Exploring the Properties of Thermostable Clostridium thermocellum Cellulase CelE for the Purpose of Its Expression in Plants

R. M. Abdeev^*, I. V. Goldenkova, K. A. Musiychuk, and E. S. Piruzian

Vavilov Institute of General Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Gubkina 3, Moscow, 119991 Russia; fax: (095) 132-8962; E-mail: roustam@vigg.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received January 25, 2001; Revision received April 4, 2001

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The main properties (pH and temperature range, stability, substrate specificity) of the modified cellulaseCelE (endo-beta-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 beta-1,4-glucanase CelEM1, when expressed in plants, will be a good model to study the role of cellulases in plants.

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KEY WORDS: thermostable cellulase (beta-1,4-glucanase), Clostridium thermocellum, plant cellulases

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