Cloning and expression of cellulase gene from a strain of cellulose degrading actinomycete

Abstract:

[Background] Cellulose is abundant in the nature, but difficult for natural cellulase to degrade, which is a barrier to the extensive application of cellulose resources. In recent years, the degradation of cellulose by microorganisms has become a hot research topic. [Objective] A strain of actinomycete Lb1 with cellulose degradation ability was screened and isolated. The key cellulase producing gene 5676 was determined by whole genome sequencing, and the gene 5676 was cloned and transformed to be expressed in Escherichia coli. [Methods] The cellulose producing gene was connected to the expression plasmid and transferred into the expression strain by genetic engineering technology to investigate its ability to degrade cellulose. [Results] 16S rRNA gene of the strain Lb1 was sequenced, which was determined that the strain Lb1 belonged to genus Streptomyces and was named Streptomyces sp. Lb1. The expression vector of cellulose producing gene was successfully constructed, and the expression strain Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) was introduced, and its cellulase production capacity was higher than that of the wild-type strain. [Conclusion] Cellulase gene was successfully cloned and produced by genetic engineering technology to express cellulase, providing reference for large-scale application of microorganisms to degrade cellulose in future.