AMENDED CLAIMS

received by the International Bureau on 10 September 2020 (10.09.20)

[Claim 1] A met a 11 o - (> - 1 ac t a m a s c - 1 i k c lactonase (MLL) comprising at least one amino acid substitution mutation at one or more positions functionally equivalent to M21, W25, Q41, F47, S66, S81, T82, M85, F86, T91, Ri l l, LI 20, F141, A144, C147, E154, A156, G155, V175, H178,

1182, L183, Y222, 1237, M244, or N245 in a reference amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: l.

[Claim 2] A protein comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least 80%

identical to a reference amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: l, wherein the protein comprises a lactonase activity, and wherein the protein comprises at least one amino acid substitution mutation at one or more positions functionally equivalent to M21, W25, Q41, F47, S66, S81, T82, M85, F86, T91, Ri l l, L120, F141, A144, C147, E154, A156, G155, V175, H178, 1182, L183, Y222, 1237, M244, or N245 in the reference amino acid sequence.

[Claim 3] The protein of any one of claims 1-2 wherein the protein is a fusion protein.

[Claim 4] The protein of claim 3 wherein the fusion protein comprises an affinity purification moiety.

[Claim 5] A polynucleotide comprising: (a) a nucleotide sequence encoding the protein of any one of claims 1-2, or (b) the full complement of the nu cleotide sequence of (a).

[Claim 6] The polynucleotide of claim 5 wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence.

[Claim 7] The polynucleotide of claim 5 wherein the polynucleotide further

comprises heterologous nucleotides.

[Claim 8] A vector comprising the polynucleotide of any one of claims 5-7. [Claim 9] A genetically modified microbe comprising an exogenous polynu cleotide, wherein the exogenous polynucleotide is a polynucleotide of claims 5-7.

[Claim 10] The genetically modified microbe of claim 9 wherein the microbe is a

E. coli.

[Claim 11] A composition comprising one or more of the protein of any one of claims 1-2.

[Claim 12] The composition of claim 11 further comprising a pharmaceutically ac ceptable carrier.

[Claim 13] The composition of claim 12 wherein the composition is formulated for parenteral administration or topical administration to an animal.

[Claim 14] The composition of claim 11 wherein the composition is formulated for foliar administration to a plant.

[Claim 15] The composition of claim 11 formulated for use as a coating, a cleaning solution, a feed supplement, or a dietary supplement.

[Claim 16] An article comprising the composition of claim 11.

[Claim 17] The article of claim 16 wherein the article comprises the composition on a surface of the article.

[Claim 18] The article of claim 16 wherein the article comprises the composition incorporated into a surface of the article.

[Claim 19] A method for treating an infection comprising:

administering to an animal having or at risk of having an infection an effective amount of the composition of claim 11.

[Claim 20] The method of claim 19 wherein the animal is a human.

[Claim 21] The method of claim 19 wherein the infection is caused by a gram negative bacterium or a gram-positive bacterium.

[Claim 22] A method for treating a sign of a condition comprising:

administering to an animal having or at risk of having a condition an effective amount of the composition of claim 11.

[Claim 23] The method of claim 22 wherein the animal is a human.

[Claim 24] The method of claim 22 wherein the condition is caused by a gram negative bacterium or a gram-positive bacterium.

[Claim 25] A method for treating an infection comprising:

administering to a plant having or at risk of having a bacterial infection an effective amount of the composition of claim 11.

[Claim 26] The method of claim 25 wherein the plant is a monocot.

[Claim 27] The method of claim 25 wherein the plant is a dicot.

[Claim 28] The method of claim 25 wherein the infection is caused by a gram negative bacterium or a gram-positive bacterium.

[Claim 29] The method of claim 25 wherein the administering comprises foliar ad ministration.

[Claim 30] A method for treating a biofilm, comprising:

treating a biofilm present on a surface with an effective amount of one or more proteins of any one of claims 1-2.

[Claim 31] The method of claim 30 wherein the surface comprises plastic, metal, glass, or a combination thereof.

[Claim 32] The method of claim 30 wherein the surface is impregnated with the protein. [Claim 33] The method of claim 30 wherein at least a portion of the surface is coated with the protein.

[Claim 34] The method of claim 30 wherein the surface comprises a medical device surface.

[Claim 35] The method of claim 34 wherein the medical device comprises an endoscope.

[Claim 36] A method for treating a biofilm, comprising:

treating a surface that is at risk of biofilm formation with an effective amount of one or more proteins of any one of claims 1-2.

[Claim 37] The method of claim 36 wherein the surface comprises plastic, metal, glass, or a combination thereof.

[Claim 38] The method of claim 36 wherein the surface is impregnated with the protein.

[Claim 39] The method of claim 36 wherein at least a portion of the surface is coated with the protein.

[Claim 40] The method of claim 36 wherein the surface comprises the surface of a medical device.

[Claim 41] The method of claim 40 wherein the medical device comprises an endoscope.

[Claim 42] A method for changing the population of a biofilm, comprising:

treating a biofilm with an effective amount of one or more proteins of any one of claims 1-2, or a combination thereof.

[Claim 43] The method of claim 42 wherein the population is present in a mi- crobiome.

[Claim 44] A method for reducing spoilage, comprising administering to a fruit, fresh produce, fish, meat, or a dairy product with an effective amount of one or more proteins of any one of claims 1-2.

[Claim 45] [Cancelled]