The present invention relates to serine protease variants, having improved properties compared to the parent protease, in particular variants of a serine protease derived from a strain of Meripilus giganteus belonging to the S53 family. The varinats according to the invention have in particular increased stability, e.g., increased thermo-stability, increased specific activity, and/or increased expression levels, compared to the parent protease. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic N acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

The present invention relates to serine protease variants, having improved properties compared to the parent protease, in particular variants of a serine protease derived from a strain of Meripilus giganteus belonging to the S53 family. The varinats according to the invention have in particular increased stability, e.g., increased thermo-stability, increased specific activity, and/or increased expression levels, compared to the parent protease. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic N acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.

A vaccine is disclosed that promotes CD4+ T cell-independent host defense mechanisms to defend against infection by fungi such as Pneumocystis spp. The vaccine may be used to prevent or to treat fungal infections. The novel vaccine can provide protective immunity, even for immunocompromised individuals such as HIV patients having reduced levels of CD4+ T cells.

Provided is a method for recombinant expression of β-glucosidase gene. Also provided is a recombinant expression vector comprising: (a) a coding sequence of an aspartic protease or active fragment thereof, (b) a coding sequence of β-glucosidase or active fragment thereof, and optionally (c) a linker sequence between (a) and (b). Further provided are the recombinant host cell and the recombinant cellulose-degrading microorganism comprising the recombinant expression vector, the preparation method and uses thereof.

Provided is a method for recombinant expression of β-glucosidase gene. Also provided is a recombinant expression vector comprising: (a) a coding sequence of an aspartic protease or active fragment thereof, (b) a coding sequence of β-glucosidase or active fragment thereof, and optionally (c) a linker sequence between (a) and (b). Further provided are the recombinant host cell and the recombinant cellulose-degrading microorganism comprising the recombinant expression vector, the preparation method and uses thereof.

The present invention relates to mutants of a parent Trichoderma strain, comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide and one or more (several) genes selected from the group consisting of a first subtilisin-like serine protease gene, a first aspartic protease gene, a trypsin-like serine protease gene, a second subtilisin-like serine protease gene, and a second aspartic protease gene, wherein the one or more (several) genes are modified rendering the mutant strain deficient in the production of one or more (several) enzymes selected from the group consisting of a first subtilisin-like serine protease, a first aspartic protease, a trypsin-like serine protease, a second subtilisin-like serine protease, and a second aspartic protease, respectively, compared to the parent Trichoderma strain when cultivated under identical conditions. The present invention also relates to methods of producing a polypeptide in such mutants and methods for producing such mutants.

The present invention relates to mutants of a parent Trichoderma strain, comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide and one or more (several) genes selected from the group consisting of a first subtilisin-like serine protease gene, a first aspartic protease gene, a trypsin-like serine protease gene, a second subtilisin-like serine protease gene, and a second aspartic protease gene, wherein the one or more (several) genes are modified rendering the mutant strain deficient in the production of one or more (several) enzymes selected from the group consisting of a first subtilisin-like serine protease, a first aspartic protease, a trypsin-like serine protease, a second subtilisin-like serine protease, and a second aspartic protease, respectively, compared to the parent Trichoderma strain when cultivated under identical conditions. The present invention also relates to methods of producing a polypeptide in such mutants and methods for producing such mutants.

Described herein are recombinant host organisms expressing a fusion protein with a foreign signal linked to the N-terminus of a mature polypeptide, such as an alpha-amylase, protease, beta-glucosidase or glucoamylase. Also described are processes for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, from starch or cellulosic-containing material with the recombinant host organisms.

Described herein are recombinant host organisms expressing a fusion protein with a foreign signal linked to the N-terminus of a mature polypeptide, such as an alpha-amylase, protease, beta-glucosidase or glucoamylase. Also described are processes for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, from starch or cellulosic-containing material with the recombinant host organisms.