STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING HETEROLOGOUS PROTEIN-PRODUCTION FROM FILAMENTOUS FUNGI

Despite the naturally high capacity for protein secretion by many spec ies of filamentous fungi, secteted yields of many heterologous protein s have been comparatively low. The strategies for yield improvement ha ve included the use of strong homologous promoters, increased gene cop y number, gene fusions with a gene encoding a naturally well-secreted protein, protease-deficient host strains and screening for high yields following random mutagenesis. Such approaches have been effective wit h some target heterologous proteins but not others. Approaches used in heterologous protein production from filamentous fungi are discussed and a perspective on emerging strategies is presented.