Gene integration and expression and extracellular secretion of Erwinia chrysanthemi endoglucanase CelY (celY) and CelZ (celZ) in ethanologenic Klebsiella oxytoca P2

The development of methods to reduce costs associated with the solubilization of cellulose is essential for the utilization of lignocellulose as a renewable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. One promising approach is the genetic engineering of ethanol-producing microorganisms that also produce cellulase enzymes during fermentation. By starting with an ethanologenic derivative (strain P2) of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1 with the native ability to metabolize cellobiose, the need for supplemental beta-glucosidase was previously eliminated. In the current study, this approach has been extended by adding genes encoding endoglucanase activities. Genes celY and celZ from Erwinia chrysanthemi have been functionally integrated into the chromosome of P2 using surrogate promoters from Zymomonas mobilis for expression. Both were secreted into the extracellular milieu, producing more than 20,000 endoglucanase units (carboxymethyl cellulase activity) per liter of fermentation broth. During the fermentation of crystalline cellulose with low levels of commercial cellulases of fungal origin, these new strains produced up to 22% more ethanol than unmodified P2. Most of the beneficial contribution was attributed to CelY rather than to CelZ. These results suggest that fungal enzymes with substrate profiles resembling CelY (preference for long-chain polymers and lack of activity on soluble cello-oligosaccharides of two to five glucosyl residues) may be limiting in commercial cellulase preparations.     

Production of recombinant bacterial endoglucanase as a co-product with ethanol during fermentation using derivatives of Escherichia coli KO11

This study demonstrates a new approach to reduce the amount of fungal cellulase required for the conversion of cellulose into ethanol. Escherichia coli KO11, a biocatalyst developed for the fermentation of hemicellulose syrups, was used to produce recombinant endoglucanase as a co-product with ethanol. Seven different bacterial genes were expressed from plasmids in KO11. All produced cell-associated endoglucanase activity. KO11(pLOI1620) containing Erwinia chrysanthemi celZ (EGZ) produced the highest activity, 3,200 IU endoglucanase/L fermentation broth (assayed at pH 5.2 and 35 degrees C). Recombinant EGZ was solubilized from harvested cells by treatment with dilute sodium dodecyl sulfate (12.5 mg/ml, 10 min, 50 degrees C) and tested in fermentation experiments with commercial fungal cellulase (5 filter paper units/g cellulose) and purified cellulose (100 g/L). Using Klebsiella oxytoca P2 as the biocatalyst, fermentations supplemented with EGZ as a detergent-lysate of KO11(pLOI1620) produced 14%-24% more ethanol than control fermentations supplemented with a detergent-lysate of KO11(pUC18). These results demonstrate that recombinant bacterial endoglucanase can function with fungal cellulase to increase ethanol yield during the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose. (c) 1997 Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 55: 547-555, 1997.     

Sporotrichum thermophile Growth, Cellulose Degradation, and Cellulase Activity

The activity of components of the extracellular cellulase system of the thermophilic fungus Sporotrichum thermophile showed appreciable differences between strains; β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) was the most variable component. Although its endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.4) and exoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.91) activities were markedly lower, S. thermophile degraded cellulose faster than Trichoderma reesei. The production of β-glucosidase lagged behind that of endoglucanase and exoglucanase. The latter activities were produced during active growth. When growth was inhibited by cycloheximide treatment, the hydrolysis of cellulose was lower than in the control in spite of the presence of both endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities in the culture medium. Degradation of cellulose was a growth-associated process, with cellulase preparations hydrolyzing cellulose only to a limited extent. The growth rate and cell density of S. thermophile were similar in media containing cellulose or glucose. A distinctive feature of fungal development in media incorporating cellulose or lactose (inducers of cellulase activity) was the rapid differentiation of reproductive units and autolysis of hyphal cells to liberate propagules which were capable of renewing growth immediately.     

Ethanol production from cellobiose, amorphous cellulose, and crystalline cellulose by recombinant Klebsiella oxytoca containing chromosomally integrated Zymomonas mobilis genes for ethanol production and plasmids expressing thermostable cellulase genes from Clostridium thermocellum.

