Eukaryotic regulatable transcription

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for efficient expression of genes in unicellular microoorganisms, particularly yeast. The systems involve an expression system employing transcriptional initiation regions from glycolytic enzymes, particularly a chimeric expression system, having a first region providing for regulatable or constitutive expression, a second region providing for transcriptional initiation, where regions one and two are not found joined together in functional relationship in nature, and optionally a sequence providing for a secretory leader and processing signal, where the expression cassette will be joined to a gene which may be homologous or heterologous to the host. The expression cassette can be used on an extrachromosomal element or integrated into the host genome, whereby continuous expression can be achieved or inducible expression is obtained, by virtue of the presence or absence of an inducer. Constructions may be provided, where structural genes may be introduced in reading frame with the cassette to provide for expression of the natural peptide, a fused peptide, or a peptide precursor. The S. cerevisiae strain AB110 (pAB24/P. vivax 1-5 was deposited at the A.T.C.C. on May 9, 1986, and given Accession No. 20797.

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