EP2401289A1 - Alteration and modulation of protein activity by varying post-translational modification - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention include methods of altering the enzymatic activity or solubility of an extremophilic enzyme or post-translationally modifying a protein of interest via using isolated or partially purified glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, extracts of cells comprising glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, and/or in cells comprising one or more glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins.

Description

ALTERATION AND MODULATION OF PROTEIN ACTIVITY BY VARYING POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION

PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Patent Application Serial No.

12/655,993, filed January 12, 2010, for "ALTERATION AND MODULATION OF PROTEIN ACTIVITY BY VARYING POST-TRANSLATIONAL MODIFICATION," which application claims priority as a contmuation-m-part under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to United States Patent Application Seπal No. 12/380,450, filed February 26, 2009, and to PCT International Patent Application Seπal No PCT/US2009/035307, filed February 26, 2009.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under Contract Numbers DE-AC07-99ID13727 and DE-AC07-05ID14517 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The government has certain πghts in the invention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of biotechnology. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to post-translational modification of proteins

BACKGROUND

It has been believed until only very recently that bacteria in general do not glycosylate their proteins.

While there have been some instances reported, these were dismissed as unusual anomalies (Borman 2006)

It is now becoming more accepted that bacteπa do glycosylate their proteins in perhaps more ways than eukaryotes do, although this belief is not yet widespread (Schaffer et al., 2001). In a recent review article, it was stated that glycosylation has been shown to assist in protein stability, modulate physical properties such as solubility, protect against proteolysis, modify activity profiles, and target for externalization (Upreti et al.,

2003) In 1994, a group purified an amylase from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus and showed that the amylase was cell-bound during active growth (Schwermann et al., 1994). As the culture entered stationary phase, the cells released an active soluble glycosylated version of the amylase into the medium (Schwermann et al , 1994). No attempt was made to compare the activities of the vaπous forms of the amylases.

DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the invention include methods of alteπng the enzymatic activity of an extremophihc enzyme or other protein via means of chemical glycosylation and/or isolated or partially puπfied glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, extracts of cells comprising glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, and/or in cells comprising one or more glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins Embodiments of the invention include methods of post-translationally modifying proteins. In some embodiments, the post-translational modification may occur using means of glycosylation (including chemical glycosylation), pegylation, phosphorylation, methylation or other forms of post-translational modification and/or be isolated or partially purified glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, extracts of cells comprising glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, and/or m cells comprising one or more glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins. Embodiments of the invention include post-translationally modified proteins including, but not limited to, SEQ ID NOS'307 (celB), 331 (an Endoglucanase C), 333 (a Peptidoglycan N-acetylglucosamme deacetylase), 335 (a Beta-galactosidase), 337 (an arabmofuranosidase), and 338 (an alpha-xylosidase). Embodiments thus include glycosylated versions of the aforementioned proteins.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an enzyme isolated from an extremophihc microbe that displays optimum enzymatic activity at a temperature of greater than about 80⁰C, and a pH of less than about 2

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a hemicellulase that was derived from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009)

Another aspect of the present invention relates to an enzyme that is useful in the degradation of complex biomolecules. Still further, another aspect of the present invention relates to an enzyme that may be useful m a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process to convert a biomass sugar into an end product.

Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a biomass that includes the steps of providing a source of a biomass having a biomass sugar, pretreatmg the biomass with a water soluble hemicellulase derived from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009) to produce an end product.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a hemicellulase that includes the steps of providing a source of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009); cultivating the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009) in a microbial nutrient medium having a supernatant; separating the cells of the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus from the nutrient medium supernatant; and recovering and purifying the hemicellulase derived from the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009) from the nutrient medium supernatant.

Moreover, another aspect of present invention relates to a method for hydrolyzmg a polysaccharide that includes the steps of providing a water soluble hemicellulase derived from a microbe, and conducting hydrolysis of a polysaccharide with the water soluble hemicellulase at a pH of less than about 2

These and other aspects of the present invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO: 1 (RAACOO 164) and ref|YP_001223775.1|, ref|YP_729290.1|, reflZP_01084440.1|, ref|ZP_01079150.1|, and ref]ZP_01471594.11 (SEQ ID NOS:3-7) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID

NO:1 m Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 2 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO: 18 (RAAC00517) and ref|ZP_00589533.1|, ref|ZP_01386435.1|, ref]YP_378533.1|, ref|ZP_00513158.1|, and reflYP_374173.1| (SEQ ID NOS-20-24) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ E) NO: 18 in Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":"

FIG. 3 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO:35 (RAAC00650) and ref|YP_001127183. l|, ref|ZP_02038504.1|, ref|YP_001647987.1|, ref|YP_001377114.1|, and ref|NP_835081.1| (SEQ E) NOS:37-41) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID

NO:35 in Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 4 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO: 52 (RAAC00991) and ref]ZP_02327412.11, refjYP_OO 1487207.11. ref|ZP_01172765.1|, ref|NP_831314.1|, and ref|NP_844008 1| (SEQ E) NOS:54-58) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ E) NO:52 in Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 5A and 5B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO:69 (RAACOl I lO) and ref|YP_001519856.1], ref|YP_711688.1|, ref|ZP_01331931.1|, ref|YP_001076955.1|, and ref|YP_336440.1| (SEQ E) NOS:71-75) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID

NO:69 in Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 6A and 6B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO: 86 (RAACOl 166) and gb| AAR99615.1|, gb|ABM68334.2|, ref|ZP_01372248.1|, ref|YP_519555.1|, and ref|ZP_02234077.1| (SEQ E) NOS:88-92) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ E) NO:86 m Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 7 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ E) NO: 103 (RAACO 1167) and ref|ZP_01515212.1|, refjYPJXH 277643.1|, ref|ZP_02291400.1|, ref|YP_001633727.1|, and ref] YPJ)01434357.11 (SEQ E) NOS: 105-109) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO: 103 m Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 8A and 8B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO: 120 (RAACOl 170) and ref|YP_001324592.1|, ref]YP_342776.1|, ref|NP_780975.1|, reflYP_001636830.1|, and reflYPJX) 1299026.11 (SEQ ID NOS:122-126) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ

ID NO: 120 in Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 9 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ED NO: 137 (RAAC01248) and reflZP_02170160.1|, ref]ZP_01171895.11, ref|YP_076646.1|, ref|YP_590910.1|, and ref|ZP_02175410.1| (SEQ ID NOS.139-143) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO: 137 m Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 1OA and 1OB depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO: 154 (RAAC01348) and refjZPJ) 1665289.11, ref|ZP_01643350.1 |, gb|AAW77167.1|, ref|YP_452722.1|, and ref]ZP_02241787.1| (SEQ ID NOS: 156-160) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO: 154 m Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 11 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:171 (RAAC01377) and ref|YP_147952 1|, ref|YP_520670.1|, ref|YP_OO 1395809.1|, ref|YP_001309701.1], and ref|YP_001643660.11 (SEQ ID NOS: 173-177) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ

ID NO: 171 m Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 12 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO: 188 (RAAC01611) and ref|YP_146214.1|, refjYPJM) 1124463 1|, ref|NP_865262.1|, ref]YP_426013 1|, and ref]ZP_01885526.1| (SEQ ID NOS: 190-194) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO: 188 in Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 13A and 13B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO.205 (RAAC01612) and ref|YP_146215.1|, ref|YP_001124464. l|, ref|YP_074948.1|, ref]YP_001039503.1|, and ref|NP_621770.1| (SEQ ID NOS:207-211) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO.205 m Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 14A and 14B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:222 (RAAC01926) and ref|YP_001038202.1|, ref]ZP_01667587.1|, ref|ZP_01575301.1|, refjYP_OO 1211020.1|, and ref|YP_516465.11 (SEQ ID NOS:224-228) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO:222 in Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ".".

FIG. 15 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:239 (RAAC01998) and ref|NP_348940.1|, ref]NP_721244.1|, dbj|BAC75700.1|, ref|ZP_00605123.1|, and reflYP_015329.1| (SEQ ID NOS:241-245) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO:239 m Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ".".

FIG. 16 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:256 (RAAC02011) and ref]YP_754819.1|, ref|YP_l 84322.1|, ref]NP_577787.1|, ref|NP_142068.1|, and ref|NP_125751.1| (SEQ ID NOS:258-262) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO:256 in Table 1 Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIGs. 17A and 17B depict a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO:273 (RAAC02381) and ref|NP_622177.1|, ref|YP_848858.1|, ref|YP_001374688.1|, ref|NP_470039.1|, and ref]ZP_01929325.1| (SEQ ID NOS:275-279) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID NO:273 in Table 1.

Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 18 depicts a sequence alignment between SEQ ID NO290 (RAAC02421) and ref|ZP_01721811.1|, ref|NP_241897.1|, ref|YP_001486101.1|, ref|ZP_01170532.1|, and ref|ZP_02327994.1| (SEQ ID NOS:292-296) respectively, which all have the function assigned to SEQ ID

NO:290 in Table 1. Ammo acids conserved among all sequences are indicted by a "*" and generally conserved ammo acids are indicated by a ":".

FIG. 19 is a graph depicting an effect of temperature on xylanase activity, as provided by the present invention. FIG. 20 is a graph depicting an effect of temperature on cellulase activity, as provided by the present invention at a pH of 4.0.

FIG. 21 is a graph depicting an effect of pH on cellulase activity of the present invention at a temperature of 60⁰C.

FIG. 22 is a graph depicting an effect of pH on xylanase activity of the present invention at a temperature of 60⁰C.

FIG. 23 is a graph depicting the xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using wheat arabmoxylan (WAX) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (black bars) or produced m E coli (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C). FIG. 24 is a graph depicting cellulase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius (black bars) or produced in E. coli (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C).

FIG. 25 is a graph depicting a ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined from FIGs. 23 and 24 at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (black bars) or produced m E. coli (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C). The tops of the bars at pH 5.5 for the enzyme produced m E. coli are left open to indicate that the ratio was greater than 10.

FIG. 26 is a graph depicting xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using wheat arabmoxylan (WAX) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced m Pichia pastoris (black bars) or produced m E coli (white bars).

FIG. 27 is a graph depicting cellulase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced in Pichia pastoris (black bars) or produced m E coli (white bars). FIG. 28 is a graph depicting a ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined from FIGs. 26 and 27 at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced in Pichia pastoris (black bars) or produced m E. coli (white bars). The tops of the bars at pH 5.5 for the enzyme produced in E. coli are left open to indicate that the ratio was greater than 10.

FIG. 29 is a graph depicting xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using wheat arabmoxylan (WAX) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (black bars) or produced in Pichia pastoris (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C).

FIG. 30 is a graph depicting cellulase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (black bars) or produced in Pichia pastoris (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C).

FIG. 31 is a graph depicting a ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 as determined from FIGs. 29 and 30 at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (black bars) or produced in Pichia pastoris (white bars). There is no available data for enzyme isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5 (6O⁰C and 8O⁰C).

FIG. 32 is a graph depicting xylanase activity of SEQ ED NO:307 lacking the C-termmal 203 ammo acids as determined using wheat arabmoxylan (WAX) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced in Pichia pastoris (black bars) or produced m E, coli (white bars).

FIG. 33 is a graph depicting cellulase activity of SEQ ID NO:307 lacking the C-termmal 203 ammo acids as determined using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced in Pichia pastons (black bars) or produced m E coli with an N-termmal His tag (white bars).

FIG. 34 is a graph depicting a ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity of SEQ ED NO:307 lacking the C-terrmnal 203 ammo acids as determined from FIGs. 32 and 33 at various pH and temperature levels. The enzyme was produced in Pichia pastons (black bars) or produced in E coli (white bars).

FIG. 35 is a graph depicting a ratio of arabmofuranosidase activity of RAAC00307 (SEQ ID NO:337) produced in E. coli. Activity at 5O⁰C (diamonds), 6O⁰C (squares), 7O⁰C (triangles), 8O⁰C ("x"s), and 9O⁰C ("*"s) at various pH levels are shown. The enzyme had no activity at pH 2.