The Zymomonas mobilis genes for ethanol production have been integrated into the chromosome of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1. The best of these constructs, strain P2, produced ethanol efficiently from cellobiose in addition to monomeric sugars. Utilization of cellobiose and cellotriose by this strain eliminated the requirement for external beta-glucosidase and reduced the amount of commercial cellulase needed to ferment Solka Floc SW40 (primarily crystalline cellulose). The addition of plasmids encoding endoglucanases from Clostridium thermocellum resulted in the intracellular accumulation of thermostable enzymes as coproducts with ethanol during fermentation. The best of these, strain P2(pCT603T) containing celD, was used to hydrolyze amorphous cellulose to cellobiose and produce ethanol in a two-stage process. Strain P2(pCT603T) was also tested in combination with commercial cellulases. Pretreatment of Solka Floc SW40 at 60 degrees C with endoglucanase D substantially reduced the amount of commercial cellulase required to ferment Solka Floc. The stimulatory effect of the endoglucanase D pretreatment may result from the hydrolysis of amorphous regions, exposing additional sites for attack by fungal cellulases. Since endoglucanase D functions as part of a complex in C. thermocellum, it is possible that this enzyme may complex with fungal enzymes or bind cellulose to produce a more open structure for hydrolysis.     

Ethanol production from cellobiose, amorphous cellulose, and crystalline cellulose by recombinant Klebsiella oxytoca containing chromosomally integrated Zymomonas mobilis genes for ethanol production and plasmids expressing thermostable cellulase genes from Clostridium thermocellum.

The Zymomonas mobilis genes for ethanol production have been integrated into the chromosome of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1. The best of these constructs, strain P2, produced ethanol efficiently from cellobiose in addition to monomeric sugars. Utilization of cellobiose and cellotriose by this strain eliminated the requirement for external beta-glucosidase and reduced the amount of commercial cellulase needed to ferment Solka Floc SW40 (primarily crystalline cellulose). The addition of plasmids encoding endoglucanases from Clostridium thermocellum resulted in the intracellular accumulation of thermostable enzymes as coproducts with ethanol during fermentation. The best of these, strain P2(pCT603T) containing celD, was used to hydrolyze amorphous cellulose to cellobiose and produce ethanol in a two-stage process. Strain P2(pCT603T) was also tested in combination with commercial cellulases. Pretreatment of Solka Floc SW40 at 60 degrees C with endoglucanase D substantially reduced the amount of commercial cellulase required to ferment Solka Floc. The stimulatory effect of the endoglucanase D pretreatment may result from the hydrolysis of amorphous regions, exposing additional sites for attack by fungal cellulases. Since endoglucanase D functions as part of a complex in C. thermocellum, it is possible that this enzyme may complex with fungal enzymes or bind cellulose to produce a more open structure for hydrolysis.     

Synergistic Saccharification, and Direct Fermentation to Ethanol, of Amorphous Cellulose by Use of an Engineered Yeast Strain Codisplaying Three Types of Cellulolytic Enzyme

A whole-cell biocatalyst with the ability to induce synergistic and sequential cellulose-degradation reaction was constructed through codisplay of three types of cellulolytic enzyme on the cell surface of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. When a cell surface display system based on α-agglutinin was used, Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase II and cellobiohydrolase II and Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase 1 were simultaneously codisplayed as individual fusion proteins with the C-terminal-half region of α-agglutinin. Codisplay of the three enzymes on the cell surface was confirmed by observation of immunofluorescence-labeled cells with a fluorescence microscope. A yeast strain codisplaying endoglucanase II and cellobiohydrolase II showed significantly higher hydrolytic activity with amorphous cellulose (phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose) than one displaying only endoglucanase II, and its main product was cellobiose; codisplay of β-glucosidase 1, endoglucanase II, and cellobiohydrolase II enabled the yeast strain to directly produce ethanol from the amorphous cellulose (which a yeast strain codisplaying β-glucosidase 1 and endoglucanase II could not), with a yield of approximately 3 g per liter from 10 g per liter within 40 h. The yield (in grams of ethanol produced per gram of carbohydrate consumed) was 0.45 g/g, which corresponds to 88.5% of the theoretical yield. This indicates that simultaneous and synergistic saccharification and fermentation of amorphous cellulose to ethanol can be efficiently accomplished using a yeast strain codisplaying the three cellulolytic enzymes.     

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of amorphous cellulose to ethanol by recombinant Klebsiella oxytoca SZ21 without supplemental cellulase

A derivative of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1 containing chromosomally integrated genes for ethanol production from Zymomonas mobilis (pdc, adhB) and endoglucanase genes from Erwinia chrysanthemi (celY, celZ) produced over 20 000 U endoglucanase l^–1 activity during fermentation. In combination with the native ability to metabolize cellobiose and cellotriose, this strain was able to ferment amorphous cellulose to ethanol (58–76% of theoretical yield) without the addition of cellulase enzymes from other organisms.     

