Exploring the properties of thermostable Clostridium thermocellum cellulase CelE for the purpose of its expression in plants

The main properties (pH and temperature range, stability, substrate specificity) of the modified cellulase CelE (endo--1,4-glucanase) from Clostridium thermocellum have been analyzed with the goal of its expression in plants. The modified enzyme is similar to plant cellulases. Deletions in the N-terminus of the enzyme do not affect its biochemical properties. Based on the present investigation, we conclude that the modified -1,4-glucanase CelEM1, when expressed in plants, will be a good model to study the role of cellulases in plants.