FIG. 36 is a graph depicting a ratio of beta xylosidase activity of RAAC00307 (SEQ ID NO:337) produced in E coli. Activity at 5O⁰C (diamonds), 6O⁰C (squares), 7O⁰C (triangles), 80⁰C ("x"s), and 9O⁰C ("*"s) at various pH levels are shown. The enzyme had no activity at pH 2

FIG. 37 is a graph depicting a ratio of beta xylosidase activity of RAAC00307 (SEQ ID NO:337) produced in Pichia pastons. Activity at 6O⁰C (diamonds) and 8O⁰C (squares), at various pH levels are shown.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention, as described hereinafter, relates, in part, to enzymes isolated from an extremophilic microbe that display optimum enzymatic activity at a temperature of greater than about 80⁰C, and an optimum pH of less than about 2. In further aspects of the present invention, the enzyme may be a hemicellulase and/or xylanase that was derived from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus, where the organism is further identified as ATCC 27009. The enzyme, as discussed hereinafter, appears to display enzymatic activity at a pH of about 1. Still further, this same enzyme has a molecular weight of at least about 120 kDa. In the present invention, the enzyme, as disclosed, may be useful in a simultaneous sacchaπfication and fermentation process and/or a sequential hydrolysis and fermentation process to convert a biomass sugar into an end product. Still further, the enzyme, as described herein, may be useful m the pretreatment of a biomass slurry to degrade a water-soluble or water-insoluble oligomer and/or polysaccharide that is present in the biomass slurry to produce an end product.

As used hereinafter, the term "extremophilic microbe" means an organism that can live and thrive under conditions that humans would consider extreme, such as boiling water, ice, battery acid or at the bottom of the ocean. Examples of such microbes include, but are not limited to, Pyrolobus fumani that grows at temperatures up to 235°F (113°C), Psychrobacter cryopegella that survives at temperatures of

-20⁰C (-4⁰F), Deinococcus radiodurans that can survive in a nuclear reactor, Photobacterium profundum that thrives at pressures 300 times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, and Picrophilus torndus that lives at a pH of 0, the same as battery acid. Environments in which these microbes can be found include boiling hot springs, deep ocean thermal vents, glaciers, salt flats, and nuclear reactors. The microbes used m the present invention can be obtained from natural and artificial sources or commercially from culture depositories. In the present invention, the cultivation is preferably conducted at temperatures above 40⁰C and a pH below about 5, and more preferably above 50⁰C and below a pH of 4, and most preferably above 55°C and below a pH of 3.5, and under anaerobic, aerobic, and/or micro-aerophihc conditions. While the cultivation period varies depending upon the pH, temperature and nutrient medium used, a period of 12 hours to several days will generally give favorable results. As used herein, Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus is defined as a microorganism that can be obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas, Virginia, and that is identified as Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009)

As used hereinafter, the phrase "enzymatic activity" means the reaction an enzyme causes to occur. Enzymes are proteins produced by all living organisms that mediate, cause and/or promote reactions that change a chemical into another type of chemical without themselves being altered or destroyed. In the context of the present application, the word "optimum," when used in combination with the teπn "enzymatic activity," means the most favorable conditions that allow the enzyme to work the best and the fastest for a given end result. The optimum enzymatic activity may be affected by conditions that include temperature, pH, and salt concentrations

As used hereinafter, the word "xylanase" means an enzyme that breaks apart hemicellulose by breaking the chemical bonds between the xylose sugars that make up the backbone of the hemicellulose molecule, or by breaking bonds between xylose sugars m the hemicellulose side chains.

The word "polysaccharide" as used hereinafter shall mean a chain of sugars (can be the same sugars or different sugars) that are linked together by chemical bonds Polysaccharides can consist of straight chains of these sugars with or without side chains Examples of polysaccharides include starch, pectm, cellulose, and hemicellulose.

The word "hydrolysis" in the context of this present application shall mean a chemical reaction in which water reacts with a molecule and breaks it into at least two pieces. As used hereinafter, the phrase "biomass sugar" shall mean sugars that have come from the breakdown of biomass components, such as cellulose and hemicellulose. Examples of biomass sugars include, but are not limited to, saccharides, glucose, xylose, galactose, mannose, arabmose, as well as combinations, oligomers, and/or modified or substituted forms thereof.

The phrase "simultaneous sacchaπfication and fermentation process" shall mean hereinafter a process for making a fuel or chemical such as ethanol from a biomass that may or may not have been pretreated by chemical means, and where cellulase and/or hemicellulase enzyme(s) are used to break down biomass polysaccharides into sugars (sacchaπfϊcation); and the sugars are fermented by source(s) of microorgamsm(s) into the product fuel or chemical (fermentation). These two processes occur at the same time, in the same reaction vessel (simultaneous). The phrase "end product" as used in the present application shall mean hereinafter the chemical(s) that is/are produced by a chemical or enzymatic reaction. Examples of end products contemplated by the present invention include simpler saccharides and sugars (e.g., monomers, dimers, tπmers, oligomers, etc.), alcohols, fuels, and/or other products of an enzymatic reaction.

The word "biomass" m the context of the present invention shall mean plant and other lignocellulosic material such as corn stalks, wheat straw, and wood by-products, such as sawdust and the like.

The phrase "pretreatment of a biomass slurry" shall mean, m the context of the present application, the preparation of a biomass for its subsequent conversion to fuels, such as ethanol. This pretreatment includes the steps of grinding the biomass to a powder or small particles, and adding water (this constitutes a slurry). This slurry is then treated by a number of methods designed to partially or completely remove the hgnm from the biomass, and convert the hemicellulose and cellulose into a form that can be more easily degraded into their component sugars using enzymes such as cellulases and hemicellulases. Some pretreatments degrade hemicellulose to its component sugars while leaving the cellulose as part of the solid residue. This treatment step is called a "pretreatment" because it occurs before both the enzymatic degradation step and before the fermentation step that converts the sugars into ethanol.

The phrase "water-soluble" in the context of the present invention shall mean a chemical or other substance that can be dissolved completely in water without leaving any solid residue.

The word "hemicellulose" in the context of the present invention means one component of a plant (the other two being cellulose and hgnm), that is made of a linear chain of sugars such as xylose, or mannose that are connected by a chemical bond. This linear chain also has branches consisting of sugars and other chemicals along the chain.

The word "hemicellulase" in the context of the present invention means a class of enzymes that can break hemicellulose into its component sugars and other chemical monomers Examples of hemicellulases include, but are not limited to, xylanases, mannanases, glucuronidases, and arabmofuranosidases.

The phrase "sequential hydrolysis and fermentation process" in the context of the present invention shall mean a process for making a fuel or chemical from the biomass, such as ethanol, and where the biomass is treated physically or with a reactive chemical or solvent, or mixtures thereof, to remove the hgnm, and to convert the cellulose and hemicellulose present in the biomass into their component sugars or into a form that can be more easily degraded into their component sugars using enzymes such as cellulases and hemicellulases. Examples of these include grinding, milling, acids, alkalis, organosolvents, and the like. These treatments can be performed at temperatures ranging from ambient to 300⁰C or more, and at pressures ranging from ambient to 2000 psig or more. The sugars, which are dissolved m water, are then cooled, and the pH adjusted to neutral, and then subsequently fermented by microorganisms of various types into a product fuel(s) or chemical(s) (fermentation). These two processes occur in separate reaction vessels with the hydrolysis step conducted first, and the fermentation step conducted second (e.g., sequential).

The phrase "cultivating Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarms" in the context of the present invention shall mean providing the aforementioned microbe with a food source (soluble or insoluble lignocellulose or other source of polysaccharides or sugars) and various vitamins and minerals dissolved in water (this constitutes the nutrient medium), and giving the microbe the proper conditions that allow it to grow (a temperature of 14O⁰F (6O⁰C), a pH of 3.5, and oxygen).

The phrase "separating the cells of the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarms" in the context of the present invention shall include means for removing the bacterial cells from the nutrient medium by, for example, centnfugation.

The phrase "recovering and purifying the hemicellulase" m the context of the present invention shall mean separating the hemicellulase enzyme from the nutrient medium. In the present invention, a process called cation exchange was used to separate hemicellulase from the nutrient medium. In this regard, the nutrient medium (with hemicellulase) was pumped through the cation exchange material. When brought into contact with the cation exchange material, the hemicellulase will attach itself to the cation exchange material, but the nutrient medium will pass through. The hemicellulase enzyme is then removed from the cation exchange material and is purified.

The phrase "microbial nutrient medium" in the context of the present application means a food source for the microbe {Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarms) and vitamins and minerals, all dissolved in water and adjusted to the pH needed by the microbe to grow. More specifically, the microbial nutrient medium includes about 1 gram per liter of Xylan; about 10 mM NH₄Cl; about 5.2 mM K₂HPO₄; about 0.8 mM

MgSO₄-7 H₂O; about 1.74 mM Na₂SO₄; about 25 mg per liter MgCl₂; about 6.6 mg per liter of CaCl₂; about 2.0 mg per liter MnSO₄; about 0.5 mg per liter ZnSO₄; about 0.5 mg per liter of boric acid; about 5 mg per liter Of FeCl₃; about 0.15 mg per liter Of CuSO₄; about 0.025 mg per liter Of NaMoO₄; about 0.05 mg per liter of CoNO₃; about 0.02 mg per liter of NiCl₂; about 0.08 mg per liter of pyπdoxine hydrochloride; about 0.01 mg per liter of folic acid; about 0.1 mg per liter of thiamine hydrochloride; about 0.04 mg per liter of riboflavin; about 0.08 mg per liter of nicotinamide; about 0.08 mg per liter of p-ammobenzoate; about 0.01 mg per liter of biotin; about 0.0004 mg per liter cyanocobalamin; about 0.08 mg per liter D-pantothenic acid-Ca; about 0.02 mg per liter of myo-mositol; about 0.05 mg per liter of choline bromide; about 0.02 mg per liter of monosodium orotic acid; and about 0.1 mg per liter spermidine, wherein the resulting nutrient medium is adjusted to a pH of about 3.5.

The word "supernatant" in the context of the present application shall mean the nutrient medium that is leftover after the bacterial cells are substantially removed from same.

The inventors have isolated and characterized temperature and acid stable endoglucanase and/or xylanases that demonstrate activity at elevated temperatures, and low pH, and that show stability when incubated under these conditions for extended peπods of time. The inventors recognize that heat and acid stable hemicellulases and cellulases, as described hereinafter, have particular value m, or as an accessory to, processes that would lead, on the one hand, to the reduction m the severity of pretreatment processes, earlier described, and/or the elimination of these limitations in various processes. In this regard, the inventors screened numerous organisms from Yellowstone National Park and various culture collections for microbes that had the ability to produce enzymes that were stable at both high temperature, and low pH In this regard, water and sediment samples were collected from six springs m the Norris Geyser Basm of Yellowstone National Park. These samples were inoculated into a liquid mineral salt medium having a pH 3.5, and further containing either 0.5 grams per liter of oat spelt xylan, or 0.5 grams per liter of ground corn cobs. The subsequent cultures were incubated at 80⁰C and were observed daily for growth, both visually and microscopically. Still further, a search of the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen Und Zellkulturen (DSMZ) yielded four possible heterotrophic organisms whose optimal temperatures, and pH, for growth, were greater than about 60⁰C, and less than about a pH of 4. These several organisms were grown in the media recommended by ATCC or DSMZ with a carbon source replaced by either oat spelt xylan, or ground corn cobs, as described above. These cultures where then later incubated at their optimum growth temperature and a pH of 3.5. Subsequent microbial growth was assessed visually by the appearance of turbidity.

