a given polypeptide for DON by the activity of the very same polypeptide for 3-epi- DON. Preferably, these activities are determined in the very same experiment using 3-keto- DON as substrate. An exemplary method to do so is described in the examples.

[0062] It is thus envisioned that the polypeptide as described herein is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and into the product DON with an activity ratio of DON over 3-epi-DON (DON:3-epi-DON) between 0.045 and 0.26. It is also contemplated that the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and into the product DON with an activity ratio of DON to 3-epi- DON (DON:3-epi-DON) between 0.05 and 0.25, 0.05 and 0.23, 0.06 and 0.24, 0.07 and 0.23, 0.08 and 0.22, 0.09 and 0.21 , 0.10 and 0.20, 0.11 and 0.19, 0.12 and 0.18, or 0.13 and 0.17. [0063] The activity for DON formation can be measured with the same method as the activity for 3-epi-DON formation. One way to measure whether a certain polypeptide is capable of converting or converts the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a DON:3-epi-DON ratio between 0.045 and 0.26 is explained in detail in the examples.

[0064] For example, the (specific) activity can be calculated by

(a) contacting 200 nM of polypeptide with

(aa) 3-keto DON at a concentration of 30 ppm;

(ab) buffer comprising of 10.255 mM phosphoric acid, 7.287 mM citric acid, 11.45 mM boric acid and 68.6 mM sodium hydroxide, at a pH of 7.0, wherein the pH is adjusted with HCI; to provide a solution (according to Teorell & Stenhagen, 1938);

(b) taking a 20 mI sample from the solution of step (a); and

(ba) contacting the sample with 20 mI of 100 % methanol

(bb) storing the sample at 4°C until the end of incubation; (c) contacting the solution of step (a) with NADPH at a final concentration of 1 mM, to provide for an incubation sample;

(d) incubating the incubation sample at 30 °C for 120 minutes;

(da) taking 20 pi samples after 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes 60 minutes and 120 minutes of the incubation sample; and

(db) after taking each sample, contacting each sample with 20 mI of 100 % methanol; and

(dc) storing each sample at 4°C until the end of incubation;

(e) contacting the sample taken at 0 minutes in step (b) and the samples taken at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes 60 minutes and 120 minutes in step (d) with 40 % methanol in ultrapure H ₂ 0 to provide a concentration of 0.3 ppm 3-keto-DON or less in the sample;

(f) analyzing each sample by LC-MS/MS;

(g) determining the amounts of 3-epi-DON and DON in each sample;

(h) calculating the 3-epi-DON and/or DON formation rate per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide present in the linear phase of the reaction for each sample.

[0065] The LC-MS/MS analysis of step may be performed by

(fa) separating DON, 3-keto-DON and 3-epi-DON on a 150 mm x 2.1

Biphenyl column with a particle size of 2.6 pm;

(fb) wherein the mobile phase consists of a mixture of methanol and water having a maximal conductivity of 0.055 pS/cm with 0.1 % (v/v) acetic acid;

(fc) wherein ions are generated by electro spray ionization (ESI) in negative ionization mode,

(fd) wherein the LC-MS/MS quantification is performed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

[0066] It is further contemplated that the incubating of step (d) is performed in a thermocycler.

[0067] It is also envisioned that the method of the present invention is performed by using a final concentration of 30 ppm 3-keto-DON as substrate. Additionally, or alternatively, the method can be performed by using the polypeptide as disclosed herein in a concentration of 200 nM. Additionally, or alternatively, the method can be performed at a pH of 4.5 to 10.0, preferably at a pH of 5.0 to 7.0, more preferably at a pH of 6.5. Additionally, or alternatively, the method can be performed at a temperature between 14.9 °C to 55.7 °C, preferably at a temperature between 25.0 °C and 50.0 °C, more preferably at a temperature between 38°C and 45 °C.

[0068] Thus, the present invention also relates to a method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3- epi-DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 with 3-keto DON, wherein the method is performed at a pH of 4.5 to 10.0 and/or at a temperature between 14.9 °C to 55.7 °C, preferably at a temperature between 25.0 °C and 50.0 °C, more preferably at a temperature between 38°C and 45 °C.

[0069] It is further envisioned that the polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein is/are capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein at least 80.0 %, 81.0 %, 82.0 %, 83.0 %, 84.0 %, 85.0 %, 86.0 %, 87.0 %, 88.0 %, 89.0 %, 90.0 %, 91.0 %, 92.0 %, 93.0 %, 94.0 %, 95.0 %, 96.0 % 97.0 % or more of the total product is 3-epi-DON.

[0070] As can be seen from the above reaction scheme, 3-keto DON can be converted into two isomers, namely 3-epi-DON and DON. These two isomers thus represent the total product. The total product per definition equals 100 %. Since the polypeptides of the present invention are highly stereoselective, one isomer (here 3-epi-DON) is obtained with higher efficiency (or in a higher amount) than the other (here DON). How the amount of DON and/or 3-epi-DON obtained from the substrate 3-keto-DON can be measured is disclosed herein e.g. in the examples. Specifically, of the total product obtained (equaling 100 %) at least 80 % is 3-epi-DON.

[0071] It is further contemplated that the polypeptide as described herein is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein at most 97.0 %, 96.0 %, 95.0 %, 94.0 %, 93.0 %, 92.0 %, 91.0 %, 90.0 %, 89.0 %, 88.0 %, 87.0 %, 86.0 %, 85.0 %, 84.0 %, 83.0 %, 82.0 %, 81.0 %, 80.0 % or less of the total product is 3-epi-DON.

[0072] It is further contemplated that the polypeptide as described herein is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein between 79.0 % and 96.0 %, between 80.0 % and 95.0 %, between 81.0 % and 94.0 % of the total product is 3- epi-DON.

[0073] Additionally, or alternatively, the polypeptide can be capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein at least 3.0 %, 4.5 %, 5.0 %, 6.0 %, 7.0 %, 8.0 %, 9.0 %, 10.0 %, 11.0 %, 12.0 %, 13.0 %, 14.0 %, 15.0 %, 16.0 %, 17.0 %, 18.0 %, 19.0 %, 20.0 %, 21.0 %, 22.0 % or more of the total product is DON.

[0074] Likewise, it may be that the polypeptide as disclosed herein is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein at most 21.5 %, 21.0 %, 20.0 %, 19.0 %, 18.0 %, 17.0 %, 16.0 %, 15.0 %, 14.0 %, 13.0 %, 12.0 %, 11.0 %, 10.0 %, 9.0 %, 8.0 %, 7.0 %, 6.0 %, 5.0 %, 4.0 % or less of the total product is DON. [0075] For example, the polypeptide as disclosed herein may be capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein between 3.9 % and 21.5 %, between 4.0 % and 21.0 %, or between 5.0 % and 19.0 % of the total product is DON.

[0076] It is further envisioned that the polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein is/are capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of at least 3.7:1 (3-epi-DON:DON).

[0077] For the calculation of this ratio the percentage of the product 3-epi-DON is divided by the percentage of the product DON that is obtained when converting the substrate 3-keto-DON using a specific polypeptide as disclosed herein. It is clear that the ratio is not calculable in the case that no DON and only 3-epi-DON or vice versa is obtained. This is because mathematically a division trough the number 0 is not possible. Yet, the present invention also relates to polypeptides that are 100 % stereo selective for 3-epi-DON. Thus, in case the division is a division through the number 0, such a polypeptide is still embraced by the present invention. Yet, if the division is 0, because only DON is obtained, such polypeptides are not encompassed by the present invention.

[0078] It is thus also envisioned that the polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein can be capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio (3-epi-DON: DON) of at least 3.8:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1 , 7:1, 8:1 , 9:1 , 10:1 , 11 :1 , 12:1, 13:1, 14:1 , 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1, 19:1 , 20:1 , 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1 , 25:1 , 26:1, 27:1 or higher. The polypeptide(s) may additionally or alternatively be capable of converting the substrate 3-keto- DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio (3-epi-DON: DON) of at most 25.0:1, 24:1 , 23:1, 22:1, 21:1, 20:1, 19:1, 18:1 , 17:1 , 16:1, 15:1 , 14:1 , 13:1, 12:1, 11:1 , 10:1 , 9:1 , 8:1, 7:1 , 6:1 , 5:1, 4:1, 3:1 , 2:1, or less. Thus, the polypeptide(s) may be capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of between 24.5:1 to 3.7:1 , 24:1 to 4:1 , 20:1 to 4:1, 18:1 to 4:1, 19:1 to 5:1, or 18:1 to 6:1.

[0079] The present invention also relates to feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 as disclosed herein.

[0080] The feed or food additives or feed or food described herein may be any suitable feed or food additives or feed or food.

[0081] The feed or food additives or feed or food described herein but also the pharmaceutical compositions as described herein may comprise a carrier. The carrier can be any suitable carrier. The feed or food additives or feed or food may comprise 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more carriers. [0082] The carrier may be a liquid, preferably H ₂ 0, or a solid, preferably a nutraceutical and/or a pharmaceutical. For example, the carrier can be a solid or a liquid. Exemplary solids include food/feed supplement(s), dietary supplements, nutraceutical(s) and/or a pharmaceutical (s). Exemplary feed/food supplements inter alia include feed/food additives, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, fibre, trace elements, minerals, antioxidants, plant extracts and herbal extracts.

[0083] The carrier can also be a carrier for an enzyme. Carriers for enzymes can be both of inorganic and organic origin. Potential inorganic materials used for the immobilization of enzymes are silica (sol-gel silica, fumed silica, colloidal silica nanoparticles and silica gels) and different oxides such as titanium oxide, aluminium oxide and zirconium oxide.

[0084] Furthermore, clay materials such as bentonite, halloysite, kaolinite, montmorillonite, sepiolite and calcium apatite are applied. Additionally, carbon-based materials such as activated carbons and charcoal are known as effective enzyme immobilizers. Organic enzyme carriers can be biopolymers but also synthetic polymers. The biopolymers include carbohydrates and proteins. Typical examples are maltodextrin, trehalose, inulin, collagen, cellulose, keratins, carragenaan, chitin, chitosan and alginate. As examples for synthetic polymers polyaniline, polyamides, polystyrene, polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl alcohol and ion exchange resins can be mentioned. An enzyme carrier can also be a carrier as described in Zdarta et al. (2018).

[0085] The carrier can also be a liquid. Exemplary liquids include H20, aqueous solutions, salt solutions (e.g. buffers), gels, viscous preparations, fats or oils. Preferable aqueous solutions containing H20 and further substances like buffer substances and/or polyalcohols like polyalkylene oxides (PAO), poly-vinyl alcohols (PVA), polyethylene-co- maleic acid anhydrides, polystyrene-co-malic acid anhydrides, dextrans, celluloses, hydrolyzates of chitosan, starches, glycogen, sorbitol, agarose and derivatives thereof, guar gum, pullulan, inulin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, pectin, alginic acid hydrolyzates, bio polymers, sorbitol, glycerol, cellobiose, and mono propylene glycol (MPG).

[0086] The carrier may additionally or alternatively be an eatable component, preferably a non-toxic component and/or a component providing for a texture.

[0087] The inventive feed/food additive or feed/food compositions but also the pharmaceutical compositions as described herein can further comprise an enzyme capable of converting or converting DON into 3-keto-DON and/or trichothecenes comprising a 3-R- hydroxy group (such as DON) into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group (such as 3-keto DON) as described herein.

[0088] Methods to prepare such feed/food additives or feed/food compositions are known to the skilled person and are inter alia described in WO 99/35240.

