CA2332177A1 - Proteases fused with variants of streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to fusion proteins wherein the fusion protein comprises a protease part; and a variant part, wherein the variant part has a modified amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI, and wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and variants of SSI-like inhibitors. Such fusion proteins are useful in cleaning compositions and personal care compositions. The present invention also relates to cleaning compositions and personal care compositions comprising the present fusion proteins, as well as DNA encoding the fusion proteins.

Description

WO 00/01831 PCTIUS99/i524'~
PROTEASES FUSED WITH VARIANTS OF STREP?'OMYCES SUBTILISIN
INHIBITOR
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/091,904, filed Juiy 7, 1998.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fusion proteins of-. ( 1 ) proteases and (2) variants of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) and those inhibitors having homology to SSI,.
(SSI-like inhibitors). Such fusion proteins are useful in cleaning compositions and personal care compositions. The present invention also relates to cleaning campositions and personal care compositions comprising the present fusion proteins, as well as genes encoding the fusion proteins.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Enzymes make up the largest class of naturally occurring proteins. One class of enzyme includes proteases which catalyze the hydrolysis of other proteins.
This ability io hydrolyze proteins has been exploited by incorporating naturally occurring and protein engineered proteases into cleaning compositions, particularly those relevant to laundry applications. Furthermore, although explored to a lesser extent, others have incorporated such proteases into personal care compositions. During storage of the composition or even expression of the protease, however, the protease is frequently degraded by itself or may degrade other enzymes present in the composition. As a result of this degradation, the cleaning and personal care compositions have limited ability to achieve the intended enhanced performance.
It is therefore benef cial to incorporate ini:o the compositions an inhibitor of protease activity to limit protease autolysis and other degradation. It would be advantageous to provide reversible inhibitors of the protease, so that upon dilution of the composition during cleaning, or in the cleaning environment, the protease is no longer inhibited, but rather is available to hydrolyze proteinaceous stains.
Furthermore, such inhibitors must be stable enough to adequately perform their inhibitory function.
Those in the art have experimented with proteinaceous protease inhibitors to stabilize enzymes in cleaning compositions. Nature provides proteinaceous protease inhibitors to regulate the protease in vivo. However, because these naturally occurring proteinaceous protease inhibitors tend to be unstable, their commercial use in the presence of proteases and cleaning and personal care: earners may be somewhat limited.
Proteinaceous protease inhibitors are typically long peptides which bind to the active site of a protease and inhibit its activity. These inhibitors have typically been classified into several families (families I througlE IX) based on primary amino acid sequence homologies See Laskowski et al., "Protean Inhibitors of Proteinases", Annual' Review of Biochemastrv, Vol. 49, pp. 593 - 626 ( 1980)). Included in these inhibitors are those commonly referred to as family VI inhibitors, including eglin and barley chymotrypsin inhibitor, and family III inhibitors, such as Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI) and piasminostreptin.
Such inhibitors tend to bind to certain proteases better than others. Thus it is convenient to consider the inhibitor with a specific protease in mind. For this reason, the art often discusses "protease I peptide inhibitor pairs". An example of a known protease /
peptide inhibitor pair is subtilisin BPN' / SSI. See e.g,;,, Mitsui et al., "Crystal Structure of a Bacterial Protein Proteinase Inhibitor (Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor) at 2.6 ~
Resolution", Journal of Molecular Biolo~y, Vol. 1311, pp. 697 - 724 (1979) and Hirono et al., "Crystal Structure at 1.6 A Resolution of the; Complex of Subtilisin BPN' with Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor", Journal of Molecular Biolo~v. Vol. 178, pp. 389 - 413 ( 1984).
SSI is stable in the presence of subtilisin BPN', as long as the inhibitor is present in sufficient amounts to inhibit all protease activity. However, it has been suggested that inhibitors having high affinity for protease do not dissociate upon dilution in the wash environment. See WO 92/03529, Mikkelson et al., assigned to Novo Nordisk AIS, published March 5, 1992.

However, if the binding constant (K;) of an inhibitor provides for some protease activity in the cleaning composition containing the enzyme / inhibitor pair, the inhibitor, as well as enzymes in the composition, may be hydrolyzed. Therefore, it would be advantageous to find variants of SSI or other inhibitors which are suitably stable in the presence of protease as well as cleaning and personal care compositions. In addition, these inhibitors preferably have a preferred K; for the particular protease to be inhibited.
Such K; should allow for inhibition of the protease in the final composition and during its storage. However, upon dilution of the cleaning or personal care composition or during the cleaning process, the protease and inhibitor should dissociate, allowing activity of the uninhibited protease.
However; stability of such protease inhibitors has been problematic. WOJ
98//3387, Correa et al., assigned to The Procter & Gamble Co., published April 2, 1998 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/026,944) discloses variants which are disclosed as providing increased stability.
Furthermore, the manufacture of proteases, including those useful in cleaning and personal care compositions, poses its own unique problems. For example, protease production maybe limited by autolysis during the fermentation or purification process.
Unfortunately, the addition of protease inhibitors to the fermentation broth or purification mixture requires the purchase and addition of excess of inhibitor. Addition of the inhibitor at this stage may also be untimely because hydrolysis of the protease may occur prior to feasible addition of the inhibitor. Furthermore, addition of inhibitor may actually decrease yield of the protease.
As an example of addition at the fermentation step, German Patent Specification 2,131,451, assigned to Nagase & Co., published December 30, 1971, discloses a process for the production of alkaline protease. This process is said to require the addition of water soluble borate as an inhibitor. These borates are said to enhance the filtering activity and, accordingly, the protease yield. However, it is recognized that, at certain levels, the borate can actually retard the production of the enzyme.
Joer~ensen et al., WO 93/13125, assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S, published July 8, 1993, discloses a,process for production of a "protein susceptible to inactivation" in a fluid production medium by "continuously and reversibly protecting"the protein against inactivation during the production stage, deprotecting the protein, arid recovering the protein product. Such process is disclosed as being useful for obtaining increased yields of the protein by reversibly inactivating the protein. However, such processes may require addition of exogenous materials that may be expensive, ineffective, require further additional processing, and render the process difficult to control.
Sounders et al., WO 98/13483, assigned to T'he Procter & Gamble Co., published April 2, 1998, addresses the need to inhibit protease in vivo by providing fusion proteins.
Hartman et al., WO 97/15670, assigned to Arris Pharmaceutical Corp., published May 1, 1997, mentions the use of fusion proteins. Such fusion proteins may be useful by providing inhibitor / protease pairs at significant cost savings and increased yields. By' producing stoichiometric amounts of inhibitor concurrently with the protease, autolysis early on in the protease production phase may be reduced or eliminated.
However, the protease inhibitor itself should be adequately stable t.o achieve this purpose.
It has been surprisingly discovered that SST inhibitors, SSI-like inhibitors, and variants thereof are hydrolyzed between positions 63 and 64 corresponding to SSI.
Accordingly, the present inventor provides inhibitor I protease fusion proteins wherein the inhibitors are variants of SSI, SSI inhibitors and SSI-like inhibitors which are modified, inter olio, at position 63 by a substituting amino acid residue. ~
Such substitution imparts increased stability to the protease inhibitor. The present inventor has herein incorporated such inhibitors into fusion proteins, thereby overcoming the aforementioned problem of protease degradation in vivo. The present invention theref6re provides fusion proteins comprising inhibitors having greater proteolytic stability, lower amity for the protease than the parent inhibitor, and which facilitate decreased autolysis of the protease.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides fusion proteins comprising:
(a) a protease part;
(b) a variant part; wherein the variant part has a modified amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence WO 00101831 PCT/US99115247.

comprises an amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI, and wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and variants of SSI-like inhibitors;
and, optionally (c) a linking part wherein when the linking part is present, the protease part and the variant part are covaiently attached through the linking part.
The protease part preferably includes those prateases for which SSI is an inhibitor. Such proteases include, for example, those produced by Bacillus alcalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus amylosaccharicus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, and Bacillus subtilis microorganisms. The present invention also relates to genes encoding such fusion proteins and cleaning and personal care compositions comprising' such fusion proteins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 'rHE INVENTION
The essential components of the present invention are described herein. Also included are non-limiting descriptions of various optional and preferred components useful in the embodiments of the present invention.
The present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, any of the required or optional components, ingredients, and / or limitations described herein.
All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwise indicated.
AlI percentages are calculated based on the total composition unless otherwise indicated.
Referred to herein are trade names for materials including, but not limited to, proteases and optional components. The inventors herein do not intend to be limited by materials under a certain trade name. Equivalent materials (e.g., those obtained from a different source under a different name or catalog (reference) number) to those referenced by trade name may be substituted and utilized in the compositions herein.
All component, ingredient, or composition levels are in reference to the active level of that component, ingredient, or composition., and are exclusive of impurities, for example, residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources.
All documents referred to herein, including all patents, patent applications, and printed publications, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

WO 00!01831 PCT/LJS99/15247 As used herein, abbreviations will be used to describe amino acids. Table I
provides a list of abbreviations used herein:
Table I
Amino Acid Three-letter AbbreviationOne-letter Abbreviation Alanine Ala A

Ar inine Ar R

As ara ine Asn N

As artic Acid As D

C steine C s C

Glutamine Gln Q

Glutamic Acid Glu E

GI cine GI G

_ His H
Histidine Isoleucine Ile I

Le Leu L
ucine _ L s K
L sine Methionine Met M

Phen lalanine Phe F

Proline Pro P

Serine Ser S

Threonine Thr T

T to han T W

T rosine T Y

_ __ Val V
Valine Definitions As used herein, the term "fusion protein" has its art-recognized meaning, that is, two proteins are expressed as one amino acid chain, typically under the control of one regulatory element. For example, fusion proteins have been used for numerous applications over the last several years (se_ e. e.~., Sarnbrook et al., Molecular Clonir,r: A
Laboratory Manual, 2°° Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Fress (1989).
Currently, expression vectors are commercially available for using fusion technology to produce a protein of interest. A discussion of fusion proteins comprising SSI variants and proteases may also be found in Saunders et al.. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/026,94?, which corresponds to Saunders et al.. WO 98/I3483, assigned to The Procter & Gamble Co..
published April 2, 1998.

