WO2010075529A2

WO2010075529A2 - Heterologous biomass degrading enzyme expression in thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum

Info

Publication number: WO2010075529A2
Application number: PCT/US2009/069443
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heidi Hau; Charles Rice; Chris Herring; John Mcbride; Iv Arthur J. Shaw; Erin Wiswall
Original assignee: Mascoma Corporation
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-23
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: CA2748135A1; WO2010075529A3; US20120040409A1; US9206434B2; WO2010075529A9

Abstract

The present invention is directed to thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic host cells. The thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic host cells of the invention, for example Themoanaerobacterium sachharolyticum ("T. sacch"), express heterologous biomass degrading enzymes, such as cellulases, and are able to produce useful fermentation products from cellulose. Useful fermentation products include, for example, ethanol, acetic acid, lactic acid or CO₂. In order to provide maximum expression and activity levels, biomass degrading enzymes can be expressed from codon-optimized nucleotide sequences, can be expressed under the control of a high-efficiency promoter, and/or can be fused to a signal peptide. In addition, the host cell, for example, a T. sacch host cell, can be genetically altered to further improve ethanol production, for example by disrupting the production of organic products other than ethanol.

Description

HETEROLOGOUS BIOMASS DEGRADING ENZYME EXPRESSION IN THERMOANAEROBACTERIUM SACCHAROLYTICUM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of molecular biology, and in particular, to the expression of heterologous biomass degrading enzymes in gram-positive thermophilic anaerobic bacteria.

Background Art

[0002] Thermophilic microorganisms are useful for a variety of industrial processes. For example, thermophilic microorganisms can be used as biocatalysts in reactions at higher operating temperatures than can be achieved with mesophilic microorganisms. Thermophilic organisms are particularly useful in biologically mediated processes for energy conversion, such as the production of ethanol from plant biomass, because higher operating temperatures allow more convenient and efficient removal of ethanol in vaporized form from the fermentation medium.

[0003] The ability to metabolically engineer thermophilic microorganisms to improve various properties (e.g., ethanol production, breakdown of lignocellulosic materials), would allow the benefit of higher operating temperatures to be combined with the benefits of using industrially important enzymes from a variety of sources in order to improve efficiency and lower the cost of production of various industrial processes, such as energy conversion and alternative fuel production.

[0004] Thermophilic anaerobic gram-positive bacteria such as Thermoanearobacterium saccharolyticum (¹T. sacch") can be particularly useful in methods of energy conversion since they can grow at temperatures above 40 °C and are readily able to utilize cellobiose (a disaccharide) and xylose (a monosaccharide) as energy sources. However, T. sacch are not able to hydrolyze cellulose efficiently. Previous experiments have demonstrated that it is possible to expresses heterologous cellulases in T. sacch (Mai and Wiegel, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 66: 4817-4821 (2000)). However, major shortcomings of the previous strains were that ethanol was not the sole metabolic product and that they were unable to achieve sufficient levels of secreted enzyme to be industrially useful. In contrast, the present invention provides T. sacch and other transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacteria that express high levels of heterologous cellulases that can efficiently produce ethanol or other useful fermentation products such as lactic acid, acetic acid, or CO₂ from cellulose.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention is directed to cellulytic thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic host cells, such as Thermoanearobacterium saccharolyticum. The host cells of the invention express heterologous biomass degrading enzymes. In some embodiments, the host cells can produce ethanol from cellulose.

[0006] In particular, isolated nucleic acids comprising polynucleotides which encode polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38 and an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108- 148 are described. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum. In addition, vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acids are provided. The host cell can be a member of the genus Thermoanaerobacterium, such as T. thermosulfur genes, T. polysaccharolyticum, T. thermosaccharolyticum or T. saccharolyticum. Furthermore, proteins encoded by such nucleic acids are also described. [0007] Transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cells comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product or lacks a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product or lacks both are also described. In some embodiments, such host cells do not contain heterologous markers. In some embodiments, the gene that is necessary for lactic acid production encodes lactate dehydrogenase. In some embodiments, the gene that is necessary for acetic acid production is phosphotransacetylase or acetate kinase.

[0008] Transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cells comprising heterologous polynucleotides comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme operably linked to a cellobiose phosphotransferase promoter are also described.

[0009] Transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cells comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a signal peptide and a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, and wherein the signal peptide comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38 are also described.

[0010] In some embodiments, the host cells can be selected from a group consisting of

Acetogenium kivui, Caldanaerobacter proteolyticus, Caldanaerobium fijiensis, Clostridium thermoamylolyticum, Clostridium thermocopriae, Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum, Clostridium uzonii, Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum, Garciaella petrolearia, Soehngenia saccharolytica, Thermoanaerobacter acetoethylicus, Thermoanaerobacter brockii, Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter finii, Thermoanaerobacter inferii, Thermoanaerobacter lacticus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter siderophilus, Thermoanaerobacter subterraneus, Thermoanaerobacter sulfurigignens, Thermoanaerobacter sulfur ophϊlus, Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis, Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus, Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis strain, Thermoanaerobacter wiegelii, Thermoanaerobium lactoethylicum, and Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus. In some particular embodiments, the host cell is a member of the genus Thermoanerobacterium. In yet another embodiment, the host cell is a T. thermosulfur genes, T. polysaccharolyticum, T. thermosaccharolyticum or T. saccharolyticum host cell. In still another embodiment, the host cell is a T. saccharolyticum host cell. [0011] Transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cells comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the biomass degrading enzyme is codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum are also described. [0012] In addition, transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cells comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is not a biomass degrading enzyme from an anaerobic bacteria are described herein.

[0013] In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is a fungal biomass degrading enzyme or a biomass degrading enzyme from a microorganism residing in the termite gut. In other embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is derived from Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii. [0014] In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and has decreased protease activity compared to a wild- type cell. The decreased protease activity can be the result of decreased activity of a protease. For example, the decreased protease activity can be the result of decreased activity of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 164-168. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and has increased chaperone activity compared to a wild-type cell. The increased chaperone activity can be, for example, the result of the overexpression of a chaperone selected from the group consisting of E. coli HSP60/GroEL, E. coli HSP60/GroES, E. coli HSP70/DnaK, E. coli DnaJ, E. coli GrpE, E. coli HSP90/HtpG, E. coli HSP100/Clp family, E. coli peptidyl prolyl isomerase Trigger Factor, Bacillus subtilis Ffh, Bacillus subtilis HBsu, Bacillus subtilis FtsY, Bacillus subtilis CsaA and Bacillus subtilis FIhF. [0015] In some embodiments, the thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product. The gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product can be lactate dehydrogenase. In some embodiments, the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product. The gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product can be phosphotransacetylase or acetate kinase.

[0016] In some embodiments, the thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cells can hydrolyze cellulose. In other embodiments, the host cell can grow on crystalline cellulose. La still other embodiments, the host cell can grow on Avicel. In some embodiments, the host cell has at least 10 U/mg activity.

[0017] In some embodiments, the thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expresses a biomass degrading enzyme wherein the sequence encoding the biomass degrading enzyme is operably associated with a cellobiose phosphotransferase (CBP) promoter. The CBP promoter can be the Clostridium thermocellum CBP promoter. The CBP promoter can comprise the sequence of SEQ ID NO:153.