[0089] The feed/food additive or feed/food compositions or pharmaceutical composition as disclosed herein can be a feed/food additive or feed/food or pharmaceutical composition for reducing the amount of DON. In such cases the feed/food additive or feed/food or pharmaceutical composition further comprises an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3- keto-DON.

[0090] The compositions as disclosed herein can also be a composition for reducing the amount of trichothecenes comprising a 3-R-hydroxy group. In such cases these compositions further comprise an enzyme capable of converting trichothecenes comprising a 3-R-hydroxy group into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group.

[0091] The compositions (e.g. feed/food additive, feed/food compositions, pharmaceutical composition) described herein can thus further comprise one or more enzyme(s) capable of converting or converting DON into 3-keto-DON and/or trichothecenes comprising a 3-R-hydroxy group into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group. Exemplary enzymes, which can be used in the composition, are inter alia described in WO2016/154640 or WO2019/046954. Thus, the enzymes converting DON into 3-keto DON may comprise or consist of a sequence as disclosed in SEQ ID NO. 1 of W02016/154640 (SEQ ID NO: 41 herein or SEQ ID NO. 7 of WO2019/046954 (SEQ ID NO. 42 herein). Thus, the composition(s) as described herein (e.g. feed/food additive, feed/ food compositions, pharmaceutical composition) may further comprise an enzyme comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 41 and/or 42.

[0092] The compositions as disclosed herein (e.g. feed/food additive, feed/food compositions, pharmaceutical composition) can additionally comprise one or more enzymes capable of converting or converting DON into 3-keto-DON and/or trichothecenes comprising a 3-R-hydroxy group into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group as described herein.

[0093] The present invention also relates to polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 , 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1, 2 or 3, respectively, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON. As also elsewhere disclosed herein it is also envisioned that the one or more polypeptide(s) described herein comprise or consist of a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 89 %, at least 90.0 %, at least 91.0 %, at least 92.0 %, at least 93.0 %, at least 94.0 %, at least 95.0 %, at least 96.0 %, at least 97.0 %, at least 98.0 %, at least 99.0 % or 100.0 % sequence identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[0094] The present invention also relates to a method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5.0%) to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[0095] The present invention also relates to a method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 respectively.

[0096] This method may further include the step of contacting the composition with at least one quinone cofactor and/or at least one metal ion and/or at least one redox cofactor. The quinone cofactor may be selected from the group of PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone (CAS No. 72909-34-3), tryptophan tryptophylquinone (TTQ, CAS No. 134645-25-3), topaquinone (TPQ, CAS No. 64192-68-3), lysine tyrosylquinone (LTQ, CAS No. 178989-72-5) and cysteine tryptophylquinone (CTQ, CAS No. 400616-72-0). The metal ion, enabling a fast and complete binding of the quinone cofactor to the enzyme capable of converting DON into 3- keto DON, may preferably be the alcohol dehydrogenase SEQ ID NO. 1-3 described in WO2016/154640, can be selected from the group of Li ⁺ , Na ⁺ , K ⁺ , Mg ²⁺ , Ca ²⁺ , Zn ²⁺ , Zn ³⁺ , Mn ²⁺ , Mn ³⁺ , Fe ²⁺ , Fe ³⁺ , Cu ²⁺ , Cu ³⁺ , Co ²⁺ and Co ³ , preferably Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ . The at least one redox cofactor can be selected from the group of NAD+, NADP+, the phenazine methosulphate group (PMS, CAS No. 299-11-6), PMS derivatives, potassium hexacyanoferrate (III), sodium hexacyanoferrate (III), cytochrome C, coenzyme Q1 , coenzyme Q10, methylene blue and N,N,N’,N’-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD). [0097] Examples of PMS derivatives are: 1-hydroxyphenazine, 2-

(pentaprenyloxy)dihydrophenazine, 5, 10-dihydro-9-dimethylallylphenazine-1 -carboxylic acid, 5, 10-dihydrophenazine-1 -carboxylic acid, 5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate, 6- acetophenazine-1-carboxylic acid, benthophoenin, clofazimine, dihydromethanophenazine, esmeraldic acid, esmeraldin B, izumiphenazine A - C, Janus Green B cation, methanophenazine pelagiomicin A, phenazine, phenazine- 1,6-dicarboxylic acid, phenazine- 1 -carboxamide, phenazine-1-carboxylic acid, phenosafranine, pyocyanin, saphenamycin, or saphenic acid methyl ester.

[0098] The present invention also relates to a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein for converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON and/or into DON. [0099] The present invention also relates to a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein in the manufacture of a feed additive or feed composition or a pharmaceutical composition.

[00100] Also, the present invention concerns a use of one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein in the manufacture of biogas, bioethanol, or sugar, preferably from sugar cane or sugar beets. In such uses the compositions or polypeptides of the present invention can be added to compositions comprising trichothecenes such as DON.

[00101] The present invention also relates to an additive for use in agrarian compositions comprising 3-keto-DON or DON, the additive comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[00102] An “agrarian composition” can be any composition comprising a plant or parts of a plant such as seed or wood. Such agrarian compositions can comprise 3-keto-DON and/or DON. The additive according to the present invention may further comprise one or more enzymes capable of converting or converting DON into 3-keto-DON and/or trichothecenes comprising a 3-R-hydroxy group into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group as described herein. The agrarian composition can also be a composition comprising trichothecenes comprising a R-hydroxy group such as DON.

[00103] The present invention also relates to a method of converting a trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group into a trichothecene comprising a 3-hydroxy group, preferably a 3- S-hydroxy group, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein with trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group.