As used herein, the term "mutation" refers ~to alterations in gene sequences and amino acid sequences produced by those gene sequences. Mutations may be deletions, substitutions, or additions of amino acid residues to the wild-type or parent sequence.
As used herein, the term "parent" refers to a protease, protease inhibitor, protein, or peptide, wild-type or variant, with no amino acid substitution at position corresponding to SSI (i.e., the amino acid substitution at position 63 is naturally occurnng). An example of one of these parents is an inhibitor known as Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor {SSI) (represented by SEQ ID NO: 1). SSI is further described by Ikenaka et al., "Amino Acid Sequence of an Alkaline Proteinase Inhibitor (Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor) from Streptomyces albogriseoulus S-3253", Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 76, pp. 1191 - 1209 ( 1974). As used herein, the amino acid numbering of SSI is that of Ikenaka et aI. The present inventors also use a synthetic SSI
gene, designed to be rich in adenine and thymine, as is B. subtilis DNA. This synthetic gene encodes four extra amino acid residues at the amino terminus of the peptide due to expression plasmid construction methods. This modif ed amino acid sequence, including these four additional amino acids, is represented by SEQ ID NO: 2.
As used herein, the term "wild-type" refers to a protein, herein specifically a protease or protease inhibitor, produced by unmutated organisms.
As used herein, the term "variant" means a protein or peptide, herein specifically a protease inhibitor or protease, having an amino arid sequence which differs from that of the parent protease inhibitor or protease, respectively.
Fusion Proteins of the Present Invention The present inventors have discovered fusion proteins comprising: (a) a protease part (for simplicity, also referred to herein as a protease); (b) a variant part (far simplicity, also referred to herein as a variant); and, optionally, (c) a linking part, wherein when the linking part is present the protease part and the variant part are covalently attached through the linking part. The variant has a modified amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI, and wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, WO 04/Oi831 PCT/US99/15247 variants of SSI, and variants of SSI-like inhibitors. The present fusion proteins are beneficial, inter alia, because of the stability of the variant.
Without intending to be limited by theory, the present fusion proteins minimize or avoid potential pitfalls of one protein being expressed at a higher rate than the other. The present fusion proteins allow the synthesis of specifically selected molar amounts of protease and inhibitor (variant) simultaneously. For example, the fusion protein may be constructed to provide an equimolar amount of inhibitor (variant), or twice the molar amount of inhibitor (variant) to protease, and the like. Thus, it is possible to prevent autolysis of the protease at the earliest possible time, i.e., just after translation in vivo.
The fusion protein may contain one or more protease parts, the same or different, and may contain one or more variant parts, the same or different, as long as the fusion protein'' contains at least one protease part and one varianl: part. Most preferably, the fusion protein has one protease part, one variant part, with a linking part being optional but preferable.
It is also contemplated that other proteases and / or inhibitors; in addition to the fusion protein, are made by the same cell, either on the same plasmid as the fusion protein gene, a different plasmid coexisting in the cell, a plasmid while the fusion protein gene is chromosomal, or as part of the chromosome of the cell. In addition, one may produce either a protease with an inhibitor specific 1:0.a different protease, or a protease with the inhibitor specific to that protease in the fusion protein.
Furthermore, the fusion protein may be co-expressed with one or more additional inhibitors, which inhibitor may be the same as the variant part comprising the fusion protein.
Protease Parts As stated, the present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising a protease part (protease). Accordingly, an essential component of the fusion protein is a protease of which a present variant part (variant) inhibits. The protease may be of animal, plant or, preferably, microorganism origin. Preferred proteases include those for which SSI is an inhibitor. Such proteases include, for example, those produced by Bacillus alcalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus amylosaccharicus, Bacillus lichenif'ormis, Bacillus dentus, and Bacillus subtilis microorganisms. Among such proteases the preferred include, for example, subtilisin BPN, subtilisin BPN', subtilisin WO 00/01831 PCT/US99/1.52A7 Carlsberg, subtilisin DY, subtilisin 309, proteinase K, and thermitase, including A/S
Alcalase~ (Novo Industries, Copenhagen, Denmark), Esperase~ (Novo Industries), Savinase~ (Novo Industries), Maxatase~ (Gist-Brocades, Delft; Netherlands), Maxacal~ (Gist-Brocades), Maxapem 15~ (Gist-Brocades), and variants of .the foregoing. Especially preferred proteases for use herein include those obtained from Bacillus amyloliguefaciens and variants thereof. The most preferred wild-type protease is subtilisin BPN'.
Variants of subtilisin BPN', hereinafter collectively referred to as "Protease Group A", are useful as the proteases herein and are disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
5,030,378, Vene as, July 9, 1991 as characterized by the subtilisin BPN' amino acid sequence (the sequence of which is represented as SEQ ID: NO 3) with the following mutations:
(a) Gly at position I66 is substituted with Asn, Ser, Lys, Arg, His, Gln, Ala or Glu; Gly at position 169 is substituted with Ser; and Met at position 222 is substituted with Gln, Phe, His, Asn, Glu, AIa or Thr; or (b) Gly at position 160 is substituted with AIa, and Met at position 222 is substituted with Ala.
Additional variants of subtilisin BPN', hereinafter collectively referred to as "Protease Group B", are useful as the proteases herein and are disclosed in European Patent EP-B-251,446, assigned to Genencor International, Inc., published January 7, 1988, and granted December 28, 1994, as characterized by the wild-type BPN' amino acid sequence with mutations at one or more of the following positions: Tyr2l, Thr22, Ser24, Asp36, A1a45, A1a48, Ser49, Met50, His67, Ser87, Lys94, Va195, GIy97, Ser101, Gly 102, Gly 103, Ile 107, Gly 110, Met 124, GIy 127, Gly 12 8, Pro 129, Leu 13 5, Lys 170, Tyr171, Prol?2, Asp197, Met199, Ser204, Lys213,1.'yr214, G1y215, and Ser221;
or two or more of the positions listed above combined with Asp32, Ser33, Tyr104, A1a152, Asn155, G1u156, G1y166, G1y169, Phe189, Tyr2I7, and Met222.
Another preferred subtilisin BPN' variant useful as the proteases herein are hereinafter collectively referred to as "Protease Group C", and are described in WO
95110615, assigned to Genencor International Inc., published April 20, 1995 as characterized by the wild-type subtilisin BPN' amino acid sequence with a mutation to position Asn76, in combination with mutations in one or more other positions selected from the group consisting of Asp99, Ser101, G1n103, Tyr104, Ser105, I1e107, Asnlp9, Asn 123, Leu i 26, Gly 127, Gly 128, Leu 135, Glu 156, Gly 166, Glu 195, Asp 197, Ser204, G1n206, Pro2I0, A1a216, Tyr217, Asn218, Met222, Ser260, Lys265, and A1a274.
Other preferred subtilisin BPN' variants useful as .the proteases herein, collectively referred to as "Protease Group D", are described in U.S. Patent No.
4,760,025, Estell. et al., July 26, 1988, as characterized by the wild-type subtilisin BPN' amino acid sequence with mutations to one or more amino acid positions selected from the group consisting of Asp32, Ser33, His64, Tyr104, Asn155, G1u156, Glyl66, G1y169, Phe 189, Tyr217, and Met222.
The more preferred proteases as used herein are selected from the group consisting of Alcalase~, subtilsin BPN', Protease Group A, Protease Group B, Protease Group C, and Protease Group. D. The most preferred protease is selected from Protease Group D.
Variant Part In addition to the protease part, the present fusion proteins further comprise a variant part (variant). The present variants are protease inhibitors having a modif ed amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence comprises an amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (herein referred to as SSI), and wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and variants of SSI-Like inhibitors. Such variants are capable of being fused to the protease in vivo. Preferably; the variant is resistant to hydrolysis by the corresponding protease part.
The substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI may be with any amino acid residue which imparts increased stability relative to the parent amino acid sequence.
Most preferably; the substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI is with isoleucine.
Such a variant may be represented as "L63I". In describing this variant, the original amino acid occurring in the parent amino acid sequence is given first, the position number second, and the substituted amino acid third. Thus, L63I means that the leucine (L) which appeared as the sixty-third amino acid position (position 63) in the native inhibitor SSI is replaced with isoleucine (I}. The position numbering corresponds to that of Ikenaka et al., supra (SEQ ID NO: 1), and ignores the four additional amino acid residues present at the amino terminus of the synthetic SSI (SEQ ID NO: 2).
Such representations for other substitutions listed herein are presented in a consistent manner.
The variants herein are not limited to SSI substituted at position 63. Rather, the substitution at position 63 may also be made in parent amino acid sequences (including, of course, the nucleotide sequences coding far that amino acid sequence) wherein the parent is itself a variant of SSI, an SSI-Like inhibitor, or a variant of SSI-like inhibitors.
The more preferred parent amino acid sequences include SSI and variants of SSI. The most preferred parent amino acid sequences are 'variants of SSI. Variants of SSI have been disclosed in, for example, Kojima et al., "Inhibition of Subtilisin BPN' by Reaction Site P1 Mutants of Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor''', Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 109, pp. 377 - 382 (1991); Tamura et al., "Mechanisms of Temporary Inhibition in Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor Induced by an Amino Acid Substitution, Tryptophan 86 Replaced by Histidine", Biochemistry, Vol. 30, pp. 5275 - 5286 ( 1991 ); JO
3099-099-A, assigned to Tsumura & Co., published September 12, 1989; Mikkelsen et al..
U.S. Patent No. 5,674,833, assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S, issued October 7, 1997; and WO
93/17086, Nielsen et al., assigned to Novo Nordisk AIS, published September 2, 1993.
Other variants of SSI have been disclosed in U'.S. Patent Application Serial No.
60/026,944, Carrea et al., corresponding to WO 98/13387, Carrea et al..
assigned to The Procter & Gamble Co., published April 2, 1998, such variants herein being collectively described as "Inhibitor Group A". Preferred variants of SSI (for use as parent amino acid sequences herein) are those of Inhibitor Group A. More preferred variants which are useful as the parent amino acid sequences herein are listed in the following Tables 2 - 6.
Again, all position numbering corresponds to SSI as <iescribed by Ikenaka et al.
Table 2 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Having a Single Substitution Parent 1 ! D83C
Parent 4 ~ M73D

WO 00/01831 PCT/US99/1524~

Parent 34 M73P
Table 3 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Having Double Substitutions Parent 2 M73D + D83C

Parent 3 ~~~ M73P + Dg3C

Parent 5 M70Q + D83C

Parent 29 M73P + S98D

Parent 30 M73P + S98E

Parent 31 M73P + S98A

Table 4 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Having Triple Substitutions Parent 6 M73P + D83C + S98A

p~.ent 7 M73P + Y75A + D83C

Parent 8 M73P + Dg3C + S98V

Parent 9 M70Q + M73P + D83C

Parent IO M l3P + V74A + D$3C

Parent 11 M73P + V74F + D83C

Parent I2 M70Q + D83C + S98A

Parent 13 G47D + M70Q + D83C

Parent 14 G47D + D83C + S98A

Parent 15 G47D + M73P + Dg3C

Parent 16 G4'7D + M73D + D83C .

