热稳定高比活纤维素酶在Pichia pastoris中的表达研究

Bacillus amyoliquefaciens DL-3纤维素酶具有热稳定高比活多功能的酶学特性,本文根据该酶的氨基酸序列合成了其编码基因(cel),构建了pPIC9K-cel表达载体,并用P.pastoris进行了表达。工程菌株三角瓶发酵酶活性达0.50 U/mL,酶解滤纸的产物为低聚糖,表明人工合成的热稳定高比活纤维素酶基因在P.pastoris中可以正常表达、加工及分泌,重组酶的分子量由天然酶的53 kDa增加至68 kDa,糖基化严重。     

Purification and characterization of a cellulase from the ruminal fungus Orpinomyces joyonii cloned in Escherichia coli

A cellulase from the ruminal fungus Orpinomyces joyonii cloned in Escherichia coli was purified 88-fold by chromatography on High Q and hydroxyapatite. N-terminal amino acid sequence analyses confirmed that the cellulase represented the product of the cellulase gene Cel B2. The purified enzyme possessed high activity toward barley beta-glucan, lichenan, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xylan, but not toward laminarin and pachyman. In addition, the cloned enzyme was able to hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl (PNP)-cellobioside, PNP-cellotrioside, PNP-cellotetraoside, PNP-cellopentaoside, but not PNP-glucopyranoside. The specific activity of the cloned enzyme on barley beta-glucan was 297 units/mg protein. The purified enzyme appeared as a single band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the molecular mass of this enzyme (58000) was consistent with the value (56463) calculated from the DNA sequence. The optimal pH of the enzyme was 5.5, and the enzyme was stable between pH 5.0 and pH 7.5. The enzyme had a temperature optimum at 40 degrees C. The K(m) values estimated for barley beta-glucan and CMC were 0.32 and 0.50 mg/ml, respectively.     

Nucleotide sequence, structural investigation and homology modeling studies of a Ca2+-independent alpha-amylase with acidic pH-profile

The novel alpha-amylase purified from locally isolated strain, Bacillus sp. KR-8104, (KRA) (Enzyme Microb Technol; 2005; 36: 666-671) is active in a wide range of pH. The enzyme maximum activity is at pH 4.0 and it retains 90% of activity at pH 3.5. The irreversible thermoinactivation patterns of KRA and the enzyme activity are not changed in the presence and absence of Ca(2+) and EDTA. Therefore, KRA acts as a Ca(2+)-independent enzyme. Based on circular dichroism (CD) data from thermal unfolding of the enzyme recorded at 222 nm, addition of Ca(2+) and EDTA similar to its irreversible thermoinactivation, does not influence the thermal denaturation of the enzyme and its T(m). The amino acid sequence of KRA was obtained from the nucleotide sequencing of PCR products of encoding gene. The deduced amino acid sequence of the enzyme revealed a very high sequence homology to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA) (85% identity, 90% similarity) and Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylases (BLA) (81% identity, 88% similarity). To elucidate and understand these characteristics of the alpha-amylase, a model of 3D structure of KRA was constructed using the crystal structure of the mutant of BLA as the platform and refined with a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation program. Interestingly enough, there is only one amino acid substitution for KRA in comparison with BLA and BAA in the region involved in the calcium-binding sites. On the other hand, there are many amino acid differences between BLA and KRA at the interface of A and B domains and around the metal triad and active site area. These alterations could have a role in stabilizing the native structure of the loop in the active site cleft and maintenance and stabilization of the putative metal triad-binding site. The amino acid differences at the active site cleft and around the catalytic residues might affect their pKa values and consequently shift its pH profile. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity of the enzyme at 350 nm does not show considerable change at pH 3.5-7.0.     