[00104] Trichothecenes have the following common structure:

[00105] The 3-oxo group of R ¹ (on C3 = 3-oxo group) can be converted into a hydroxyl group:

[00106] The skilled person knows which substitutions can be present at R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ and R ⁵ . It is known that toxicity of trichothecenes is (at least) partly due to hydroxyl (-OH) group present at the C-3 atom. Thus, in some trichothecenes the C-3 is connected to a hydroxyl group (R1 = -OH/-hydroxy group).

[00107] Trichothecenes comprising a 3-hydroxy (3-OH) group (at position R ¹ in the above formula) are known to the skilled person. Non-limiting examples of such trichothecenes include DON (CAS No. 51481-10-8), T-2 Toxin (CAS No. 21259-20-1), HT-2 Toxin (CAS No. 26934-87-2), Nivalenol (CAS No. 23282-20-4), Fuseranon X (CAS No. 23255-69-8), Scirpenetriol (CAS No. 2270-41-9), 15-Acetoxyscirpenol (CAS No. 2623-22-5), 4,15-Diacetoxyscirpenol (CAS No. 2270-40-8), Deacetylneosolaniol (CAS No. 74833-39-9), Neosolaniol (CAS No. 36519-25-2), Sporotrichiol (CAS No. 101401-89-2) and Sambucinol (CAS No. 90044-33-0). These trichothecenes comprising a 3-hydroxy (3-OH) group can be oxidized into trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo (=0; at position R ¹ ). Enzymes capable of such conversion are described herein. The polypeptides can then convert these trichothecenes comprising a 3-oxo group into preferably one of the two isomers of trichothecenes comprising a 3-hydroxy (3-OH) group, namely the R and the S configuration. [00108] It is encompassed by the present invention that the trichothecene comprising a 3-hydroxy group is present in the S configuration.

[00109] The present invention also relates to a host cell comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[00110] The term “host cell” refers to all cells containing either a nucleotide sequence to be expressed, or an expression vector, and which is able to produce an enzyme or a polypeptide according to the invention. In particular, this refers to prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic cells, preferably Pichia pastoris, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Streptomyces, Hansenula, Trichoderma, Lactobacillus, Aspergillus, plant cells and/or spores of Bacillus, Trichoderma or Aspergillus. The name P. pastoris used herein is synonymous with the name Komagataella pastoris, P. pastoris being the older and K. pastoris the systematically newer name (Yamada et al. (1995)). Notably, species of K. pastoris have been recently reassigned to be K. phaffii (Kurtzman (2009)). K. phaffii as used herein can e.g. relate to strains K. phaffii CBS 7435, K. phaffii GS115 or K. phaffii JC308.

[00111] It is further encompassed that the host cell can further express a cofactor for the polypeptide(s) described herein. The co-factor may be any suitable co-factor. For example, the co-factor is NAD/H or NADP/H. It is also envisioned that the host cell is a recombinant cell.

[00112] The present invention also relates to a plant genetically modified to express one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein. Exemplary plants include inter alia corn (maize), wheat, barley, rye and oat.

[00113] The present invention also relates to a seed of a plant as described herein.

[00114] The present invention also relates to a preparation comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[00115] A “preparation” in accordance with the present invention is obtainable by using the polypeptide(s) described herein in a composition as described herein. In one embodiment, the preparation can therefore comprise the polypeptides or parts of the polypeptide(s) described herein as well as further components such as the carrier, agrarian extracts etc. The preparation can also comprise further molecules and/or proteins and/or substances e.g. a left over from a buffer used in the method of the present invention due to e.g. less efficient purification of the polypeptide(s) described herein.

[00116] The present invention also relates to one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein for use in the prevention and/or treatment of mycotoxicosis. This use may comprise the step of administering to a subject at risk or in need thereof one or more polype ptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[00117] Similarly, the present invention also relates to a method of prevention or treatment of mycotoxicosis, the method comprising administering to a subject at risk or in need thereof one or more polypeptide(s) as disclosed herein.

[00118] Preferably, a therapeutically effective amount of the one or more polypeptide(s) as described herein are administered. The subject can be afflicted with mycotoxicosis. The subject can also be a subject at risk of developing mycotoxicosis.

[00119] The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more polypeptides as disclosed herein. The pharmaceutical composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such carrier may be any carrier as disclosed herein.

[00120] The present invention also relates to polynucleotide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence encoding for SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % or 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 , wherein the polynucleotide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00121] The present invention also relates to polynucleotide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence encoding for SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3, respectively, wherein the polynucleotide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00122] The nucleic acid may be introduced or inserted into an expression vector. The term “expression vector” refers to a nucleic acid molecule construct that is able to express a gene in vivo or in vitro. In particular, it can encompass DNA constructs suitable for transferring the polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequence into the host cell so as to be integrated in the genome or freely located in the extrachromosomal space, and to intracellularly express the polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequence and, optionally, transport the polypeptide out of the cell.

[00123] It is noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the”, include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a polypeptide” includes one or more of such different polypeptides and reference to “the method” includes reference to equivalent steps and methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art that could be modified or substituted for the methods described herein.

[00124] Unless otherwise indicated, the term "at least" preceding a series of elements is to be understood to refer to every element in the series. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[00125] The term "and/or" wherever used herein includes the meaning of "and", "or" and "all or any other combination of the elements connected by said term".

[00126] The term “less than” or in turn “more than” does not include the concrete number.

[00127] For example, less than 20 means less than the number indicated. Similarly, more than or greater than means more than or greater than the indicated number, e.g. more than 80 % means more than or greater than the indicated number of 80 %. [00128] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integer or step. When used herein the term “comprising” can be substituted with the term “containing” or “including” or sometimes when used herein with the term “having”. When used herein “consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified.

[00129] The term “including” means “including but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.

[00130] When used herein, the term "about" is understood to mean that there can be variation in the respective value or range (such as pH, concentration, percentage, molarity, number of amino acids, time etc.) that can be up to 5 %, up to 10 % of the given value. For example, if a formulation comprises about 5 mg/ml of a compound, this is understood to mean that a formulation can have between 4.5 and 5.5 mg/ml.