Parent 27 IvI73P + D83C + S98D

Parent 28 M 73P + D83C + S98E

Table 5 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Having Quadruple Substitutions Parent 17 M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C
~~

Parent 18 M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Parent 19 M70Q -~- M73P + D83C + S98A

Parent 20 G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C

Parent 21 G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Parent 22 G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Parent 32 G47D + M73P + D83C + S98D

Parent 33 G47D -~- M73P + D83C + S98E

Table 6 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Having Quintuple Substitutions Parent 23 G_47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
~~ ~ + D83C

Parent 24 _ G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W +

Parent 25 G47D + M73p + V74F + D83C +

_ Parent 26 G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C +

Thus, non-limiting examples of variants of the present invention may be described as Variant 1, Variant 2, etc., wherein, for example, Variant 1 may be represented as L63* + D83C, wherein "*" represents any amino acid other than that originally occurring at the position corresponding to 63 in SSI, and wherein Variant 1 - I
may be represented as L63I + D83C. Accordingly, preferred variants of the present invention are listed in the following Table 7. Even more preferred among those variants listed in Table 7 are those having isoleucine substituting at position 63.
Table 7 Non-limiting Examples of Preferred Variants of the Present Invention _ V~~t 1 L63* + D83C

Variant 4 ~ L63* + M73D

Variant 1 - I L63I + D83C

Variant 4 - I L6~I + M73D

Variant 2 L63* + M73D + D83C

Variant 3 L63* + M73P + D83C

Variant 5 L63* + M70Q + D83C

Variant 2 - I L63I + M73D + D83C

Variant 3 - I L63I + M73P + D83C

Variant 5 - I L63I + M70Q + D83C

Variant 6 L63* + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 7 L63* + M73P + Y75A + D83C

Variant 8 L63* + M73P + D83C + S98V

Variant 9 L63* + M70Q + M73P + D83C

Variant 10 L63* + M73P + V74A + D83C

Variant 11 L63* + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 12 L63* + M7UQ + D83C + S98A

Variant 13 L63* + G47D + M70Q + D83C

Variant i4 L63* + G47D + D83C + S98A

Variant 15 L63* + G47D + M73P + D83C

Variant 16 L63* + G47D + M73D + D83C

Variant 6 - I L63I + M73P + D83C + S98A

W4 00!01831 PCT/tJS99/15247 Variant 7 - I _L63I + M73P + Y7SA + D83C

Variant 8 - I L63I + M73P + D83C + SggV

Variant 9 - I L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C

Variant 10 - I L63I + M73P + V74A + D83C

Variant 11 - I L63I + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 12 - I L63I + M70Q + D83C + S98A -Variant i3 - I L63I + G47D + M70Q + D83C

Variant 14 - I L63I + G47D + D83C + S98A

Variant 1S - I L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C

Variant 16 - I L63I + G47D + M73D + D83C

Variant 17 L63* + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 18 L63*-+ M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 19 L63* + M74Q + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 20 L63* + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 21 L63* + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 22 L63* + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 17 - I L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 18 - I L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 19 - I L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 20 - I L63I + G47D + M73p + V74F + D83C

Variant 21 - I L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 22 - I L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 23 L.63* + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
+ D83C

Variant 24 L63* + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
+ D83C

Variant 2S L63* + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 26 L63* + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 23 - I L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
+ D83C

Variant 24 - I L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
+ D83C

Variant 2S - I L63I + G47D + M73p + V74F + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 26 - I L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 27 - I L63I + M73p + D83C + 598D

Variant 28 - I L63I + M73P + D$3C + S98E

Variant 29 - I L63I + M73P + S9gD

Variant 30 - I L63I + M73P + S98E

Variant 31 - I L63I + M73P + S98A

Variant 32 - I L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98D

Variant 33 - I L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98E

Variant 34 - I L63I + M73P

Other preferred parent amino acid sequences herein include those comprising a substitution at position 62 corresponding to SSI. 'The substitution at position 62 may be any amino acid residue other than that occurring naturally in the parent (in the case of SSI, the naturally occurring amino acid residue is alanine). Preferably, the substituting amino acid at position 62 is selected from Lys, Arg, Glu, Asp, Thr, Ser, Gln, Asn, and Trp, more preferably Lys, Arg, Glu, Asp, Thr, Ser, Gln, and Asn, still more preferably Lys, Arg, Glu, and Asp, even more preferably Lys and Arg, and most preferably Lys.
Preferred parent amino acid sequences herein have a substitution at position 62 in addition to the substitutions listed in Tables 2 - 6. Examples of such parents are designated as Parent X - A62*, wherein the "X" corresponds to the parent exemplified in Tables 2 - 6. Thus, Parent 6 - A62* corresponds to A62* + M73P + D83C + S98A.
Similarly, Parent 6 - A62K corresponds to A62K + M73P + D83C + S98A.
Similarly, an exemplified variant of the present invention is Variant 6 - I - A62*, which corresponds to to A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98A. Thus, Variant 6 - I - A62K corresponds to A62K + L63I + M73P + D83C ~ S98A. In this fashion, Table 8 lists other preferred variants of the present invention.
Table 8 Non-limiting Examples of Preferred Variants of the Present Invention Variant_:1 - A62*A62* + L63* + D83C

Variant 4 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73D

Variant 1 - I A62* + L63I + D83C
- A62*

Variant 4 -~I A62* + L63I + M73D
- A62*

Variant 4 - I A62K + L63i + M73D

Variant 4 - I A62R + L63I + M73D

Variant 2 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73D + D83C

Variant 3 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73P + D83C

_ Variant 5 - A62* A62* + L63'k + M70Q + Dg3C

Variant 2 - I A62* + L63I + M73D + D83C
- A62*

Variant 3 - I A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C
- A62*

Variant 5 - I A62* + L63I + M70Q + D83C
- A62*

Variant 2 - I A62K + L63I + M73D + D83C

Variant 2 - I A62R + L63I + M73D + D83C

Variant 3 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + D83C

Variant 3 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C

Variant 5 - I A62K + L63I + M70Q + Dg3C

Variant 5 - I A62R + L63I + M70Q + D83C

Variant 6 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73P + Dg3C + S98A

Variant 7 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73p + Y75A + D83C

Variant 8 - A62* A62* L63* + M73P + D83C + S98V

Variant 9 - A62* A62* + L63* + M70Q + M73P + D83C
~

t6 Variant 10 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73P + V74A + D83C

_ Variant 11 - A62* A62* + L63* + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 12 - A62* A62* + L63* + M70.Q + D83C + S98A

Variant 13 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M70Q + D83C

Variant 14 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + D83C + S98A

Variant 15 - A62* A62* + L63*.+ G47D + M73P + D83C

Variant 16 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73D + D83C

Variant 6 - I - A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98A
A62*

Variant 6 - I - A62K + L63i + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 6 - I - A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 7 - I - A62* + L63i + M73P + y75A + D83C
A62*

Variant 7 - I - A62K + L63I + M73P + y75A + D83C

Variant 7 - I - A62R + L63I + M73P + y75A + D83C

Variant 8 - I - A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98V
A62*

Variant 8 - I - A62K + L63I + M73~P + D83C + S98V

Variant 8 - I - A62R + L63L+ M73P + D83C + S98V

Variant 9 - I - A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C
A62*

Variant 9 - I - A62K + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C

Variant 9 - I - A62R + L63I + 1VI70Q + M73P + D83C

Variant 10 - I A62* + L63I + 1VI73P + V74A + D83C
- A62*

Variant 10 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + V74A + D83C

Variant 10 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + V74A + D83C

Variant 11 - I A62* + L63I + M73P + V74F + D83C
- A62*

Variant 11 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 11 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 12 - I A62* + L63I + M70Q + D83C + S98A
- A62*

Variant 12 - I A62K + L63I + M70Q + D83C + S98A

Variant 12 - I A62R + L63I + M70Q + D83C + S98A

Variant 13 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + D83C
- A62*

Variant 13 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M70Q + D83C

Variant 13 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M70Q + D83C

Variant 14 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + D83C + S98A
- A62*

Variant 14 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + D83C + S98A

Variant 14 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + D83C + S98A

Variant 15 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C
- A62*

Variant i 5 - I ~ A62K + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C

Variant 15 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C

Variant 16 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M73D + D83C
- A62*

Variant 16 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M73D + D83C

Variant 16 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73D + D83C

Variant 17 - A62* A62* + L63* + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 18 - A62* A62* + L63* + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 19 - A62* A62* + L63* + M70Q + M73P + D83C + S98A

WO 00/01831 1'CTIIJS991~5247 Variant 20 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 21 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 22 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 17 - I A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C
- A62*

Variant 17 - I A62K + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 17 - I A62R + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 18 - I A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C
- A62*

Variant 18 - I A62K + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 18 - I A62R + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 19 - I A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D$3C + S98A
- A62*

Variant 19 - I A62K + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 19 - I A62R + L63I + M7aQ + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 20 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M73p + V74F + D83C
- A62*

Variant 20 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 20 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C

Variant 2I - I A62* + L63I + G47D + IVI73P + V74W + D$3C
- A62*

Variant 21 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 21 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C

Variant 22 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A
- A62*

Variant 22 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 22 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A

Variant 23 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
+ D83C

Variant 24 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
+ D83C

Variant 25 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 26 - A62* A62* + L63* + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C
+ S98A

Variant 23 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + 1VI73P + V74F
- A62* + D83C

Variant 23 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
- A62K + D83C

Variant 23 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F
- A62R + D83C

Variant 24 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
- A62* + D83C
.

Variant 24 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
- A62K + D83C

Variant 24 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W
- A62R + D83C

Variant 25 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C
- A62* + S98A

Variant 25 - I A62K + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C
- A62K + S98A

Variant 2S - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C
- A62R + S98A

Variant 26 - I A62* + L63I + G47D + 11~I73P + V74W +
- A62* D83C + S98A

Variant 26 - I Ab2K + L63I + G47D + M73P + V'74W + D83C
- A62K + S9gA

Variant 26 - I A62R + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C
- A62R + S98A

Variant 27 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98D

_ Variant 27 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98D

Variant 28 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98E

Variant 28 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98E

Variant 29 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + S98A

Variant 29 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + S98A

Variant 30 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + S98D

- Variant 30 - I _ A62R + L63I + M73P + S98D

Variant 31 - I A62K + L63I + M73P + S98E

Variant 31 - I A62R + L63I + M73P + S98E

Other preferred parent amino acid sequences (which are variants of SSI) useful in the present invention include those having a single substitution at position corresponding to SSI and those having a double substitution, one at position 62 and one at position 98. Table 9 lists preferred parent amino acid sequences in this class.
Table 9 Non-limiting Examples of Parent Amino Acid Sequences Parent 32 _~ A62K + S98Q

Parent 33 A62K + S98D

Parent 34 A62K + S98E

Parent 35 A62R + S98Q

Parent 36 A62R + S98D

Parent 37 A62R + S98E

Parent 38 S98A

Parent 39 A62K + S98A

Parent 40 A62R + S98A

Parent 41 S98Q

Parent 42 S98D

Parent 43 S98E

The corresponding examples of variants of the~present invention are listed in the following Table 10.
Table 10 Non-limiting Examples of Variants of the Present Invention ." __Variant 32 -. L63I + A62K + S98Q

Variant 33 L63I + A62K + S98D

Variant 34 L63I + A62K + S98E

Variant 35 L63I + A62R + S98Q

Variant 36 L63I + A62R + S98D

Variant 37 L63I + A62R + S98E

Variant 38 L63I + S98A

Variant 39 A62K + L63I + S98A

Variant 40 A62R + L63I + S98A

Variant 41 L63I + S98Q

Variant 42 L63I + S98D

Variant 43 L63I + S98E
SSI may exist in dimeric form. Thus without being bound by theory, it is possible that stabilizing dimeric SSI provides increased protease resistance to excess protease. Preferably this stabilized dimeric SSI va~~iant is composed of two SSI variant monomers covalently bound together. This may be by ester, amido, disulfide, or other linkages, commonly occurring in amino acids and their sidechains. Thus "covalent dimerization" and "covalent stabilization" refers to such covalently bound monomers, which form the dimer. Preferably this dimerization occurs via disulfide bonds.
The variants of the present invention are meant to include those existing in dimeric form, whether by intramolecular or intermolecular forces.
Other parent amino acid sequences which are useful herein include SSI-like inhibitors (often referred to as SSI-Like (SIL) proteins} and variants of SSI-like inhibitors.
Background information relating to SSI-like inhibitors may be found in Laskowski et al., "Protein Inhibitors of Proteases", Annual Review of Biochemistry, Vol. 49, pp.