In this investigation, hemicellulase and/or cellulase activities were presumptively assumed present if growth occurred in the presence of xylan. Cultures where growth occurred were harvested after approximately three days incubation. Cells were removed from the culture by centπfugation. The culture supernatant was concentrated at about 1000-2000 fold using an AMICON® ultrafiltration cell with a 10000 MWCO membrane. The subsequent supernatant concentrate was then tested for hemicellulase and cellulase activity using arsenomolybdate reducing sugar acid assay (previously described by Somogyi (1952), J. Biol. Chem. 195:19-23) with wheat arabmoxylan (commercially secured from Megazyme), or carboxymethylcellulose (secured from Sigma-Aldπch). These were used as substrates for the hemicellulase and cellulase activities, respectively. Standard conditions for the assays were set at 60⁰C, and a pH of about 3.5. As will be seen by reference to the drawings, the hemicellulase and cellulase activities were measured at temperatures up to about 90⁰C to determine the optimum temperature for enzymatic activity. The reducing sugar assay referenced above was modified by changing the incubation temperature of the supernatant concentrate with the substrate. Similarly, the enzyme activities were measured at a pH ranging from 1 to about 8 to determine the optimum pH for the enzyme activity. For these studies, the reducing sugar assay was modified by preparing the assay components in the appropriate pH buffer (pH 1-2, 50 mM sodium maleate or 50 mM glycine; pH 2-6, 50 mM sodium acetate; pH 6-8, 50 mM sodium phosphate; and pH 8-9, 50 mM Tπs).

In addition to the foregoing, stabilities of the hemicellulases and cellulases as a function of temperature and pH were examined by incubating the supernatant concentrate at a temperature of about 70⁰C, and a pH of 2.0. In this regard, a layer of mineral oil was placed over the concentrate to limit evaporation during this exam. Samples were periodically collected and assayed for hemicellulase and cellulase activity at the standard assayed conditions earlier described With respect to the hemicellulase and cellulase reaction kinetics, these were determined using the reducing sugar assay with varying amounts of wheat arabmoxylan or carboxymethylcellulose The reaction kinetics were determined at 60⁰C and a pH of 3.5 Michaelis-Menten parameters Vmax and Km were calculated by nonlinear analysis using ENZYME KINETICS PRO™ that is available through SynexChem. After the process noted above, the inventors identified Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009) for further examination.

Subsequently, a crude enzyme preparation was made by concentrating the cell free culture material A subsequent SDS-page gel showed five major bands and several minor bands. The subsequently calculated masses of these bands were consistent with other reported xylanases and cellulases. As seen m FIGS 19, 20, 21, and 22, the inventors discovered that the enzyme isolated from the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, which is identified herein as ATCC 27009, had an optimum temperature for enzymatic activity (xylanase and cellulase) at about 80⁰C. As seen in FIG. 19, the relative enzymatic activity is contrasted agamst the enzymatic activity that is provided by a similar enzyme that is isolated from another similar microbe T lanuginosus. Further, it was found that the isolated endoglucanase and/or xylanase exhibited enzymatic activity at a pH as low as 1, with an optimum pH of 2, while the optimum pH for the cellulase activity was at a pH of about 4, although it did show some activity at a pH as low as 2. FIG 22 shows the xylanase activity as a function of pH as described above To the best knowledge of the inventors, the lowest optimum hemicellulase pH previously reported was m the reference to Collins (2005, FEMS, Micro Review, 29(l):3-23). It is conceivable that the present water soluble endoglucanase and/or xylanase enzyme that has been isolated perhaps has activity at a pH lower than 1 , however, presently, the reducing sugar assay reagents were unstable below a pH of 1. Further investigation revealed that the newly isolated hemicellulase and cellulase activities showed no decrease in activity when incubated at 70⁰C and a pH of 2. The aforementioned investigation lead the inventors to conclude that the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009) is capable of growth on a xylan substrate, and further produces extracellular hemicellulase and cellulase activity, which are both water-soluble and display significant hemicellulase activity at a pH of about 2, and which further has a molecular weight of at least about 120 kDa. Again, see FIG 22 The prior art discloses that an acid stable xylanase has been purified and characterized from

Aspergillus kawachu that has a pH optimum of 2.0 and a temperature optimum between 50⁰C to 6O⁰C. (Purification and Properties of Acid Stable Xylanases from Aspergillus kawachu, K Ito, H Ogasawara, T. Sugomoto, and T. Ishikawa, Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry 56 (4).547-550, April 1992.) Additionally, several xylanases have been reported with pH optima in the range of 4 to 5, and numerous xylanases have been reported that have temperature optima up to 100⁰C. However, in the inventors' knowledge, the enzyme as described hereinafter, is the first enzyme known that has activities at such a low pH, and at such a high temperature, as claimed herein. In addition to the foregoing, the inventors are aware that a xylanase has been purified from the same organism, that is, Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009), that is reported to have xylanase activity associated with it. It is reported that this enzyme had a pH optimum of 4.0, and a temperature optimum of about 80⁰C. In this regard, a thermoacidophilic endoglucanase and/or xylanase (celB) from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009) displayed high sequence similarity to arabmofuranosidases belonging to Family 51 of glycoside hydrolases (K. Eckert and E. Schneider, European Journal of Biochemistry, 270 (17):3593-3602, September, 2003). The aforementioned cellulase precursor as described in this prior art reference is best understood by a study of SEQ ID NO:307, which is shown below:

1 MKRPWSAALA ALIALGTGAS PAWAAAHPSP KVPAGAAGRV RAADWSTPI 51 SMEIQVIHDA LTVPELAAVQ AAAQAASNLS TSQWLQWLYP NATPTTSAQS 101 QAAQAVANLF NLATYGAVST RGSNAAQILQ TLQSISPLLS PRAVGLFYQS 151 FLTEIGQSSK AILARQASSS IVGNALAQAA SLSPTISAYL RQNGLSPSDL

201 ARTWSSFETQ VDPQGAAQTA LATRICTNAL GFGAPTASAT ITVNTAARLR 251 TVPATAFGLN AAVWDSGLNS QTVISEVQAL HPALIRWPGG SISDVYNWET

301 NTRNDGGYVN PNDTFDNFMQ FVNAVGASPI ITVNYGTGTP QLAADWVKYA 351 DVTHHDNVLY WEIGNEIYGN GYYNGNGWEA DDHAVPNQPQ KGNPGLSPQA

401 YAQNALQFIQ AMRAVDPNIK IGAVLTMPYN WPWGATVNGN DDWNTWLKA 451 LGPYIDFVDV HWYPETPGQE TDAGLLADTD QIPAMVAELK REINAYAGSN 501 AKNIQIFVTE TNSVSYNPGQ QSTNLPEALF LADDLAGFVQ AGAANVDWWD 551 LLNGAEDNYT SPSLYGQNLF GDYGLLSSGQ ATPKGVQEPP QYTPLPPYYG

601 FQLVSDFARP GDTLLGSASS QSDIDVHAVR EPNGDIALML VNRSPSTIYS 651 ADLNVLGVGP YAITKALVYG EGSSAVSPAL TLPTAHSVKL MPYSGVDLVL

701 HPLIPAPHAA ASVTDTLALS SPTVTAGGSE TVTASFSSDR PVRDATVΞLE 751 LYDSTGDLVA NHEMTGVDIA PGQPVSESWT FAAPAANGTY TVEAFAFDPA 801 TGATYDADTT GATITVNQPP AAKYGDIVTK NTVITVNGTT YTVPAPDASG 851 HYPSGTNISI APGDTVTIQT TFANVSSTDA LQNGLIDMEV DGQNGAIFQK 901 YWPSTTLLPG QTETVTATWQ VPSSVSAGTY PLNFQAFDTS NWTGNCYFTN 951 GGWNFWN

In some embodiments of the invention, SEQ ID NO:307 may be glycosylated. In further embodiments, SEQ ID NO: 307 may be glycosylated at least at positions 174, 193, 297, 393, and 404.

With respect to the present invention, the new enzyme that was isolated from an extremophihc microbe has an N-termmal sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:326 as shown below: DVVSTPISMEIQV.

It will be noted, that this N-termmal sequence of the present enzyme aligns/corresponds to positions 44-56 of SEQ ID NO:307.

In the present invention, an enzyme as contemplated by the present invention and that is isolated from an extremophihc microbe comprises that which is seen in SEQ ID NO:327, which is provided below:

QASSSIVGNALAQAASLSPTISAYLRQNGLSPSDLARTWSSYYCTQFDDPQGAAQTALAT RICNDQALGGGAPTASATITVNTAAR. As should be understood, this SEQ ID NO:327 aligns/corresponds to positions 166-248 of the celB sequence as seen in SEQ ID NO:307. It should be noted, that SEQ ID NO:327 includes changed amino acids at positions 207, 208, 212, 229, and 231; and added amino acids at positions 209, 213, and 230, respectively.

In the present invention, the enzyme of the present invention may be further characterized, and is best understood by a study of SEQ ID NO:328 below:

GLNAAVWDSGLNSQTVISEVQALHPALIRWPGGSISDMDYNWETNTR

As should be understood SEQ ID NO:328, aligns/corresponds to positions 258-304 of SEQ ED NO:307. It should be noted that SEQ ID NO:328 has a changed amino acid at position number 295, and an additional amino acid at position 296.

In the present invention, the enzyme as contemplated by the present invention further comprises the SEQ ED NO:329 as seen below:

EADDHAVPNQPQKGNPGLSPQAYAQNALQFMQSPVVYYR. SEQ ID NO:329 aligns/corresponds to positions 379-415 of SEQ ED NO:307. It should be understood that with respect to the earlier SEQ ID NO:307, the present SEQ ED NO:329 has changes in amino acids at positions 409, 411, and 413, respectively. Still further, additional amino acids are located at positions 412, 414, and 415, respectively.

In the prior art reference noted above to Eckert and Schneider, it is observed that work had been conducted on the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009) for purposes of determining the presence of extracellular thermoacidophilic enzymes with polysaccharide-degrading activities. The authors noted that the organism was found to utilize a variety of polysaccharides including xylan as a sole source of carbon and energy. However, the authors failed to detect xylanase activity in the culture supernatant. The authors assumed a cell-associated enzyme and succeeded in extracting cellulose degrading activity with associated xylan degrading activity from the intact cells with TRITON® X-100.

The authors observed that the cellulose degrading activity and its associated xylanase activity remained cell bound even after the culture reached the stationary phase of growth. In contrast, the enzyme isolated from the extremophilic microbe of the present invention that displays optimum enzymatic activities at temperatures equal to or greater than 80⁰C and at a pH of less than 2, is considered to be water-soluble, and further has been isolated from cell supernatant.

The present invention is also directed to a method for the preparation of a hemicellulase that includes the steps of providing a source of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009); cultivating the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009) in a microbial nutrient medium having a supernatant; separating the cells of the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius from the nutrient medium supernatant; and recovering and purifying the hemicellulase derived from the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (ATCC 27009) from the nutrient medium supernatant. The methodology, as described, produces a hemicellulase that is water-soluble and displays significant enzymatic activity at a pH of less than about 2, and at temperatures greater than about 80⁰C. In the methodology as described, the hemicellulase comprises the sequence as depicted in SEQ ED NOS:326, 327, 328, and/or 329. Still further, and in the methodology as described, the nutrient medium that is utilized further includes about 1 gram per liter of Xylan, about 10 itiM NH₄Cl, about 5.2 mM K₂HPO₄, about 0.8 mM MgSO₄-7 H₂O, about 1.74 mM Na₂SO₄, about 25 mg per liter MgCl₂, about 6.6 mg per liter of CaCl₂, about 2.0 mg per liter MnSO₄, about 0.5 mg per liter ZnSO₄, about 0.5 mg per liter of boric acid, about 5 mg per liter of FeCl₃, about 0.15 mg per liter of CuSO₄, about 0.025 mg per liter OfNaMoO₄, about 0.05 mg per liter Of CoNO₃, about 0.02 mg per liter of NiCl₂, about 0.08 mg per liter of pyridoxme hydrochloride, about 0.01 mg per liter of folic acid, about 0.1 mg per liter of thiamine hydrochloride, about 0.04 mg per liter of riboflavin, about 0.08 mg per liter of nicotinamide, about 0.08 mg per liter of p-ammobenzoate, about 0.01 mg per liter of biotin, about 0.0004 mg per liter cyanocobalamm, about 0.08 mg per liter D-pantothenic acid-Ca, about 0.02 mg per liter of myo-mositol, about 0.05 mg per liter of choline bromide, about 0.02 mg per liter of monosodium orotic acid, and about 0.1 mg per liter spermidine, wherein the resulting nutrient medium is adjusted to a pH of about 3.5. As discussed earlier m the application, the present enzyme may be used in various processes. Therefore, the methodology, as described above, includes the step of supplying the recovered and purified hemicellulase to a simultaneous sacchaπfication and fermentation process to facilitate the conversion of a biomass polysaccharide into an end product. One process for using the enzyme as noted above includes a step of pretreatmg a biomass slurry with the recovered and purified hemicellulase or with a crude enzyme preparation prepared from the organism containing a majority of the protein comprised of the hemicellulase to degrade an oligomer and/or polysaccharide that is present in the biomass slurry to produce an end product.