Purification and some properties of a novel chitosanase from Bacillus subtilis KH1

One of at least two chitosanases secreted in the culture filtrate of Bacillus subtilis KH1 was purified by two sequential DEAE Sepharose CL-6B chromatographies, followed by Sephacryl S-100 HR gel chromatography. The purified enzyme was homogenous as judged by SDS-PAGE. It showed an estimated molecular weight and pI of 28,000 and 8.3, respectively. The enzyme drastically reduced the viscosity of highly deacetylated chitosan substrates, with the subsequent formation of chitooligosaccharides [(GlcN)(n), n=2-6]. No activity toward carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), chitobiose (GlcN)(2), or chitotriose (GlcN)(3) was detected. Separation and quantification of products of hydrolysis of 10% (w/v) solutions of chitooligosaccharides, (GlcN)(n), n=2-6, by HPLC showed the splitting of (GlcN) (n), n=4-6, in an endo-splitting manner. Oligomers comprising higher units than the starting substrate were also detected, indicating transglycosylation activity. The amino terminal sequence of this enzyme (A-G-L-N-K-D-Q-K-R-R) is identical to that of the chitosanase derived from Bacillus pumilus BN262 and to the deduced amino terminal sequences of Bacillus subtilis 168 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UTK chitosanases.     

Purification and characterization of an acidothermophilic cellulase enzyme produced by Bacillus subtilis strain LFS3

In the present investigation, a microorganism hydrolyzing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was isolated and identified as Bacillus subtilis strain LFS3 by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) enzyme produced by the B. subtilis strain LFS3 was purified by (NH?)?SO? precipitation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, with an overall recovery of 15 %. Native-PAGE analysis of purified CMCase revealed the molecular weight of enzyme to be about 185 kDa. The activity profile of CMCase enzyme showed the optimum activity at temperature 60 °C and pH 4.0, respectively. The enzyme activity was induced by Na?, Mg2?, NH??, and EDTA, whereas strongly inhibited by Hg2? and Fe3?. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed CMC, filter paper, and xylan, but not p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucopyranoside and cellulose. Kinetic analysis of purified enzyme showed the K(m) value of 2.2 mg/ml. Thus, acidophilic as well as thermophilic nature makes this cellulase a suitable candidate for current mainstream biomass conversion into fuel and other industrial processes.     

嗜碱芽包杆菌N6—27碱性纤维素酶的纯化及性质

The alkaline cellulase produced by alkalophilic Bacillus sp. N6-27 was purified to electrophoresis homogeneity by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, Sepharose CL-4B hydrophobic interaction chromatography, Bio-gel P-150 chromatography. The molecular weight and pI determined by SDS-PAGE and by PAGE-IEF were 94,000 and 4.2, respectively. The optimum temperature and pH for the enzymatic catalysis were 55 degrees C and 8.5, respectively. The enzyme activity was stable under 50 degrees C and in the pH range of 6-11. The substrate was carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by Fe2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+.     

大熊猫肠道纤维素分解菌的分离鉴定及产酶性质

【目的】从健康大熊猫新鲜粪便中分离具有纤维素酶活性的菌株,并对其进行菌种鉴定及产酶性质研究。【方法】利用羧甲基纤维素钠培养基分离纯化具有较高纤维素酶活性的菌株,根据形态学特征、生理生化特性以及16S rDNA分析对其进行分类鉴定,研究影响该菌株纤维素酶的产酶条件,以及对不同纤维素底物的降解情况。【结果】分离得到一株纤维素酶产生菌株P2,该菌株为好氧的革兰氏阳性细菌,生长温度范围20-50℃(最适温度37℃),pH范围6.0-9.0(最适pH7.0),NaCl浓度范围0%-15%(最适2%NaCl),培养24h达到产酶高峰。16S rDNA基因序列分析显示,菌株P2与解淀粉芽胞杆菌(Bacillusamyloliquefaciens)NBRC15535相似性为99.66%。该菌株对四种纤维素底物(滤纸、脱脂棉、秸秆、竹纤维)均有不同程度的降解,内切葡聚糖酶、外切葡聚糖酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶和总酶活具有不同的酶活变化。【结论】本研究首次从大熊猫粪便中分离出了好氧纤维素分解菌,并鉴定为解淀粉芽胞杆菌,对上述四种纤维结构均有一定的破坏和分解作用,为进一步研究大熊猫竹纤维消化机制提供了菌源。     

Purification and properties of an acid endo-1,4-beta-glucanase from Bacillus sp. KSM-330

