Gist-brocades N.v.

Hilde E Smith

Gerard Venema

Sierd Bron

Jan H Van Ee

Ben P Peeters

Wilhelmus J Quax

Jan Maarten Van Dijl

The subject invention describes the cloning and overexpression of leader peptidase genes. A method for isolating a leader peptidase gene is disclosed. Overexpression of the signal peptidase in a suitable host species leads to an enhanced rate of protein processing.

Processing of proteins

Novel vectors are provided for identifying secretory signal sequences from DNA fragments of unicellular microorganisms. The plasmids comprise a multiple cloning site with restriction sites in reading frame with a structural gene which permits rapid screening of the secreted expression product. Optionally, the vectors may include a promoter region upstream from the multiple cloning site. The invention is exemplified with Bacillus. Specific secretory signal sequences have been isolated with those vectors, allowing for efficient secretion into the supernatant, and not just to the periplasmic space to provide proteins in economically high yields. Secretory sequences are provided superior to other previously known sequences.

Secretory signal selection vectors for extracellular protein synthesis

Novel vectors are provided for identifying secretory signal sequences from DNA fragments of unicellular microorganisms. The plasmids comprise a multiple cloning site with restriction sites in reading frame with a structural gene which permits rapid screening of the screted expression product. Optionally, the vectors may include a promoter region upstream from the multiple cloning site. The invention is exemplified with Bacillus. Specific secretory signal sequence have been isolated with those vectors, allowing for efficient secretion into the supernatant, and not just to the periplasmic space to provide proteins in economically high yields. Secretory sequences are provided superior to other previously known sequences.

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Groningen, Netherlands

Hilde E Smith