(1980). Preferred SSI-like inhibitors have greater than about 50%, preferably greater than about 65%, and more preferably greater than about 70% amino acid sequence identity with SSI, preferably wherein the inhibitor may be classified as a family III
inhibitor. See Laskowski et al., supra. Examples of such SSI-like inhibitors include SIL10 (the, sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: 4) , SIL13 (SEQ ID NO:
5), and SIL14 (SEQ ID NO: 6}, each of which are further described in Terabe et al., "Three Novel Subtilisin-Trypsin Inhibitors from Streptnmyces: Primary Structures and Inhibitory Properties", Journal of Biochemistry. Vol. 116, pp. 1156 - 1163 (1994), and SIL2 (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: 9), SIL3 (SEQ ID NO:
10), and SIL4 (SEQ ID NO: 11 ), each of which are fiurther described by Taguchi et al., "Comparative Studies on the Primary Structures and Inhibitory Properties of Subtilisin-trypsin Inhibitors from Streptomyces", European Journal of Biochemistry, V'ol.
220, pp.
911 - 918 (1994). Two other examples of such SSI-like inhibitors include STI1 (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: 7} a:nd STI2 (SEQ ID NO: 8), which are further described in Strickler et al., "Two Novel Streptomyces Protein Protease Inhibitors", The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 267, No. 5, pp. 3236 -(1992). Another SSI-like inhibitor is known as plasminostreptin (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: 12) which is further described in Sugino et al., "Plasminostreptin, a Protein Proteinase Inhibitor Produced by Streptomyces antifibrinolyticus", The 3ournal of Biological Chemistr,_y Vol. 253, No. 5, pp. 1546 -i555 (1978). Still another SSI-like inhibitor is SLPI (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: 13) which is further described in Ueda et al., "A Protease Inhibitor Produced by Streptomyces lividans 66 Exhibits inhibitory Activities Toward Both Subtilisin BPN' and Trypsin", Journal of Biochemist Vol. 112, pp. 204 - 211 (1993}.
Still another SSI-like inhibitor is SAC I (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID
NO: 14) which is further described in Tanabe et al., "Primary Structure and Reactive Site of Streptoverticillium Anticoagulant (SAC), a Novel Protein Inhibitor of Blood'' Coagulation Produced by Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum subsp. cinnamoneum", Journal of Biochemistry. Vol. 115, pp. 752 - 761 (1994). Still another SSI-like inhibitor is SIL1 (the sequence of which is provided as SEQ ID NO: i 5) which is further described in Kojima et al., "Primary Structure and Inhibitory Properties of a Proteinase Inhibitor Produced by Streptomyces cacaoi", Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, Vol. 1207, pp. 120 -125 (1994). Other SSI-like inhibitors are discussed in Taguchi et al., "High Frequency of SSI-Like Protease Inhibitors Among Streptomyces", Bioscience, Biotechnolo~~y, and Biochemistry. Vol. 57, pp. 522 - 524 (1993), Taguchi et aL, "Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor-Like Proteins Are Distributed Widely in Streptomycetes", Applied and Environmental Microbioloav, pp. 4338 - 4341 (Dec. 1993), and Suzuki et al., "Partial Amino Acid Sequence of an Alkaline Protease Inhibitor", Asricultural Bioloeical Chemistry. Vol. 45, pp. 629 - 634 (19$1 ). As one skilled in the art will understand, still other SSI-like inhibitors are described in the art.
Variants of SSI-like inhibitors may also be utilized as parent amino acid sequences herein. Such variants include those having one or more mutations in the amino acid sequence of a selected SSI-like inhibitor as described herein supra. Among others, all of the substitutions exemplified in the variants shown herein may also be made at corresponding positions in SSI-like inhibitors to provide a parent amino acid sequence.
Other non-limiting examples of variants of SSI-like inhibitors which may be utilized as zi parent amino acid sequences are- disclosed in Nielsen et al., WO 93/17086, assigned to Novo Nordisk A/S, published September 2, 1993.
As one skilled in the art will understand, position 63 (for example) of an SSI-like inhibitor, variant thereof, or variant of SSI, using its native numbering, may not correspond to position 63 of SSI. Accordingly, as is understood readily in the art, sequence numbering may need adjustment to locate: the position which corresponds to that of position 63 (for example) of SSI. Sequence alignments are readily found in the references cited herein as well as other references in the art.
Preferably, the present variants exhibit a K; which allows the variant to inhibit nearly all protease (preferably greater than about 60%, more preferably about 99%) in the cleaning or personal care compositions, but dissociate from the protease upon dilution and / or during the cleaning process. The variants preferably exhibit a K;
from about 10~
'z M to about 10'~ M, more preferably from about IO''° M to about 10'~
M, and most preferably from about I0'8 M to about I0'' M. Of course, should washing machine dimensions or product concentrations change, the K; is adjusted accordingly.
Prediction of a useful K; range is readily determined by the skilled artisan without undue experimentation by considering such parameters as dilution of the composition upon use, temperature dependence of the binding constant in relation to the temperature of cleaning method used, stoichiometry of the inhibitor to the protease, and the like.
Linking Part .
In addition to the protease part and the variant part, the fusion protein may optionally comprise a linking part. Preferably, the fusion protein does comprise a linking part. The linking part is a hydrolyzable linking amino acid chain which separates the protease part from the variant part, wherein the protease part and the variant part are covalently attached through the linking part.
One of ordinarily skill in the art can construct the linking part to accomplish several different goals. For example, amino acid residues of the linking part could be designed to be a good substrate for hydrolysis. Furthermore, the sequence of the amino acids can be designed to facilitate post-translation separation of the protease part and the variant part; or to optimize the position of the variant part relative to the binding or active site of the protease part.

WO 00/01831 PCTlUS99I15247 It is preferred that the optional linking part is about twenty amino acid residues or less in length. Preferably, the linking part is easily cleaved by the protease part.
Wherein the fusion protein does not comprise a linking part, the protease part and the variant part are directly covalently attached.
Other Characteristics of the Fusion Protein Since the fusion protein is ultimately encoded in vivo by DNA, the DNA can be used to define the sequence of the fusion protein. The DNA, which codes for the fusion protein, can be used in any number of plasmids and / or expression systems, including in vitro expression systems and in vivo systems such as plants, (preferably those used in biotechnology, including tobacco, oilseed plants, such as rapeseed, soybean and the like, grain, such as maize, barley, oats, other vegetables, such as tomatoes, potatoes and the .like) and microorganisms, including fungi, such as yeast, and bacteria, such as Bacillus, E. coli, and the like. Preferably the expression system is a microorganism, more preferably bacterial in nature, most preferably E. coli or Bacillus, still more preferably Bacillus.
The DNA encoding the fusion protein may be incorporated into a plasmid or phage, active in the cell, or maybe incorporated directly into the genome of the organism which is used in cloning or expression of the fusion ~pratein of the present invention.
It should be understood that the skilled artisan, given the instruction of this invention, will appreciate that the DNA used to code for the fusion protein rnay be placed in the same plasmid, phage or chromosome as other variants of the invention.
In addition, such plasmids, phages, or chromosomes may also encode proteases, including fusion proteins which include as part of the fusion protein an inhibitor and /
or protease, which may or may not be inhibited by the protease of the fusion proteins of the present invention.
It is also well understood by the skilled artisan that the DNA described above also contemplates, and discloses the RNA transcript of the DNA. The skilled artisan can of course, without experimentation, know the RNA sequence, by inspection of the DNA
sequence.
The present invention also relates to genes and / or DNA encoding the present fusion proteins.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fusion proteins are co-expressed from the same expression system with one or more other protease inhibitors, preferably one other protease inhibitor. Preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant of protease inhibitors selected from SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and SSI-like inhibitors. More preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant carrying, independently, the same definition as the "variant part" discussed herein, including preferred limitations. Most preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is the same variant as the variant part of the fusion protein.
Accordingly, the present inventor herein provides expression systems comprising DNA encoding the fusion protein and, optionally, one or more additional protease inhibitors. The expression system is preferably a living organism, most preferably of bacterial nature.
It is also contemplated that the skilled artisan may desire to prepare antibodies to the fusion proteins of the present invention. These antibodies may be prepared using known methodologies.
For example, the fusion proteins of the present invention can be injected into suitable mammalian subjects such as mice, rabbits, and the like. Suitable protocols involve repeated injection of the immunogen in the presence of adjuvants according to a schedule which boosts production of antibodies in the. serum. The titers of the immune serum can readily be measured using immunoassay procedures, now standard in the art, employing the invention proteins as antigens.
The antisera obtained may be used directly or monoclonal anribodies may -be obtained by harvesting the peripheral blood lymphocytes or the spleen of the immunized animal and immortalizing the antibody-producing cells, followed by identifying the suitable antibody producers using standard immunoassay techniques.
The polyclonal or monoclonal preparations are then useful in monitoring expression of the invention, using standard test methodologies. Thus it is also envisioned that a kit may be prepared using these antibodies for one to use to determine expression levels and the like.
Such antibodies can also be coupled to labels such as scintigraphic labels, e.g., technetium 99 or I-131, or fluorescent labels, using standard coupling methods. The labeled antibodies can also be used in competitive assays, such as kinetic assays used to determine K;.
The present fusion proteins may also comprise further "parts" providing a desired function such as, for example, cellulose binding domains, lipases, amylases, and cellulases.
As is recognized in the art, there are occasionally errors in DNA and amino acid sequencing methods. As a result, one of ordinary skill in the art reproducing the present inventors' work from the disclosure herein can discover any sequencing errors using routine skill, and make changes as appropriate.
Method of Making and Using The following examples are not meant to limit the claimed invention in any way, but rather provide the skilled artisan with guidance as to how to make and use the invention. Given the guidance of the examples, the other disclosure herein, and the information readily available to those skilled in the art, the skilled artisan is able to make and use the invention. For brevity, exhaustive recitation of the art and art known methodologies and the like are eliminated, as these are well within the purview of the skilled artisan.
The variant parts (variants) may be prepared by mutating the nucleotide sequences that code for a parent amino acid sequence, thereby resulting in variants having modified amino acid sequences. Such methods are well-known in the art;
one such method is as follows.
A phagemid containing the gene corresponding to the parent amino acid sequence is used to transform Escherichia coli dut- ung- strain CJ236 and a single stranded uracil-containing DNA template is produced using the VCSM13 helper phage (Kunkel et al., "Rapid and Efficient Site-Specific Mutagenesis Without Phenotypic Selection", Methods in Enz~molo~v, Vol 154, pp. 367 - 382 (1987), as modified by Yuckenberg et al., "Site-Directed in vitro Mutagenesis Using Uracil-Containing DNA and Phagemid Vectors", Directed Muta~enesis - A Practical Approach, McPherson, M. J. ed., pp. 27 - 48 ( 1991 ).
Primer site-directed mutagenesis modified from the method of Zoller and Smith (Zoller, M. J., and M. Smith, "4ligonucleotide - Directed Mutagenesis Using M13 -Derived Vectors: An Efficient and General Procedure for the Production of Point Mutations in any Fragment of DNA"; Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 10, pp. 6487 - 6500 ( I982) is used to produce all variants (essentially as presented by Yuckenberg et al., supra).
OligonucIeotides are made using a 380B DNA synthesizer (Applied Biosystems Inc.). Mutagenesis reaction products are transformed into Escherichia toll strain MM294 (American Type Culture Collection E. codi 33625). All mutations are confirmed by DNA sequencing and the isolated DNA is transformed into the Bacillus subtilis expression strain PG632 {Saunders et al., "Optimization of the Signal-Sequence Cleavage Site for Secretion from Bacillus subtilis of a 34-amino acid Fragment of Human Parathyroid Hormone", Gene; Vol. 102, pp. 277 - 282 (1991) and Yang et al., "Cloning of the Neutral Protease Gene of Bacillus subtilis and the Use of the Cloned Gene to Create an in vitro - Derived Deletion Mutation", Journal of Bacteriolo~y, Vol.
160, pp. 15 - 21 ( 1984).
The variant-encoding genes can be fused with a protease gene. A standard method is to engineer restriction sites in the appropriate place in each gene.
Restriction digestion can be performed, and the restriction fragments can be ligated, for example, with T4 DNA ligase. The ligation mixture can be used to transform either E.
toll or B.
subtilis, depending on the nature of the plasmids. For example, one can use a subtilisin gene carried on a plasmid that replicates in both E. toll and B. subtilis and confers ampicillin resistance to the former bacterium and kanamycin resistance to the latter. One can use oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to place an EcoRI site immediately after (3' to) the DNA encoding the carboxy-terminal amino acid residue of subtilisin. One can also place a BamHI site immediately after (3' to) the DNA encoding the stop codon. Tlte inhibitor gene can be constructed so that there is an EcoRI site just 5' to and adjacent to the DNA sequence encoding the N-terminal amino acid residue. In addition, a BamHI
site can be placed after (3' to) the DNA encoding the stop codon. The inhibitor and the subtilisin genes can be treated with the restriction enzymes EcoRI and BamHI
and subsequently treated with T4 DNA ligase. The ligation mix can be used to transform E.
toll MM294 cells to ampicillin resistance. Once the fusion protein-encoding plasmid is recovered from E. toll, that plasmid can be used to transform B. subtilis to kanamycin resistance.

