Thermocellulases for lignocellulosic degradation

Abstract

Thermostable cellulase enzyme systems comprising at least one each of a thermostable endoglucanase, an exo-processive-endoglucanase, and a β-glucosidase carry out the complete, coordinated hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose to monomeric glucose.

1 - 5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method of hydrolyzing cellulose, comprising the steps of
 contacting said cellulose with one or more recombinant cellulase enzymes with an amino acid sequence represented by an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ. ID NO: 30 and SEQ ID NO: 32; and   activating said one or more recombinant cellulase enzymes by the application of heat.   
     
     
         7 . A method of hydrolyzing cellulose to produce glucose, comprising the step of
 heating said cellulose to a temperature in the range of 70° C. to 100° C. in the presence of one or more recombinant cellulase enzymes, wherein said one or more recombinant cellulase enzymes includes:   at least one recombinant endoglucanase selected from the group consisting of Termocel 3, Termocel4, Termocel 5, Termocel 6, Termocel 9 and Termocel 10;   at least one recombinant exoprocessive-endoglucanase selected from the group consisting of Termocel 1 and Termocel 2; and,   at least one recombinant beta-glucosidase selected from the group consisting of Termocel 7 and Termocel 8.   
     
     
         8 . A method of fermenting glucose to produce ethanol, comprising the steps of providing a source of cellulose;
 heating said cellulose to a temperature in the range of 80° C. to 100° C. in the presence of at least one recombinant endoglucanase enzyme selected from the group consisting of Termocel 3, Termocel4, Termocel 5, Termocel 6, Termocel 9 and Termocel 10;   at least one recombinant exoprocessive-endoglucanase enzyme selected from the group consisting of Termocel 1 and Termocel 2; and   at least one recombinant beta-glucosidase enzyme selected from the group consisting of Termocel 7 and Termocel 8;   wherein said step of heating is carried out under conditions whereby at least a portion of said cellulose is hydrolyzed to glucose; and   fermenting said glucose to produce ethanol.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said step of fermenting is catalyzed by one or more yeasts. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled)