title: Identification of cellulase genes from the metagenomes of compost soils and functional characterization of one novel endoglucanase.
abstract: Metagenomics, a new research field developed over the past decade, aims to identify potential enzymes from nonculturable microbes. In this study, genes encoding three glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 9 endoglucanases and one GHF 5 endoglucanase were cloned and identified from the metagenome of the compost soils. The shared identities between the predicted amino acid sequences of these genes and their closest homologues in the database were less than 70%. One GHF 9 endoglucanase, Umcel9B, was further characterized. The recombinant protein, Umcel9B, showed activity against carboxymethyl cellulose, indicating that Umcel9B is an endoactive enzyme. Enzymatic activity occurs optimally at a pH of 7.0 and a temperature of 25 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Guangxi Key Laboratory of Subtropical Bioresources Conservation and Utilization, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning, Guangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cheng-Jie
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Xin-Chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Mo
authors.forename: Ji-Liang
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Jia-Xun
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Feng
mesh_terms: D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002480:Cellulase / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism; D016678:Genome; D015698:Genomic Library; D023281:Genomics; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D002480:Cellulase; D002266:Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium