Cloning of endoglucanase genes fromCellulomonas biazotea intoE. coli andS. cerevisiae using shuttle vector YEp24

We constructed aSmaI genomic library ofCellulomonas biazotea DNA inE. coli and in theS. cerevisiae shuttle vector, YEP 24. Three clone were identified that conferred the ability forE. coli orS. cerevisiae transformants to produce carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase). Cells transformed with these clones were compared with one another and with nontransformed cells for hyper-production of CMCase.In vivo andin vitro studies indicated that the CMCase genes were fully expressed and the enzyme activity was located extracellularly. The optimum pH and temperature for the CMCase thus cloned were pH 7 and 50°C, respectively, as was the case for the donor.