Recombinant vector capable of increasing secretion of Koji mold protease

A recombinant vector comprising a DNA

• (a) that hybridizes under stringent conditions comprising 600 mM sodium concentration, a pH of 8, and a temperature of 68° C. with a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4, and
• (b) that encodes a polypeptide capable of increasing the secretion of a protease in an Aspergillus host cell transformed with the vector.

A recombinant vector comprising a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has at least 95% identity to a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4, and that encodes a polypeptide capable protein having a capability of increasing the secretion of a protease in an Aspergillus host cell transformed with the vector.

An isolated DNA of the following (a), (b) or (c);

• (a) a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4;
• (b) a DNA that hybridizes under stringent conditions comprising 600 mM sodium concentration, a pH of 8, and a temperature of 68° C. with a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA (a), and that encodes a polypeptide capable of increasing the secretion of a protease in an Aspergillus host cell;
• (c) a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence that has at least 95% identity to a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4, and that encodes a polypeptide capable of increasing the secretion of a protease in an Aspergillus host cell.

An isolated protein of the following (a) or (b):

• (a) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence encoded by the entire length of a DNA consisting of a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4;
• (b) a protein consisting of an amino acid sequence of (a) wherein one amino acid residue is replaced, deleted, or added, and wherein the protein is capable of increasing the secretion of a protease in an Aspergillus host cell.