Other possible methods for using the enzyme as described above may be employed. For example, the enzyme that has been isolated from the extremophilic microbe may be used in a method for hydrolyzmg a polysaccharide, which includes the step of providing a water-soluble hemicellulase derived from an extremophilic microbe; and conducting hydrolysis of a polysaccharide with the water-soluble hemicellulase at a pH of less than about 2. As was discussed, earlier, the water-soluble hemicellulase has an optimal enzymatic activity at a temperature of about 80⁰C.

OPERATION

The operation of the described embodiment of the present invention is believed to be readily apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.

As described, an enzyme isolated from extremophilic microbe that displays optimum enzymatic activity at a temperature of about 8O⁰C and a pH of less than about 2 is best understood by a study of SEQ ID NOS.327-329, respectively. The enzyme that has been isolated is useful in a method for treating a biomass, which includes the steps of providing a source of a biomass having a biomass sugar; pretreatmg the biomass with a water-soluble hemicellulase derived from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus (ATCC 27009) to produce an end product In the present methodology, the biomass sugar comprises a polysaccharide, and the hemicellulase hydrolyzes the polysaccharide. As discussed above, the hemicellulase displays enzymatic activity at a pH of less than about 2, and at temperature of greater than about 80⁰C.

The hemicellulase, as contemplated by the present invention, has a molecular weight of about 120 kDa. In the methodology as described above, the methodology includes additional steps of pretreatmg the biomass in the presence or absence of the hemicellulase, providing a sequential hydrolysis and fermentation process to convert the biomass sugar into the end product; and supplying the hemicellulase to the sequential hydrolysis and fermentation process to facilitate the conversion of the biomass sugar into the end product. After the step of pretreatmg the biomass as discussed above, which can be performed at reduced seventy m the presence or absence of the hemicellulase, the method includes a further step of providing a simultaneous sacchaπfication and fermentation process to convert the biomass sugar into the end product; and supplying the hemicellulase to the simultaneous sacchaπfication and fermentation process to facilitate the conversion of the biomass sugar into the end product.

Therefore, it will be seen that the present enzyme and methodology, as described above, avoids many of the shortcomings attendant with the prior art enzymes and practices employed heretofore, and further provides a convenient means for producing various desirable end products, while simultaneously reducing the severity of pretreatment steps that had the propensity for generating various deleterious waste products, as well as for increasing the cost of the overall process through the requirement of high temperatures, pressures and quantities of acid to attain the high pretreatment seventy.

Embodiments of the invention include methods of post-translationally modifying proteins In some embodiments, the post-translational modification may occur using isolated or partially purified glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, extracts of cells comprising glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins, and/or m cells comprising one or more glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins. Glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins may be, without limitation, of the following classes: UDP beta-glucosephosphotransferases, Dohchol-phosphate mannosyltransferases, and Glycosyltransferases. In some embodiments, the glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins may be those of a thermoacidophilic organism. Examples of thermoacidophiles, include, but are not limited to, Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus, and those organisms belonging to the genera Acidianus, Alicyclobacillus, Desulfurolobus, Stygwlobus, Sulfolobus, Sulfunsphaera, Sulfur ococcus, Thermoplasma, and Picrophilus Examples of glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins include, but are not limited to, those provided by SEQ ID NOS:1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, and 290, as well as those available from the NCBI at accession numbers XP_002490630.1, Q54IL5.1, ABN66322.2, XP_002493240.1, XP_002491463.1, XP_002491326 1, CAY71061.1, NP_344219.1, NP_343051.1, ACR41289.1, ACP37471.1, NPJ 11396 1, NP_111382.1, NP_394039.1, NP_394183.1, YP_023099.1, P_023093.1, AAT43750.1, and AAT42890.1. Embodiments of the invention also include proteins glycosylated according to methods of the invention. Examples of such proteins include, but are not limited to, glycosylated forms of the proteins of SEQ ID NOS:307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

Embodiments of the invention include methods of altering the physical and/or kinetic properties of an endoglucanase and/or xylanase from a thermoacidophile. In some embodiments, the ratio of cellulase activity to xylanase activity of an endoglucanase and/or xylanase from a thermoacidophile is altered by post-translational modification of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase. In some embodiments, the post-translational modification may be glycosylation. In further embodiments, the solubility of an endoglucanase and/or xylanase from a thermoacidophile is altered by post-translational modification of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase. In some embodiments, the endoglucanase and/or xylanase is an endoglucanase and/or xylanase of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius . In further embodiments, the endoglucanase and/or xylanase is celB (SEQ ID NO:307). Embodiments of the invention include modification of the ratio of cellulase activity to xylanase activity of SEQ ED NO:307 through glycosylation of SEQ ID NO:307. Glycosylation of SEQ ID NO:307 may be performed, by way of non-hmitmg example, by expression of a sequence encoding SEQ ID NO:307 in an organism capable of glycosylating SEQ ID NO:307, by exposure of SEQ ID NO:307 to an enzyme having glycosylating activity or a cell producing an enzyme having glycosylating activity; or by chemical methods known m the art.

In further embodiments of the invention, the ratio of cellulase activity to xylanase activity of an endoglucanase and/or xylanase may be altered based on the level and location of post-translational modification. In some embodiments, the level and location of post-translational modification may be manipulated, by way of non-hmitmg examples, through the use of different enzymes having glycosylating activity, different cells capable of glycosylating a protein, different chemical methods of glycosylation, and/or by varying the amount of glycosylating activity or time the endoglucanase and/or xylanase is exposed to. In some embodiments, post-translational modification of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase results in increased xylanase activity at an acidic pH. In some embodiments, the modified form of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase has increased xylanase activity compared to an un-modified form of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase at, by way of non-hmitmg example, pH of less than about 5, pH of about 5, pH of about 3.5, and pH of about 2.

In some embodiments, post-translational modification of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase results in greater solubility at an acidic pH. In some embodiments, the modified form of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase is more soluble that the un-modified form of the endoglucanase and/or xylanase at, by way of non-limiting example, pH of less than about 5, pH of about 5, pH of about 3.5, and pH of about 2. Embodiments of the invention include genes and associated proteins related to the glycosylation and/or post-translational modification of proteins of the thermoacidophile Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus. Coding sequences for genes related to these processes were determined from sequence information generated from sequencing the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus. These genes and proteins may represent targets for metabolic engineering of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus or other organisms. Non-limitmg examples of nucleotide sequences found withm the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus, and ammo acids coded thereby, associated with glycosylation and/or post-translational modification of proteins are listed in Table 1. Glycosyltransferases and/or post-translational modification proteins may be, without limitation, of the following classes: UDP beta-glucosephosphotransferases, Dolichol-phosphate mannosyltransferases, and Glycosyltransferases; and others.

Embodiments of the invention relate in part to the gene sequences and/or protein sequences comprising genes and/or proteins of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus. Genes and proteins included are those which play a role m glycosylation and/or post-translational modification of proteins. Intracellular enzyme activities may be thermophilic and/or acidophilic m nature and general examples of similar genes are described in the literature. Classes of genes, sequences, enzymes and factors include, but are not limited to, those listed in Table 1.

The present invention relates to nucleotides sequences comprising isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences of the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius selected from the sequences of SEQ ID NOS.2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340, or one of their fragments

The present invention likewise relates to isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences, characterized in that they comprise at least one of. a) a nucleotide sequence of at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 or one of their fragments, b) a nucleotide sequence homologous to a nucleotide sequence such as defined in a), c) a nucleotide sequence complementary to a nucleotide sequence such as defined in a) or b), and a nucleotide sequence of their corresponding RNA; d) a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions with a sequence such as defined m a), b) or c); e) a nucleotide sequence comprising a sequence such as defined in a), b), c) or d); and f) a nucleotide sequence modified by a nucleotide sequence such as defined m a), b), c), d) or e) Nucleotide, polynucleotide, or nucleic acid sequence will be understood according to the present invention as meaning both a double-stranded or a smgle-stranded nucleic acid in the monomeric and dimeric (so-called m "tandem") forms and the transcription products of said nucleic acids

Aspects of the invention relate nucleotide sequences which it has been possible to isolate, purify or partially purify, starting from separation methods such as, for example, ion-exchange chromatography, by exclusion based on molecular size, or by affinity, or alternatively, fractionation techniques based on solubility in different solvents, or starting from methods of genetic engineering such as amplification, cloning, and subclonmg, it being possible for the sequences of the invention to be carried by vectors.

Isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequence fragment according to the invention will be understood as designating any nucleotide fragment of the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, and may include, by way of non-limiting examples, length of at least 8, 12, 20 25, 50, 75, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, or more, consecutive nucleotides of the sequence from which it originates.

Specific fragment of an isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequence according to the invention will be understood as designating any nucleotide fragment of the genome of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, having, after alignment and comparison with the corresponding fragments of genomic sequences of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, at least one nucleotide or base of different nature.

An homologous isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequence in the sense of the present invention is understood as meaning an isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequence having at least a percentage identity with the bases of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention of at least about 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99 6%, or 99.7%, this percentage being purely statistical and it being possible to distribute the differences between the two nucleotide sequences at random and over the whole of their length. Specific homologous nucleotide sequence m the sense of the present invention is understood as meaning a homologous nucleotide sequence having at least one nucleotide sequence of a specific fragment, such as defined above. Said "specific" homologous sequences can comprise, for example, the sequences corresponding to the genomic sequence or to the sequences of its fragments representative of variants of the genome of Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius . These specific homologous sequences can thus correspond to variations linked to mutations withm strains of Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius, and especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions and/or additions of at least one nucleotide. Said homologous sequences can likewise correspond to variations linked to the degeneracy of the genetic code. The term "degree or percentage of sequence homology" refers to "degree or percentage of sequence identity between two sequences after optimal alignment" as defined m the present application.

Two ammo-acids or nucleotidic sequences are said to be "identical" if the sequence of ammo-acids or nucleotidic residues, in the two sequences is the same when aligned for maximum correspondence, as described below. Sequence comparisons between two (or more) peptides or polynucleotides are typically performed by comparing sequences of two optimally aligned sequences over a segment or "comparison window" to identify and compare local regions of sequence similarity. Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison may be conducted by the local homology algorithm of Smith and Waterman, Ad. App. Math 2:482 (1981), by the homology alignment algorithm of Neddleman and Wunsch, J. MoI. Biol 48:443 (1970), by the search for similarity method of Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (U.S.A.) 85:2444 (1988), by computerized implementation of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFIT, FASTA, and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group (GCG), 575 Science Dr., Madison, Wis.), or by visual inspection.

"Percentage of sequence identity" (or degree of identity) is determined by comparing two optimally aligned sequences over a comparison window, where the portion of the peptide or polynucleotide sequence in the comparison window may comprise additions or deletions (i.e., gaps) as compared to the reference sequence (which does not comprise additions or deletions) for optimal alignment of the two sequences. The percentage is calculated by determining the number of positions at which the identical ammo-acid residue or nucleic acid base occurs m both sequences to yield the number of matched positions, dividing the number of matched positions by the total number of positions in the window of comparison and multiplying the result by 100 to yield the percentage of sequence identity.

The definition of sequence identity given above is the definition that would be used by one of skill in the art. The definition by itself does not need the help of any algorithm, said algorithms being helpful only to achieve the optimal alignments of sequences, rather than the calculation of sequence identity. From the definition given above, it follows that there is a well defined and only one value for the sequence identity between two compared sequences which value corresponds to the value obtained for the best or optimal alignment.

In the BLAST N or BLAST P "BLAST 2 sequence," software which is available at the web site worldwideweb.ncbi.nlm.mh.gov/gorf/bl2.html, and habitually used by the inventors and m general by the skilled person for comparing and determining the identity between two sequences, gap cost which depends on the sequence length to be compared is directly selected by the software (i.e., 11 2 for substitution matrix BLOSUM-62 for length>85).