[00131] It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, material, reagents, and substances, etc., described herein and as such can vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

[00132] All publications cited throughout the text of this specification (including all patents, patent application, scientific publications, instructions, etc.), whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. To the extent the material incorporated by reference contradicts or is inconsistent with this specification, the specification will supersede any such material.

[00133] The content of all documents and patent documents cited herein is incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[00134] A better understanding of the present invention and of its advantages will be had from the following examples, offered for illustrative purposes only. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.

[00135] The present invention is further characterized by the following items.

[00136] 1. Method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 with 3-keto DON.

[00137] 2. Method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 with 3-keto DON.

[00138] 3. Method of converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi-DON, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide (s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 3 with 3-keto DON.

[00139] 4. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is a reductase.

[00140] 5. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide comprises one or more of the following polypeptide sequences:

(i) YRKLGNSG;

(ii) LGTMTFG;

(iii) AGGNFX ₁ DTAX ₂ VYS, wherein X _! is I or L and X ₂ is N or D;

(iv) ETLRFLDD;

(v) GKIX ₃ YYGFSN, wherein

(vi) RDIEHEX ₄ VPA, wherein

(vii) GLLPWSPLGGGWL;

(viii) GATRLGENP;

(ix) AQVALAW; and/or

(x) PAVX ₅ SVI LGA RT, wherein X ₅ = T or A.

[00141] 6. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the peptide sequences shown in (i)-(x).

[00142] 7. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide has a sequence identity of at least 75.0 %, at least 80.0 %, at least 83.0 %, at least 85.0 %, at least 87.0 %, at least 88.5%, at least 89%, at least 90.0 %, at least 91.0 %, at least 92.0 %, at least 93.0 %, at least 94.0 %, at least 95.0 %, at least 96.0 %, at least 97.0 %, at least 98.0 %, at least 99.0 % or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[00143] 8. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide has a sequence identity of at least at least 89.0 %, at least 90.0 %, at least 91.0 %, at least 92.0 %, at least 93.0 %, at least 94.0 %, at least 95.0 %, at least 96.0 %, at least 97.0 %, at least 98.0 %, at least 99.0 % or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO. 1.

[00144] 9. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more polypeptide(s) comprising a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1.

[00145] 10. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more polypeptide(s) comprising a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2 comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

[00146] 11. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more polypeptide(s) comprising a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ

ID NO. 3 comprises one or more amino acid substitutions compared to a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3.

[00147] 12. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the one or more amino acid substitutions comprise or consist of conservative amino acid substitutions.

[00148] 13. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide comprises or consists of 341, 342 or 343 amino acids.

[00149] 14. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide(s) further has a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2-28.

[00150] 15. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide(s) further has a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2-7.

[00151] 16. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide(s) further has a sequence identity of at least 95.0 %, 96.0 %, 97.0 %, 98.0 %, 99.0 % or more to any one of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 3.

[00152] 17. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide(s) comprises or consist of a sequence of any one of SEQ ID NO. 1-28.

[00153] 18. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and into the product DON with an activity ratio of DON to 3-epi-DON (DON:3-epi-DON) between 0.045 and 0.26.

[00154] 19. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and into the product DON with an activity ratio of DON to 3-epi-DON (DON:3-epi-DON) between 0.05 and 0.25, 0.05 and 0.23, 0.06 and 0.24, 0.07 and 0.23, 0.08 and 0.22, 0.09 and 0.21, 0.10 and 0.20, 0.11 and 0.19, 0.12 and 0.18, 0.13 and 0.17.

[00155] 20. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the specific activity for DON is measured with the same method as the activity for 3-epi-DON.

[00156] 21. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON with an activity of at least 0.06 pmol 3-epi-DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[00157] 22. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON with an activity of at least 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85, 0.90, 1.00, 1.05, 1.10, 1.15, 1.20, 1.25, 1.30, 1.35, 1.40, 1.45, 1.50, 1.55, 1.60, 1.65, 1.70, 1.75, 1.80, 1.85, 1.90, 2.00 or more pmol 3-epi-DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[00158] 23. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product DON with an activity of at most 0.20, 0.19, 0.18, 0.17, 0.16, 0.15, 0.14, 0.13, 0.12, 0.11 , 0.10, 0.09, 0.08, 0.07, 0.06, 0.05, 0.04, 0.03, 0.02, 0.01 or less pmol DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[00159] 24. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product DON with an activity of at least 0.015, 0.02, 0.03 or more pmol DON per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide.

[00160] 25. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the (specific) activity is calculated by

(a) contacting 200 nM of polypeptide with

(aa) 3-keto DON at a concentration of 30 ppm;

(ab) buffer comprising of 10.255 mM phosphoric acid, 7.287 mM citric acid, 11.45 mM boric acid and 68.6 mM sodium hydroxide, at a pH of 7.0, wherein the pH is adjusted with HCI; to provide a solution

(b) taking a 20 mI sample from the solution of step (a); and

(ba) contacting the sample with 20 pi of 100 % methanol

(bb) storing the sample at 4°C until the end of incubation;

(c) contacting the solution of step (a) with NADPH at a final concentration of 1 mM, to provide for an incubation sample;

(d) incubating the incubation sample at 30 °C for 120 minutes;

(da) taking 20 mI samples after 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes 60 minutes and 120 minutes of the incubation sample; and

(db) after taking each sample, contacting each sample with 20 mI of 100 % methanol; and

(dc) storing each sample at 4°C until the end of incubation;

(e) contacting the sample taken at 0 minutes in step (b) and the samples taken at 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes 60 minutes and 120 minutes in step (d) with 40 % methanol in ultrapure H ₂ 0 to provide a concentration of 0.3 ppm 3-keto-DON or less in the sample;

(f) analyzing each sample by LC-MS/MS;

(g) determining the amounts of 3-epi-DON and DON in each sample;

(h) calculating the 3-epi-DON and/or DON formation rate per minute per 1 mg of polypeptide present in the linear phase of the reaction for each sample. [00161] 26. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the LC-MS/MS analysis of step (f) is performed by

(fa) separating DON, 3-keto-DON and 3-epi-DON on a 150 mm x 2.1 Biphenyl column with a particle size of 2.6 pm;

(fb) wherein the mobile phase consists of a mixture of methanol and water having a maximal conductivity of 0.055 pS/cm with 0.1 % (v/v) acetic acid;

(fc) wherein ions are generated by electro spray ionization (ESI) in negative ionization mode,

(fd) wherein the LC-MS/MS quantification is performed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

[00162] 27. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the incubating of step (d) is performed in a thermocycler.