[0018] In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is fused to a signal peptide.

The signal peptide can comprise an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38. The signal peptide can be fused to the N-terminus of the biomass degrading enzyme. The signal peptide can be encoded by a nucleic acid codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum . [0019] In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding the biomass degrading enzyme is codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum. In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is fused to a cellulose binding module (CBM).

[0020] In some embodiments, the host cell further comprises a second heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme. [0021] In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is a cellulase.

[0022] Methods for hydrolyzing a cellulosic substrate, comprising contacting the cellulosic substrate with a thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expressing a biomass degrading enzyme are also described herein. In addition, methods for producing ethanol from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting the cellulosic substrate with a thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expressing a biomass degrading enzyme are also described herein. The methods can further comprise contacting the substrate with exogenous enzymes. The contacting can occur in anaerobic conditions.

[0023] The cellulosic substrate can be a lignocellulosic biomass selected from the group consisting of grass, switch grass, cord grass, rye grass, reed canary grass, miscanthus, sugar- processing residues, sugarcane bagasse, agricultural wastes, rice straw, rice hulls, barley straw, corn cobs, cereal straw, wheat straw, canola straw, oat straw, oat hulls, corn fiber, stover, soybean stover, corn stover, forestry wastes, recycled wood pulp fiber, paper sludge, sawdust, hardwood, softwood, and combinations thereof.

[0024] Methods of producing products such as acetic acid from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with a thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expressing a biomass degrading enzyme are also described herein. Similarly, methods of producing lactic acid from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with a thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expressing a biomass degrading enzyme are also described herein.

[0025] Methods of producing a biomass degrading enzyme comprising culturing a thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell expressing a biomass degrading enzyme under conditions suitable for protein expression and purifying the biomass degrading enzyme are also described herein. [0026] Methods of producing ethanol from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting the cellulosic substrate with a Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum, wherein the Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum expresses a heterologous cellulase and (i) has increased chaperone activity compared to wild-type Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum and/or (ii) has decreased protease activity compared to wild-type Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum are also described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0027] Figure 1. Vector map showing basic genetic elements that can be used for cloning cellulases in T. sacch. The plasmid contains the Clostridium thermocellum CBP cellobiose phosphotransferase (CBP) promoter; E. coli Tl and T2 terminator; an exogenous cellulase gene (the native sequence from host organism or codon-optimized sequence of the cellulase); signal peptide (native signal sequence from host organism, a codon optimized native signal sequence from host organism, endogenous T. sacch signal sequence, signal sequence from another gram positive organism, or codon-optimized signal sequence from another gram positive organism); S. cerevisiae URA3 auxotrophic marker; cenό/Arsh yeast origin of replication; the B6A T. sacch origin of replication; and the kanamycin (KanR) and ampicillin (AmpR) resistance markers. [0028] Figure 2. Western blot of T. sacch supernatants showing CeIZ (native C. stercorarium sequence) expression. Anti-6X His, anti-Flag, and anti-HA antibodies were used to detect CeIZ with His, Flag and HA tags expressed in a T. sacch strain, hi each blot, "ladder" indicates the lane loaded with a molecular weight protein ladder; "4IkDA + control" indicates the lane loaded with E. coli whole cell lysates expressing His, Flag and HA tagged protein (positive control); "CeIZ" indicates the lane loaded with supernatant from T. sacch expressing CeIZ with no tag; and "CeIZ-HA," "CelZ-His," and "CelZ-flag" indicate lanes loaded with supernatant from T. sacch expressing CeIZ fusion proteins. CeIZ fusions are designated by the arrows, and possible proteolysis products are circled.

[0029] Figure 3. Western blot of T. sacch supernatants showing E5 and CBHl expression. Anti-His antibodies were used to detect His tagged proteins expressed in the T. sacch strain MO355. Supernatants from MO355 transformed with vectors encoding Cellulomonas fimi cex (lanes 1 and 2), Talaromyces emersonii CBHl (lanes 3 and 4), T.fusca CeIE (E5) (lanes 5 and 6) and Nasutitermes takasagoensis NtEG (lanes 7 and 8) were assayed for protein expression. Lanes 1, 3, 5 and 7 were obtained from overnight cultures, and lanes 2, 4, 6 and 8 were obtained from stationary cultures.

[0030] Figure 4. Bar graph showing activity of T. sacch transformants in MuLac assay.

T. sacch were transformed with genes as described in Example 5. The ability of the resulting strains to cleave MuLac was compared to that of the parent strain, M0699, which is an MO355- derived strain adapted for fast growth in a chemostat.

[0031] Figure 5. Bar graph of ethanol production from MO355 transformants. T. sacch were transformed with PCR-cloned CeIB from Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii ("T. sacch

555"), CeIA from Anaerocellum thermophilum (¹T. sacch 559"), and CeIZ from Clostridium stercorarium (¹T. sacch 567"). The ability of the resulting strains to produce ethanol from Avicel was compared to that of the parent T. sacch strain, M0355. Ethanol production assays were performed at pH 5.5, 6.1 and 6.7.

[0032] Figure 6. Bar graph of ethanol production from M0699 transformants. T. sacch were transformed with PCR-cloned genes from the labeled biomass degrading enzymes. The ability of the resulting strains to produce ethanol from Avicel was compared to that of the parent

T. sacch strain, MO699.

[0033] Figure 7. Western blots of CBHl :6X His {Talaromyces emersonii) (Fig. 7A),

E5:6X His (Thermobiβda fused) (Fig. 7B), and CelZ:6X His {Clostridium stercorarium) (Fig.

7C) fused to various signal peptides. Anti-6X His antibodies were used to detect the fusion proteins. In each blot, "ladder" indicates the lane loaded with a molecular weight protein ladder;

"control" indicates the lane loaded with E. coli whole cell lysates expressing His-tagged protein

(positive control); lane assignments correspond to the signal peptide number cloned upstream of each cellulase as outlined in Table 3. hi Figure 7C, "empty vector" refers to overexpression of the same plasmid vector backbone that contains CeIZ, but that lacks the CeIZ coding sequence, and "CelZ-His" refers to expression of CeIZ with the native, non-codon optimized Clostridium stercorarium signal peptide.

[0034] Figure 8. Western blots and PVDF membranes showing proteolytic bands resulting from heterologous expression of cellulases in T. sacch. The numbered bands in the

PVDF membranes were cut out and sequenced. The resulting sequences are shown below the corresponding Western and PVDF images.

[0035] Figure 9. T. emersonii CBHl expressed in T. sacch is enzymatically active.

