Abstract: Provided are: an expression vector for secreting a protein (Z) to be recovered or a fusion protein having the protein (Z) moiety therein; a method for producing a transformant using the expression vector; the transformant; and a method for producing a protein using the transformant. An expression vector comprising an expression cassette containing a structural gene sequence (y) encoding a protein (Y), a structural gene sequence (z) located downstream from the structural gene sequence (y) and encoding a protein (Z) that is a protein to be recovered, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing a fusion protein containing the protein (Y) moiety and the protein (Z) moiety, characterized in that the protein (Y) is a full-length protein of protein disulfide isomerase 1 (PDI1), a partial protein of PDI1, or a mutant protein of the full-length protein or the partial protein.

Abstract: Provided is a transformant of S. pombe mutant which can produce and collect ?-glucosidase without requiring complicated separation steps, and a vector which is useful for transforming a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces. The transformant of a S. pombe mutant of the present invention is a transformant of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant which exhibits an increased Gsf activity and decreased or no pyruvyl transferase Pvg1 enzymatic activity, and is comprised of a structural gene sequence encoding a ?-glucosidase derived from a filamentous fungus, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing the structural gene in a chromosome or as an extrachromosomal gene. Further, the present invention relates to a cloning vector which is characterized by comprising a hsp9 gene promoter or an ihc1 gene promoter of a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces, and is useful for transforming a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces, an expression vector, a transformant, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformant, containing a lactate dehydrogenase gene which is introduced into Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a host, in which a part of a gene cluster encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe host is deleted or inactivated.

Abstract: Provided is a transformant of S. pombe mutant which can produce and collect ?-glucosidase without requiring complicated separation steps, and a vector which is useful for transforming a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces. The transformant of a S. pombe mutant of the present invention is a transformant of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe mutant which exhibits an increased Gsf activity and decreased or no pyruvyl transferase Pvg1 enzymatic activity, and is comprised of a structural gene sequence encoding a ?-glucosidase derived from a filamentous fungus, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing the structural gene in a chromosome or as an extrachromosomal gene. Further, the present invention relates to a cloning vector which is characterized by comprising a hsp9 gene promoter or an ihc1 gene promoter of a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces, and is useful for transforming a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces, an expression vector, a transformant, etc.

Abstract: Provided are: an expression vector for secreting a protein (Z) to be recovered or a fusion protein having the protein (Z) moiety therein; a method for producing a transformant using the expression vector; the transformant; and a method for producing a protein using the transformant. An expression vector comprising an expression cassette containing a structural gene sequence (y) encoding a protein (Y), a structural gene sequence (z) located downstream from the structural gene sequence (y) and encoding a protein (Z) that is a protein to be recovered, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing a fusion protein containing the protein (Y) moiety and the protein (Z) moiety, characterized in that the protein (Y) is a full-length protein of protein disulfide isomerase 1 (PDI1), a partial protein of PDI1, or a mutant protein of the full-length protein or the partial protein.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing lactic acid which does not require neutralization and crude purification associated therewith both of which give a high load to the environment. A method for producing lactic acid, which comprises subjecting glucose to lactic acid fermentation by using a fission yeast having a lactic acid fermentation ability and recovering lactic acid produced thereby, characterized in that a fermentation liquor created from an aqueous glucose solution by lactic acid fermentation is replaced with an aqueous glucose solution having a potassium ion concentration of at least 400 ppm to continue the lactic acid fermentation, and the replacement of the fermentation liquor with the potassium ion-containing aqueous glucose solution is performed at least once.

Abstract: To provide a transformant of a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces which can produce a modified-type ?-glucosidase with improved glucosidase activity, a method for producing such a transformant, a method for producing the modified-type ?-glucosidase, and a cellulose degradation method using the modified-type ?-glucosidase.

Abstract: The object is to provide a transformant which can produce a heterologous protein having a structurally controlled O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure, a method for producing the transformant by using Schizosaccharomyces pombe as the host, and provide a host for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein. An Schizosaccharomyces pombe host having no omh1 gene or an inactivated omh1 gene in its chromosomes for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein having an O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure by expression of the heterologous protein by a genetic engineering technique and subsequent glycosylation of the expressed heterologous protein. A transformant from the host, a method for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein by using the transformant.

Abstract: To provide a transformant of a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces which can produce ?-glucosidase, and a method for producing such a transformant. A transformant of a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces characterized by having a structural gene sequence encoding a ?-glucosidase derived from a filamentous fungus, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing the structural gene in a chromosome, or alternatively by having the sequences as an extrachromosomal gene. Further, a transformation method for a yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces, characterized in that the yeast of the genus Schizosaccharomyces is transformed by using a vector having a structural gene sequence encoding a ?-glucosidase derived from a filamentous fungus, and a promoter sequence and a terminator sequence for expressing the structural gene.