Solid-State Fermentation with Trichoderma reesei for Cellulase Production

Cellulase yields of 250 to 430 IU/g of cellulose were recorded in a new approach to solid-state fermentation of wheat straw with Trichoderma reesei QMY-1. This is an increase of ca. 72% compared with the yields (160 to 250 IU/g of cellulose) in liquid-state fermentation reported in the literature. High cellulase activity (16 to 17 IU/ml) per unit volume of enzyme broth and high yields of cellulases were attributed to the growth of T. reesei on a hemicellulose fraction during its first phase and then on a cellulose fraction of wheat straw during its later phase for cellulase production, as well as to the close contact of hyphae with the substrate in solid-state fermentation. The cellulase system obtained by the solid-state fermentation of wheat straw contained cellulases (17.2 IU/ml), β-glucosidase (21.2 IU/ml), and xylanases (540 IU/ml). This cellulase system was capable of hydrolyzing 78 to 90% of delignified wheat straw (10% concentration) in 96 h, without the addition of complementary enzymes, β-glucosidase, and xylanases.     

Incorporation of Fungal Cellulases in Bacterial Minicellulosomes Yields Viable, Synergistically Acting Cellulolytic Complexes

Artificial designer minicellulosomes comprise a chimeric scaffoldin that displays an optional cellulose-binding module (CBM) and bacterial cohesins from divergent species which bind strongly to enzymes engineered to bear complementary dockerins. Incorporation of cellulosomal cellulases from Clostridium cellulolyticum into minicellulosomes leads to artificial complexes with enhanced activity on crystalline cellulose, due to enzyme proximity and substrate targeting induced by the scaffoldin-borne CBM. In the present study, a bacterial dockerin was appended to the family 6 fungal cellulase Cel6A, produced by Neocallimastix patriciarum, for subsequent incorporation into minicellulosomes in combination with various cellulosomal cellulases from C. cellulolyticum. The binding of the fungal Cel6A with a bacterial family 5 endoglucanase onto chimeric miniscaffoldins had no impact on their activity toward crystalline cellulose. Replacement of the bacterial family 5 enzyme with homologous endoglucanase Cel5D from N. patriciarum bearing a clostridial dockerin gave similar results. In contrast, enzyme pairs comprising the fungal Cel6A and bacterial family 9 endoglucanases were substantially stimulated (up to 2.6-fold) by complexation on chimeric scaffoldins, compared to the free-enzyme system. Incorporation of enzyme pairs including Cel6A and a processive bacterial cellulase generally induced lower stimulation levels. Enhanced activity on crystalline cellulose appeared to result from either proximity or CBM effects alone but never from both simultaneously, unlike minicellulosomes composed exclusively of bacterial cellulases. The present study is the first demonstration that viable designer minicellulosomes can be produced that include (i) free (noncellulosomal) enzymes, (ii) fungal enzymes combined with bacterial enzymes, and (iii) a type (family 6) of cellulase never known to occur in natural cellulosomes.     

Simultaneous production and induction of cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes in aStreptomyces sp.

Extracellular cellulolytic and xylanolytic enzymes ofStreptomyces sp. EC22 were produced during submerged fermentation. The cell-free culture supernatant of the streptomycete grown on microcrystalline cellulose contained enzymes able to depolymerize both crystalline and soluble celluloses and xylans. Higher cellulase and xylanase activities were found in the cell-free culture supernatant of the strain when grown on microcrystalline cellulose than when grown on xylan. Total cellulase and endoglucanase [carboxymethyl-cellulase (CMCase)] activities reached maxima after 72 h and xylanase activity was maximal after 60h. Temperature and pH optima were 55°C and 5.0 for CMCase activity and 60°C and 5.5 for total crystalline cellulase and xylanase activities. At 80°C, approximate half-lives of the enzymes were 37, 81 and 51 min for CMCase, crystalline cellulose depolymerization and xylanase, respectively.     