Heterologous CBHl activity was measured using an in-gel MuLac assay (Fig 9A), an Avicel conversion assay (Fig. 9B), and fermentation bottle experiments (Fig. 9C). In Figure 9A, the Simply Blue staining (right panel) shows the total protein content measured in the MuLac assay, and the fluorescence (left panel) shows Cbhl enzyme activity measured in the MuLac assay. In Figure 9B, the height of the bars indicates the percent of Avicel converted by T. sacch over 24 and 48 hour time periods. In Figure 9C, the height of the bars indicates the amounts of ethanol, cellobiose, glucose, and xylose produced in T. sacch fermentation experiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0036] A "vector," e.g., a "plasmid" or "YAC" (yeast artificial chromosome) refers to an extrachromosomal element often carrying one or more genes that are not part of the central metabolism of the cell, and is usually in the form of a circular double-stranded DNA molecule. Such elements can be autonomously replicating sequences, genome integrating sequences, phage or nucleotide sequences, linear, circular, or supercoiled, of a single- or double-stranded DNA or RNA, derived from any source, in which a number of nucleotide sequences have been joined or recombined into a unique construction which is capable of introducing a promoter fragment and DNA sequence for a selected gene product along with appropriate 3' untranslated sequence into a cell. The plasmids or vectors of the present invention can be stable and self-replicating. The plasmids or vectors of the present invention can also be suicide vectors, or vectors that cannot replicate in the host cell. Such vectors are useful for forcing insertion of the nucleotide sequence into the host chromosome.

[0037] An "expression vector" is a vector that is capable of directing the expression of genes to which it is operably associated.

[0038] The term "heterologous" as used herein refers to an element of a vector, plasmid or host cell that is derived from a source other than the endogenous source. Thus, for example, a heterologous sequence could be a sequence that is derived from a different gene or plasmid from the same host, from a different strain of host cell, or from an organism of a different taxonomic group (e.g., different kingdom, phylum, class, order, family genus, or species, or any subgroup within one of these classifications). The term "heterologous" is also used synonymously herein with the term "exogenous."

[0039] The term "domain" as used herein refers to a part of a molecule or structure that shares common physical or chemical features, for example hydrophobic, polar, globular, helical domains or properties, e.g., a DNA binding domain or an ATP binding domain. Domains can be identified by their homology to conserved structural or functional motifs. Examples of cellobiohydrolase (CBH) domains include the catalytic domain (CD) and the cellulose binding domain (CBD).

[0040] A "nucleic acid," "polynucleotide," or "nucleic acid molecule" is a polymeric compound comprised of covalently linked subunits called nucleotides. Nucleic acid includes polyribonucleic acid (RNA) and polydeoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), both of which can be single- stranded or double-stranded. DNA includes cDNA, genomic DNA, synthetic DNA, and semisynthetic DNA.

[0041] An "isolated nucleic acid molecule" or "isolated nucleic acid fragment" refers to the phosphate ester polymeric form of ribonucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, uridine or cytidine; "RNA molecules") or deoxyribonucleosides (deoxyadenosine, deoxyguanosine, deoxythymidine, or deoxycytidine; "DNA molecules"), or any phosphoester analogs thereof, such as phosphorothioates and thioesters, in either single stranded form, or a double-stranded helix. Double stranded DNA-DNA, DNA-RNA and RNA-RNA helices are possible. The term nucleic acid molecule, and in particular DNA or RNA molecule, refers only to the primary and secondary structure of the molecule, and does not limit it to any particular tertiary forms. Thus, this term includes double-stranded DNA found, inter alia, in linear or circular DNA molecules (e.g., restriction fragments), plasmids, and chromosomes. In discussing the structure of particular double-stranded DNA molecules, sequences are described herein according to the normal convention of giving only the sequence in the 5' to 3' direction along the non-transcribed strand of DNA (i.e., the strand having a sequence homologous to the mRNA).

[0042] A "gene" refers to an assembly of nucleotides that encode a polypeptide, and includes cDNA and genomic DNA nucleic acids. "Gene" also refers to a nucleic acid fragment that expresses a specific protein, including intervening sequences (introns) between individual coding segments (exons), as well as regulatory sequences preceding (5' non-coding sequences) and following (3' non-coding sequences) the coding sequence. "Native gene" refers to a gene as found in nature with its own regulatory sequences.

[0043] A nucleic acid molecule is "hybridizable" to another nucleic acid molecule, such as a cDNA, genomic DNA, or RNA, when a single stranded form of the nucleic acid molecule can anneal to the other nucleic acid molecule under the appropriate conditions of temperature and solution ionic strength. Hybridization and washing conditions are well known and exemplified, e.g., in Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E. F. and Maniatis, T. MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor (1989), particularly Chapter 11 and Table 11.1 therein (hereinafter "Maniatis", entirely incorporated herein by reference). The conditions of temperature and ionic strength determine the "stringency" of the hybridization. Stringency conditions can be adjusted to screen for moderately similar fragments, such as homologous sequences from distantly related organisms, to highly similar fragments, such as genes that duplicate functional enzymes from closely related organisms. Post-hybridization washes determine stringency conditions. One set of conditions uses a series of washes starting with 6X SSC, 0.5% SDS at room temperature for 15 min, then repeated with 2X SSC, 0.5% SDS at 45° C for 30 min, and then repeated twice with 0.2X SSC, 0.5% SDS at 50° C for 30 min. For more stringent conditions, washes are performed at higher temperatures in which the washes are identical to those above except for the temperature of the final two 30 min washes in 0.2X SSC, 0.5% SDS are increased to 60° C. Another set of highly stringent conditions uses two final washes in 0.1 X SSC, 0.1% SDS at 65° C. An additional set of highly stringent conditions are defined by hybridization at 0.1X SSC, 0.1% SDS, 65⁰C and washed with 2X SSC, 0.1% SDS followed by 0.1X SSC, 0.1% SDS.

[0044] Hybridization requires that the two nucleic acids contain complementary sequences, although depending on the stringency of the hybridization, mismatches between bases are possible. The appropriate stringency for hybridizing nucleic acids depends on the length of the nucleic acids and the degree of complementation, variables well known in the art. The greater the degree of similarity or homology between two nucleotide sequences, the greater the value of Tm for hybrids of nucleic acids having those sequences. The relative stability (corresponding to higher Tm) of nucleic acid hybridizations decreases in the following order: RNA:RNA, DNA:RNA, DNA:DNA. For hybrids of greater than 100 nucleotides in length, equations for calculating Tm have been derived (see, e.g., Maniatis at 9.50-9.51). For hybridizations with shorter nucleic acids, i.e., oligonucleotides, the position of mismatches becomes more important, and the length of the oligonucleotide determines its specificity (see, e.g., Maniatis, at 11.7-11.8). In one embodiment the length for a hybridizable nucleic acid is at least about 10 nucleotides. Preferably a minimum length for a hybridizable nucleic acid is at least about 15 nucleotides; more preferably at least about 20 nucleotides; and most preferably the length is at least 30 nucleotides. Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize that the temperature and wash solution salt concentration can be adjusted as necessary according to factors such as length of the probe.

[0045] The term "percent identity", as known in the art, is a relationship between two or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotide sequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art, "identity" also means the degree of sequence relatedness between polypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as determined by the match between strings of such sequences.

[0046] As known in the art, "similarity" between two polypeptides is determined by comparing the amino acid sequence and conserved amino acid substitutes thereto of the polypeptide to the sequence of a second polypeptide.