[00163] 28. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the method is performed by using a final concentration of 30 ppm 3-keto-DON as substrate.

[00164] 29. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the method is performed by using the polypeptide of any one of the preceding claims in a concentration of 200 nM.

[00165] 30. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the method is performed at a pH of 4.5 to 10.0, preferably at a pH of 5.0 to 7.0, more preferably at a pH of 6.5.

[00166] 31. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the method is performed at a temperature between 14.9 °C to 55.7 °C, preferably at a temperature between 25.0 °C and 50.0 °C, more preferably at a temperature between 38°C and 45 °C. [00167] 32. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein at least 80.0 %, 81.0 %, 82.0 %, 83.0 %, 84.0 %, 85.0 %, 86.0 %, 87.0 %, 88.0 %, 89.0 %, 90.0 %,

91.0 %, 92.0 %, 93.0 %, 94.0 %, 95.0 %, 96.0 % 97.0 % or more of the total product is 3-epi-

DON.

[00168] 33. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein at most 97.0 %, 96.0 %, 95.0 %, 94.0 %, 93.0 %, 92.0 %, 91.0 %, 90.0 %, 89.0 %, 88.0 %, 87.0 %,

86.0 %, 85.0 %, 84.0 %, 83.0 %, 82.0 %, 81.0 %, 80.0 % or less of the total product is 3-epi-

DON.

[00169] 34. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally additionally into the product DON amounting to 100.0 % of total product, wherein between 79.0 % and 96.0 %, between 80.0 % and 95.0 %, between 81.0 % and 94.0 % of the total product is 3-epi-DON.

[00170] 35. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein at least 4.5 %, 5.0 %, 6.0 %, 7.0 %, 8.0 %, 9.0 %, 10.0 %, 11.0 %, 12.0 %, 13.0 %, 14.0 %, 15.0 %, 16.0 %, 17.0 %, 18.0 %, 19.0 %, 20.0 %, 21.0 %, 22.0 % or more of the total product is DON.

[00171] 36. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein at most 21.5 %, 21.0 %, 20.0 %, 19.0 %, 18.0 %, 17.0 %, 16.0 %, 15.0 %, 14.0 %, 13.0 %, 12.0 %, 11.0 %, 10.0 %, 9.0 %, 8.0 %, 7.0 %, 6.0 %, 5.0 %, 4.0 % or less of the total product is DON.

[00172] 37. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and additionally into the product DON amounting to 100 % of total product, wherein between 3.9 % and 21.5 %, between 4.0 % and 21.0 %, or between 5.0 % and 19.0 % of the total product is DON. [00173] 38. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of at least 3.7:1 (3-epi-DON: DON).

[00174] 39. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of at least 3.8:1, 4:1 , 5:1, 6:1 , 7:1, 8:1 , 9:1, 10:1, 11 :1 , 12:1, 13:1, 14:1, 15:1, 16:1 , 17:1, 18:1, 19:1, 20:1, 21:1, 22:1, 23:1, 24:1, 25:1, 26:1, 27:1 or higher.

[00175] 40. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of at most 25.0:1 , 24:1, 23:1, 22:1 , 21 :1, 20:1, 19:1, 18:1 , 17:1, 16:1, 15:1 , 14:1, 13:1, 12:1, 11:1, 10:1 , 9:1, 8:1, 7:1 , 6:1, 5:1, 4:1 , 3:1, 2:1 , or less.

[00176] 41. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the products 3-epi-DON and DON with a ratio of between 24.5:1 to 3.7:1 , 24:1 to 4:1, 20:1 to 4:1, 18:1 to 4:1 , 19:1 to 5:1, or 18:1 to 6:1.

[00177] 42. Feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1. [00178] 43. Feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 ora sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2.

[00179] 44. Feed or food additives or feed or food comprising one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO. 3 ora sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 3.

[00180] 45. The feed or food additives or feed or food according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the food or feed additive further comprises a carrier.

[00181] 46. The feed or food additives or feed or food according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the carrier is a liquid, preferably H ₂ 0, or a solid, preferably a nutraceutical and/or a pharmaceutical.

[00182] 47. The feed or food additives or feed or food according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the carrier is an eatable component, preferably a non-toxic component and/or a component providing for a texture.

[00183] 48. Polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO.

1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 , wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00184] 49. Polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO.

2 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00185] 50. Polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence of SEQ ID NO.

3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 3, wherein the polypeptide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00186] 51. Method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising

DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3- epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 72.0 % (e.g., at least 88.5%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99%, preferably at least 88.5%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 . [00187] 52. Method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising

DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3- epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 2 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2.

[00188] 53. Method of reducing the content of DON in a composition comprising

DON or of reducing the toxicity of a composition comprising DON by converting DON into 3- epi-DON, the method comprising a) contacting the composition with an enzyme capable of converting DON into 3-keto DON; and b) subsequently or concurrently contacting the composition with one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 3.

[00189] 54. Use of one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1) for converting 3-keto-DON into 3-epi- DON and/or into DON.