Bacillus subtilis cells containing the plasmid of interest are cultured in medium with 20 g/1 tryptone, 20 g/1 yeast extract, and S g/l of sodium chloride supplemented with 1.25% maltrin M100 (Grain Processing Corporation, Muscatine, IA), 100 mM HEPES
pH 7.5, 80 ~M MnCI,, and 50 p,M kanamycin. The cultures are incubated for 24 hours at 37°C.
The fusion protein is secreted into the culture medium, from which it can be isolated. Any of a number of chromatographic steps, including ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, can be used.
Characterization of the Present Fusion Proteins Fermentation supernatants containing a fusion protein of the present invention are tested for protease activity and protease inhibitor activity.
SSI inhibits, inter alia, subtilisin BPN' and a Y217L variant of subtilisin BPN'.
In the control, SSI is mixed with protease and incubated for fifteen minutes at room temperature. Protease activity is then measured using the method of DeIMar et al., Anal~~tical Biochemistry, Vol. 99, pp: 316-320 (I979). A 0.1 M Tris, pH 8.6, 10 mM
CaCl2 solution is added to bring the volume to 990 1ZL. Addition of 10 p.L of N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide (20 mg/mL) begins the reaction. The reaction rate is measured by the increase in absorbance at 410 nm which indicates inhibition of the protease.
Culture supernatants of a fusion protein of the present invention are tested for their ability to inhibit the Y2 i 7L derivative of subtilisin BPN' in a similar manner. The culture supernatants are also tested for their ability to produce protease.
Lack of significant inhibition activity and protease activity is consistent «~ith a fusion protein being made wherein the variant part and the protease part each negate (or substantially negate) the activity of the other, as is desired in the present invention. This interpretation may be reinforced by Western blot results indicating that the fusion protein is made.
Because it is desirable to incorporate a fusion protein of the present invention into cleaning or personal care compositions, the stability in the product environment is also tested. If the protease and inhibitor activities of the fission protein are stable; the level of WO 00101831 PCT/~1599/15247 protease activity is constant over time. However, if the variant part is hydrolyzed by the protease part in the fusion protein, the protease activity will rise. Fusion protein culture supernatants are mixed with a liquid detergent composition made according to the following formula:
Component Weight Percent C14-15 alkyl {ethoxy 2.25) sulfonic18.0 acid C12-13 ~kYl ethoxylate (9) 2.0 C 12-N-methylglucamide ~ S.0 Citric acid 4.0 Ethanol 3.5 - ___ Monoethanolamine 2.0 1,2 Propanediol 7.0 Sodium Formate 0.6 Tetraethylene pentamine ethoxylate1.18 (16) Soil release Polymer 0.15 Silicone Suds suppresser 0.10 Brightener 0.10 Water, NaOH Balance to 100%

This composition constitutes one-third of the total sample volume. 15 BSI of sample is mixed with 975 pi of 0.1 M Tris HCI, pH 8.6, 0.01 M CaCl2. This dilution is incubated for thirty minutes at room temperature. After incubation, substrate is added, and the amount of protease is measured. Degradation of the variant part is detected by increase in protease activity over several weeks. Such degradation may be directly compared to that of, for example, SSI in a fusion protein.
The K; of a fusion protein is determined as follows. The fusion protein and pg/mL succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide are mixed in 990p.L of a 50 mM
Tris pH
8 solution. The hydrolysis rate is followed over twenty minutes. A constant rate is observed over the last ten to fifteen minutes. This rate, compared to the rate observed using only the protease, is used to calculate the K; according to the equations of Goldstein, "The Mechanism of Enzyme-Inhibitor-Substrate Reactions", Journal of General Physiolo~y, Vol. 27, pp. 529 - 580 (1944).
Cleanin,~ Compositions of the Present Invention In another embodiment of the present invention, an effective amount of one or more of the present fusion proteins is included iin cleaning compositions useful for cleaning a variety of surfaces in need of peptide stain removal. Such cleaning compositions include, but are not limited to, fabric cleaning compositions, hard surface cleansing compositions, light duty cleaning compositions .including dish cleansing compositions, and automatic dishwasher detergent compositions.
The cleaning compositions herein comprise an effective amount of one ar more fusion proteins of the present invention and a cleaning composition earner.
Most preferably, such a fusion protein has one protease part, one variant part, and optionally, but preferably, a linking part. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning compositions herein further comprise, in addition to the fusion protein, one or more additional protease inhibitors. Preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant of protease inhibitors selected from SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and SSI-like inhibitors. More preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant carrying, independently, the same definition as the "variant parts" discussed herein, including preferred limitations. Most preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is the same variant as the variant part of the fusion protein..
In the present cleaning compositions, the preferred molar ratio of variant to protease (variant to protease ratio) (wherein the vari,~ant part of the fusion protein and any additional protease inhibitors collectively represent the molar amount of variant), is from about 3:1 to about 1:1; more preferably from about 3:1 to about 1.5:1, and most preferably about 2:1.
As used herein, "effective amount of fusion protein", or the like, refers to the quantity of fusion protein necessary to achieve the proteolytic activity necessary in the specific cleaning composition. Such effective amounts are readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art and is based on many factors, such as the particular fusion protein used, the cleaning application, the specific composition of the cleaning composition, whether a liquid or dry {e.g., granular, bar) composition is desired, and the like.

WO OOI01831 PCTItTS99/15247 Preferably, the cleaning compositions comprise from about 0.0001% to about 10%, more preferably from about 0.001 % to about 1 %, and most preferably from about 0.01 % to about 0.1 % of one or more fusion proteins of the present invention. Several examples of various cleaning compositions wherein the fusion proteins may be employed are discussed in further detail below. -In addition to the present fusion proteins, the present cleaning compositions further comprise a cleaning composition carrier comprising one or more cleaning composition materials compatible with the fusion protein. The term "cleaning composition material", as used herein, means any material selected fox the particular type of cleaning composition desired and the form of W a product (e.g., liquid, granule, bar, spray, stick, paste, gel), which materials are also compatible with the fusion protein used in the composition. The specific selection of cleaning composition materials is readily made by considering the material to be cleaned, the desired form of the composition for the cleaning condition during use. The term "compatible", as used herein, means the cleaning composition materials do not reduce the inhibitory activity and / or the proteolytic activity of the fusion protein to such an extent that the fusion protein is not effective as desired during normal use situations. Specific cleaning composition materials are exemplified in detail hereinafter.
The fusion proteins of the present invention may be used in a variety of detergent compositions wherein high sudsing and good cleansing activity is desired.
Thus, the fusion proteins can be used with various conventional ingredients to provide fully-formulated hard-surface cleaners, dishwashing compositions, fabric laundering compositions, and the like. Such compositions can be in the form of liquids, granules, bars, and the like. Such compositions can be formulated as "concentrated"
detergents which contain as much as from about 30% to about 60% by weight of surfactants.
The cleaning compositions herein may optionally, and preferably, contain various surfactants (e.g., anionic, nonionic; or zwitterionic surfactants). Such surfactants are typically present at levels of from about 5% to about 35% of the compositions.
Nonlimiting examples of surfactants useful herein include the conventional C"-C 1 g alkyl benzene sulfonates and primary and random alkyl sulfates, the C 1 p-C 18 secondary (2,3) aIlcyi sulfates of the formulas C:H3(CH2)r{CHOS03)-M+)CH~ and CH3{CH2)Y(CHOS03-M+) CH2CH3 wherein x and (y+1 ) are integers of at Ieast about 7, preferably at least about 9, and M is a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, the C I p-C 1 g alkyl alkoxy sulfates (especially EO 1-5 ethoxy sulfates), C 1 p-C
1 g alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO i -S ethoxycarboxylates), the C ~ p-C 1 g alkyl polyglycosides, and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, C 12-C 1 g a-sulfonated fatty acid esters, C 12-C 1 g alkyl and alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy), C a 2-C.I g betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), C
Z p-C ~ g amine oxides, and the Like. The alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) and alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (AEC) are preferred herein. The use of such surfactants in combination with the amine oxide and / or betaine or suitaine surfactants is also preferred, depending on the desires of the formulator. Other conventional useful surfactants are listed in standard texts. Particularly useful surfactants include the C I p-C I g N-methyl glucamides disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5, 194,639, Connor et ah, issued March 16, 1993.
A wide variety of other ingredients useful in the present cleaning compositions include, for example, other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, and solvents for liquid formulations. If an additional increment of sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the C t p-C 16 alkolamides can be incorporated into the compositions, typically at about 1 % to about 14% levels. The C 1 p-C 14 monoethanol and diethanol amides illustrate a typical class of such suds boosters. Use of such suds boosters with high sudsing adjunct surfactants such as the amine oxides, betaines and suitaines noted above is also advantageous. If desired, soluble magnesium salts such as MgCl2, MgS04, and the like, can be added at levels of, typically, from about 0.1 % to about 2%, to provide additional sudsing.
The liquid detergent compositions herein may contain water and other solvents as carriers. Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, and iso-propanol are suitable. Monohydric alcohols are preferred for soiubilizing surfactants, but polyois such as those containing from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from about 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerine, and 1,2-propanediol) can also be used. The compositions may contain from about 5% to about 90%, typically from about 10% to about 50%
of such earners.
The detergent compositions herein will preferably be formulated such that during use in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a pH between about b.8 and about I1. Finished products are typically formulated at this range. Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of, for example, buffers, alkalis, and acids. Such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art.
When formulating the hard surface cleaning compositions and fabric cleaning compositions of the present invention, the formulator may wish to employ various builders at levels from about 5% to about 50% by weight. Typical builders include the f-micron zeolites, polycarboxylates such as ~ citrate and oxydisuccinates, layered silicates, phosphates, and the like. Other conventional builders are listed in standard formularies.
Likewise, the formulator may wish to employ various additional enzymes, such as celIulases, Iipases, amylases, and proteases in such compositions, typically at levels of from about O.OOi% to about 1% by weight. Various detersive and fabric care enzymes are well-known in the laundry detergent art.
Various bleaching compounds, such as the percarbonates, perborates and the like, can be used in such compositions, typically at levels from about 1% to about 15% by weight. If desired, such compositions can also contain bleach activators such as tetraacetyl ethylenediamine; nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate, and the Like, which are also known in the art. Usage levels typically range from about 1% to about 10%, by weight.
Soil release agents, especially of the anionic oligoester type, chelating agents, especially the aminophosphonates and ethylenediaminedisuccinates, clay soil removal agents, especially ethoxylated tetraethylene pentamine, dispersing agents, especially polyacrylates and polyasparatates, brighteners, especially anionic brighteners, suds suppressors, especially silicones and secondary alcohols, fabric softeners, especially smectite clays, and the like can all be used in such compositions at levels ranging from about I% to about 35% by weight. Standard formularies and published patents contain multiple, detailed descriptions of such conventional materials.
Enzyme stabilizers may also be used in the cleaning compositions. Such enzyme stabilizers include propylene glycol (preferably from about 1 % to about 10%), sodium formate (preferably from about 0.1 % to about 1 %} and calcium formate (preferably from about 0.1 % to about 1 %).
Other useful cleaning composition materials include clay soil removal agents, dispersing agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, and, fabric softeners.
The present fusion proteins are useful in hard surface cleaning compositions.
As used herein "hard surface cleaning composition" refers to liquid and granular detergent compositions for cleaning hard surfaces such as floors, walls, bathroom tile, and the like.
Hard surface cleaning compositions typically comprise a surfactant and a water-soluble sequestering builder. In certain specialized products such as spray window cleaners, however, the surfactants are sometimes not used since they may produce a filmy and l or streaky residue on the glass surface.
The surfactant component, when present, may comprise as little as 0.1 % of the compositions herein, but typically the compositions will contain from about 0.25% to about 10%, more preferably from about 1% to about 5% of surfactant.
Typically the compositions will contain from about 0.5% to about 50% of a detergency builder, preferably from about 1 % to about 10%.
Preferably the pH should be in the range of from about 7 to about 12.
Conventional pH adjustment agents such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate ~or hydrochloric acid can be used if adjustment is necessary.
Solvents may be included in the compositions. Useful solvents include, but are not limited to, glycol ethers such as diethyleneglycol monohexyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monohexyl ether, propyleneglycol monobutyl ether, dipropyleneglyco:l monobutyl ether, and diols such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol. When used, such solvents are typically present at levels of from about 0.5% to about 15%, more preferably from about 3% to about 11 %.

