The proposed research will investigate the ability of Neurospora crassa to express and secrete biologically active mammalian proteins. Although bacteria and yeast have been genetically engineered for this purpose, recombinant products from these organisms often require additional purification and processing. Filamentous fungi, including Neurospora can efficiently express, modify and secrete heterologous proteins in significant quantities. In the experiments outlined here, cDNAs encoding rat relaxin and bovine chymosin will be placed under the regulation of N. Crassa beta-tubulin gene promoter and terminator, and the ability to express these genes and secrete the proteins will be determined. If successful, these studies will enable the development of an alternate expression system in Neurospora crassa at a lower cost.