[00190] 55. Use of one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1) in the manufacture of a feed additive or feed composition or a pharmaceutical composition.

[00191] 56. Use of one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1) in the manufacture of biogas, bioethanol, or sugar, preferably from sugar cane or sugar beets.

[00192] 57. Additive for use in agrarian compositions comprising 3-keto-DON or

DON, the additive comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00193] 58. Method of converting a trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group into a trichothecene comprising a 3-hydroxy group, the method comprising contacting one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1) with trichothecene comprising a 3-oxo group. [00194] 59. The method of item 58, wherein the trichothecene comprising a 3- hydroxy group is present in the S configuration.

[00195] 60. Host cell comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00196] 61. The host cell of item 60, wherein the host cell is a recombinant cell.

[00197] 62. The host cell of item 60 or 61 additionally expressing a cofactor for the polypeptide, preferably overexpressing NADH or NADPH.

[00198] 63. Plant genetically modified to express one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00199] 64. Seed of a plant defined in item 63.

[00200] 65. Preparation comprising one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00201] 66. One or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1) for use in the prevention and/or treatment of mycotoxicosis.

[00202] 67. Method of prevention or treatment of mycotoxicosis, the method comprising administering to a subject at risk or in need thereof one or more polypeptide(s) as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00203] 68. Method of item 67 or polypeptide for use of item 66, wherein the polypeptide is administered in a therapeutically efficient amount.

[00204] 69. Pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more polypeptides as defined in any one of the preceding items (e.g., comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1).

[00205] 70. Pharmaceutical composition of item 58 further comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

[00206] 71. Polynucleotide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence encoding for

SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 1 , wherein the polynucleotide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00207] 72. Polynucleotide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence encoding for

SEQ ID NO. 2 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 2, wherein the polynucleotide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00208] 73. Polynucleotide(s) comprising or consisting of a sequence encoding for

SEQ ID NO. 3 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % to SEQ ID NO. 3, wherein the polynucleotide is capable of converting the substrate 3-keto-DON into the product 3-epi-DON and optionally into the product DON.

[00209] 74. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the amount of epi-

DON and/or DON obtained from the substrate 3-keto DON is calculated by

(a) contacting 200 nM of polypeptide with

(aa) 3-keto DON at a concentration of 30 ppm;

(ab) buffer comprising of 10.255 mM phosphoric acid, 7.287 mM citric acid, 11.45 mM boric acid and 68.6 mM sodium hydroxide, at a pH of 7.0, wherein the pH is adjusted with HCI; to provide a solution

(b) taking a 20 pi sample from the solution of step (a); and

(ba) contacting the sample with 20 pi of 100 % methanol

(bb) storing the sample at 4°C until the end of incubation;

(c) contacting the solution of step (a) with NADPH at a final concentration of 1 mM, to provide for an incubation sample;

(d) incubating the incubation sample at 30 °C for 120 minutes, taking a 20 mI sample and contacting the sample with 20 mI of 100 % methanol;

(e) contacting the sample taken at 0 minutes in step (b) and the sample taken at 120 minutes in step (d) with 40 % methanol in ultrapure H ₂ 0 to provide a concentration of 0.3 ppm 3-keto- DON or less in the sample;

(f) analyzing each sample by LC-MS/MS;

(g) determining the amounts of 3-epi-DON and DON in each sample;

(h) calculating the amount of total product of 3-epi-DON and DON the sum of which is set at 100 %

(i) calculating the percentage of 3-epi-DON and/or the percentage of DON with regard to the total product obtained (=100 %).

[00210] 75. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the LC-MS/MS analysis of step (f) is performed by

(fa) separating DON, 3-keto-DON and 3-epi-DON on a 150 mm x 2.1 Biphenyl column with a particle size of 2.6 pm;

(fb) wherein the mobile phase consists of a mixture of methanol and water having a maximal conductivity of 0.055 pS/cm with 0.1 % (v/v) acetic acid;

(fc) wherein ions are generated by electro spray ionization (ESI) in negative ionization mode, (fd) wherein the LC-MS/MS quantification is performed by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer.

[00211] 76. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein said one or more polypeptide(s) comprising or consisting of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence having a sequence identity of at least 88.5 % (e.g., at least 89% or at least 90%) to SEQ ID NO. 1 with 3-keto DON.

[00212] 77. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein said method is an in vitro, in vivo or ex vivo method.

[00213] 78. Method of any one of the preceding items, wherein said method is a manufacturing method, preferably feed additive manufacturing method or feed composition manufacturing method or a pharmaceutical composition manufacturing method.

[00214] 79. Use of any one of the preceding items, wherein said use is a use in a manufacturing process, preferably in a feed additive manufacturing process or in a feed composition manufacturing process or in a pharmaceutical composition manufacturing process.

[00215] 80. Use of any one of the preceding items, wherein said use an in vitro, in vivo or ex vivo use.

[00216]

[00217] The following sequences are used in the present application.

Table 2: Depicting sequences as described herein. EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION [00218] Example 1: Determination of pH optimum

[00219] To determine the catalytic pH optimum of a polypeptide as referred to herein, reactions for the transformation of 3-keto-DON at different pH values were prepared. To this end, 16 reactions of different pH values were prepared to a final volume of 200 pL each. A polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 was used at a final concentration of 200 nM. As substrate, 3-keto-DON was used at a final concentration of 30 ppm, and NADPH was used at a final concentration of 1 mM. As buffer, Teorell Stenhagen (TS) buffer was used (Stenhagen & Teorell. 1938. Nature 141 , 415) and set to a pH of either 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0. Specifically, the TS buffer contained: 68,6 mM NaOH, 10,255 mM phosphoric acid, 7,287 mM citric acid, 11 ,45 mM boric acid and approximately 17 - 63 mM HCI to achieve the required pH. The transformation reactions were incubated at 30 °C for 120 min, and started by the addition of the NADPH. Throughout the incubation, 20 pL samples were drawn at 0 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min. The sample at 0 min was drawn prior to the addition of the NADPH. The 20 pL samples were immediately mixed with 20 pL of 100 % methanol to stop the transformation reaction, and then kept on ice until the end of the incubation.