Complementary nucleotide sequence of a sequence of the invention is understood as meaning any DNA whose nucleotides are complementary to those of the sequence of the invention, and whose orientation is reversed (antisense sequence).

Hybridization under conditions of stringency with a nucleotide sequence according to the invention is understood as meaning hybridization under conditions of temperature and ionic strength chosen in such a way that they allow the maintenance of the hybridization between two fragments of complementary DNA.

By way of illustration, conditions of great stringency of the hybridization step with the aim of defining the nucleotide fragments described above are advantageously the following.

The hybridization is carried out at a preferential temperature of 65°C m the presence of SSC buffer, 1 x SSC corresponding to 0.15 M NaCl and 0.05 M Na citrate. The washing steps, for example, can be the following: 2 x SSC, at ambient temperature followed by two washes with 2 x SSC, 0.5% SDS at 65°C; 2 x 0.5 x SSC, 0.5% SDS; at 65°C for 10 minutes each.

The conditions of intermediate stringency, using, for example, a temperature of 42⁰C m the presence of a 2 x SSC buffer, or of less stringency, for example a temperature of 37°C in the presence of a 2 x SSC buffer, respectively, require a globally less significant complementarity for the hybridization between the two sequences.

The stringent hybridization conditions described above for a polynucleotide with a size of approximately 350 bases will be adapted by a person skilled in the art for oligonucleotides of greater or smaller size, according to the teachings of Sambrook et al., 1989.

Among the isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences according to the invention, are those that can be used as a primer or probe in methods allowing the homologous sequences according to the invention to be obtained. These methods, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), nucleic acid cloning, and sequencing, are well known to a person skilled in the art.

Among said isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences according to the invention, those are again preferred which can be used as a primer or probe in methods allowing the presence of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340, one of their fragments, or one of their variants such as defined below to be diagnosed. The nucleotide sequence fragments according to the invention can be obtained, for example, by specific amplification, such as PCR, or after digestion with appropriate restriction enzymes of nucleotide sequences according to the invention, these methods m particular being described in the work of

Sambrook et al., 1989. Such representative fragments can likewise be obtained by chemical synthesis according to methods well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

Modified nucleotide sequence will be understood as meaning any nucleotide sequence obtained by mutagenesis according to techniques well known to the person skilled in the art, and containing modifications with respect to the normal sequences according to the invention, for example mutations in the regulatory and/or promoter sequences of polypeptide expression, especially leading to a modification of the rate of expression of said polypeptide or to a modulation of the rephcative cycle.

Modified nucleotide sequence will likewise be understood as meaning any nucleotide sequence coding for a modified polypeptide such as defined below.

The present invention relates to nucleotide sequence comprising isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus, characterized in that they are selected from the sequences SEQ ED NOS'2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 or one of their fragments.

Embodiments of the invention likewise relate to isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences characterized in that they comprise a nucleotide sequence selected from: a) at least one of a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NOS-2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 or one of their fragments; b) a nucleotide sequence of a specific fragment of a sequence such as defined in a); c) a homologous nucleotide sequence having at least 80% identity with a sequence such as defined in a) or b); d) a complementary nucleotide sequence or sequence of RNA corresponding to a sequence such as defined m a), b) or c); and e) a nucleotide sequence modified by a sequence such as defined in a), b), c) or d). Among the isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences according to the invention are the nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340, or fragments thereof and any isolated and/or purified nucleotide sequences which have a homology of at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.6%, or 99.7% identity with the at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 or fragments thereof. Said homologous sequences can comprise, for example, sequences corresponding to genomic sequences Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus. In the same manner, these specific homologous sequences can correspond to variations linked to mutations within strains of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus and especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions and/or additions of at least one nucleotide. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such homologues are easily created and identified using standard techniques and publicly available computer programs such as BLAST. As such, each homologue referenced above should be considered as set forth herein and fully described.

Embodiments of the invention comprise the isolated and/or purified polypeptides coded for by a nucleotide sequence according to the invention, or fragments thereof, whose sequence is represented by a fragment. Ammo acid sequences corresponding to the isolated and/or purified polypeptides may be coded by one of the three possible reading frames of at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53,

70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340.

Embodiments of the invention likewise relate to the isolated and/or purified polypeptides, characterized in that they comprise a polypeptide selected from at least one of the ammo acid sequences of SEQ ID NOS.1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338 or one of their fragments.

Among the isolated and/or purified polypeptides, according to embodiments of the invention, are the isolated and/or purified polypeptides of ammo acid sequence SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103,

120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338, or fragments thereof or any other isolated and/or purified polypeptides which have a homology of at least 80%, 81%,

82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%,

99.5%, 99.6%, or 99.7% identity with at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86,

103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338 or fragments thereof. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such homologues are easily created and identified using standard techniques and publicly available computer programs such as BLAST. As such, each homologue referenced above should be considered as set forth herein and fully described.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to the polypeptides, characterized m that they comprise a polypeptide selected from: a) a specific fragment of at least five ammo acids of a polypeptide of an ammo acid sequence according to the invention; b) a polypeptide homologous to a polypeptide such as defined in a); c) a specific biologically active fragment of a polypeptide such as defined m a) or b); and d) a polypeptide modified by a polypeptide such as defined in a), b) or c).

In the present description, the terms polypeptide, peptide and protein are interchangeable.

In some embodiments of the invention, the isolated and/or purified polypeptides according to the invention may be glycosylated, pegylated, and/or otherwise post-translationally modified. In further embodiments, glycosylation, pegylation, and/or other post-translational modifications may occur in vivo or in vitro and/or may be performed using chemical techniques. In additional embodiments, any glycosylation, pegylation and/or other post-translational modifications may be N-lmked or O-lmked.

In some embodiments of the invention any one of the isolated and/or purified polypeptides according to the invention may be enzymatically or functionally active at temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius and/or may be enzymatically or functionally active at a pH at, below, and/or above 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and/or 0. In further embodiments of the invention, glycosylation, pegylation, and/or other post-translational modification may be required for the isolated and/or purified polypeptides according to the invention to be enzymatically or functionally active at a pH at or below 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and/or 0 or at temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius. Aspects of the invention relate to polypeptides that are isolated or obtained by purification from natural sources, or else obtained by genetic recombination, or alternatively by chemical synthesis and that they may thus contain unnatural ammo acids, as will be described below.

A "polypeptide fragment" according to the embodiments of the invention is understood as designating a polypeptide containing at least five consecutive ammo acids, preferably ten consecutive ammo acids or 15 consecutive amino acids.

In the present invention, a "specific polypeptide fragment" is understood as designating the consecutive polypeptide fragment coded for by a specific fragment of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention.

"Homologous polypeptide" will be understood as designating the polypeptides having, with respect to the natural polypeptide, certain modifications such as, m particular, a deletion, addition, or substitution of at least one ammo acid, a truncation, a prolongation, a chimeric fusion, and/or a mutation. Among the homologous polypeptides, those are preferred whose ammo acid sequence has at least 80% or 90%, homology with the sequences of amino acids of polypeptides according to the invention.

"Specific homologous polypeptide" will be understood as designating the homologous polypeptides such as defined above and having a specific fragment of a polypeptide according to the invention.

In the case of a substitution, one or more consecutive or nonconsecutive ammo acids are replaced by "equivalent" ammo acids. The expression "equivalent" ammo acid is directed here at designating any ammo acid capable of being substituted by one of the ammo acids of the base structure without, however, essentially modifying the biological activities of the corresponding peptides and such that they will be defined by the following. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, such substitutions are easily created and identified using standard molecular biology techniques and publicly available computer programs such as BLAST. As such, each substitution referenced above should be considered as set forth herein and fully described. These equivalent ammo acids may be determined either by depending on their structural homology with the amino acids which they substitute, or on results of comparative tests of biological activity between the different polypeptides, which are capable of being carried out.

By way of nonhmitmg example, the possibilities of substitutions capable of being carried out without resulting in an extensive modification of the biological activity of the corresponding modified polypeptides will be mentioned, the replacement, for example, of leucine by valine or isoleucme, of aspartic acid by glutamic acid, of glutamine by asparagme, of argmine by lysine etc., the reverse substitutions naturally being envisageable under the same conditions. In a further embodiment, substitutions are limited to substitutions m ammo acids not conserved among other proteins which have similar identified enzymatic activity. For example, one of ordinary skill m the art may align proteins of the same function m similar organisms and determine which ammo acids are generally conserved among proteins of that function One example of a program that may be used to generate such alignments is available on the Internet at worldwideweb.chaπte de/biomf/strap/ in conjunction with the databases provided by the NCBI

Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, substitutions or mutations may be made at positions that are generally conserved among proteins of that function. In a further embodiment, nucleic acid sequences may be mutated or substituted such that the ammo acid they code for is unchanged (degenerate substitutions and/mutations) and/or mutated or substituted such that any resulting ammo acid substitutions or mutations are made at positions that are generally conserved among proteins of that function

The specific homologous polypeptides likewise correspond to polypeptides coded for by the specific homologous nucleotide sequences such as defined above and, thus, comprise m the present definition the polypeptides that are mutated or correspond to variants which can exist in Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldanus , and which especially correspond to truncations, substitutions, deletions, and/or additions of at least one ammo acid residue

"Specific biologically active fragment of a polypeptide" according to an embodiment of the invention will be understood m particular as designating a specific polypeptide fragment, such as defined above, having at least one of the characteristics of polypeptides according to the invention. In certain embodiments the peptide is capable of behaving as at least one of the types of proteins outlined m Table 1

The polypeptide fragments according to embodiments of the invention, can correspond to isolated or purified fragments naturally present m Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldanus or correspond to fragments which can be obtained by cleavage of said polypeptide by a proteolytic enzyme, such as trypsin or chymotrypsm or collagenase, or by a chemical reagent, such as cyanogen bromide (CNBr). Such polypeptide fragments can likewise just as easily be prepared by chemical synthesis, from hosts transformed by an expression vector, according to the invention, containing a nucleic acid allowing the expression of said fragments, placed under the control of appropriate regulation and/or expression elements.

"Modified polypeptide" of a polypeptide according to an embodiment of the invention is understood as designating a polypeptide obtained by genetic recombination or by chemical synthesis as will be described below, having at least one modification with respect to the normal sequence. These modifications may or may not be able to bear on ammo acids at the origin of specificity, and/or of activity, or at the origin of the structural conformation, localization, and of the capacity of membrane insertion of the polypeptide according to the invention. It will thus be possible to create polypeptides of equivalent, increased, or decreased activity, and of equivalent, narrower, or wider specificity. Among the modified polypeptides, it is necessary to mention the polypeptides m which up to five or more ammo acids can be modified, truncated at the N- or C-termmal end, or even deleted or added.

The methods allowing said modulations on eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells to be demonstrated are well known to the person of ordinary skill in the art It is likewise well understood that it will be possible to use the nucleotide sequences coding for said modified polypeptides for said modulations, for example, through vectors according to the invention and described below

The preceding modified polypeptides can be obtained by using combinatorial chemistry, in which it is possible to systematically vary parts of the polypeptide before testing them on models, cell cultures or microorganisms, for example, to select the compounds that are most active or have the properties sought.

Chemical synthesis likewise has the advantage of being able to use unnatural ammo acids, or nonpeptide bonds.

Thus, in order to improve the duration of life of the polypeptides according to the invention, it may be of interest to use unnatural ammo acids, for example in D form, or else ammo acid analogs, especially sulfur-contammg forms, for example

Finally, it will be possible to integrate the structure of the polypeptides according to the invention, its specific or modified homologous forms, into chemical structures of polypeptide type or others. Thus, it may be of interest to provide at the N- and C-termmal ends molecules not recognized by proteases

The nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide according to the invention are likewise part of the invention.

The invention likewise relates to nucleotide sequences utihzable as a primer or probe, characterized in that said sequences are selected from the nucleotide sequences according to the invention.

It is well understood that the present invention, in various embodiments, likewise relates to specific polypeptides of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius , coded for by nucleotide sequences, capable of being obtained by purification from natural polypeptides, by genetic recombination or by chemical synthesis by procedures well known to a person skilled m the art and such as described in particular below. In the same manner, the labeled or unlabeled mono- or polyclonal antibodies directed against said specific polypeptides coded for by said nucleotide sequences are also encompassed by the invention.

