Creation of Next-generation Bacillus Subtilis for Novel Biomaterial Production

Kao has been conducting research and development of proteins such as detergent enzymes for over 30 years, and is also working to establish technology that efficiently produces biomaterials with the use of microorganisms. We support the principles for application of biotechnology established by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and Biodiversity, and have been long committed to development of bioproduction technology for a variety of industrial applications under appropriate management.
We participated in a national project conducted to study Bacillus subtilis, a microorganism with an excellent enzyme-producing ability. Based on genomic information (about 4.2 million base pairs) and comprehensive transcriptional analysis, a genomic region unnecessary for enzyme production was identified. We then developed highly efficient B. subtilis strains for bioproduction by removing unnecessary regions covering 23% of the entire genome, which showed improved metabolic flux and secretion efficiency. Furthermore, by utilizing multi-omics analysis that combines proteome, metabolome, and flux analysis techniques, we are attempting to comprehensively understand phenomena occurring in bacterial cells during protein production. Through this research, Kao is attempting to establish a bio-production technology for efficient production of various proteins in addition to the detergent enzymes contained in “Attack”.
In recent years, we have also been utilizing these technologies for protein production for use in infectious disease control programs. One example is novel next-generation B. subtilis for biomaterials production developed by Kao. By using this B. subtilis, we have found it possible to efficiently mass-produce antibody fragments, which are attracting attention as next-generation antibody drugs, as well as proteins for extermination of intestinal parasites present in tropical regions.
From now, by utilizing the strength of protein production technology by B. subtilis, Kao will widely contribute to solving infectious diseases including the new coronavirus and social issues such as environmental problems.