EGVI Endoglucanase and Nucleic Acids Encoding the Same

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel endoglucanase nucleic acid sequence, designated egl6, and the corresponding EGVI amino acid sequence. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding EGVI, recombinant EGVI proteins and methods for producing the same.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An enzymatic composition comprising: a EGVI polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, a beta-glucosidase (BG), and a cellobiohydrolase (CBH), wherein the EGVI polypeptide is from a different species than the BG and/or the CBH. 
     
     
         38 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 37 , wherein the EGVI polypeptide is from  Trichoderma reesei  and the BG is from a species other than  Trichoderma reesei.    
     
     
         39 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 38 , wherein the BG is selected from the group consisting of: BG1 and BG2 endoglucanase. 
     
     
         40 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 37  further comprising an additional endoglucanase (EG) selected from the group consisting of: EGI, EGII, EGIII, EGIV, and EGV endoglucanase. 
     
     
         41 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 40 , wherein the EGVI is from  Trichoderma reesei  and the additional EG is from a species other than  Trichoderma reesei.    
     
     
         42 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 41 , wherein the additional EG is an EGIV endoglucanase. 
     
     
         43 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 37 , wherein the EGVI polypeptide is from  Trichoderma reesei  and the CBH is from a species other than  Trichoderma reesei.    
     
     
         44 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 43 , wherein the endoglucanase is selected from the group consisting of: CBHI and CBHII cellobiohydrolase. 
     
     
         45 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 37 , wherein the enzymatic composition is a fermentation culture derived from a recombinant host cell. 
     
     
         46 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 45 , wherein the recombinant host cell is a filamentous fungi or yeast cell. 
     
     
         47 . The enzymatic composition of  claim 46 , wherein the recombinant host cell is a filamentous fungi selected from the group consisting of:  Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma longibrachiatum, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma koningii; Penicillium  sp.,  Humicola  sp.,  Aspergillus  sp.,  Chrysosporium  sp.,  Fusarium  sp.,  Hypocrea  sp., and  Emericella  sp. 
     
     
         48 . A method of producing ethanol comprising:
 a) contacting a biomass composition with the enzymatic composition of  claim 37  to yield a sugar solution;   b) adding to the sugar solution a fermentative microorganism; and   c) culturing the fermentative microorganism under conditions sufficient to produce ethanol.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising pretreating the biomass composition prior to the contacting step (a). 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the pretreating comprises contacting the biomass composition with dilute acid. 
     
     
         51 . A method of producing ethanol, said method comprising:
 a) contacting a biomass composition with the enzymatic composition of  claim 37  and a fermentative microorganism; and   b) culturing the fermentative microorganism under conditions sufficient to produce ethanol.   
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising pretreating the biomass composition prior to the contacting step (a). 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the pretreating comprises contacting the biomass composition with dilute acid.