IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,359,212
Granted Patent B2
US 12,359,212 · App. 17/826,021 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Recombinant micelle and method of in vivo assembly

Inventors: Cory J. Tobin (Pasadena, CA); Noah Brookes (Los Angeles, CA)
Assignee: Mozza Foods, Inc.
C12N15/8202B01D61/145B01D61/146B01D61/147C12N15/8218B01D2315/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,359,212
App. No.
17/826,021
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A plant cell co-expressing at least one casein protein and at least one kinase. The at least one casein protein is phosphorylated by the at least one kinase in vivo. Casein micelles comprising phosphorylated κ-casein and at least one of αS1-casein, αS2-casein, and β-casein can be made in vivo and/or in vitro. The casein micelles can be used to make food products including milk and cheese.

Claims (9)

1. A soybean cell comprising a heterologous ruminant casein protein selected from the group consisting of κ-casein, α s1 -casein, α s2 -casein, and β-casein, and a heterologous non-plant kinase, wherein both proteins are expressed in the cell, and wherein the heterologous non-plant kinase phosphorylates the heterologous ruminant casein protein in vivo.

2. The soybean cell of claim 1 , wherein the soybean cell comprises at least two heterologous ruminant casein proteins selected from the group consisting of κ-casein, α s1 -casein, α s2 -casein, and β-casein.

3. A method of modifying a soybean cell comprising:

introducing into the soybean cell nucleic acids encoding (i) a heterologous ruminant casein protein selected from the group consisting of κ-casein, α s1 -casein, α s2 -casein, and β-casein, and (ii) a heterologous non-plant kinase; and

expressing the heterologous ruminant casein protein and the heterologous non-plant kinase in the soybean cell, wherein the heterologous non-plant kinase phosphorylates the heterologous ruminant casein protein in vivo.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the nucleic acids encode at least two different heterologous ruminant casein proteins selected from the group consisting of κ-casein, α s1 -casein, α s2 -casein, and β-casein.

5. A food composition comprising the phosphorylated heterologous ruminant casein protein produced by the method of claim 3 , wherein the phosphorylated heterologous ruminant casein protein is selected from the group consisting of κ-casein, α s1 -casein, α s2 -casein, and β-casein.

6. The food composition of claim 5 , further comprising one or more additional components selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and flavoring agents.

7. The food composition of claim 5 , wherein the food composition is a cheese comprising the phosphorylated heterologous ruminant casein protein.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 18, 2023
From: TOBIN, CORY J.; BROOKES, NOAH
To: MOZZA FOODS, INC.
Reel/Frame 062415/0126 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation In Part 17717000 · Apr 8, 2022
Continuation 16741680 · Jan 13, 2020
Provisional Application 63281069 · Nov 18, 2021
Provisional Application 62939247 · Nov 22, 2019
Related Publication 20220290167A1 · Sep 15, 2022
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