Additionally, highly volatile solvents such as iso-propanol or ethanol can be used in the present compositions to facilitate faster evaporation of the composition from surfaces when the surface is not rinsed after "full strength" application of the composition to the surface. When used, volatile solvents are typically present at levels of from about 2% to about 12% in the compositions.
The present variants are also useful for inclusion in the cleaning compositions described in the following: Provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
60/079,477, Rubingh et al., filed March 26, 1998; Provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
60/079,397, Rub, ink h~ et al., filed March 26, 1998; U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
09/048,174, Weis~erber et al., filed March 26, 1998; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 091088912, claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
09/048,174, Weis~erber et al., filed June 2, 1998.
Examples 1 - 6 Liquid Hard Surface Cleaning Compositions Ex.I Ex.2 Ex.3 Ex.4 Ex.S Ex.6 Fusion Protein 0.05 0.50 0.02 0.03 0.30 0.0~
% % % % %

Comprising Variant I as Variant Part and Y217L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part EDTA - - 2.90 2.90 - -% %

Sodium Citrate - - - - 2.90 2.90 %

NaC,Z Alkyl-benzeneI .95 - 1.95 - I .95 -% % % ~

sulfonate NaC,2 Aikylsulfate- 2.20 - 2.20 - 2.20 % %

NaC,2 (ethoxy) 2.20 - 2.20 - 2.20 sulfate % %

C,z Dimethylamine- 0.50 - 0.50 - 0.50 % %

oxide Sodium cumene 1.30 - 1.30 - 1.30 -% % %

sulfonate Hexyl Carbitol 6.30 - b.306.30 6.30 6.30 6.30 % % % % %

WO 00/01831 PCTlUS99/15247 Water ~ 90.4 % ~ 88.3 % ~ $7.53 % 85.87 % 87.25 % 85.85 All formulas are adjusted to pH 7.
In Examples 1 - 6, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein, with substantially similar results.
Examples 7 - 1 U
Liquid Dish Detergent Ex.7 Ex.8 Ex.9 Ex.lO

Fusion Protein Comprising Variant0.05 0.50 0.02 0.40 7 - I - % % %
A62K as Variant Part and Y217L
mutant of BPN' as Protease Part C,Z- C" N-methyl glucamide 0.90% 0.90 0.90 0.90 % %

C,2 ethoxy ( 1 ) sulfate 12.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 % % %

2-Methyl undecanoic acid 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 % % % %

C,2 ethoxy (2) carboxylate 4.50 4.50 4.50 4.50 ra % %
.

C,Z alcohol ethoxylate (4) 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 % % %

C,Z amine oxide 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 % % %

Sodium cumene sulfonate 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 % % %

Ethanol 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 % % %

M + (as MgCl2) 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 % % %

Ca2+ (as CaCl2) 0.40 0.40 0.40 0.40 % % %

Water 65.45 65 % 65.48 65.1 ~/0 %

All formulas are adjusted to pH 7.
In Examples 7 - 10, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and I0, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein, with substantially similar results.
Examples I I - I3 Liquid Fabric Cleaning Compositions Ex. Ex. l2 Ex. I3 l1 Fusion Protein Comprising Variant 0.05 0.03 % 0.30 2 - I as %
Variant Part and Y2 i 7L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part Sodiuam C,2 - C,4 alkyl sulfate 20.0 20.0 % 20.0 %

2-Butyl octanoic acid 5.0 5.0 % 5.0 %

Sodium citrate 1.0 I .0 % 1.0 %

C, alcohol ethoxylate (3) 113.0 13.0 % i3.0 %

Monoethanolamine 2.50 2.50 % 2.50 % %

Water/propylene glycol/ethanol 58.45 58.47 58.20 (100:1:1} % %

In Examples 11 - 13, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein, with substantially similar results.
Personal Care Compositions The present fusion proteins are also suited for use in personal care compositions selected from, for example, leave-on and rinse-off hair conditioners, shampoos, leave-on and rinse-off acne compositions, facial milks and conditioners, shower gels, soaps, foaming and nan-foaming facial cleansers, cosmetics, hand, facial, and body lotions and moisturizers, leave-on facial moisturizers, cosmetic and cleansing wipes, oral care compositions, and contact lens care compositions. The present personal care compositions comprise one or more fusion proteins of the present invention and a personal care carrier. Fusion proteins, including preferred lirnitations, are described herein with respect to cleaning compositions. Most preferably, such a fusion protein has one protease part, one variant part, and optionally, but preferably, a linking part. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the personal care compositions herein further comprise, in addition to the fusion protein, one or more additional protease inhibitors. Preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant of protease inhibitors selected from SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and SSI-like inhibitors. More preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is a variant carrying, independently, the same definition as the "variant parts" discussed herein, including preferred limitations. Most preferably, the additional protease inhibitor is the same variant as the variant part of the fusion protein.
In the present personal care compositions, the preferred molar ratio of variant to protease (variant to protease ratio) (wherein the variant part of the fusion protein and any additional protease inhibitors collectively represent the molar amount of variant), is from about 3:1 to about I:1, more preferably from about 3:1 to about 1.5:1, and most preferably about 2:1.
To illustrate, the present fusion proteins are suitable far inclusian in the compositions described in the following references: U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,479, Linares et al., issued June 24, 1997 (skin cleansers); U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,549, Wivell et al., issued' February 4, 1997 (skin cleansers); U.S. Pat. No.~5,585,104, Ha et al., issued December 17, 1996 (skin cleansers); U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,852, :Kefauver et al., issued July 30, 1996 (skin cleansers); U.S. Pat. No. 5;510,050, Dunbar et al., issued April 23, 1996 (skin cleansers); U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,324, Guam Lin et al., issued March 18, 1997 (anti-acne preparations); U.S. Pat. No. 5,587, I76, Warren et al., issued December 24, 1996 {anti-acne preparations); U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,888, Venkateswaran, issued August 27, {anti-acne preparations); U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,884, !Coriess et al., issued November 28, 1995 (anti-acne preparations}; U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,384, Gordon et al.. issued July 22, 1997 (shower gels); U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,678, Moore et al., issued March 4, 1997 (shower gels); U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,666, Coffindaffer et al., issued April 29, 1997 (hair conditioners and / or shampoos}; U.S: Pat. No. 5,618,524, Bolich et al., issued April_8, 1997 (hair conditioners and / or shampoos); U.S: Pat. No. 5,612,301, Inman, issued March 18, 1997 (hair conditioners and / or shampoos); U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,709, Wells, issued November 12, 1996 (hair conditioners and / or shampoos}; U.S. Pat. No.
5,482,703, Pines. issued January 9, 1996 (hair conditioners and / or shampoos); U.S. Pat.
No. Re. 34,584, Grote et al., Reissued April 12, 1994 (hair conditioners and /
or shampoos); U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,493, Date et al., issued June 24, 1997 (cosmetics); U.S.
Pat. No. 5,605,894, Blank et al.. issued February 25, 1997 (cosmetics); U.S.
Pat. No.
5,585,090, Yoshioka et al.. issued December 17, 1996 (cosmetics); U.S. Pat.
Na.
4,939,I79, Cheney et al., issued July 3, 1990 (hand, face, and / or body lotions); U.S. Pat.

WO 00/01831 PCT/rJS99/15247 No. 5,607,980, McAtee et al., issued March 4, 1997 (hand, face, and / or body lotions);
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,364, Richter et al., issued August 30, 1977 (cosmetic and cleansing wipes); European Patent Application, EP 0 619 074, Touchet et al., published October 12, 1994 {cosmetic and cleansing wipes); U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,217, Brown-Skrobot et al., issued December 4, 1990 (cosmetic and cleansing wipes); U.S. Pat. No.
5,096,700, Seibel, issued March 17, 1992 (oral cleaning compositions); U.S. Pat. No.
5,028,414, Sampathkumar, issued July 2, 1991 {oral cleaning compositions); U.S. Pat. No.
5,028,415, Benedict et al., issued July 2, 1991 (oral cleaning compositions);
U.S. Pat.
No. 5,028,415, Berledict et al., issued July 2, 1991 (oral cleaning compositions); U.S.
Pat. No. 4,863,627, Davies et al., September 5, 1989 (contact lens cleaning solutions);
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,672, Huth et al, reissued May 24, 1988 (contact lens cleaning solutions); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,493, Schafer, issued September 2, 1986 (contact lens cleaning solutions).
The present fusion proteins are also useful for inclusion in the personal care compositions described in the following: Provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
60/079,477, Rubin~h et al., filed March 26, 1998; Provisional U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 60/079,397, Rubin hg et al., filed March. 26, 1998; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/048,174, Weis;~erber et al., filed March 26, 1998; and U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 09/088912, claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/048,174, Weisgerber et al., filed June 2, i 998.

