Methods for producing proteins using silkworm middle silk gland-specific gene expression system
US7459599B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K2267/0393
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Transgenic silkworms comprising GFP whose expression is regulated by the sericin gene promoter were produced. Observation of the silk glands of the last instar larvae of the silkworms showed fluorescence only in the middle silk glands. GFP was secreted from middle silkgland cells from around the spinning stage, indicating that GFP moved into the gland lumen. Finally, GFP was spun into cocoon filaments, and cocoons containing large amounts of GFP were produced. Thus, by using the promoter region of the sericin gene, recombinant proteins can be produced in the middle silk glands. Furthermore, the recombinant proteins produced in the middle silk glands were readily secreted into the lumen of the middle silk glands.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.