A novel acid cellulase (endo-1,4-beta-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.4) was found in a culture of Bacillus sp. KSM-330 isolated from soil. One-step chromatography on a column of CM-Bio-Gel A yielded a homogeneous enzyme, as determined by silver staining of both sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and nondenaturing gels. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 42 kDa, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The isoelectric point was higher than pH 10. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was Val-Ala-Lys-Glu-Met-Lys-Pro-Phe-Pro-Gln-Gln-Val-Asn-Tyr-Ser-Gly-Ile-Leu- Lys-Pro . This enzyme had an optimum pH for activity of 5.2, being active over an extremely narrow range of pH values, from 4.2 to 6.9; below and above these pH values no activity was detectable. The optimum temperature at pH 5.2 was around 45 degrees C. The enzyme efficiently hydrolysed carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and lichenan, but more crystalline forms of cellulose, curdlan, laminarin, 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside were barely hydrolysed. The enzymic activity was inhibited by Hg2+ but was not affected by other inhibitors of thiol enzymes, such as 4-chloromercuribenzoate. N-ethylmaleimide and monoiodoacetate. N-Bromosuccinimide abolished the enzymic activity, and CMC protected the enzyme from inactivation by this tryptophan-specific oxidant. It is suggested that a tryptophan residue(s) is involved in the mechanism of action of the Bacillus cellulase and that the inhibition of enzymic activity by Hg2+ is ascribable to interactions with the tryptophan residue(s) rather than with thiol group(s).     

Cellulase from Bacillus licheniformis and Brucella sp. isolated from mangrove soils of Mahanadi river delta,Odisha, India

In the present study, two cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB-5 and CDB-12) were isolated from mangrove soils of Mahanadi river delta, based on halo zone formation in Congo red agar medium and evaluation for cellulase production in CMC broth medium. Based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the two strains, CDB-5 and CDB-12, were identified as Brucella sp. and Bacillus licheniformis, respectively. The gene bank accession number of the strains CDB-5 and CDB-12 are KR632646 and KR632645, respectively. The strain Brucella sp. and B. licheniformis showed an enzyme activity of 96.37?U/ml and 98.25?U/ml, respectively, after 72?h of incubation period. Enzyme production was optimized under different growth conditions such as pH, temperature, agitation rate, carbon source, sodium chloride (NaCl), and nitrogen sources. Maximum cellulase production by both the strains was obtained in the same parameter condition such as pH (7.0), rpm (150), and NaCl (2%, w/v) which varies for other parameters. The strain, CDB-5, produced maximum cellulase at 35?°C temperature, maltose as a carbon source, and yeast extract as a nitrogen source where as the strain CDB-12 produces maximum cellulase at 45?°C temperature, carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) as carbon source and trypton as a nitrogen source. The bacterial crude enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by overnight dialysis. SDS-PAGE analysis of the partially purified cellulase enzyme exhibited band sizes of approximately 55 and 72?kDa.     

Characterization and substrate specificity of an endo-beta-1,4-D-glucanase I (Avicelase I) from an extracellular multienzyme complex of Bacillus circulans.

An endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase I (Avicelase I; EC 3.2.1.4) was purified to homogeneity from an extracellular celluloxylanosome of Bacillus circulans F-2. The purification in the presence of 6 M urea yielded homogeneous enzyme. The enzyme had a monomeric structure, its relative molecular mass being 75 kDa as determined by gel filtration and 82 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The pI was 5.4, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence was ASNIGGWVGGNESGFEFG. The optimal pH was 4.5, and the enzyme was stable at pH 4 to 10. The enzyme has a temperature optimum of 50 degrees C, it was stable at 55 degrees C for 46 h, and it retains approximately 20% of its activity after 30 min at 80 degrees C. It showed high-level activity towards carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as well as p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-cellobioside, 4-methylumbelliferyl cellobioside, xylan, Avicel, filter paper, and some cello-oligosaccharides. Km values for birch xylan, CMC, and Avicel were 4.8, 7.2, and 87.0 mg/ml, respectively, while Vmax values were 256, 210, and 8.6 mumol x min-1 x mg-1, respectively. Cellotetraose was preferentially cleaved into cellobiose (G2) plus G2, and cellopentaose was cleaved into G2 plus cellotriose (G3), while cellohexaose was cleaved into cellotetraose plus G2 and to a lesser extent G3 plus G3. G3 was not cleaved at all. G2 was the main product of Avicel hydrolysis. Xylotetraose (X4) and xylobiose (X2) were mainly produced by the enzyme hydrolysis of xylan. G2 inhibited the activity of carboxymethyl cellulase and Avicelase, whereas Mg2+ stimulated it. The enzyme was completely inactivated by Hg2+, and it was inhibited by a thiol-blocking reagent. Hydrolysis of CMC took place, with a rapid decrease in viscosity but a slow liberation of reducing sugars. On the basis of these results, it appeared that the cellulase should be regarded as endo-type cellulase, although it hydrolyzed Avicel.     

