DNA which encodes trehalase and uses thereof

Abstract

Disclosed are a DNA which encodes murine trehalase, a polypeptide expressed by the DNA, and a transgenic- and knockout-animals which have been genetically engineered with the DNA. The DNA comprises a part or the whole of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A polypeptide which is obtainable by the expression of a DNA which comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 that encodes a trehalase or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         2 . The polypeptide of  claim 1 , which has trehalase activity.  
     
     
         3 . The polypeptide of  claim 1  which contains the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or a fragment thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A process for producing polypeptide, which comprises: 
 allowing a transformed cell, which has been obtained by introducing a DNA, which comprises the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 that encodes a trehalase or a fragment thereof, into an appropriate host cell derived from a microorganism, plant or animal including insect, to express a polypeptide encoded by the DNA; and    collecting the expressed polypeptide, wherein said polypeptide comprises a part or the whole of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.    
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein said polypeptide has trehalase activity.  
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 4 , wherein said produced polypeptide is collected by one or more purification methods selected from the group consisting of dialysis, salting out, filtration, concentration, fractional precipitation, gel filtration chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, reverse phase chromatography, affinity chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and isoelectric electrophoresis.  
     
     
         7 . A transgenic animal, into which a part or the whole of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 has been introduced.  
     
     
         8 . A knockout animal, which a trehalase gene, comprising a part or the whole of the nucleotides sequence SEQ ID NO:1, has been destroyed.