Heterologous protein production by filamentous fungi

There are clearly many facets to successful production of heterologous proteins from filamentous fungi. The objectives are to exploit the natural ability of some species to secrete high levels of protein. The heterologous target proteins produced in a fungal host must be acceptable to the public and be economic to produce, i.e. the targets must be authentic (in structure and activity) and be produced in high yield to necessary levels of purity. The appearance of heterologous products from fungi on the market is testament to some success but, equally, there are considerable limitations in our ability to produce desired yields of many target proteins. We endorse the view of van den Hondel, Punt and van Gorcom (1991) that for the commercial production of heterologous proteins from filamentous fungi more information is required on transcriptional control, introns, mRNA stability and processing, translational efficiency, protein secretion, glycosylation and proteolysis. In addition, there is scope for yield improvement based on a better understanding of the physiology of growth/product secretion coupled to appropriate bioreactor operation. The authenticity of product is an aspect which will assume increasing importance, particularly for therapeutic proteins. The level at which the structures and functional activity of heterologous proteins are assessed will ultimately be determined by legislation. The analytical methods currently available are not always sufficient, for example, to reveal folded structures, and most proteins are not amenable to analysis by two-dimensional NMR. The authenticity of target heterologous proteins will also need to be assessed in relation to the glycosylation level and pattern. This is not easily done and explains the paucity of detailed information published to date on glycosylation of fungal proteins. Novel engineered proteins are already being produced from filamentous fungi where expression is an aid to investigation of structure-function relationships. Commercial production of such engineered proteins will require approval subject to a range of stringently applied tests and analyses. This imposes an even greater need to be able to specify and control, in a rational manner, the structures of recombinant proteins. The research needs for realization of improved yields are equally important in assuring authenticity of product. It is encouraging that progress is being made on all fronts, primarily with Aspergillus spp. and T. reesei, but also with other species, such as N. crassa.