Molecular characterization of SCO0765 as a cellotriose releasing endo-<Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-1,4-cellulase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces coelicolor</Emphasis> A(3)

The sco0765 gene was annotated as a glycosyl hydrolase family 5 endoglucanase from the genomic sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) and consisted of 2,241 bp encoding a polypeptide of 747 amino acids (molecular weight of 80.5 kDa) with a 29-amino acid signal peptide for secretion. The SCO0765 recombinant protein was heterogeneously over-expressed in Streptomyces lividans TK24 under the control of a strong ermE* promoter. The purified SCO0765 protein showed the expected molecular weight of the mature form (718 aa, 77.6 kDa) on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacryl amide gel electrophoresis. SCO0765 showed high activity toward β-glucan and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and negligible activity to Avicel, xylan, and xyloglucan. The SCO0765 cellulase had a maximum activity at pH 6.0 and 40°C toward CMC and at pH 9.0 and 50–60°C toward β-glucan. Thin layer chromatography of the hydrolyzed products of CMC and β-glucan by SCO0765 gave cellotriose as the major product and cellotetraose, cellopentaose, and longer oligosaccharides as the minor products. These results clearly demonstrate that SCO0765 is an endo-β-1,4-cellulase, hydrolyzing the β-1,4 glycosidic bond of cellulose into cellotriose.     

Overexpression and characterization of thermostable chitinase from Bacillus atrophaeus SC081 in Escherichia coli

The chitinase-producing strain SC081 was isolated from Korean traditional soy sauce and identified as Bacillus atrophaeus based on a phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence and a phenotypic analysis. A gene encoding chitinase from B. atrophaeus SC081 was cloned in Escherichia coli and was named SCChi-1 (GQ360078). The SCChi-1 nucleotide sequences were composed of 1788 base pairs and 596 amino acids, which were 92.6, 89.6, 89.3, and 78.9% identical to those of Bacillus subtilis (ABG57262), Bacillus pumilus (ABI15082), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (ABO15008), and Bacillus licheniformis (ACF40833), respectively. A recombinant SCChi-1 containing a hexahistidine tag at the amino- terminus was constructed, overexpressed, and purified in E. coli to characterize SCChi-1. H(6)SCChi-1 revealed a hydrolytic band on zymograms containing 0.1% glycol chitin and showed the highest lytic activity on colloidal chitin and acidic chitosan. The optimal temperature and pH for chitinolytic activity were 50°C and pH 8.0, respectively.     

Purification and characterization of a fibrinolytic enzyme produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DC-4 screened from douchi,a traditional Chinese soybean food

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DC-4, which produces a strongly fibrinolytic enzyme, was isolated from douchi, a traditional Chinese soybean-fermented food. A fibrinolytic enzyme (subtilisin DFE) was purified from the supernatant of B. amyloliquefaciens DC-4 culture broth and displayed thermophilic, hydrophilic and strong fibrinolytic activity. Subtilisin DFE was demonstrated to be homogeneous by SDS-PAGE and isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and has molecular mass of 28000 Da and a pI of 8.0. The optimal reaction pH value and temperature were 9.0 and 48 degrees C, respectively. Subtilisin DFE not only hydrolyzed fibrin but also several synthetic substrates, particularly Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA, and phenylmethylsulfony fluoride can completely inhibit its fibrinolytic activity. These results indicated that subtilisin DFE is a subtilisin-family serine protease, similar to nattokinase from Bacillus natto. The first 24 amino acid residues of the N-terminal sequence of subtilisin DFE were AQSVPYGVSQIKAPALHSQGFTGS, which is identical to that of subtilisin K-54, and different from that of NK and CK. Results from subtilisin DFE gene sequence analysis showed that subtilisin DFE is a novel fibrinolytic enzyme.     