Production and Characteristics of Avicel-Disintegrating Endoglucanase from a Protease-Negative Humicola grisea var. thermoidea Mutant

Mutational experiments were performed to decrease the protease productivity of Humicola grisea var. thermoidea YH-78 using UV light and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. A protease-negative mutant, no. 140, exhibited higher endoglucanase activity than the parent strain in mold bran culture at 50°C for 4 days. The culture extract rapidly disintegrated filter paper but produced a small amount of reducing sugar. About 30% of total endoglucanase activity in the extract was adsorbed onto Avicel. The electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of Avicel-adsorbable endoglucanase (molecular weight, 128,000) showed intensive filter-paper-disintegrating activity but did not release reducing sugar. The preparation also exhibited a highly synergistic effect with the cellulase preparation from Trichoderma reesei in the hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose. This endoglucanase was observed via scanning electron microscopy to disintegrate Avicel fibrils layer by layer from the surface, yielding thin sections with exposed chain ends. A mutant, no. 191, producing higher protease activity and an Avicel-unadsorbable, Avicel-nondisintegrating endoglucanase was isolated. The purified enzyme (molecular weight, 63,000) showed no disintegrating activity on filter paper and Avicel and a less synergistic effect with the T. reesei cellulase in hydrolyzing microcrystalline cellulose than did the former enzyme. Endoglucanase was therefore divided into two types, Avicel disintegrating and Avicel nondisintegrating.     

A novel neutral,halophile <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stachybotrys microspora</Emphasis>-based endoglucanase active impact on β-glucan

The production of cellulases from Stachybotrys microspora strain (A19) has been improved by fed-batch fermentation on Avicel cellulose 10 mg/ml. An endoglucanase EG2 was purified to homogeneity. This cellulase has a molecular mass estimated to 50 kDa when analyzed by a denaturant gel electrophoresis. It exhibited an optimal activity at 50 °C, pH 7.0 and 0.85 M NaCl. Specifically, these results show the thermo-active, alkali-tolerant and halo-tolerant properties of EG2. In addition, this endoglucanase showed its highest activity on barley-β-glucan, compared to the CMC. Moreover, it was less active on Avicel cellulose. Furthermore, the EG2 activity was stimulated in the presence of EDTA, urea and β-mercaptoethanol whereas it was reduced in the presence of SDS. This cellulase was highly stable in the presence of organic solvents such as acetone and n-hexane. TLC showed that the main hydrolysis products from EG2 were cellobiose and glucose. This fungal endoglucanase could be potentially important in the conversion of grass-derived biomass into fermentable sugars.     

Enhanced cellulase production through random mutagenesis of Talaromyces pinophilus OPC4-1 and fermentation optimization

Reducing cellulase cost remains a major challenge for lignocellulose to fuel and chemical industries. In this study, mutants of a novel wild-type cellulolytic fungal strain Talaromyces pinophilus OPC4-1 were developed by consecutive UV irradiation, N-methyl-N`-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (NTG) and ethylmethane sulfonate (EMS) treatment. A potential mutant EMM was obtained and displayed enhanced cellulase production. Using Solka Floc cellulose as the substrate, through fed-batch fermentation, mutant strain T. pinophilus EMM generated crude enzymes with an FPase activity of 27.0 IU/mL and yield of 900 IU/g substrate. When corncob powder was used, strain EMM produced crude enzymes with an FPase activity of 7.3 IU/mL and yield of 243.3 IU/g substrate. In addition, EMM crude enzymes contained 29.2 and 16.3 IU/mL β-glucosidase on Solka Floc cellulose and corncob power, respectively. The crude enzymes consequently displayed strong biomass hydrolysis performance. For corncob hydrolysis, without supplement of any commercial enzymes, glucose yields of 591.7 and 548.6 mg/g biomass were obtained using enzymes produced from Solka Floc cellulose and corncob powder, respectively. It was 553.9 mg/g biomass using the commercial enzyme mixture of Celluclast 1.5 L and Novozyme 188. Strain T. pinophilus EMM was therefore a potential fungus for on-site enzyme production in biorefinery processes.     

Expression of a bifunctional cellulase with exoglucanase and endoglucanase activities to enhance the hydrolysis ability of cellulase from a marine Aspergillus niger

Low exoglucanase and endoglucanase activities of marine Aspergillus niger cellulase decreased the hydrolyzing ability of cellulase. To increase the activity of halostable cellulase obtained from a marine A. niger, a cellulase with endoglucanase and exoglucanase activity was efficiently expressed by constructing a vector with promoter glaA. Exoglucanase and endoglucanase activities increased from 0.21 and 4.51 U/ml of the original strain to 0.89 U/ml and 15.12 U/ml of the transformant, respectively. Filter paper activity (FPA) increased by 7.1 folds from 0.63 to 4.47 U/ml. The release of glucose by hydrolysis of wheat straw with cellulase from the transformant was 1.37 folds higher than that with cellulase from the original strain under high salinity condition. Cellulase with endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities could be well expressed in marine A. niger. The cellulase from the transformant not only showed higher activity, but also retained halostability. An appreciate proportion of β-glucosidase, exoglucanase, endgolucanasein cellulase was important for hydrolyzing cellulose.     

