Cloning, Sequencing, and Expression of an Endoglucanase Gene from the Rumen Anaerobic Fungus Neocallimastix frontalis MCH3

Abstract

  A cDNA clone encoding an endo-1,4-β-glucanase from a rumen fungus, Neocallimastix frontalis MCH3, was isolated. The nucleotide sequence showed that the gene, celA, encoded a multidomain enzyme containing a family 5 catalytic domain and a reiterated sequence that is involved in the association of a multienzyme complex, the cellulosome. The enzyme expressed in Escherichia coli showed the highest activity against carboxymethylcellulose at 40°C and pH 8.5.