Genetic constructs and genetically modified microbes for enhanced production of beta-glucosidase
US6015703A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 10, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N2799/021
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to the genetic modification of a microbe to enhance its production of an enzyme, beta-glucosidase, that is important in the cellulose conversion process. The inventors have discovered genetic constructs that, when expressed in recombinant microbes, dramatically increase the amount of beta-glucosidase produced relative to untransformed microbes. The genetic constructs comprise a promoter, a xylanase secretion signal, and a mature beta-glucosidase coding region. The increased level of beta-glucosidase significantly increases the efficiency of hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose by cellulase enzymes, thereby enhancing the production of fuel ethanol from cellulose.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.