[0047] "Identity" and "similarity" can be readily calculated by known methods, including but not limited to those described in: Computational Molecular Biology (Lesk, A. M., ed.) Oxford University Press, NY (1988); Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects (Smith, D. W., ed.) Academic Press, NY (1993); Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, Part I (Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds.) Humana Press, NJ (1994); Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology (von Heinje, G., ed.) Academic Press (1987); and Sequence Analysis Primer (Gribskov, M. and Devereux, J., eds.) Stockton Press, NY (1991). Preferred methods to determine identity are designed to give the best match between the sequences tested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified in publicly available computer programs. Sequence alignments and percent identity calculations can be performed using the Megalign program of the LASERGENE bioinformatics computing suite (DNASTAR Inc., Madison, Wis.). Multiple alignments of the sequences disclosed herein were performed using the Clustal method of alignment (Higgins and Sharp (1989) CABIOS. 5:151-153) with the default parameters (GAP PENALTY=IO, GAP LENGTH PENALTY=IO). Default parameters for pairwise alignments using the Clustal method were KTUPLE 1, GAP PENALTY=3, WIND0W=5 and DIAGONALS SAVED=5. [0048] Suitable nucleic acid sequences or fragments thereof (isolated polynucleotides of the present invention) encode polypeptides that are at least about 70% to 75% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein, at least about 80%, 85%, or 90% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein, or at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to the amino acid sequences reported herein. Suitable nucleic acid fragments are at least about 70%, 75%, or 80% identical to the nucleic acid sequences reported herein, at least about 80%, 85%, or 90% identical to the nucleic acid sequences reported herein, or at least about 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100% identical to the nucleic acid sequences reported herein. Suitable nucleic acid fragments not only have the above identities/similarities but typically encode a polypeptide having at least 50 amino acids, at least 100 amino acids, at least 150 amino acids, at least 200 amino acids, or at least 250 amino acids.

[0049] A DNA or RNA "coding region" is a DNA or RNA molecule which is transcribed and/or translated into a polypeptide in a cell in vitro or in vivo when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences. "Suitable regulatory regions" refer to nucleic acid regions located upstream (5' non-coding sequences), within, or downstream (3¹ non-coding sequences) of a coding region, and which influence the transcription, RNA processing or stability, or translation of the associated coding region. Regulatory regions can include enhancers, operators, promoters, translation leader sequences, RNA processing sites, effector binding sites and stem-loop structures. The boundaries of the coding region are determined by a start codon at the 5' (amino) terminus and a translation stop codon at the 3' (carboxyl) terminus. A coding region can include, but is not limited to, prokaryotic regions, cDNA from mRNA, genomic DNA molecules, synthetic DNA molecules, or RNA molecules. If the coding region is intended for expression in a eukaryotic cell, a polyadenylation signal and transcription termination sequence will usually be located 3' to the coding region.

[0050] An "isoform" is a protein that has the same function as another protein but which is encoded by a different gene and can have small differences in its sequence.

[0051] A "paralogue" is a protein encoded by a gene related by duplication within a genome.

[0052] An "orthologue" is gene from a different species that has evolved from a common ancestral gene by speciation. Normally, orthologues retain the same function in the course of evolution as the ancestral gene.

[0053] "Open reading frame" is abbreviated ORF and means a length of nucleic acid, either DNA, cDNA or RNA, that comprises a translation start signal or initiation codon, such as an ATG or AUG, and a termination codon and can be potentially translated into a polypeptide sequence.

[0054] "Promoter" refers to a DNA fragment capable of controlling the expression of a coding sequence or functional RNA. In general, a coding region is located 3' to a promoter.

Promoters can be derived in their entirety from a native gene, or be composed of different elements derived from different promoters found in nature, or even comprise synthetic DNA segments. It is understood by those skilled in the art that different promoters can direct the expression of a gene in different tissues or cell types, or at different stages of development, or in response to different environmental or physiological conditions. Promoters which cause a gene to be expressed in most cell types at most times are commonly referred to as "constitutive promoters". It is further recognized that since in most cases the exact boundaries of regulatory sequences have not been completely defined, DNA fragments of different lengths can have identical promoter activity. A promoter is generally bounded at its 3' terminus by the transcription initiation site and extends upstream (5' direction) to include the minimum number of bases or elements necessary to initiate transcription at levels detectable above background. Within the promoter will be found a transcription initiation site (conveniently defined for example, by mapping with nuclease Sl), as well as protein binding domains (consensus sequences) responsible for the binding of RNA polymerase.

[0055] A coding region is "under the control" of transcriptional and translational control elements in a cell when RNA polymerase transcribes the coding region into mRNA, which is then translated into the protein encoded by the coding region.

[0056] "Transcriptional and translational control regions" are DNA regulatory regions, such as promoters, enhancers, terminators, and the like, that provide for the expression of a coding region in a host cell. In eukaryotic cells, polyadenylation signals are control regions. [0057] The term "operably associated" refers to the association of nucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that the function of one is affected by the other. For example, a promoter is operably associated with a coding region when it is capable of affecting the expression of that coding region (i.e., that the coding region is under the transcriptional control of the promoter). Coding regions can be operably associated to regulatory regions in sense or antisense orientation.

[0058] The term "expression," as used herein, refers to the transcription and stable accumulation of sense (mRNA) or antisense RNA derived from the nucleic acid fragment of the invention. Expression can also refer to translation of mRNA into a polypeptide.

Host Cells Expressing Heterologous Biomass Degrading Enzymes

[0059] In order to address the limitations of the previous systems, the present invention provides host cells expressing biomass degrading enzymes that can be effectively and efficiently utilized to produce fermentation products from cellulose. For example, the host cells can be used to produce ethanol, lactic acid, acetic acid or CO₂. In some embodiments, this host cells are used to produce ethanol. Host cells are genetically engineered (transduced or transformed or transfected) with the polynucleotides encoding heterologous biomass degrading enzymes which are described in more detail below. The polynucleotides encoding the biomass degrading enzymes can be introduced to the host cell on a vector of the invention, which can be, for example, a cloning vector or an expression vector comprising a sequence encoding a heterologous cellulase. The host cells can comprise polynucleotides of the invention as integrated copies or plasmid copies.

[0060] In particular, the host cells can be thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria.

For example, in one embodiment, the host cell is a member of the genus Thermoanaerobacteήum. The Thermoanaerobacterium can be, for example, T. thermosulfurgenes, T. polysaccharolyticum or T. saccharolyticum. In another particular embodiment, the host cell is a Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum ("T. sacch") cell. In yet another embodiment, the host cell is a thermophilic anaerobe with 16s rRNA sequences that are similar to that of T. sacch. For example, the host cell can be an Acetogenium kivui, Caldanaerobacter proteolyticus, Caldanaerobium fijiensis, Clostridium thermoamylolyticum, Clostridium thermocopriae, Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum, Clostridium uzonii, Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum, Garciaella petrolearia, Soehngenia saccharolytica, Thermoanaerobacter acetoethylicus, Thermoanaerobacter brockii, Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter finii, Thermoanaerobacter inferii, Thermoanaerobacter lacticus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter siderophilus, Thermoanaerobacter subterraneus, Thermoanaerobacter sulfur igignens, Thermoanaerobacter sulfur ophilus, Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis, Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus, Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis strain, Thermoanaerobacter wiegelii, Thermoanaerobium lactoethylicum, or Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus cell.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell is a modified thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. Thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can convert sugars into either lactic acid, acetic acid or ethanol, for example. Therefore, by decreasing the amount of lactic acid and/or acetic acid produced, the amount of ethanol produced under given conditions can be increased. [0062] Therefore, the host cell can be altered to decrease the production of lactic acid.

