PRODUCTION AND SECRETION OF PROTEINS OF BACTERIAL ORIGIN IN FILAMENTOUS FUNGI

The present invention is related to an improved production of bacterial proteins in filamentous fungus, e.g. in Trichoderma and Aspergillus. The improvement is achieved by constructing expression vectors, which comprise the bacterial protein encoding DNA sequences fused in frame with a DNA sequence encoding a filamentous fungus secretable protein or one or more functional domains of said protein. Filamentous fungus hosts transformed with such expression vectors secrete th e desired proteins or enzymes, especially xylanases or cellulases originating from bacteria or more preferably from actinomycetes into the culture medium of the host. The desired proteins or enzymes can be used directly from the culture medium after separation of host cells or recovered and treated using down-stream processes, which are appropriate for the respective application. Xylanases or cellulases from actinomycetes produced using the above expression vectors are most suitable for treating plant derived materials, e.g. in pulp and paper industries.