EGVII Endoglucanase and Nucleic Acids Encoding the Same

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel endoglucanase nucleic acid sequence, designated egl7, and the corresponding EGVII amino acid sequence. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding EGVII, recombinant EGVII proteins and methods for producing the same.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A recombinant host cell comprising a deletion or insertion or other alteration in the egl7 gene which inactivates the gene and prevents EGVII polypeptide production. 
     
     
         23 . An antisense oligonucleotide complementary to a messenger RNA that encodes an EGVII polypeptide having the sequence presented as SEQ ID NO:2, wherein upon exposure to a endoglucanase-producing host cell, said oligonucleotide decreases or inhibits the production of endoglucanase by said host cell. 
     
     
         24 . The antisense oligonucleotide of  claim 23 , wherein the host cell is a filamentous fungus. 
     
     
         25 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The recombinant host cell of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one gene encoding a cellobiohydrolase. 
     
     
         38 . The recombinant host cell of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one gene encoding a different endoglucanase as the enzyme of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         39 . The recombinant host cell of  claim 22 , which is a filamentous fungal cell. 
     
     
         40 . The filamentous fungal cell of  claim 39 , which is a  Trichoderma  cell. 
     
     
         41 . A composition produced by cultivating the recombinant host cell of  claim 22  under suitable fermentation conditions to produce proteins. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 40  comprising at least a cellobiohydrolase and/or a different endoglucanase as EGVII. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42 , comprising an endoglucanase that is heterologous to the enzyme of SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 41 , further comprising a surfactant. 
     
     
         45 . A method of applying the composition of  claim 44  for cleaning. 
     
     
         46 . A method of hydrolyzing a lignocellulosic biomass substrate using the composition of  claim 42 . 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the lignocellulosic biomass substrate is pretreated.