For example, the host cell can comprise a mutation or deletion in a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product. Thus, the host cell can be, for example, a host cell wherein lactate dehydrogenase activity is decreased or eliminated. The host cell can, for example, comprise a mutation or deletion in a lactate dehydrogenase coding or regulatory sequence. The host cell can also be altered to decrease the production of acetic acid. For example, the host cell can comprise a mutation or deletion in a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product. Thus, the host cell can be, for example, a host cell wherein phosphotransacetylase activity is decreased or eliminated. The host cell can, for example, comprise a mutation or deletion in a phosphotransacetylase coding or regulatory sequence. The host cell can also be, for example, a host cell wherein acetate kinase activity is decreased or eliminated. The host cell can, for example, comprise a mutation or deletion in a acetate kinase coding or regulatory sequence.

[0063] Examples of such host cells are described in International Patent Application

Number PCT/US2006/042442 (filed October 31, 2006) and PCT/US2007/016947 (filed May 1, 2007), which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties. The host cell can be, for example, M0355 (described herein) or ALKl or ALK2 (described in PCT/US2006/042442 and PCT/US2007/016947).

[0064] Lactic acid and/or acetic acid production can also be reduced or eliminated using methods other than genetic modification. For example, the host cells can be cultured under conditions that decrease lactic acid and/or acetic acid production. The host cells can, for example, be contacted with substances that inhibit lactic acid and/or acetic acid production pathways. The molecules can be, for example, small molecules, peptide inhibitors or interfering RNAs.

[0065] The host cell can also be a cell in which foreign DNA has been removed. For example, the host cell can be a cell that does not comprise heterologous markers, such as antibiotic markers. The removal of foreign DNA can be accomplished using techniques known in the art. For example, methods of counterselection, such as those described in Reyrat et al., Infection and Immunity (56:4011-4017 (1998), can be used to remove transgenic or heterologous sequences or plasmids. The host cell can be a cell that does not comprise any heterologous DNA other than the DNA comprising a sequence encoding the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. Therefore, the host cell be a cell comprising a nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide which encodes a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide which encodes a biomass degrading enzyme is the only heterologous DNA in the cell.

[0066] By improving biomass degrading enzyme expression and secretion, cellulose hydrolysis can be enhanced. Thus, the host cells can also be modified to improve protein expression and/or protein secretion. For example, protease sequences may be removed.

Proteases are enzymes that catalyze the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids. Proteases include endopeptidases and exopeptidases. A protease gene can, for example, be removed using chromosomal integration techniques in which an unrelated sequence (e.g. an antibiotic marker) replaces all or a portion of the the wild-type protease-encoding sequence in its normal chromosomal location. Li particular, the protease genes encoding the proteins shown in

Table 1 below could be removed either individually or in combination.

Table 1. Exemplary Proteases/Peptidases That Can Be Removed According to the Present

Invention.

[0067] Host cells can also be cultured with exogenously added protease inhibitors in order to decrease protease activity.

[0068] Alternatively, or in addition to removing protease genes from host cells, chaperone proteins or components of the secretion system can be over-expressed in the host cells to improve protein expression and/or protein secretion. Chaperone proteins are proteins that assist in three-dimensional folding and unfolding or assembly and disassembly of macromolecular structures, including proteins, without being part of the final macromolecular structures. Chaperones can prevent unfavorable interactions of a substrate (e.g. a protein) and can guide the substrate (e.g. a protein) into a productive export and folding pathway. The chaperone proteins or components of the secretion system can be overexpressed, for example, by transforming host cells with a plasmid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the chaperone protein or the component of the secretion system. The overexpressed chaperones can be endogenous chaperones or heterologous chaperones. For example, E. coli HSP60/GroEL, HSP60/GroES, HSP70/DnaK, DnaJ, GrpE, HSP90/HtpG, HSPlOO/Clp family, and/or peptidyl prolyl isomerase Trigger Factor can be overexpressed. In addition, a secretion-specific chaperone from Bacillus subtilis such as Ffh, HBsu, FtsY, CsaA and/or FIhF can be overexpressed. Chaperone proteins can be overexpressed either individually or in combination. Proteins that are important for disulfide bond formation can be overexpressed. For example, Bacillus subtilis BdbA, BdbB, BdbC, and/or BdbD can be overexpressed. E. coli DsbA, B, C, D, and/or G can also be overexpressed. Proteins that are important in Gram positive SEC-mediated protein secretion such as SecA, Sec Y, SecE, SecG, SecDF can be overexpressed, and proteins important in extracytoplasmic folding such as Bacillus subtilis PrsA can be overexpressed. [0069] Other mechanisms of improving expression and secretion of heterologous cellulases include expression through non-sec mediated mechanisms such as TAT-mediated transport, ATP-binding casette (ABC) transporters and/or pseudopilin/pilin export. [0070] In some embodiments, the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme is expressed without a tag {e.g. a purification or reporter tag such as HA, His, FLAG) that can interfere with successful folding and/or translocation of the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. [0071] Additionally strains that have been altered to create a chemostat strain that can be selected in rich medium with inhibitor cocktails can be used. Auxostat strains that are selected on minimal medium can also be used. In some embodiments, the strains are derived from, for example T. sacch or MO355, and altered to improve characteristics for large-scale production of fuels or chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. These characteristics include faster growth rates, the ability to grow on inexpensive media, the ability to use a wider array of nutrients, and tolerance to ethanol, solvents, oxygen, temperature changes, pH changes, high or low nutrient levels, or inhibitory substances produced from pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. Methods to introduce these characteristics include classical mutagenesis and screening or selection, directed genetic engineering, extended propagation by serial transfer or continuous culture, or a combination of those approaches.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present invention the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can grow at temperatures above about 40° C, about 55° C, about 50° C, about 55° C, about 60° C, about 65° C, about 70° C, about 75° C, or about 80° C. In some embodiments of the present invention the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can produce ethanol, or another fermentation product, from cellulose at temperatures above about 40° C, about 45° C, about 50° C, about 55° C, about 60° C, about 65° C, about 70° C, about 75° C, or about 80° C. [0073] In some embodiments of the present invention, the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can grow at temperatures from about 40° C to 90° C, about 40° C to 80° C, about 40° C to 75° C, about 40° C to 70° C, about 40° C to 65° C, about 40° C to 60° C, or about 40° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can grow at temperatures from about 45° C to 90° C, about 45° C to 45° C, about 45° C to 75° C, about 45° C to 70° C, about 45° C to 65° C, about 45° C to 60° C, or about 45° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can grow at temperatures from about 50° C to 50° C, about 50° C to 80° C, about 50° C to 75° C, about 50° C to 70° C, about 50° C to 65° C, about 50° C to 60° C, or about 50° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the thermophilic gram-positive anaerobic bacteria can grow at temperatures from about 55° C to 90° C, about 55° C to 80° C, about 55° C to 75° C, about 55° C to 70° C, about 55° C to 65° C, or about 55° C to 60° C. [0074] In certain aspects, the present invention relates to host cells containing the polynucleotide constructs described below. The host cells can express one or more heterologous biomass degrading enzyme polypeptides. In some embodiments, the host cell comprises a combination of polynucleotides that encode heterologous biomass degrading enzymes or fragments, variants or derivatives thereof. The host cell can, for example, comprise multiple copies of the same nucleic acid sequence, for example, to increase expression levels, or the host cell can comprise a combination of unique polynucleotides. In other embodiments, the host cell comprises a single polynucleotide that encodes a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme or a fragment, variant or derivative thereof.