Studies on Cellulose Hydrolysis by Acetivibrio cellulolyticus

Acetivibrio cellulolyticus extracellular cellulase extensively hydrolyzed crystalline celluloses such as Avicel (FMC Corp., Food and Pharmaceutical Products Div., Philadelphia, Pa.) but only if it was desalted and supplemented with Ca²⁺. The Ca²⁺ effect was one of increased enzyme stability in the presence of the ion. Although preincubation of the cellulase complex at 40°C for 5 h without added Ca²⁺ had a negligible effect on endoglucanase activity or on the subseqent hydrolysis of amorphous cellulose, the capacity of the enzyme to hydrolyze crystalline cellulose was almost completely lost. Adsorption studies showed that 90% of the Avicel-solubilizing component of the total enzyme preparation bound to 2% Avicel at 40°C. Under these conditions, only 15% of the endoglucanase and 25% of the protein present in the enzyme preparation adsorbed to the substrate. The protein profile of the bound enzyme, as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was complex and distinctly different from the profile observed for total cellulase preparations. The specific activity of A. cellulolyticus cellulase with respect to Avicel hydrolysis was compared with that of commercially available Trichoderma reesei cellulase.     

Synergistic hydrolysis of carboxymethyl cellulose and acid-swollen cellulose by two endoglucanases (CelZ and CelY) from Erwinia chrysanthemi

Erwinia chrysanthemi produces a battery of hydrolases and lyases which are very effective in the maceration of plant cell walls. Although two endoglucanases (CelZ and CelY; formerly EGZ and EGY) are produced, CelZ represents approximately 95% of the total carboxymethyl cellulase activity. In this study, we have examined the effectiveness of CelY and CelZ alone and of combinations of both enzymes using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and amorphous cellulose (acid-swollen cellulose) as substrates. Synergy was observed with both substrates. Maximal synergy (1.8-fold) was observed for combinations containing primarily CelZ; the ratio of enzyme activities produced was similar to those produced by cultures of E. chrysanthemi. CelY and CelZ were quite different in substrate preference. CelY was unable to hydrolyze soluble cellooligosaccharides (cellotetraose and cellopentaose) but hydrolyzed CMC to fragments averaging 10.7 glucosyl units. In contrast, CelZ readily hydrolyzed cellotetraose, cellopentaose, and amorphous cellulose to produce cellobiose and cellotriose as dominant products. CelZ hydrolyzed CMC to fragments averaging 3.6 glucosyl units. In combination, CelZ and CelY hydrolyzed CMC to products averaging 2.3 glucosyl units. Synergy did not require the simultaneous presence of both enzymes. Enzymatic modification of the substrate by CelY increased the rate and extent of hydrolysis by CelZ. Full synergy was retained by the sequential hydrolysis of CMC, provided CelY was used as the first enzyme. A general mechanism is proposed to explain the synergy between these two enzymes based primarily on differences in substrate preference.     

Cellulolytic and physiological properties of Clostridium thermocellum

Three strains of Clostridium thermocellum obtained from various sources were found to have nearly identical deoxyribonucleic acid guanosine plus cytosine contents that ranged from 38.1–39.5 mole-%. All strain examined fermented only cellulose and cellulose derivatives, but not glucose, or xylose or other sugars. The principal cellulose fermentation products were ethanol, lactate, acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Growth of C. thermocellum on cellulose resulted in the production of extracellular cellulase that was non-oxygen labile, was thermally stable at 70° C for 45 min and adsorbed strongly on cellulose. Production of cellulase during fermentation correlated linearly with growth and cellulose degradation. Both the yield and specific activity of crude cellulase varied considerably with the specific growth substrates. Highest cellulase yield was obtained when grown on native cellulose, -cellulose and low degree of polymerization cellulose but not carboxymethylcellulose or other carbohydrate sources. Cellulase activity was not detected when cells were grown on cellobiose. Crude extracellular protein preparations lacked proteolytic and cellobiase activity. The pH and temperafure optima for endoglucanase activity were 5.2 and 65° C, respectively, while that of the exoglucanase activity were 5.4 and 64° C, respectively. The specific activity at 60° c for exoglucanase and endoglucanase of crude cellulase obtained from cells grown on cellulose (MN 300) was 3.6 moles reducing sugar equivalents released per h (unit)/mg of protein and 1.5 mole reducing sugar equivalent released per min (unit)/mg of protein, respectively. The yield of endoglucanase was 125 units per g of cellulose MN 300 degraded and that of exoglucanase was 300 units per g of cellulose MN 300 degraded. Glucose and cellobiose were the hydrolytic end products of crude cellulase action on cellulose, cellotraose and cellotriose in vitro.     

