Molecular cloning of genes from Ruminococcus flavefaciens encoding xylanase and β(1-3,1-4)glucanase activities

Abstract

Clones expressing activity against xylan or β(1-3,1-4)glucan (lichenan) were isolated from a library of Ruminococcus flavefaciens 17 DNA made in bacteriophage λ EMBL3. Hybridization analyses indicated the recovery of four separate genes encoding xylanases that showed no detectable associated carboxylmethylcellulase activity. One of these genes was associated with clones that also expressed β(1-3,1-4)glucanase and β-xylosidase activities.