Abstract: The efficiency of production of a heterologous protein by a transformant of a yeast host is improved. A method of constructing a host for expression of a foreign gene which comprises deleting or inactivating at least one gene selected from the protease-associated genes (especially, metalloprotease genes and serine protease genes) of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a host in which the above-mentioned gene is deleted or inactivated, a transformant obtained by introducing a foreign gene into the host and a method of producing a heterologous protein using the transformant. The protease-associated gene is at least one gene selected from the group consisting of psp3 (SPAC1006.01), is sxa2 (SPAC1296.03c), ppp51 (SPAC22G7.01c) and ppp52 (SPBC18A7.01) or at least two genes selected from the group consisting of metalloprotease genes and serine protease genes, especially, three genes psp3 (SPAC1006.01), isp6 (SPAC4A8.04) and ppp53 (SPAP14E8.04).

Abstract: The object is to provide a transformant which can produce a heterologous protein having a structurally controlled O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure, a method for producing the transformant by using Schizosaccharomyces pombe as the host, and provide a host for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein. An Schizosaccharomyces pombe host having no omh1 gene or an inactivated omh1 gene in its chromosomes for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein having an O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure by expression of the heterologous protein by a genetic engineering technique and subsequent glycosylation of the expressed heterologous protein. A transformant from the host, a method for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein by using the transformant.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an edible vaccine which is effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16 and available in large amounts inexpensively. An edible human papilloma virus vaccine obtained by culturing a transformant of an avirulent fission yeast host, wherein the transformant carries a gene encoding an antigenic protein of human papilloma virus introduced therein and accumulates the expressed antigenic protein in it.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformant, containing a lactate dehydrogenase gene which is introduced into Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a host, in which a part of a gene cluster encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase in the Schizosaccharomyces pombe host is deleted or inactivated.

Abstract: To provide a method for transforming S. pombe for creating a transformant with a high stability of maintenance after passage and enables the steady production of a heterologous protein of interest, a transformant produced by the method and a method for producing a heterologous protein using the resultant transformant. A method for transforming Schizosaccharomyces pombe by using a vector carrying an expression cassette (containing a promoter capable of functioning in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a heterologous protein structural gene and a terminator), and having recombination region(s) at which homologous recombination with each chromosome of Schizosaccharomyces pombe is to be achieved, which comprises integrating the expression cassette into the Tf2 transposon gene position(s) in the chromosome(s) of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by homologous recombination, a transformant created by the method and a method for producing a heterologous protein using the resultant transformant.

Abstract: The object is to provide a transformant which can produce a heterologous protein having a structurally controlled O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure, a method for producing the transformant by using Schizosaccharomyces pombe as the host, and provide a host for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein. An Schizosaccharomyces pombe host having no omh1 gene or an inactivated omh1 gene in its chromosomes for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein having an O-linked sugar chain having an O-Man-Gal disaccharide structure by expression of the heterologous protein by a genetic engineering technique and subsequent glycosylation of the expressed heterologous protein. A transformant from the host, a method for producing the transformant and a method for producing an O-glycosylated heterologous protein by using the transformant.

Abstract: A universal method for chromosome modification (deletion of a desired DNA region) which does not require any special enzymes or sequences is provided. Further, a method for determining whether the DNA region to be deleted contains a gene essential for growth of the cell under certain culture conditions is provided by utilizing the chromosome modification method.

Abstract: To provide a heterologous protein expression system which enables the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a host to produce of a heterologous protein which is almost impossible to express, or if possible, produced at low levels, under control of conventional promoters. The present invention provides an expression for use in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a transformant carrying the expression vector, a method for producing a heterologous protein using the transformant, in particular a method for producing a heterologous protein in which a heat shock protein gene promoter in Schizosaccharomyces pombe is used to regulate gene expression by application of a specific form of stress, whereby the timing of the production of the desired heterologous protein can be controlled.

Abstract: In a method of constructing a eukaryotic host microorganism for production of a heterologous protein encoded by a trangenically introduced gene, production efficiency of the heterologous protein by the transformant obtained by introducing the gene encoding the heterologous protein into the host is improved. Part or all of the genome unnecessary or detrimental to production of the heterologous protein by the transformant in culture is deleted or inactivated. The eukaryotic host microorganism is preferably Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The part of the genome of the eukaryotic host microorganism to be deleted or inactivated is preferably a gene selected from the genes associated with energy metabolism and the genes associated with proteases, such as a pyruvate decarboxylase gene, a serine protease gene, an aminopeptidase gene and a carboxypeptidase gene.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an edible vaccine which is effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16 and available in large amounts inexpensively. An edible human papilloma virus vaccine obtained by culturing a transformant of an avirulent fission yeast host, wherein the transformant carries a gene encoding an antigenic protein of human papilloma virus introduced therein and accumulates the expressed antigenic protein in it.

Abstract: A universal method for chromosome modification (deletion of a desired DNA region) which does not require any special enzymes or sequences is provided. Further, a method for determining whether the DNA region to be deleted contains a gene essential for growth of the cell under certain culture conditions is provided by utilizing the chromosome modification method.