Binding of Extracellular Carboxymethylcellulase Activity from the Marine Shipworm Bacterium to Insoluble Cellulosic Substrates

The binding of extracellular endoglucanase, a carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), produced by the marine shipworm bacterium to insoluble cellulose substrates was investigated. Up to 70% of CMCase activity bound to cellulosic substrates, and less than 10% bound to noncellulosic substrates. CMCase binding to cellulose was enhanced in basal salt medium or sodium phosphate buffer containing 0.5 M NaCl. Increased cellulose particle size correlated with decreased CMCase binding. Also, cellulose treated with either 5 N NaOH or commercial cellulase reduced the CMCase binding to these surfaces. Pretreatment of CMCase preparations with 0.01% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 5% β-mercaptoethanol, and 5 mM EDTA or ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) had little effect on binding to cellulose. While pretreatment of CMCase with trypsin, chymotrypsin, and pronase had little effect on CMCase enzymatic activity, the ability to bind to cellulose was greatly diminished by these treatments.     

Evidence for Transceptor Function of Cellodextrin Transporters in Neurospora crassa

Neurospora crassa colonizes burnt grasslands and metabolizes both cellulose and hemicellulose from plant cell walls. When switched from a favored carbon source to cellulose, N. crassa dramatically up-regulates expression and secretion of genes encoding lignocellulolytic enzymes. However, the means by which N. crassa and other filamentous fungi sense the presence of cellulose in the environment remains unclear. Previously, we have shown that a N. crassa mutant carrying deletions of three β-glucosidase enzymes (Δ3βG) lacks β-glucosidase activity, but efficiently induces cellulase gene expression and cellulolytic activity in the presence of cellobiose as the sole carbon source. These observations indicate that cellobiose, or a modified version of cellobiose, functions as an inducer of lignocellulolytic gene expression and activity in N. crassa. Here, we show that in N. crassa, two cellodextrin transporters, CDT-1 and CDT-2, contribute to cellulose sensing. A N. crassa mutant carrying deletions for both transporters is unable to induce cellulase gene expression in response to crystalline cellulose. Furthermore, a mutant lacking genes encoding both the β-glucosidase enzymes and cellodextrin transporters (Δ3βGΔ2T) does not induce cellulase gene expression in response to cellobiose. Point mutations that severely reduce cellobiose transport by either CDT-1 or CDT-2 when expressed individually do not greatly impact cellobiose induction of cellulase gene expression. These data suggest that the N. crassa cellodextrin transporters act as “transceptors” with dual functions - cellodextrin transport and receptor signaling that results in downstream activation of cellulolytic gene expression. Similar mechanisms of transceptor activity likely occur in related ascomycetes used for industrial cellulase production.     

Lignocellulolytic Enzymes Produced by Volvariella volvacea, the Edible Straw Mushroom

Volvariella volvacea, commonly known as the straw or paddy mushroom, had the following growth characteristics: minimum temperature, 25°C; optimal temperature, 37°C; maximal temperature, 40°C; pH optimum 6.0. Optimal pH for cellulase production was 5.5. The optimal initial pH for cellulase production and mycelial growth was found to be 6.0. The pH and temperature optima for cellulolytic activity were 5.0 and 50°C, respectively. Maximal cellulolytic activity was obtained within 5 days in shake-flask culture. The cellulases were found to be partly cell free and partly cell bound during growth on microcrystalline cellulose. The endoglucanase activity was primarily extracellular, and β-glucosidase activity was found exclusively extracellularly. Weak cellulase activity was detected when cells were grown on cellobiose and lactose. V. volvacea could not digest the lignin portion of newspaper in shake-flask cultivation. Phenol oxidase, an important enzyme in lignin biodegradation, also was lacking in the cell-free filtrate. However, the organism oxidized phenolic compounds when it was cultured on agar plates containing commercial lignin.