Embodiments of the invention additionally relate to the use of a nucleotide sequence according to the invention as a primer or probe for the detection and/or the amplification of nucleic acid sequences.

The nucleotide sequences according to embodiments of the invention can thus be used to amplify nucleotide sequences, especially by the PCR technique (Polymerase Chain Reaction) (Erlich, 1989, Innis et al , 1990, Rolfs et al., 1991; and White et al., 1997). These oligodeoxyribonucleotide or oligoπbonucleotide primers advantageously have a length of at least eight nucleotides, preferably of at least twelve nucleotides, and even more preferentially at least 20 nucleotides.

Other amplification techniques of the target nucleic acid can be advantageously employed as alternatives to PCR.

The nucleotide sequences of the invention, m particular the primers according to the invention, can likewise be employed m other procedures of amplification of a target nucleic acid, such as: the TAS technique (Transcription-based Amplification System), described by Kwoh et al. m 1989; the 3SR technique (Self-Sustained Sequence Replication), described by Guatelh et al. in 1990; the NASBA technique (Nucleic Acid Sequence Based Amplification), described by Kievitis et al. in 1991; the SDA technique (Strand Displacement Amplification) (Walker et al., 1992); and the TMA technique (Transcription Mediated Amplification).

The polynucleotides of the invention can also be employed m techniques of amplification or of modification of the nucleic acid serving as a probe, such as: the LCR technique (Ligase Cham Reaction), described by Landegren et al. in 1988 and improved by Barany et al. in 1991, which employs a thermostable ligase; the RCR technique (Repair Cham Reaction), described by Segev m 1992; the CPR technique (Cycling Probe Reaction), described by Duck et al. m 1990, the amplification technique with Q-beta rephcase, described by Miele et al. in 1983 and especially improved by Chu et al. in 1986, Lizardi et al. in 1988, then by Burg et al., as well as by Stone et al. in 1996. In the case where the target polynucleotide to be detected is possibly an RNA, for example an mRNA, it will be possible to use, prior to the employment of an amplification reaction with the aid of at least one primer according to the invention or to the employment of a detection procedure with the aid of at least one probe of the invention, an enzyme of reverse transcriptase type m order to obtain a cDNA from the RNA contained in the biological sample. The cDNA obtained will thus serve as a target for the pπmer(s) or the probe(s) employed in the amplification or detection procedure according to the invention.

The detection probe will be chosen in such a manner that it hybridizes with the target sequence or the amplicon generated from the target sequence. By way of sequence, such a probe will advantageously have a sequence of at least 12 nucleotides, in particular of at least 20 nucleotides, and preferably of at least 100 nucleotides. Embodiments of the invention also comprise the nucleotide sequences utihzable as a probe or primer according to the invention, characterized m that they are labeled with a radioactive compound or with a nonradioactive compound.

The unlabeled nucleotide sequences can be used directly as probes or primers, although the sequences are generally labeled with a radioactive isotope (32P, 35S, 3H, 1251) or with a nonradioactive molecule (biotm, acetylammofluorene, digoxigenm, 5-bromodeoxyuπdme, fluorescein) to obtain probes which are utihzable for numerous applications. Examples of nonradioactive labeling of nucleotide sequences are described, for example, in French Patent No. 7810975 or by Urdea et al. or by Sanchez-Pescador et al. in 1988.

In the latter case, it will also be possible to use one of the labeling methods described in French Patent Appl. Publication Nos. FR-2422956 and FR-2518755 The hybridization technique can be carried out in various manners (Matthews et al., 1988). The most general method consists m immobilizing the nucleic acid extract of cells on a support (such as nitrocellulose, nylon, polystyrene) and in incubating, under well-defined conditions, the immobilized target nucleic acid with the probe. After hybridization, the excess of the probe is eliminated and the hybrid molecules formed are detected by the appropriate method (measurement of the radioactivity, of the fluorescence or of the enzymatic activity linked to the probe).

The invention, in various embodiments, likewise comprises the nucleotide sequences according to the invention, characterized in that they are immobilized on a support, covalently or noncovalently.

According to another advantageous mode of employing nucleotide sequences according to the invention, the latter can be used immobilized on a support and can thus serve to capture, by specific hybridization, the target nucleic acid obtained from the biological sample to be tested. If necessary, the solid support is separated from the sample and the hybridization complex formed between said capture probe and the target nucleic acid is then detected with the aid of a second probe, a so-called detection probe, labeled with an easily detectable element.

Another aspect of the present invention is a vector for the cloning and/or expression of a sequence, characterized in that it contains a nucleotide sequence according to the invention.

The vectors according to the invention, characterized in that they contain the elements allowing the integration, expression and/or the secretion of said nucleotide sequences in a determined host cell, are likewise part of the invention.

The vector may then contain a promoter, signals of initiation and termination of translation, as well as appropriate regions of regulation of transcription. The vector may be able to be maintained stably m the host cell and can optionally have particular signals specifying the secretion of the translated protein. These different elements may be chosen as a function of the host cell used. To this end, the nucleotide sequences according to the invention may be inserted into autonomous replication vectors within the chosen host, or integrated vectors of the chosen host. Such vectors will be prepared according to the methods currently used by a person skilled in the art, and it will be possible to introduce the clones resulting therefrom into an appropriate host by standard methods, such as, for example, lipofection, electroporation, and thermal shock.

The vectors according to the invention are, for example, vectors of plasmid or viral origin. One example of a vector for the expression of polypeptides of the invention is baculovirus. These vectors are useful for transforming host cells in order to clone or to express the nucleotide sequences of the invention. The invention likewise comprises the host cells transformed by a vector according to the invention.

These cells can be obtained by the introduction into host cells of a nucleotide sequence inserted into a vector such as defined above, then the cultuπng of said cells under conditions allowing the replication and/or expression of the transfected nucleotide sequence.

The host cell can be selected from prokaryotic or eukaryotic systems, such as, for example, bacterial cells (01ms and Lee, 1993), but likewise yeast cells (Buckholz, 1993), as well as plant cells, such as Arabidopsis sp., and animal cells, in particular the cultures of mammalian cells (Edwards and

Aruffo, 1993), for example, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, but likewise the cells of insects in which it is possible to use procedures employing baculoviruses, for example Sf9 insect cells (Luckow, 1993)

Embodiments of the invention likewise relate to organisms comprising one of said transformed cells according to the invention.

The obtainment of transgenic organisms according to the invention expressing one or more of the genes of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus , or part of the genes, may be carried out m, for example, rats, mice, or rabbits according to methods well known to a person skilled in the art, such as by viral or nonviral transfections It will be possible to obtain the transgenic organisms expressing one or more of said genes by transfection of multiple copies of said genes under the control of a strong promoter of ubiquitous nature, or selective for one type of tissue It will likewise be possible to obtain the transgenic organisms by homologous recombination m embryonic cell strains, transfer of these cell strains to embryos, selection of the affected chimeras at the level of the reproductive lines, and growth of said chimeras

The transformed cells as well as the transgenic organisms according to the invention are utihzable in procedures for preparation of recombinant polypeptides.

It is today possible to produce recombinant polypeptides in relatively large quantities by genetic engineering using the cells transformed by expression vectors according to the invention or using transgenic organisms according to the invention.

The procedures for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention in recombinant form, characterized in that they employ a vector and/or a cell transformed by a vector according to the invention and/or a transgenic organism comprising one of said transformed cells according to the invention are themselves comprised m the present invention.

As used herein, "transformation" and "transformed" relate to the introduction of nucleic acids into a cell, whether prokaryotic or eukaryotic. Further, "transformation" and "transformed," as used herein, need not relate to growth control or growth deregulation.

Among said procedures for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention in recombinant form, the preparation procedures employing a vector, and/or a cell transformed by said vector and/or a transgenic orgamsm comprising one of said transformed cells, containing a nucleotide sequence according to the invention coding for a polypeptide of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus .

A variant according to an embodiment of the invention may consist of producing a recombinant polypeptide fused to a "carrier" protein (chimeric protein). The advantage of this system is that it may allow stabilization of and/or a decrease in the proteolysis of the recombinant product, an increase m the solubility m the course of renaturation m vitro and/or a simplification of the purification when the fusion partner has an affinity for a specific hgand

More particularly, an embodiment of the invention relates to a procedure for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention comprising the following steps: a) culture of transformed cells under conditions allowing the expression of a recombinant polypeptide of nucleotide sequence according to the invention; b) if need be, recovery of said recombinant polypeptide.

When the procedure for preparation of a polypeptide of the invention employs a transgenic organism according to the invention, the recombinant polypeptide is then extracted from said organism

An embodiment of the invention also relates to a polypeptide which is capable of being obtained by a procedure of the invention such as described previously.

The invention, m another embodiment, also comprises a procedure for preparation of a synthetic polypeptide, characterized in that it uses a sequence of ammo acids of polypeptides according to the invention

A further embodiment of the invention likewise relates to a synthetic polypeptide obtained by a procedure according to the invention.

The polypeptides according to embodiments of the invention can likewise be prepared by techniques which are conventional m the field of the synthesis of peptides. This synthesis can be carried out m a homogeneous solution or in a solid phase

For example, recourse can be made to the technique of synthesis in a homogeneous solution described by Houben-Weyl in 1974.

This method of synthesis comprises successively condensing, two by two, the successive ammo acids m the order required, or m condensing ammo acids and fragments formed previously and already containing several ammo acids m the appropriate order, or alternatively several fragments previously prepared in this way, it being understood that it will be necessary to protect beforehand all the reactive functions carried by these ammo acids or fragments, with the exception of amine functions of one and carboxyls of the other or vice-versa, which must normally be involved m the formation of peptide bonds, especially after activation of the carboxyl function, according to the methods well known in the synthesis of peptides

Recourse may also be made to the technique described by Merrifield To make a peptide chain according to the Merrifield procedure, recourse is made to a very porous polymeric resm, on which is immobilized the first C-termmal ammo acid of the chain. This amino acid is lmmobilized on a resm through its carboxyl group and its amine function is protected. The ammo acids that are going to form the peptide chain are thus immobilized, one after the other, on the ammo group, which is deprotected beforehand each time, of the portion of the peptide chain already formed, and which is attached to the resm. When the whole of the desired peptide chain has been formed, the protective groups of the different ammo acids forming the peptide chain are eliminated and the peptide is detached from the resm with the aid of an acid

The invention additionally relates to hybrid polypeptides having at least one polypeptide according to the invention, and a sequence of a polypeptide capable of inducing an immune response in man or animals. Advantageously, the antigenic determinant is such that it is capable of inducing a humoral and/or cellular response.

It will be possible for such a determinant to comprise a polypeptide according to the invention in glycosylated, pegylated, and/or otherwise post-translationally modified form used with a view to obtaining immunogenic compositions capable of inducing the synthesis of antibodies directed against multiple epitopes.

These hybrid molecules can be formed, in part, of a polypeptide carrier molecule or of fragments thereof according to the invention, associated with a possibly immunogenic part, in particular an epitope of the diphtheria toxin, the tetanus toxm, a surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus (French Patent 7921811), the VPl antigen of the poliomyelitis virus or any other viral or bacterial toxm or antigen. The procedures for synthesis of hybrid molecules encompass the methods used in genetic engineering for constructing hybrid nucleotide sequences coding for the polypeptide sequences sought. It will be possible, for example, to refer advantageously to the technique for obtainment of genes coding for fusion proteins described by Mmton m 1984.

Said hybrid nucleotide sequences coding for a hybrid polypeptide, as well as the hybrid polypeptides according to the invention, are so characterized m that they are recombinant polypeptides obtained by the expression of said hybrid nucleotide sequences, which are likewise part of the invention.

The invention likewise comprises the vectors characterized in that they contain one of said hybrid nucleotide sequences. The host cells transformed by said vectors, the transgenic organisms comprising one of said transformed cells as well as the procedures for preparation of recombinant polypeptides using said vectors, said transformed cells and/or said transgenic organisms are, of course, likewise part of the invention.