[0075] Introduction of a polynucleotide encoding biomass degrading enzymes into a host cell can be done by methods known in the art. Introduction of polynucleotides encoding heterologous biomass degrading enzymes into host cells, can be effected, for example, by lithium acetate transformation, spheroplast transformation, or transformation by electroporation, as described in Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, 13.7.1-13.7.10. Introduction of the construct in other host cells can be effected, for example, by calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran mediated transfection, or electroporation. (Davis, L., et al, Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, (1986)).

[0076] The transformed host cells or cell cultures, as described above, can be examined for biomass degrading enzyme protein content. For the use of secreted heterologous biomass degrading enzymes, protein content can be determined by analyzing the host (e.g., bacteria) cell supernatants. In certain embodiments, high molecular weight material can be recovered from the cell supernatant either by acetone precipitation or by buffering the samples with disposable desalting cartridges. Proteins, including tethered heterologous biomass degrading enzymes, can also be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by methods including spheroplast preparation and lysis, cell disruption using glass beads, and cell disruption using liquid nitrogen for example. Additional protein purification methods include trichloroacetic acid, ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel filtration, and lectin chromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, in completing configuration of the mature protein. Finally, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps.

[0077] Protein analysis methods include methods such as the traditional Lowry method, the bicinchoninic acid protein assay reagent (Pierce) or the protein assay method according to BioRad's manufacturer's protocol. Using such methods, the protein content of saccharolytic enzymes can be estimated. Additionally, to accurately measure protein concentration a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme can be expressed with a tag, for example a His-tag or HA-tag and purified by standard methods using, for example, antibodies against the tag, a standard nickel resin purification technique or similar approach.

[0078] The transformed host cells or cell cultures, as described above, can be further analyzed for hydrolysis of cellulose (e.g., by a sugar detection assay), for a particular type of biomass degrading enzyme activity, for example for cellulase activity (e.g., by measuring the individual endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase or β-glucosidase activity) or for total cellulase activity. Endoglucanase activity can be determined, for example, by measuring an increase of reducing ends in an endoglucanase specific CMC substrate. Cellobiohydrolase activity can be measured, for example, by using insoluble cellulosic substrates such as the amorphous substrate phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) or microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and determining the extent of the substrate's hydrolysis, β-glucosidase activity can be measured by a variety of assays, e.g. , using cellobiose.

[0079] A total cellulase activity, which includes the activity of endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase and β-glucosidase, can hydrolyze crystalline cellulose synergistically. Total cellulase activity can thus be measured using insoluble substrates including pure cellulosic substrates such as Whatman No. 1 filter paper, cotton linter, microcrystalline cellulose, bacterial cellulose, algal cellulose, and cellulose-containing substrates such as dyed cellulose, alpha- cellulose or pretreated lignocellulose. Specific activity of cellulases can also be detected by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such as by the Avicel assay (described supra) that would be normalized by protein (cellulase) concentration measured for the sample. [0080] In some embodiments, the host cell can grow on crystalline cellulose. For example, in some embodiments, the host cell can grow on Avicel. hi some particular embodiments, the host cell can grow on crystalline cellulose or Avicel more efficiently than an untransformed cell, hi another particular embodiment, the host cell can grow on crystalline cellulose or Avicel more efficiently than wild-type T. sacch.

[0081] hi some embodiments, the host cell a particular activity on a substrate. The substrate can be, for example, Avicel, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), or acid-swollen cellulose. The particular activity of the host cell on the substrate can be, for example, at least about 1 U/mg, at least about 2 U/mg, at least about 3 U/mg, at least about 4 U/mg, at least about 5 U/mg, at least about 6 U/mg, at least about 7 U/mg, at least about 8 U/mg, at least about 9 U/mg, at least about 10 U/mg, at least about 15 U/mg, at least about 20 U/mg, at least about 25 U/mg, at least about 30 U/mg, at least about 35 U/mg, at least about 40 U/mg, at least about 50 U/mg, at least about 75 U/mg, or at least about 100 U/mg cellulase activity.

[0082] hi some embodiments, the host cell has at least about 1 U/mg, at least about 2

U/mg, at least about 3 U/mg, at least about 4 U/mg, at least about 5 U/mg, at least about 6 U/mg, at least about 7 U/mg, at least about 8 U/mg, at least about 9 U/mg, at least about 10 U/mg, at least about 15 U/mg, at least about 20 U/mg, at least about 25 U/mg, at least about 30 U/mg, at least about 35 U/mg, at least about 40 U/mg, at least about 50 U/mg, at least about 75 U/mg, or at least about 100 U/mg endoglucanase activity.

[0083] hi some embodiments, the host cell has at least about 1 U/mg, at least about 2

U/mg, at least about 3 U/mg, at least about 4 U/mg, at least about 5 U/mg, at least about 6 U/mg, at least about 7 U/mg, at least about 8 U/mg, at least about 9 U/mg, at least about 10 U/mg, at least about 15 U/mg, at least about 20 U/mg, at least about 25 U/mg, at least about 30 U/mg, at least about 35 U/mg, at least about 40 U/mg, at least about 50 U/mg, at least about 75 U/mg, or at least about 100 U/mg exoglucanase activity.

[0084] hi some embodiments, the host cell has at least about 1 U/mg, at least about 2

U/mg, at least about 3 U/mg, at least about 4 U/mg, at least about 5 U/mg, at least about 6 U/mg, at least about 7 U/mg, at least about 8 U/mg, at least about 9 U/mg, at least about 10 U/mg, at least about 15 U/mg, at least about 20 U/mg, at least about 25 U/mg, at least about 30 U/mg, at least about 35 U/mg, at least about 40 U/mg, at least about 50 U/mg, at least about 75 U/mg, or at least about 100 U/mg cellobiohydrolase activity.

[0085] One aspect of the invention is thus related to the efficient production of biomass degrading enzymes to aid in the digestion of cellulose and generation of ethanol or another useful fermentation product. A biomass degrading enzyme can be, for example, any enzyme involved in cellulase digestion, metabolism and/or hydrolysis, including an endoglucanase, exoglucanase, or β-glucosidase.

[0086] hi additional embodiments, the transformed host cells or cell cultures are assayed for production of a useful fermentation product such as ethanol. Ethanol production can be measured by techniques known to one or ordinary skill in the art e.g. by a standard HPLC refractive index method.

[0087] T. sacch host cells can also be used to produce enzymes that can be purified and used in subsequent applications. The methods comprise trasforming a T. sacch host cell with a sequence encoding a heterologous enzyme, culturing the transformed host cell under conditions suitable for protein expression and purifying the enzyme.

