Transgenic silkworms expressing hagfish thread keratin
US12065660B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 13, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07K2319/00
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Transgenic silkworms stably expressing hagfish thread keratin genes or composite silkworm/hagfish thread keratin genes are disclosed. The exogenous hagfish thread keratin genes are stably integrated into a defined site of the fibroin heavy chain intron or a fibroin light chain intron of silkworms. Synthetic hagfish thread keratin proteins and composite hagfish thread keratin-silkworm genes and proteins are provided. The expression of exogenous hagfish thread keratin genes is driven by the endogenous fibroin heavy chain promoter, improving the genetic stability of transgenic silkworms. The composite silkworm/hagfish thread keratin fibers exhibit exceptional mechanical performance, compared to normal silkworm silk fibers and other transgenic silkworm fibers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.