The polypeptides according to the invention, the antibodies according to the invention described below and the nucleotide sequences according to the invention can advantageously be employed in procedures for the detection and/or identification of Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldanus, m a sample capable of containing them. These procedures, according to the specificity of the polypeptides, the antibodies and the nucleotide sequences according to the invention which will be used, will in particular be able to detect and/or to identify Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

The polypeptides according to the invention can advantageously be employed in a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius m a sample capable of containing them, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of this sample with a polypeptide or one of its fragments according to the invention (under conditions allowing an immunological reaction between said polypeptide and the antibodies possibly present in the biological sample), b) demonstration of the antigen-antibody complexes possibly formed

Any conventional procedure can be employed for carrying out such a detection of the antigen-antibody complexes possibly formed.

By way of example, a method according to various embodiments brings into play lmmunoenzymatic processes according to the ELISA technique, by immunofluorescence, or radioimmunological processes (RIA) or their equivalent.

Thus, the invention likewise relates to the polypeptides according to the invention, labeled with the aid of an adequate label, such as, of the enzymatic, fluorescent or radioactive type.

Such methods comprise, for example, the following acts deposition of determined quantities of a polypeptide composition according to the invention m the wells of a microtiter plate, introduction into said wells of increasing dilutions of serum, or of a biological sample other than that defined previously, having to be analyzed, incubation of the microtiter plate, introduction into the wells of the microtiter plate of labeled antibodies directed against pig immunoglobulins, the labeling of these antibodies having been carried out with the aid of an enzyme selected from those which are capable of hydrolyzing a substrate by modifying the absorption of the radiation of the latter, at least at a determined wavelength, for example at 550 nm, detection, by comparison with a control test, of the quantity of hydrolyzed substrate.

The polypeptides according to embodiments of the invention enable monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies to be prepared which are characterized in that they specifically recognize the polypeptides according to the invention It will advantageously be possible to prepare the monoclonal antibodies from hybπdomas according to the technique described by Kohler and Milstem m 1975. It will be possible to prepare the polyclonal antibodies, for example, by immunization of an animal, in particular a mouse, with a polypeptide or a DNA, according to the invention, associated with an adjuvant of the immune response, and then purification of the specific antibodies contained m the serum of the immunized animals on an affinity column on which the polypeptide which has served as an antigen has previously been immobilized. The polyclonal antibodies according to the invention can also be prepared by purification, on an affinity column on which a polypeptide according to the invention has previously been immobilized, of the antibodies contained in the serum of an animal immunologically challenged by Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, or a polypeptide or fragment according to the invention. The invention, in various embodiments, likewise relates to mono- or polyclonal antibodies or their fragments, or chimeric antibodies, characterized m that they are capable of specifically recognizing a polypeptide according to the invention

It will likewise be possible for the antibodies of embodiments of the invention to be labeled in the same manner as described previously for the nucleic probes of the invention, such as a labeling of enzymatic, fluorescent or radioactive type.

An embodiment of the invention is additionally directed at a procedure for the detection and/or identification of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a sample, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of the sample with a mono- or polyclonal antibody according to the invention (under conditions allowing an immunological reaction between said antibodies and the polypeptides of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius possibly present in the biological sample); b) demonstration of the antigen-antibody complex possibly formed.

The present invention likewise relates to a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a sample, characterized in that it employs a nucleotide sequence according to the invention.

More particularly, the invention relates to a procedure for the detection and/or the identification of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius in a sample, characterized in that it contains the following steps, a) if need be, isolation of the DNA from the sample to be analyzed; b) specific amplification of the DNA of the sample with the aid of at least one primer, or a pair of primers, according to the invention; c) demonstration of the amplification products.

These can be detected, for example, by the technique of molecular hybridization utilizing a nucleic probe according to the invention. This probe will advantageously be labeled with a nonradioactive (cold probe) or radioactive isotope.

For the purposes of the present invention, "DNA of the biological sample" or "DNA contained m the biological sample" will be understood as meaning either the DNA present in the biological sample considered, or possibly the cDNA obtained after the action of an enzyme of reverse transcriptase type on the RNA present in said biological sample.

A further embodiment of the invention comprises a method, characterized m that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of a nucleotide probe according to the invention with a biological sample, the DNA contained in the biological sample having, if need be, previously been made accessible to hybridization under conditions allowing the hybridization of the probe with the DNA of the sample, b) demonstration of the hybrid formed between the nucleotide probe and the DNA of the biological sample.

The present invention also relates to a procedure according to embodiments of the invention, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) contacting of a nucleotide probe immobilized on a support according to the invention with a biological sample, the DNA of the sample having, if need be, previously been made accessible to hybridization, under conditions allowing the hybridization of the probe with the DNA of the sample; b) contacting of the hybrid formed between the nucleotide probe immobilized on a support and the DNA contained m the biological sample, if need be after elimination of the DNA of the biological sample which has not hybridized with the probe, with a nucleotide probe labeled according to the invention; c) demonstration of the novel hybrid formed in step b). According to an advantageous embodiment of the procedure for detection and/or identification defined previously, this is characterized m that, prior to step a), the DNA of the biological sample is first amplified with the aid of at least one primer according to the invention.

Embodiments of methods include glycosylating or post-translationally modifying a first polypeptide using a second polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ DD NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

Further embodiments of methods include methods of modulating protein stability, solubility, degradation, activity profile, and/or externahzation of a first polypeptide, the methods comprising glycosylating or post-translationally modifying the first polypeptide via a second polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ DD NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

Further embodiments of methods include placing a cell producing or encoding a recombinant, purified, and/or isolated nucleotide sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of a nucleotide sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 and/or a recombinant, purified, and/or isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to at least one of the sequences of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338 in a environment comprising temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius and/or a pH at, below, and/or above 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and/or 0.

The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and/or wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome. In further embodiments, the Bacillus is an Alicyclobacillus sp. or Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus . In additional embodiments, methods of glycosylating and/or post-translationally modifying a polypeptide at temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius and/or at a pH at, below, and/or above 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and/or 0 via a recombinant, purified, and/or isolated nucleotide sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of a nucleotide sequences having at least 90% sequence identity to at least one of the sequences of SEQ ED NOS.2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 and/or a recombinant, purified, and/or isolated polypeptide selected from the group consisting of a polypeptide having at least 90% sequence identity to at least one of the sequences of SEQ E) NOS:1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

In some embodiments of the invention, any one of the isolated and/or purified polypeptides according to the invention may be enzymatically or functionally active at temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius and/or may be enzymatically or functionally active at a pH at, below, and/or above 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and/or 0. In further embodiments of the invention, glycosylation, pegylation, and/or other post-translational modification may be required for the isolated and/or purified polypeptides according to the invention to be enzymatically or functionally active at pH at or below 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 , and/or 0 or at a temperatures at or above about 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, and/or 95 degrees Celsius.

The invention is described in additional detail in the following illustrative examples. Although the examples may represent only selected embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the following examples are illustrative and not limiting

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Glycosylation Using Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

Provided m SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 are a nucleotide sequences isolated from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and coding for the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of SEQ ID NOS:2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 are placed into expression vectors using techniques standard in the art. The vectors are then provided to cells such as bacteria cells or eukaryotic cells such as Sf9 cells or CHO cells. In conjunction with the normal machinery in present in the cells, the vectors comprising SEQ ID NOS-2, 19, 36, 53, 70, 87, 104, 121, 138, 155, 172, 189, 206, 223, 240, 257, 274, 291, 332, 334, 336, 339, and 340 produce the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS:1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338. The polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338 are then isolated and/or purified. The isolated and/or purified polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290, 307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338 are then each demonstrated to have one or more of the activities provided m Table 1 or some other activity.

The isolated and/or purified polypeptides of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290 are demonstrated to have activity in glycosylating other proteins in conjunction with other proteins or cellular components.

Example 2: Modulating Protein Stability, Solubility, Degradation, Activity Profile, and/or Externalization of a First Polypeptide Using Nucleotide and Amino Acid Sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

The polypeptides and nucleotide sequence of Example 1 are used to post-translationally modify one or more other proteins through glycosylation or other post-translational modification. The modified proteins are demonstrated to have altered protein stability, solubility, degradation, activity profile, and/or externalization m comparison to non-modified proteins of the same or similar ammo acid sequence.

Example 3: Glycosylated Proteins of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

Polypeptide RAAC02676 (SEQ ID NO: 307) was obtained via the following protocol. Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius was cultured on wheat arabinoxylan and harvested after three days. The culture was centrifuged to remove cells and the resulting supernatant was filtered with a 0.22 micron filter to remove any remaining debris. The filtered supernatant was concentrated to approximately 1 mL by ultrafiltration through a 10,000 Da molecular weight cutoff membrane. The resulting concentrated filtered supernatant was additionally purified by trapping proteins on a cation exchange column, elutmg them with a salt gradient, reloading them on a second cation exchange column and elutmg with a second salt gradient. Samples were pooled and run on a 12% SDS-PAGE gel. Individual bands were cut from the gel and subjected to m gel tryptic digestion. The peptide fragments were then eluted and separated on a C- 18 column an injected into an ion trap mass spectrometer via electrospray. Mass spectra were run through MASCOT which compares the observed spectra to theoretical spectra generated from the known protein sequence. MASCOT allows the user to specify modifications that might exist on the protein and looks for spectra consistent with these modifications MASCOT identified a number of peptides digested from RAAC02676 that were potentially glycosylated as provided in Table 2 below.

As can be seen m Table 2, Queries 94, 96, 221, 332, 333, 337, and 400 returned expected N-lmked glycosylates on RAAC02676. All fragments in Table 2 are fragments of SEQ ID NO:307 (RAAC02676). O-lmked glycosylations are also expected. TABLE 2.

Example 4: Glycoprotein Staining of Proteins from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius

Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius was cultured on wheat arabmoxylan and harvested after three days. The culture was centrifuged to remove cells and the resulting supernatant was filtered with a 0.22 micron filter to remove any remaining debris. The filtered supernatant was concentrated to approximately 1 mL by ultrafiltration through a 10,000 Da molecular weight cutoff membrane Several lanes of this concentrated material were run on a 12% SDS-PAGE gel along with a positive and negative control that are known glycosylated and non-glycosylated proteins using standard protocols. The gel was cut in half vertically and one half stained using SIMPLY BLUE™ SAFE STAIN and the other half using a glycoprotein detection kit from Sigma The positive and negative controls both stained using the SIMPLY BLUE™ SAFE STAIN and only the positive control stained with the glycoprotein stain indicating that the staining protocol was working correctly. The Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius protein lanes revealed a band at approximately 120 kDa on the SIMPLY BLUE™ stained gel which is the expected weight of one extracelluar protein of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. The same position on the glycoprotein stained gel showed pmk bands indicating a positive result for a glycosylated protein.

Example 5: Chemical Glycosylation of SEQ ID NO:307 Results in Greater Xylanase activity.

SEQ ID NO:307 was expressed in E coli and purified using a Co-resin system. The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO:307 was altered for optimal codon usage in E coli. The purified SEQ ID NO.307 was chemically glycosylated using a mono(lactosylamido) mono(succmimidyl) suberate. This chemically reacts with amine groups on proteins to form an N-lmked modification with a terminal lactose on the protein The glycosylation of the purified SEQ ID NO: 307 was verified using a glycosylation stain. Purified glycosylated and un-glycosylated SEQ ID NO:307 was tested for xylanase activity at pHs 2, 3.5, and 5 The glycosylated SEQ ID NO:307 had higher levels of activity at pH 2 and 3.5 that the ungylcosylated from of SEQ ID NO:307. Un-glycosylated SEQ ID NO:307 displayed reduced solubility at pH 2 and 3.5.

Example 6: Expression of SEQ ID NO:307 in Pichiapastoris.

Nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO:307 was inserted into Pichia pastons and several clones had significant xylanase and cellulose activities at pH 3.5, but not at pH 2. The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO:307 was altered for optimal codon usage in Pichiapastoris.

