Methods and compositions for degrading pectin

Abstract

The present invention provides enriched polynucleotides, and enriched polypeptides having pectinase activity. The present invention also includes methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides described herein. For instance, the methods include producing a metabolic product, such as ethanol.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . An isolated polypeptide having pectinase activity, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence, wherein the amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 have at least 80% identity. 
     
     
         36 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 35  wherein the isolated polypeptide is expressed by a genetically modified microbe. 
     
     
         37 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 36  wherein the microbe is a gram-negative microbe or a fungus. 
     
     
         38 . The isolated polypeptide of  claim 36  wherein the microbe is  E. coli  or  S. cerevisiae.    
     
     
         39 . A composition comprising an enriched polypeptide having pectinase activity, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence, wherein the amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 have at least 80% identity. 
     
     
         40 . A method for degrading pectin comprising:
 contacting a composition comprising pectin with a polypeptide having pectinase activity under conditions suitable for the degradation of the pectin, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence, wherein the amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 have at least 80% identity, and wherein the pectin is degraded.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising contacting the degraded pectin with a polypeptide having oligogalacturonate activity. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the polypeptide is expressed by a genetically modified microbe, and wherein the contacting comprises contacting the pectin with the genetically modified microbe. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  wherein the genetically modified microbe expresses an exogenous polypeptide having oligogalacturonate activity. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42  wherein the genetically modified microbe produces ethanol. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the composition comprises a lignocellulosic material. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the lignocellulose material is obtained from a fruit or a vegetable. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 42  wherein the microbe is a gram-negative microbe or a fungus. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47  wherein the microbe is  E. coli  or  S. cerevisiae.    
     
     
         49 . A method for producing a metabolic product comprising:
 contacting a composition comprising pectin with a genetically modified microbe under conditions suitable for the degradation of the pectin, wherein the genetically modified microbe comprises a polypeptide having pectinase activity, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence, wherein the amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:4 have at least 80% identity, and wherein the genetically modified microbe produces a metabolic product.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49  wherein the metabolic product is ethanol. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49  further comprising contacting the composition with a polypeptide having oligogalacturonate activity. 
     
     
         52 . A method for producing a metabolic product comprising:
 contacting a composition comprising pectin with a genetically modified microbe under conditions suitable for the degradation of the pectin, wherein the genetically modified microbe comprises an exogenous polypeptide having pectinase activity and an exogenous polypeptide having oligogalacturonate activity, and wherein the genetically modified microbe produces a metabolic product.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the metabolic product is ethanol. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52  wherein the microbe is a gram-negative microbe or a fungus.