Cloning and expression of genes coding for carbohydrate degrading enzymes of Anaerocellum thermophilum in E.coli.

A gene library of Anaerocellum thermophilum Z-1320 was constructed in Escherichia coli using plasmid pUC18. Clones were selected by screening for hydrolysis of CMC, MU-Cel, lichenan and xylan. Recombinant clones expressing two beta-1,4-glucanases and two different xylanases were obtained. Both beta-1,4-glucanases were capable of degrading Avicel. Clones with xylanase activity also cleft PNPXyl, MU-Glu and MU-Cel. The genes of one beta-1,4-glucanase and one xylanase are probably located in the same region of A.thermophilum chromosome.