Biomass Degrading Enzymes

[0088] Biomass degrading enzymes can be heterologously expressed in T. sacch and other thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell. According to the present invention, biomass degrading enzymes are proteins that catalyze or enhance the breakdown of biological matter into simpler compounds. The largest component of plant biomass is cellulose, followed by hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose is broken down by hydrolysis, catalyzed by cellulase enzymes. Cellulases can occur as individual enzymes or large multi-enzyme complexes. Cellulose can form tightly packed crystalline structures that are recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis, and a wide variety of proteins exist in nature that act in different ways to break it down. For example, some enzymes show a high degree of endoglucanase activity, hydrolyzing bonds in the middle of cellulose chains. Others show a high degree of exoglucanase activity, releasing mono- or disaccharides from the ends of cellulose chains. Some are highly active on crystalline cellulose while others are most active on oligomeric chains of glucose. These proteins often consist of different functional modules or domains, often with glycoside hydrolase or carbohydrate binding activity. Based on amino acid sequence and protein structure, known glycoside hydrolases have been organized into 113 different families, and carbohydrate binding domains have been organized into 52 families (http://www.cazy.org; Cantarel et al. Nucleic Acids Res. Volume 37: D233-D238 (2008), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Changing just a few amino acids can alter the substrate specificity of a protein, so these families sometimes contain proteins with different specificities and functions. [0089] The breakdown of cellulose can be catalyzed or enhanced by the action of enzymes other than glycoside hydrolases. These include swollenin and expansins, which may disrupt intermolecular hydrogen bonding without hydrolysis. Enzymes that act on hemicellulose or lignin can also enhance the degradation of cellulose by increasing the accessibility of the cellulose fibers. Hemicellulose is more complex than cellulose, but is not crystalline. It contains predominantly xylose, but also the sugars arabinose, galactose, and mannose. Since these component sugars are polymerized in a variety of combinations and linkages, hemicellulose is very diverse. Enzymes that break down hemicellulose include xylanases, xylosidases, xyloglucanases, mannanases, mannosidases, galactanases, galactosidases, arabinases or arabinofuranosidases. Enzymes that degrade lignin and may enhance the activity of other biomass degrading enzymes include lignin peroxidase, some cellobiose dehydrogenases, and aryl alcohol oxidase.

[0090] Thus, according to the present invention, biomass degrading enzymes include, for example, cellulases, endogluconases, exogluconases, glucoside hydrolases, xylanases, xylosidases, xyloglucanases, mannanases, mannosidases, galactanases, galactosidases, arabinases, arabinofuranosidases, lignin peroxidase, some cellobiose dehydrogenases, aryl alcohol oxidase proteinases, nucleases and carbohydrate active enzymes such as amylases, chitosanases, fructosidases or glycosyltransfereases. In some embodiments of the present invention, the biomass degarding enzyme is a cellulase.

[0091] According to the present invention the expression of heterologous biomass degrading enzymes in a host cell can be used advantageously to produce ethanol from cellulosic sources. The expression of heterologous biomass degrading enzymes in a host cell can be used advantageously to produce acetic acid, lactic acid or CO₂ from cellulosic sources. Biomass degrading enzymes from a variety of sources can be heterologously expressed to successfully increase efficiency of fermentation product (e.g. ethanol) production. For example, the biomass degrading enzymes can be from fungi (including yeast), bacteria, plant, protozoan or termite sources. Biomass degrading enzymes from termite sources include biomass degrading enzymes encoded by the termite genome as well as biomass degrading enzymes encoded by the microorganisms that reside in the termite gut. In some embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is not a biomass degrading enzyme from an anaerobic bacteria. In other embodiments, the biomass degrading enzyme is a biomass degrading enzyme derived from an organism selected from the group consisting of Thermobiβda fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptoterm.es formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri and Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii.

[0092] In some embodiments of the invention, multiple biomass degrading enzymes from a single organism are co-expressed in the same host cell. In some embodiments of the invention, multiple biomass degrading enzymes from different organisms are co-expressed in the same host cell. In particular, biomass degrading enzymes from two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or more organisms can be co-expressed in the same host cell.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present invention, the biomass degrading enzyme is a cellulase. Cellulases of the present invention include both endoglucanases or exoglucanases. The cellulases can be, for example, endoglucanases, β-glucosidases or cellobiohydrolases. In certain embodiments of the invention, the endoglucanase(s) can be an endoglucanase I or an endoglucanase II isoform, paralogue or orthologue. In certain embodiments, the β-glucosidase is a β-glucosidase I or a β-glucosidase II isoform, paralogue or orthologue. In certain embodiments of the invention, the cellobiohydrolase(s) can be a cellobiohydrolase I and/or a cellobiohydrolase II isoform, paralogue or orthologue.

[0094] In certain embodiments, the cellulase comprises an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70, about 80, about 90, about 95, about 96, about 97, about 98, about 99, or 100% identical to an amino acid sequence selected from SEQ ID NOs:108-148, (as shown below in Table 2). As a practical matter, whether any polypeptide is at least 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% identical to a polypeptide of the present invention can be determined conventionally using known computer programs. Methods for determining percent identity, as discussed in more detail below in relation to polynucleotide identity, are also relevant for evaluating polypeptide sequence identity. [0095] Some embodiments of the invention encompass a polypeptide comprising at least

10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, or 500 or more consecutive amino acids of any of SEQ E) NOs:108-148, or domains, fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof.

[0096] In certain aspects of the invention, the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention are provided in an isolated form, e.g., purified to homogeneity. [0097] The present invention also encompasses polypeptides which comprise, or alternatively consist of, an amino acid sequence which is at least about 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% similar to the polypeptide of any of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148, and to portions of such polypeptide with such portion of the polypeptide generally containing at least 30 amino acids and more preferably at least 50 amino acids.

[0098] As known in the art "similarity" between two polypeptides is determined by comparing the amino acid sequence and conserved amino acid substitutes thereto of the polypeptide to the sequence of a second polypeptide.

[0099] The present invention further relates to a domain, fragment, variant, derivative, or analog of the polypeptide of any of SEQ ID NOs:108-148.

[00100] Fragments or portions of the polypeptides of the present invention can be employed for producing the corresponding full-length polypeptide by peptide synthesis; therefore, the fragments can be employed as intermediates for producing the full-length polypeptides.

[00101] Fragments of biomass degrading enzymes, for example cellulases including cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase or beta-glucosidase polypeptides, or mannanases of the present invention encompass domains, proteolytic fragments, deletion fragments and in particular, fragments of Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeή or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase or beta-glucosidase polypeptides which retain any specific biological activity of biomass degrading enzyme such as the cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase, mannanase or beta-glucosidase proteins. Polypeptide fragments further include any portion of the polypeptide which comprises a catalytic activity of biomass degrading enzyme such as the cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase, mannanase or beta- glucosidase proteins.