Purification and characterization of wall-localized cellulase from maize coleoptiles

Wall-localized cellulase was partially purified from freeze-dried maize coleoptiles by a combination of DEAE-Sepharose, Superdex-200 gel filtration and Hydroxyapatite column chromatography. Activity was measured by both reducing sugar assay and dot assay on agarose gel containing carboxymethylcellulose(CMC). In situ activity staining on a nondenaturing gel overlaid on agarose gel containing CMC turned out to be a quite reliable method to detect cellulase activity. The molecular mass of partially-purified cellulase was determined to be about 53 kD based on SDS-PAGE, and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this cellulase was NH₂-AGAKGANXLGGLXRA. The enzyme hydrolyzed CMC with an optimal pH of 4.5 and optimal temperature of 40°C. It also catalyzed carboxymethylcellulose with aK _m of 2.02 mg/mL and aV _max of 160 ng/h/mL The β-1,4-glucosyl linkages of CMC, fibrous cellulose and lichenan were cleaved specifically by this enzyme. Reducing reagents such as cysteine-HCI, dithiothreitol and glutathione strongly enhanced the activity, suggesting that SH-groups of the enzyme were protected from oxidation. N-ethylmaleimide which is a sulfhydryl-reacting reagent did not seem to inhibit the activity, indicating that cysteine residues were not located near the active site of the enzyme. These results will be valuable in understanding the structure of wall-localized cellulase in maize coleoptiles and in predicting its possible function in the cell wall.     

Nucleotide sequence of a cellulase gene of Bacillus subtilis

The nucleotide sequence of an endolytic cellulase gene of Bacillus subtilis was determined and compared with the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme. The mature protein appeared to be extended by a signal sequence of 36 amino acids. The putative AUG initiation codon was preceded by a sigma 43-type promoter of B. subtilis and an AAGGAGG sequence, typical of procaryotic ribosomal binding sites. Partial homology of amino acid sequences was found between B. subtilis cellulase and an alkalophilic Bacillus cellulase.     

The role of Bacillus species in the fermentation of cassava

Cassava dough inoculum is added to grated cassava in order to achieve a modification of texture during fermentation into the fermented cassava meal, agbelima. The microflora of two different types of inocula and subsequently inoculated cassava mash at 0, 24 and 48 h of fermentation were examined in order to determine the mechanism responsible for the breakdown of cassava tissue. Bacillus spp. occurred in high numbers, 10₇–10₈ cfu g_-1, in both types of inocula and persisted throughout the cassava dough fermentation. Bacillus spp. found were B. subtilis , B. mycoides , B. pumilus , B. cereus , B. amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis , with B. subtilis accounting for more than half of Bacillus isolates. All Bacillus isolates produced a wide spectrum of enzymes and showed similar enzymatic activities but only B. pumilus , B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens produced linamarase. Some isolates produced the tissue degrading enzymes polygalacturonase and pectin esterase and nearly all isolates hydrolysed starch. All isolates showed cellulase activity and were able to disintegrate cassava tissue. When cassava pieces were incubated in amylase, cellulase, pectin esterase and polygalacturonase solutions, only pieces in cellulase solution were dissolved revealing that the breakdown of cassava dough texture during fermentation with the inocula examined is brought about by Bacillus spp. through cellulase activity.     