To further illustrate oral cleaning compositions of the present invention, one or more fusion proteins of the present invention are included in compositions useful for removing proteinaceous stains from teeth or dentures. As used herein, "oral cleaning compositions" refers to dentifrices, toothpastes, toothgels, toothpowders, mouthwashes, mouth sprays,emouth gels, chewing gums, lozenges, sachets, tablets, biogels, prophylaxis pastes, dental treatment solutions, and the like.
Typically, the personal care carrier components of the oral cleaning components of the oral cleaning compositions will generally comprise from about 50% to about 99.99%, preferably from about 65% to about 99.99'%, more preferably from about 65%
to about 99%, by weight of the composition.
The personal care corner components and optional components which may be included in the oral cleaning compositions of the present invention are well known to those skilled in the art. A wide variety of composition types, carrier components and optional components useful in the oral cleaning compositions are disclosed in the references cited hereinabove.
In another embodiment of the present invention, denture cleaning compositions for cleaning dentures outside of the oral cavity comprise one or more variants of the present invention. Such denture cleaning compositions comprise one or more of the fusion proteins of the present invention and a personal care carrier. Various denture cleansing composition formats such as effervescent tablets and the like are well known in the art see e. . U.S. Pat. No. S,OSS,305, Young), and are generally appropriate. for incorporation of one or more of the fusion proteins for removing proteinaceous stains from dentures.
In another embodiment of the , present invention, contact lens cleaning compositions comprise one or more variants of the,present invention. Such contact lens cleaning compositions comprise one or more of the fusion proteins and a personal care carrier. Various contact lens cleaning composition formats such as tablets, liquids and the like are well known in the art and are generally appropriate for incorporation of one or more fusion proteins of the present invention for removing proteinaceous stains from contact lenses.

WO 00/01831 PCT/US99/1524?

Examples 14 - 17 Contact Lens Cleaning Solution Ex. Ex. l5 Ex. l6 Ex.
l4 l7 ~

Fusion Protein Comprising 0.01 0:5 % 0.1 % 2.0 Variant 9 - I %
as Variant Part and Y217L
mutant of BPN' as Protease Part Glucose 50.0 50.0 % 50.0 50.0 % %

Nonionic surfactant (polyoxyethiene2.0 2.0 % 2.0 % 2.0 - %
polyoxypropylene copolymer) Anionic surfactant (polyoxyethylene1.0 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.0 - %
alkylphenylether sodium sulfricester) Sodium Chloride 1.0 1.0 % 1.0 % 1.0 %

Borax 0.30 0.30 % 0.30 0.30 % %

Water 45.69 45.20 45.60 43.70 % % %

In Examples 14 - 17, the variants recited in 'Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein with substantially similar results.
Examples 18 - 21 Bodywash Products Ex. l8 Ex: l9 Ex.20 Ex.21 ~~

Water 62.62 65.72 % 57.72 60.72 % %

Disodium EDTA 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 Glycerine 3.0 % 3.0 % 3.0 % 3.0 Polyquatemium 10 0.4 % 0,4 % 0.4 % 0.4 Sodium laureth sulphate12.0 % 12.0 % 12.0 % 12.0 Cocamide MEA 2.8 % 2.8 % 2.8 % 2.8 Sodium lauraphoacetate6.0 % 6.0 % 6.0 % 6.0 Myristic Acid 1.6 % 1.6 % 1.6 % 1.6 ' Magnesium sulphate 0.3 % 0.3 % 0.3 % 0.3 heptahydrate Trihydroxystearin 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 PEG-6 caprylic I capric3.0 % ~~ -triglycerides Sucrose polyesters 3.0 % - - -of cottonate fatty acid Sucrose polyesters 3.0 % 4.0 % -of behenate fatty acid Petrolatum - 4.0 % 8.0 % -Mineral Oil ~ - - 6.0 DMDM Hydantoin 0.08 % 0.08 % 0.08 % 0.08 Fusion Protein Comprising0.1 % 2.0 % 2.0 % 5.0 %

Variant 14 - I as Variant Part and Y217L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part Citric Acid 1.40 % 1.40 % 1.40 % 1.40 In Examples 18 - 21, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein, with substantially similar results.

Facewash Produ<;ts Ex. 22 Ex. 2 3 Ex. 24 Ex. 25 Water 66.52 65.17 % 68.47 68.72 % %

Disodium EDTA 0.1 % 0.1 ~~0 0.2 % 0.2 Citric Acid - - 1.4 % 1.4 Sodium Laureth-3 Sulfate3.0 % 3.5 % -Sodium Laureth-4 _ _3.0 % - 3.5 % - -Carboxylate _ Laureth-12 1.0 % 1.2 % - -Polyquaternium 10 - - 0.4 % 0.4 Polyquaternium 25 0.3 % 0.3 % - -Glycerine 3.0 % 3.0 % 3.0 % 3.0 Sodium Lauroamphoacetate- - 6.0 /a 6.0 Laurie Acid 6.0 % 6.0 % 3.0 % 3.0 Myristic Acid - 3.0 % 3.0 Magnesium sulphate 2.3 % 2.0 % 2.0 % 2.0 heptahydrate Triethanol amine 4.0 % 4.0 % 4.0 % 4.0 Trihydroxystearin 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 Sucrose polyesters 2.0 % 2.0 % - -of behenate fatty acid Sucrose polyesters 3.0 % 2.0 % - -of cottonate fatty acid PEG-6 caprylic I capric- - - 2.0 triglycerides Petrolatum - - 4.0 Mineral Oil - - - 2.0 Cocamidopropyl betaine2.0 % 3.0 % 1.8 % 1.8 Lauryl dimethylamine 1.0 % 1.2 % 1.2 % 1.2 oxide Dex Panthenol 1.0 % 0.25 % 0:.25 % -DMDM Hydantoin 0.08 0.08 % 0.08 % 0.08 %

Fusion Protein Comprising1.0 % 2.0 % 0.5 % 0.5 Variant 24 - I as Variant Part and Y217L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part .

Fragrance 0.2 % 0.2 io 0.2 % 0.2 In Examples 22 - 25, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein, with substantially similar results.

Leave-on Skin Moisturizing Composition Ex.26 Ex.27 Glycerine 5.0 % -Stearic acid 3.0 C~~-~3Isoparaffin 2.0 Glycol stearate 1.5 % -Propylene glycol : - 3.0 Mineral oii 1.0 % 10.0 Sesame oil - 7.0 Petrolatum - 1.8 Triethanolamine 0.7 % _ Cetyl acetate 0.65 % -Glyceryl stearate 0.48 % 2.0 TEA stearate - 2.5 Cetyl alcohol 0.47 % -Lanolin alcohol - 1.8 DEA - cetyl phosphate 0.25 % -Methylparaben 0.2 % 0.2 Propylparaben 0.12 % 0.1 Carbomer 934 O.I 1 -%

Disodium EDTA 0.1 % -Fusion Protein Comprising Variant 0.1 % 0.5 13 - I as Variant Part and Y2 i 7L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part Water ~ 84.32 71.1 %

In Examples 26 - 27, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted for the above fusion protein with substantially similar results.

WO 00!01831 PCT/US99/15247 Cleansing Wipe Composition Propylene Glycol 1.0 %

Ammonium lauryl sulfate ~~11 0.6 %

Succinic acid 4.0 Sodium succinate 3.2 Triclosan~ 0.15 Fusion Protein Comprising Variant 20 0.05 - I as Variant Part and Y217L mutant of BPN' as Protease Part Water 91.0 The above composition is impregnated onto a woven absorbent sheet comprised' of cellulose and / or polyester at about 250%, by weight of the absorbent sheet.
In Example 28, the variants recited in Tables 7, 8, and 10, and the preferred variants cited herein, among others, are substituted far the above fusion protein with substantially similar results.

