Summary
The Clostridium thermocellum cellulase genes celA and celC encoding endoglucanase A and C were subcloned in a temperature-regulated Escherichia coli expression vector containing the leftward promoterpl of bacteriophage lambda. The level of gene expression was controlled by thermal inactivation of the heat-sensitive lambda cI857 repressor. Under optimal conditions the recombinant endoglucanases A and C were expressed to a level of 10–15% of total cellular protein. Endoglucanase A was partially exported into the periplasmic space, whereas endoglucanase C was found sequestered within the cytoplasm. Overexpression of the celA gene resulted in decreased cell viability concomitant with the accumulation of endoglucanase A in the membrane fraction. In contrast, high-level synthesis of the celC gene product was well tolerated by the host cell. Overproduced endoglucanase C accumulated as a soluble enzyme without detectable formation of inactive inclusion bodies.
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Schwarz, W.H., Schimming, S. & Staudenbauer, W.L. High-level expression of Clostridium thermocellum cellulase genes in Escherichia coli . Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 27, 50–56 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257253
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00257253