TRANSFORMED SILKWORM PRODUCING HUMAN COLLAGEN

摘要

A transformed silkworm which has a polynucleotide encoding human collagen in its genomic DNA and produces recombinant human collagen as a part of proteins in its cocoon or silk gland; a process for producing human collagen by using this transformed silkworm; and a recombinant vector to be used in the constitution of the transformed silkworm. Since human collagen is collected from the cocoon discharged by this transformed silkworm or its silk gland, highly pure human collagen can be conveniently obtained in a large amount. Moreover, the recombinant human collagen produced by the transformed silkworm is a highly safe collagen which is free from any fear of the contamination with pathogens such as viruses or prions and shows no antigenicity on humans. Thus, it is usable in various industrial fields including medicines, foods and cosmetics.