_ WO 00/01831 PCT/US99115247 SEQUENCE LISTING
<110> Saunders, Charles W:
<120> Proteases Fused with Variants of Streptomyces Subtilisin Inhibitor <130> Proteases fused With variants <140> -<141>
<150> 60/091,904 <151> 1998-07-07 <160> 15 <170> PatentIn Ver. 2.0 <210> 1 <211> 113 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces aibogriseolus <400> 1 Asp Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Tyr A1a Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr val 1 s to is Gly Lys Gly Val Ser Ala Thr Thr Ala Ala Pro Glu Arg A:La Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Gly Pro Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala A:La Gly Ser Ala Cys A1a Asp Leu Ala Ala Val Gly Gly Asp Leu Asn A:La Leu Thr Arg Gly Glu Asp Val Met Cys Pro Met Val Tyr Asp Pro Val Leu Leu Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Val Phe Ser Asn Glu Cys Glu Met Asn Ala His Gly Ser Ser Val Ala Phe 100 105 lI0 Phe <210> 2 <211> I17 <2I2> PRT
<213> Streptomyces albogriseolus <400> 2 Ala Gly Glu Phe Asp Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly Lys Giy Val Ser Ala Thr Thr Ala A7.a Pro Glu 20 25 ?a0 Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Gly Pro Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Gly Ser Ala Cys Ala Asp Leu Ala Ala Val Gly Gly Asp Leu Asn Ala Leu Thr Arg Gly Glu Asp Val Met Cys Pro Met Val Tyr Asp Pro Val Leu Leu Thr VaI Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Val Phe Ser Asn Glu Cys Glu Met Asn Ala His Gly Ser Ser Val Phe Ala Phe <210> 3 <211> 275, <212> PRT
<213> Bacillus amyloliquefaciens .
<400> 3 Ala Gln Ser Val Pro Tyr Gly Val Ser Gln Ile Lys Ala Pra Ala Leu His Ser Gln Gly Tyr Thr Gly Ser Asn Val Lys Val Ala Val Ile Asp Ser Gly Ile Asp Ser Ser His Pro Asp Leu Lys Val Ala Gly Gly Ala Ser Met Val Pro Ser Glu Thr Asn Pro Phe Gln Asp Asn Asn Ser His Gly Thr His Val Ala Gly Thr Val Ala Ala Leu Asn Asn Ser Ile Gly Val Leu Gly_Val Ala Pro Ser Ala Ser Leu Tyr Ala Val Lys Val Leu Gly Ala Asp Gly Ser Gly Gln Tyr Ser Trp Ile Ile Asn Gly Ile Glu 100 lOS l:Lo Trp Ala Ile Ala Asn Asn Met Asp Val Ile Asn Met Sex Leu Gly Gly Pro Ser Gly Ser Ala Ala Leu Lys Ala Ala Val Asp Lys A.'La Val Ala Ser G1y Val Val Val Val Ala Ala Ala Gly Asn Glu Gly Thr Ser Gly Ser Ser Ser Thr Val Gly Tyr Pro Gly Lys Tyr Pro Ser Val Ile Ala Val Giy Ala Val Asp Ser Ser Asn Gln Arg Ala Ser Phe Seer ser Val lso las lsro Gly Pro Giu Leu Asp Val Met Ala Pro Gly Val Ser Ile G7Ln Ser Thr Leu Pro Gly Asn Lys Tyr Gly Ala Tyr Asn Gly Thr Ser Mea Ala Ser Pro His Val Ala Gly Ala Ala Ala Leu Ile Leu Ser Lys Hi.s Pro Asn Trp Thr Asn Thr Gln Val Arg Ser Ser Leu Glu Asn Thr Thr Thr Lys Leu Gly Asp Ser Phe Tyr Tyr Gly Lys Gly Leu Ile Asn Val Gln Ala Ala Ala Gln <210> 4 <211> 107 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces thermotolerans ' <400> 4 Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly His Gly Glu Sex Ala Ile Ala Ala Thr Pro Glu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Lys AIa Ala Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ale GIy Ala A1a Cys Ala Glu Leu Arg Gly Val Gly Gly Asp Phe Asp Ala Leu Thr Ala Arg Asp Gly Val Met Cys Thr Lys Gln Tyr Asp Pro Val Val Val Thr Val Glu Giy Va1 Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Ser Asn Hsp Cys Met Lys Asn Ala Tyr Gly Thr Gly Val Phe Ser Phe <210> 5 <211> 109 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces galbus <400> S
Ser Leu Tyr.Ala Pro Ser AIa Leu Val Leu Thr Met Gly His Gly Glu Ser Ala Ala Ala Val Ser Pro Ala Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Asn Cys Ala Pro Ser Ala Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Pro Ala Leu Ala C:ys Ala Glu Leu Arg Ala Ala Gly Gly Asp Leu Asp Ala Leu Ala GIy Pro Ala Asp Thr Val Cys Thr Lys Gln Tyr Ala Pro Val Val Ile Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val.Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Ala Asn Gly Cys Val Lys Asn Ala Ser Gly Ser Ser Val Phe Ala Phe 100 lOS
<210> 6 <211> 107 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces azureus <400> 6 WO 00/01831 PCT/US99i15247 Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly Glu Gly Glu Ser Ala Ala Ala Ala Thr Pro Glu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Arg Pro Ser Gly Thr His Pro Val Ala Gly Ser Ala Cys Ala Glu Leu Arg Gly Val Gly Gly Asp Val His Ala Leu Thr Ala Thr Asp Gly Val Met Cys Thr Lys Gln Tyr Asp Pro Val VaI VaI Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Arg Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Ser Asn Glu Cys Val Lys Asn Ala Tyr Gly Ser Gly Val Phe Ala Phe <210> 7 <211> I10 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces lividans <400> 7 Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly His GIy Glu Ser Ala Ala Thr Ala Ala Pro Leu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu T'hr Cys Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala AIa C:ys Ala Glu Leu Arg Rla Ala His Gly Asp Pro Ser Ala Leu Ala Ala C'lu Asp Ser Val Met Cys Thr Arg GIu Tyr Ala Pro Val VaI Val Thr Val Asp Gly VaI Trp Gln Gly Arg Arg Leu Sex Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe fi,la Asn GIu Cys Val Lys Asn Ala Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Phe Thr Phe Glu <210> 8 <211> 110 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces longisporus <400> 8 Ala Sex Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly His Gly Thr Ser Ala Ala Ala Ala Thr Pro Leu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Asn Cys Ala Pro Thr Ala Sez Gly Thr His Pro Ala Pro Ala Leu Ala Cys Ala Asp Leu Arg GIy Val Gly Gly Asp Ile Asp Ala Leu Lys AIa Arg Asp Gly Val ile Cys Asn Lys Leu Tyr Asp Pro Val Val Val Thr Val Asp 65 70 75 gp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Gly Asn Glu Cys Val Lys Asn Ser Tyr Gly Thr Ser Leu Phe Ala Phe <210> 9 <211> 113 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces parwlus <400> 9 Thr Ala Pro Ala Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Vai Leu Thr Ile Gly Gln G3.y Glu Ser Ala Ala Ala Thr Sex Pro Leu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Lys Ala Thr Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Cys Ala Glu Leu Arg Arg Ala Gly Gly Asp Phe Asp Ala Leu Ser Ala Ala Asp Gly Val Met Cps Thr Arg Glu Tyr Ala Pro Val Val Val Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Arg Arg Leu Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Ala Asa Glu Cys Val Lys Asn Ala Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Phe Thr Phe <210> 10 <211> 107 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces coelicolar <400> 10 Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly His Gly Glu Ser Ala Ala Thr Ala Ala Pro Leu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Thr Aia Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Cys Ala Gau Leu Arg Ala Ala His Gly Asp Pra Ser Ala Leu AIa Ala Asp Asp Ala Vai Met Cys Thr Arg Glu Tyr Ala Pro Val val Val Thr val Asp G:Ly val Trp Gln Gly Arg Arg Leu Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Aia Asn G:lu Cys Val Lys Asn Ala Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Phe Thr Phe <210> 11 <zll> 11s <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces lavendulae <400> 11 Ala Pro Asp Ala Ala Pro Ala Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Ile Gly His Gly Gly Ala Ala Ala Thr Ala Thr Pro Glu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Thr Ser Ser Gly Thr I-fis Pro Ala Ala Ser Ala Ala Cys Ala GIu Leu Arg Gly Val Gly Gly Asp Phe AIa AIa Leu Lys Ala Arg Asp Asp Val Trp Cys Asn Lys Leu '.Cyr Asp Pro Val Val Val Thr Ala Gln Gly Va1 Trp Gln Gly Gln Arg 17a1 Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Gly Asn Ser Cys Glu Arg Asp Ala Val Gly Gly Ser 100 lOS 110 Leu Phe Ala Phe <210> 12 <211> 109 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces antifibrinolyticus <400> 12 Gly Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Met Gly His Gly Asn 1 s io is Ser Ala Ala Thr Val Asn Pro Glu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Asn Cys Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Leu Gln Ala C.'ys Ala Glu Leu Arg Gly Ala Gly Gly Asp Phe Asp Ala Leu Thr Val Arg Gly Asp Val Ala Cys Thr Lys Gln Phe Asp Pro Val Val Val Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Lys Arg Val Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe A,la Asn Glu Cys Val Lys Asn Ser Tyr Gly Met Thr Val Phe Thr Phe <210> 13 <211> 107 <212> PRT
<213> Streptomyces lividans <400> 13 Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Val Gly His Gly Glu Ser Ala Ala Thr Ala Ala Pro Leu Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Ala Pro Thr Ala Ser Gly Thr His Pro Ala Ala Ala Ala Ala Cys Ala Glu Leu Arg Ala Ala His Gly Asp Pro Ser AIa Leu Ala Ala Glu Asp Ser Val Met Cys Thr Arg GIu Tyr Ala Pro Val Val VaL Thr Val Asp Gly Val Trp Gln Gly Arg Arg Leu Ser Tyr Glu Arg Thr Phe Ala Asn G:lu Cys Val Lys Asn.Ala Gly Ser Ala Ser Val Phe Thr Phe <210> 14 <211> li0 <212> PRT
<213> Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum <400> 14 Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Leu Val Leu Thr Ile Gly G1n Gly Asp Ser Ala Ala Ala Ala Gly Ile Gln Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Thr Cys Met Pro Lys Ala Asp Gly Thr His Pro Asn Thr Arg Gly Ala Cys Ala Gln Leu Arg Leu Ala Gly Gly ASp Phe Glu Lys Val Thr Lys I7.e Lys Glu Gly Thr Ala Cys Thr Arg Glu Trp Asn Pro Ser Val Val Thr Ala Glu Gly val Trp Glu Gly Arg Arg Val Ser Phe Glu Arg Thr Phe Ala Asn Pro Cys Glu Leu Lys Ala Gly Lys Gly Thr Val Phe Glu Phe 100 105 11.0 <210> 15 -<211> lI0 <2I2> PRT
<213> Stieptomyces cacaoi <400> 15 Ser Leu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Ala Val Val Ile Ser Lys Thr Gl.n Gly Ala Ser Ala Asp Ala Pro Ala Gln Arg Ala Val Thr Leu Arg Cys Leu Pro Val Gly Gly Asp His Pro Ala Pro Glu Lys Ala Cys Ala Ala Leu Arg Glu Ala Gly Gly Asp Pro Ala Ala Leu Pro Arg Tyr Val Glu Asp Thr Gly Arg Val Cys Thr Arg Glu Tyr Arg Pro Val Thr Val Ser Val Gln 65 70 75 e0 51 _.
Gly Val Trp Asp Gly Arg Arg Ile Asp His Ala Gln Thr :Phe Ser Asn Ser Cys Glu Leu Glu Lys Gln Thr Ala Ser Val Tyr Ala 1?he

Claims (10)

What is claimed is:

1. A fusion protein characterized by:
(a) a protease part; and (b) a variant part, wherein the variant part has a modified amino acid sequence of a parent amino acid sequence, wherein the modified amino acid sequence is characterized by an amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI, and wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI, SSI-like inhibitors, variants of SSI, and variants of SSI-like inhibitors.

2. A fusion protein according to Claim 1 further characterized by a linking part wherein the protease part and the variant part are covalently attached through the linking part.

3. A fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims wherein the amino acid substitution at position 63 corresponding to SSI is with isoleucine.

4. A fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims wherein the parent amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of SSI and variants of SSI.

5. A fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims wherein the variant part exhibits a K i such that the variant part:
(a) inhibits the protease part in a composition comprising the fusion protein;
and (b) dissociates from the protease part upon dilution.

6. A fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims wherein the variant part is selected from the group consisting of:
(a) L63I + D83C;
(b) L63I + M73D;
(c) L63I + M73D + D83C;
(d) L63I + M73P + D83C;

(e) L63I + M70Q + D83C;
(f) L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(g) L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(h) L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C + S98A;
(i) L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(j) L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(k) L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A;
(l) L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(m) L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(n) L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C + S98A;
(o) L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C + S98A;
(p) A62* + L63I + D83C;
(q) A62* + L63I + M73D;
(r) A62* + L63I + M73D + D83C;
(s) A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C;
(t) A62* + L63I + M70Q + D83C;
(u) A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98A;
(v) A62* + L63I + M73P + Y75A + D83C;
(w) A62* + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98V;
(x) A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C;
(y) Ab2* + L63I + M73P + V74A + D83C;
(z) Ab2* + L63I + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(aa) A62* + L63I + M70Q + D83C + S98A;
(bb) A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + D83C;
(cc) A62* + L63I + G47D + D83C + S98A;
(dd) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C;
(ee) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73D + D83C;
(ff) A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(gg) A62* + Lb3I + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(hh) A62* + L63I + M70Q + M73P + D83C + S98A;

(ii) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(jj) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(kk) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98A;
(ll) A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74F + D83C;
(mm) A62* + L63I + G47D + M70Q + M73P + V74W + D83C;
(nn) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74F + D83C + S98A;
(oo) A62* + L63I + G47D + M73P + V74W + D83C + S98A;
(pp) Lb3I + A62K + S98Q;
(qq) L63I + A62K + S98D;
(rr) L63I + A62K + S98E;
(ss) L63I + A62R + S98Q;
(tt) L63I + A62R + S98D;
(uu) L63I + A62R + S98E;
(vv) L63I + S98A;
(ww) L63I + M73P + D83C + S98D;
(xx) L63I + M73P + D83C + S98E;
(yy) L63I + M73P + S98D;
(zz) L63I + M73P + S98E;
(aaa) L63I + M73P + S98A;
(bbb) A62K + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98D;
(ccc) A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98D;
(ddd) A62K + Lb3I + M73P + D83C + S98E;
(eee) A62R + L63I + M73P + D83C + S98E;
(fff) A62K + L63I + M73P + S98A;
(ggg) A62R + L63I + M73P + S98A;
(hhh) L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98D;
(iii) L63I + G47D + M73P + D83C + S98E; and (jjj) L63I + M73P.

7. DNA encoding a fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims.

8. A composition comprising a fusion protein according to any of the preceding claims and a carrier selected from the group consisting of a, cleaning composition carrier and a personal care carrier.

9. A composition according to Claim 8 further comprising a protease inhibitor.

10. An expression system comprising the DNA according to Claim 7.