Phytase activity in some groups of bacteria. Search for and cloning of genes for bacterial phytases

A search for phytase genes in 9 Bacillus strains from the collection of IMGAN was implemented. The growth optimum of strains IX-22, IX-12B, K17-2, K18, IMG I, IMG II, M4 and M8 was 50-60 degrees C; the optimal growth temperature for Bacillus sp. 790 was 45-47 degrees C. According to the sequence data of 16S RNA genes, Bacillus sp. 790 belongs to the B. subtilis/amyloliquefaciens group. The other 8 strains were identified as B. licheniformis. Selection of Bacillus strains, potentially containing the phytase genes, was performed via PCR with primers designed on the basis of the conserved sequence regions of the phyA gene from B. amyloliquefaciens FZB45 with chromosomal DNA being used as the template. The nucleotide sequences of all PCR fragments showed a high level of homology to the known Bacillus phytase genes. The gene libraries of B. licheniformis M8 and B. amyloliquefaciens 790 in E. coli were constructed and phytase-containing clones were selected from them. Twenty-four Pseudomonas strains of different species, 5 Xanthomonas maltophilia strains and 1 Xanthomonas malvacearum (all from the mentioned collection) were tested for phytase activity. Such activity was found in 13 Pseudomonas strains and in 6 Xanthomonas strains. The accumulation of phytase in Pseudomonas was shown to take place at later (over 2 days') growth stages. The optimum pH for phytase from 3 Pseudomonas strains were established. The enzymes were found to be most active at pH 5.5.     

Augmented cellulase production by Bacillus subtilis strain MU S1 using different statistical experimental designs

The production of cellulase by Bacillus subtilis MU S1, a strain isolated from Eravikulam National Park, was optimized using one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and statistical methods. Physical parameters like incubation temperature and agitation speed were optimized using OFAT and found to be 40?°C and 150?rpm, respectively, whereas, medium was optimized by statistical tools. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was employed to screen the significant variables that highly influence cellulase production. The design showed carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), yeast extract, NaCl, pH, MgSO₄ and NaNO₃ as the most significant components that affect cellulase production. Among these CMC, yeast extract, NaCl and pH showed positive effect whereas MgSO₄ and NaNO₃ were found to be significant at their lower levels. The optimum levels of the components that positively affect enzyme production were determined using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Three factors namely CMC, yeast extract and NaCl were studied at five levels whilst pH of the medium was kept constant at 7. The optimal levels of the components were CMC (13.46?g/l), yeast extract (8.38?g/l) and NaCl (6.31?g/l) at pH 7. The maximum cellulase activity in optimized medium was 566.66?U/ml which was close to the predicted activity of 541.05?U/ml. Optimization of physical parameters and medium components showed an overall 3.2-fold increase in activity compared to unoptimized condition (179.06?U/ml).     

Purification, characterization, cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a cellulase from the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris.

A cellulase (endo-beta-1,4-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.4) was purified from the gut of larvae of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris by acetone precipitation and elution from gels after native PAGE and SDS/PAGE with activity staining. The purified protein formed a single band, and the molecular mass was estimated to be 47 kDa. The purified cellulase degraded carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), insoluble cello-oligosaccharide (average degree of polymerization 34) and soluble cello-oligosaccharides longer than cellotriose, but not crystalline cellulose or cellobiose. The specific activity of the cellulase against CMC was 150 micro mol.min-1.(mg protein)-1. TLC analysis showed that the cellulase produces cellotriose and cellobiose from insoluble cello-oligosaccharides. However, a glucose assay linked with glucose oxidase detected a small amount of glucose, with a productivity of 0.072 micro mol.min-1.(mg protein)-1. The optimal pH of P. hilaris cellulase was 5.5, close to the pH in the midgut of P. hilaris larvae. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the purified P. hilaris cellulase was determined and a degenerate primer designed, which enabled a 975-bp cDNA clone containing a typical polyadenylation signal to be obtained by PCR and sequencing. The deduced amino-acid sequence of P. hilaris cellulase showed high homology to members of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 subfamily 2, and, in addition, a signature sequence for family 5 was found. Thus, this is the first report of a family 5 cellulase from arthropods.     

Enzymatic evaluation of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens phytase as a feed additive

Phytases from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DS11 and Aspergillus ficuum for feed enzyme were compared on the basis of phosphate inhibition and thermal stabilities. The apparent half-life of the former enzyme at 80 °C was 42 min. The activity of B. amyloliquefaciens phytase was retained up to 5 mM phosphate while 3 mM phosphate inhibited 50% of the original activity in case of A. ficuum phytase. Addition of 5 mM CaCl₂ significantly broadened the active pH range and also increased the pH stability of DS11 phytase.