Example 7: Comparison of Xylanase and Cellulase Activity of SEQ ID NO:307 Expressed in Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and E. coli. Nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO:307 was inserted into E coli with an N-termmal His tag and the resultant protein purified The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO.307 was altered for optimal codon usage m E coli The resulting purified protein had no glycosylation Protein of SEQ ID NO 307 was also purified from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius The purified protein from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius was glycosylated as normal for protein produced from this organism The purified proteins were tested for xylanase activity using wheat arabmoxylan (WAX) The results of the comparison are presented m FIG 23 There was no data available for enzyme purified from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5 5 As can be seen in FIG 23, the Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly more xylanase activity at pH 2 and 8O⁰C than the E coli purified enzyme (white bars)

The purified proteins were also tested for cellulase activity using carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) The results of the comparison are presented m FIG 24 There was no data available for enzyme purified from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5 5 As can be seen in FIG 24, the Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly less cellulase activity at pH 3 5 than the E coli purified enzyme (white bars)

FIG 25 presents the ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity for the data presented in FIGs 23 and 24 As can be seen therein, enzyme purified from Ahcyclobacillus acidocaldarius had predominantly xylanase activity at pH 2 and 8O⁰C, while having predominantly cellulose activity at all other conditions tested (black bars) The enzyme purified from E coli had predominantly cellulose activity at all conditions tested (white bars) This data confirms that the glycosylation state of SEQ ID NO 307 varies the relative xylanase and cellulose activities of SEQ ID NO 307

Example 8: Comparison of Xylanase and Cellulase Activity of SEQ ID NO:307 Expressed in

E. coli and Pichia pastoris.

Nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was inserted into Pichia pastoris and the resultant protein purified The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was altered for optimal codon usage in Pichia pastoris The purified protein from Pichia pastoris was glycosylated as normal for protein produced from this organism Nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was inserted into E coli with an N-terminal His tag and the resultant protein purified The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was altered for optimal codon usage in E coli The resulting purified protein had no glycosylation The purified proteins were tested for xylanase activity using wheat arabmoxylan The results of the comparison are presented in FIG 26 As can be seen in FIG 26, the Pichia pastoris purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly more xylanase activity at all conditions other than pH 3 5 and 8O⁰C than the E coli purified enzyme (white bars)

The purified proteins were also tested for cellulase activity using carboxymethyl cellulose The results of the comparison are presented m FIG 27 As can be seen in FIG 27, the Pichia pastoris purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly greater cellulase activity at 6O⁰C while the E coli purified enzyme (white bars) displayed significantly greater cellulase activity at 8O⁰C FIG. 28 presents the ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity for the data presented in FIGs. 26 and 27.

As can be seen therein, enzyme purified from Pichia pastoris had predominantly cellulase activity at all conditions other than pH 2 and 8O⁰C The enzyme purified from E coli had predominantly cellulose activity at all conditions tested. This data confirms that the glycosylation state of SEQ ID NO:307 vanes the relative xylanase and cellulose activities of SEQ ID NO.307.

Example 9: Comparison of Xylanase and Cellulase Activity of SEQ ID NO:307 Expressed in Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius and Pichia pastoris.

Nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO:307 was inserted into Pichia pastoris and the resultant protein purified The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO.307 was altered for optimal codon usage m Pichia pastoris The purified protein from Pichia pastoris was glycosylated as normal for protein produced from this organism. Protein of SEQ ID NO:307 was also purified from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius. The purified protein from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius was glycosylated as normal for protein produced from this organism. The purified proteins were tested for xylanase activity using wheat arabmoxylan. The results of the comparison are presented m FIG. 29 There was no data available for enzyme purified from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5.5. As can be seen in FIG. 29, the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly more xylanase activity at A pH of 2 and a pH of 3 5 and 8O⁰C than the Pichia pastoris purified enzyme (white bars).

The purified proteins were also tested for cellulase activity using carboxymethyl cellulose. The results of the comparison are presented m FIG. 30. There was no data available for enzyme purified from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius at pH 5 5 As can be seen in FIG. 30, the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly less cellulase activity at all conditions other than pH 3.5 and 8O⁰C than the Pichia pastoris purified enzyme (white bars).

FIG. 31 presents the ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity for the data presented in FIGs. 29 and 30. As can be seen therein, enzyme purified from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius had predominantly xylanase activity at pH 2 and 8O⁰C, while having predominantly cellulose activity at all other conditions tested (black bars). The enzyme purified from Pichia pastoris also had predominantly xylanase activity at pH 2 and 8O⁰C, while having predominantly cellulase activity at all other conditions tested (white bars). This data confirms that the glycosylation state of SEQ ID NO.307 varies the relative xylanase and cellulose activities of SEQ ID NO:307.

Example 10: Comparison of Xylanase and Cellulase Activity of Truncated SEQ ID NO:307 Expressed in E. coli and Pichia pastoris.

Nucleic acid encoding a truncated SEQ ID NO:307 without the 203 C-termmal ammo acids was inserted into Pichia pastoris with a C-termmal His tag and the resultant protein purified. The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was altered for optimal codon usage in Pichia pastoris . The purified protein from Pichia pastons was glycosylated as normal for protein produced from this organism Nucleic acid encoding a truncated SEQ ID NO 307 without the 203 C-termmal ammo acids and N-terminal 33 leader sequence ammo acids were inserted into E coli with an and the resultant protein purified The nucleic acid encoding SEQ ID NO 307 was altered for optimal codon usage m E coli. The resulting purified protein had no glycosylation. The purified proteins were tested for xylanase activity using wheat arabmoxylan The results of the comparison are presented in FIG. 32 As can be seen in FIG. 32, the Pichia pastons purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly more xylanase activity at all 6O⁰C conditions while the E coli purified enzyme (white bars) had more xylanase activity at all 8O⁰C conditions The purified proteins were also tested for cellulase activity using carboxymethyl cellulose The results of the comparison are presented in FIG 33. As can be seen m FIG 33, the Pichia pastons purified enzyme (black bars) had significantly greater cellulase activity 6O⁰C and pHs 3 5 and 5 5 while the E coli purified enzyme (white bars) displayed greater cellulase at all other conditions

FIG. 34 presents the ratio of cellulose/xylanase activity for the data presented in FIGs. 32 and 33. As can be seen therein, both purified enzymes had predominantly cellulase activity at all conditions.

Example 11: Activity of SEQ ID NO:338 Expressed in E. coli and Pichia pastons.

RAAC00568 (SEQ ID NO'338) was expressed in both E coli and Pichia pastons Codon usage in the encoding DNA was optimized for the particular organism. In E coli, the enzyme expressed primarily as inclusion bodies A small amount of enzyme was soluble and we were able to purify it via the His tag by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). This purified enzyme was tested for both alpha glucosidase and alpha xylosidase activities at pH 6.0 and 60⁰C and was found to have no activity Several attempts were also made to solubilize the inclusion bodies and did not result m active protein In Pichia pastons, a soluble enzyme was expressed and purified by IMAC. This enzyme had activity at pH 5 5 and 60⁰C for both alpha glucosidase and alpha xylosidase These results demonstrate that the expression system and glycosylation state of RAAC00568 may alter both the solubility and activity of the enzyme

Example 12: Activity of SEQ ID NO:337 Expressed in E. coli and Pichia pastons. RAAC00307 (SEQ ID NO 337) was expressed in both E coli and Pichia pastons Codon usage m the encoding DNA was optimized for the particular organism The E coli produced enzyme was purified via a His tag by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (EvIAC). This purified enzyme was tested for both alpha arabmofuranosidase (AFS) activity, as well as beta xylosidase (BXYL) activity The results of this testing are presented in FIGs. 35-37. In Pichia pastons, a soluble enzyme was expressed and purified by IMAC. The optimum conditions for the E coli expressed AFS were pH 6.0 and 7O⁰C, while the optimum conditions for BXYL were pH 5.0 and between 70⁰C and 80⁰C (FIGs. 35 and 36) The enzyme did not have activity at pH 2.0 for either AFS or BXYL activities (FIGs. 35 and 36). The Pichia pastons expressed enzyme was screened at pH 2, 3.5, and 5.5 and at 60⁰C and 80⁰C. The results are presented in FIG. 37. The glycosylation modifications made by Pichia pastons during expression appeared to have shifted the activity to a lower pH. The BXYL in the Pichia pastons expressed enzyme was 10 8 U/mg at pH 3.0, 6O⁰C, while it was only 1.1 U/mg for the E coli expressed enzyme The Pichia pastons expressed enzyme also had some activity at pH 2.0 while there was no activity for the E coli expressed enzyme These results demonstrate that the expression system and glycosylation state of RAAC00307 may alter its activity.

While this invention has been described in the context of certain embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come withm known or customary practice m the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims and their legal equivalents

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Claims

CLAMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An isolated and/or purified glycosylated protein, wherein the glycosylated protein compπses

SEQ ID NO:307.

2. A method of alteπng enzymatic activity of an extremophihc enzyme, the method comprising: placing the extremophihc enzyme m fluid contact with an isolated and/or purified enzyme or a chemical system capable of glycosylating the extremophihc enzyme; and glycosylating the extremophihc enzyme.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the isolated and/or purified enzyme capable of glycosylating the extremophihc enzyme is isolated and/or purified from an organism.

4. The method according to any one of claims 3, 9, 10, 13, 18, and 22, wherein the organism is selected from the group consisting of Alicyclobacillus acidocaldanus and Pichia pastoris .

5. The method according to any one of claims 2, 9, and 10, wherein the extremophihc enzyme is an extremophihc enzyme of a thermoacidophile.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2, 9, and 10, wherein the extremophihc enzyme is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:307, 337, and 338.

7. The method according to any one of claims 2, 9, and 10, wherein the extremophihc enzyme has altered cellulase, xylanase, or beta xylosidase activity compared to a non-glycosylated form of the extremophihc enzyme.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2, 9, and 10, wherein the glycosylated extremophihc enzyme has altered cellulase, xylanase, or beta xylosidase activity compared to a non-glycosylated form of the extremophihc enzyme at a pH selected from the group consisting of a pH of less than about 5, about 3.5, and about 2, or at a temperature selected from the group consisting of less than about 9O⁰C, about 8O⁰C, about 7O⁰C, about 60⁰C, and about 5O⁰C.

9. A method of altering the enzymatic activity of an extremophilic enzyme, the method comprising: placing the extremophilic enzyme in fluid contact with a cell extract of an organism capable of glycosylating the extremophilic enzyme; and glycosylating the extremophilic enzyme.

10. A method of altering the enzymatic activity of an extremophilic enzyme, the method comprising: providing a nucleic acid encoding the extremophilic enzyme to an organism capable of expressing and glycosylating the extremophilic enzyme; and producing a glycosylated form of the extremophilic enzyme from the organism.

11. The method according to any one of claims 10 and 22, wherein the nucleic acid encoding a protein further comprises an excretion signal.

12. An isolated and/or purified extremophilic enzyme produced by any one of the methods according to claims 2, 9, and 10.

13. A method of post-translationally modifying a protein of interest, the method comprising: placing the protein of interest in fluid contact with a glycosyltransferase isolated from an organism capable of glycosylating the protein of interest.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the glycosyltransferase is selected from the group consisting of the glycosyltransferases of SEQ ID NOS: 1, 18, 35, 52, 69, 86, 103, 120, 137, 154, 171, 188, 205, 222, 239, 256, 273, 290.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the protein of interest is an extremophilic enzyme.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the extremophilic enzyme is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13, 18, and 22, wherein the post-translational modification comprises glycosylation.

18. A method of post-translationally modifying a protein of interest, the method comprising: placing a protein of interest in fluid contact with a cell extract of a thermoacidophilic organism.

19. The method according to any one of claims 18 and 22, wherein the thermoacidophilic organism is Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the protein of interest is an enzyme of a thermoacidophile.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 and 22, wherein the protein of interest is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ED NOS:307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.

22. A method of glycosylating a protein of interest, the method comprising: providing a nucleic acid encoding the protein of interest to a thermoacidophilic organism; and producing the protein of interest in the thermoacidophilic organism.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the protein of interest is an endoglucanase and/or xylanase of a thermoacidophile.

24. An isolated and/or purified protein produced by any one of the methods according to claims 13, 18, and 22.

25. An isolated and/or purified glycosylated protein, wherein the protein is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS:307, 331, 333, 335, 337, and 338.