[00220] Prior to analysis by LC-MS/MS, all samples were diluted with 40 % methanol in water to a final concentration of maximum 0.3 ppm 3-keto-DON. In particular, in this experimental setup 30 ppm 3-keto DON were used as starting material. When stopping the reaction with methanol a 1:2 dilution has been achieved (20 pi + 20 pi) resulting in a concentration of 15 ppm 3-keto DON in the sample. A further 1 :50 dilution results in a concentration of 0.3 ppm 3-keto DON.

[00221] For LC-MS/MS analysis, DON, 3-keto-DON and 3-epi DON were separated on a 150 mm x 2.1 mm Phenomenex Kinetex Biphenyl column with a particle size of 2.6 pm (100 A). The mobile phase consisted of a mixture of methanol and ultrapure water (conductivity of max. 0.055 pS/cm) with 0.1% (v/v) acetic acid. Ions were generated using electro spray ionization (ESI) in negative ionization mode. The quantification was done using a QTrap and/or triple quadrupole mass detector. Notably, the so-called QTRAP mass detectors are triple quadrupole mass detector from Sciex having a better scan function to ease the detection and quantification of low amounts of analytes. If necessary, samples were diluted to fall into the linear range of this method which ranges from analyte concentrations of 1 ppb to 500 ppb in the injected sample. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was the limit of reliable detection, and concentrations below 1 ppb of compound detected in a sample were not considered as reliable, resulting in a LOQ of 1 ppb. In case the concentration of the analyte was below the LOQ, all further calculations (e.g. for determination of the specific) activity or ratio of analytes) were made with 1 ppb. Kinetic parameters were calculated based on the determined amounts of 3-epi-DON and/or DON from the individual sample time points.

[00222] Specific activities were calculated during the linear range of each reaction. [00223] For the determination of the linear range of the reaction the following procedure was applied. From the individual sample time points, a curve is plotted into a graph (x- axis = time, y-axis = amount of 3-epi-DON or DON). Then in this graph the time frame in which the curve has a linear shape is identified.

[00224] Then the molecular weight of the enzyme in kDa is multiplied with the enzyme concentration in mM used in the experiment (here 0.2 = mg enzyme in 1 ml of a 0.2 pM solution). The latter value is then shifted to the actual reaction volume - here 200 pi - to obtain the amount of enzyme in the reaction in mg (- amount of enzyme e [mg]).

[00225] The concentration of the product 3-epi DON/DON in ppm (= mg/L) for a given time point z (selected to fall into the linear range of the reaction) is also converted into absolute values, namely pg in the reaction volume. This value is then divided by the molecular weight of the product (296.32 g/mol for both 3-epi DON and DON). In this way the unit is shifted from [pg] to [pmol] (- amount of product p [pmol]).

[00226] For the determination of the (specific) activity the following calculation is performed a=p/z/e. The (specific) activity has the unit [pmolp _r oduct/min/mg _e nzyme]·

[00227] The specific activities for the formation of 3-epi-DON at different pH values are shown in Table 3 below.

[00228] Table 3: Specific activities of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 at different pH values, in pmol of 3-epi-DON formed per min and per mg of polypeptide. [00229] The polypeptide was found active in a pH range from pH 4.5 to pH 10, with an optimum of 3-epi-DON formation at pH 6.5.

[00230] The stereoselectivity was determined by putting the total product formation (DON+3-epi-DON) at 100 %. Then the portion of the obtained product DON or 3-epi-DON was determined in relation to the total amount of product (100 %).

[00231] Example 2: Determination of temperature optimum [00232] To determine the catalytic temperature optimum of a polypeptide as referred to herein, reactions for the transformation of 3-keto-DON at different temperatures were prepared. To this end, 24 reactions were prepared to a final volume of 180 pl_ each. A polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 was used at a final concentration of 200 nM. As substrate, 3-keto-DON was used at a final concentration of 30 ppm, and NADPH was used at a final concentration of 1 mM. As buffer, TS buffer was used at pH 7.0. The buffer was prepared as described in Teorell and Stenhagen (1938) „Ein Universalpuffer fur den pH-Bereich 2.0 bis 12.0.“ Biochem Z.;299:416-419. The transformation reactions were incubated in a laboratory PCR-thermocycler at different temperatures for 120 min, and started by the addition of the NADPH. Throughout the incubation, 20 mI_ samples were drawn at 0 min, 5 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min. The sample at 0 min was drawn from the reactions prior to the addition of the NADPH. The 20 mI_ samples were immediately mixed with 180 mI_ of 100 % methanol to stop the transformation reaction, and then kept on ice until the end of the incubation.

[00233] Analyses were performed by LC-MS/MS as described in Example 1.

[00234] The specific activities for the formation of 3-epi-DON at different temperatures are shown in Table 4 below.

[00235] Table 4: Specific activities of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 at different temperatures, in pmol of 3-epi-DON formed per min and per mg of polypeptide.

[00236] Most 3-epi-DON was formed by the polypeptide at temperatures from 14.9 °C to 55.7 °C.

[00237] Example 3: Alignment and identity of SEQ ID NO. 1-28

[00238] ClustalO alignment of SEQ ID NOs 1-28. The results of this sequence alignment are shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 ClustalO sequence identities are depicted. For all of SEQ ID NOs 1-28 as well as for prior art enzymes of SEQ ID NO. 29 and SEQ ID NO. 30 the specific) activity as well as the stereoselectivity (based on the total amount of 3-epi-DON (3ED) and DON measured as described in Example 1) was determined as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Fig. 3.

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