[00102] The variant, derivative or analog of the polypeptide of any of SEQ ID NOs:108-

148, can be (i) one in which one or more of the amino acid residues are substituted with a conserved or non-conserved amino acid residue (preferably a conserved amino acid residue) and such substituted amino acid residue can or can not be one encoded by the genetic code, or (ii) one in which one or more of the amino acid residues includes a substituent group, or (iii) one in which the mature polypeptide is fused with another compound, such as a compound to increase the half-life of the polypeptide (for example, polyethylene glycol), or (iv) one in which the additional amino acids are fused to the mature polypeptide for purification of the polypeptide or (v) one in which a fragment of the polypeptide is soluble, i.e., not membrane bound, yet still binds ligands to the membrane bound receptor. Such variants, derivatives and analogs are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. [00103] The polypeptides of the present invention further include variants of the polypeptides. A "variant" of the polypeptide can be a conservative variant, or an allelic variant. As used herein, a conservative variant refers to alterations in the amino acid sequence that do not adversely affect the biological functions of the protein. A substitution, insertion or deletion is said to adversely affect the protein when the altered sequence prevents or disrupts a biological function associated with the protein. For example, the overall charge, structure or hydrophobic- hydrophilic properties of the protein can be altered without adversely affecting a biological activity. Accordingly, the amino acid sequence can be altered, for example to render the peptide more hydrophobic or hydrophilic, without adversely affecting the biological activities of the protein.

[00104] By an "allelic variant" is intended alternate forms of a gene occupying a given locus on a chromosome of an organism. Genes II, Lewin, B., ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York (1985). Non-naturally occurring variants can be produced using art-known mutagenesis techniques. Allelic variants, though possessing a slightly different amino acid sequence than those recited above, will still have the same or similar biological functions associated with the Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium ster cor avium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme.

[00105] The allelic variants, the conservative substitution variants, and members of the biomass degrading enzyme families, will have an amino acid sequence having at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% amino acid sequence identity with a Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 108- 148. Identity or homology with respect to such sequences is defined herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in the candidate sequence that are identical with the known peptides, after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to achieve the maximum percent homology, and not considering any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence identity. N-terminal, C-terminal or internal extensions, deletions, or insertions into the peptide sequence shall not be construed as affecting homology.

[00106] Thus, the proteins and peptides of the present invention include molecules comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 108- 148 or fragments thereof having a consecutive sequence of at least about 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 or more amino acid residues of the Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme sequences; amino acid sequence variants of such sequences wherein at least one amino acid residue has been inserted N- or C- terminal to, or within, the disclosed sequence; amino acid sequence variants of the disclosed sequences, or their fragments as defined above, that have been substituted by another residue. Contemplated variants further include those containing predetermined mutations by, e.g., homologous recombination, site-directed or PCR mutagenesis, and the corresponding proteins of other animal species, including but not limited to bacterial, fungal, insect, rabbit, rat, porcine, bovine, ovine, equine and non-human primate species, the alleles or other naturally occurring variants of the family of proteins; and derivatives wherein the protein has been covalently modified by substitution, chemical, enzymatic, or other appropriate means with a moiety other than a naturally occurring amino acid (for example, a detectable moiety such as an enzyme or radioisotope).

[00107] Using known methods of protein engineering and recombinant DNA technology, variants can be generated to improve or alter the characteristics of the cellulase polypeptides. For instance, one or more amino acids can be deleted from the N-terminus or C-terminus of the secreted protein without substantial loss of biological function.

[00108 J Thus, the invention further includes Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi,

Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibήsolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum,

Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptide variants which show substantial biological activity. Such variants include deletions, insertions, inversions, repeats, and substitutions selected according to general rules known in the art so as have little effect on activity.

[00109] The skilled artisan is fully aware of amino acid substitutions that are either less likely or not likely to significantly effect protein function {e.g., replacing one aliphatic amino acid with a second aliphatic amino acid), as further described below.

[00110] For example, guidance concerning how to make phenotypically silent amino acid substitutions is provided in Bowie et al., "Deciphering the Message in Protein Sequences:

Tolerance to Amino Acid Substitutions," Science 247:1306-1310 (1990), wherein the authors indicate that there are two main strategies for studying the tolerance of an amino acid sequence to change.

[00111] The first strategy exploits the tolerance of amino acid substitutions by natural selection during the process of evolution. By comparing amino acid sequences in different species, conserved amino acids can be identified. These conserved amino acids are likely important for protein function. In contrast, the amino acid positions where substitutions have been tolerated by natural selection indicates that these positions are not critical for protein function. Thus, positions tolerating amino acid substitution could be modified while still maintaining biological activity of the protein.

[00112] The second strategy uses genetic engineering to introduce amino acid changes at specific positions of a cloned gene to identify regions critical for protein function. For example, site directed mutagenesis or alanine-scanning mutagenesis (introduction of single alanine mutations at every residue in the molecule) can be used. (Cunningham and Wells, Science

244:1081-1085 (1989).) The resulting mutant molecules can then be tested for biological activity. [00113] As the authors state, these two strategies have revealed that proteins are often surprisingly tolerant of amino acid substitutions. The authors further indicate which amino acid changes are likely to be permissive at certain amino acid positions in the protein. For example, most buried (within the tertiary structure of the protein) amino acid residues require nonpolar side chains, whereas few features of surface side chains are generally conserved. Moreover, tolerated conservative amino acid substitutions involve replacement of the aliphatic or hydrophobic amino acids Ala, VaI, Leu and He; replacement of the hydroxyl residues Ser and Thr; replacement of the acidic residues Asp and GIu; replacement of the amide residues Asn and GIn, replacement of the basic residues Lys, Arg, and His; replacement of the aromatic residues Phe, Tyr, and Trp, and replacement of the small-sized amino acids Ala, Ser, Thr, Met, and GIy. [00114] The terms "derivative" and "analog" refer to a polypeptide differing from the

Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptide, but retaining essential properties thereof. Generally, derivatives and analogs are overall closely similar, and, in many regions, identical to the Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptides. The term "derivative" and "analog" when referring to Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptides of the present invention include any polypeptides which retain at least some of the activity of the corresponding native polypeptide, e.g., the exoglucanase activity, or the activity of the its catalytic domain. [00115] Derivatives of Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor hristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptides of the present invention, are polypeptides which have been altered so as to exhibit additional features not found on the native polypeptide. Derivatives can be covalently modified by substitution, chemical, enzymatic, or other appropriate means with a moiety other than a naturally occurring amino acid (for example, a detectable moiety such as an enzyme or radioisotope). Examples of derivatives include fusion proteins.

[00116] An analog is another form of a Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum,

Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polypeptide of the present invention. An "analog" also retains substantially the same biological function or activity as the polypeptide of interest, e.g., functions as a cellobiohydrolase. An analog includes a proprotein which can be activated by cleavage of the proprotein portion to produce an active mature polypeptide.

[00117] The polypeptide of the present invention can be a recombinant polypeptide, a natural polypeptide or a synthetic polypeptide, preferably a recombinant polypeptide. [00118] Also provided in the present invention are allelic variants, orthologs, and/or species homologs. Procedures known in the art can be used to obtain full-length genes, allelic variants, splice variants, full-length coding portions, orthologs, and/or species homologs of genes encoding any of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148, using information from the sequences disclosed herein or the clones deposited with the ATCC. For example, allelic variants and/or species homologs can be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source for allelic variants and/or the desired homologue.

Tethered and Secreted Biomass Degrading Enzymes

[00119] According to the present invention, the biomass degrading enzymes, for example cellulases, can be either tethered or secreted. As used herein, a protein is "tethered" to an organism's cell surface if at least one terminus of the protein is bound, covalently and/or electrostatically for example, to the cell membrane or cell wall. It will be appreciated that a tethered protein can include one or more enzymatic regions that can be joined to one or more other types of regions at the nucleic acid and/or protein levels (e.g., a promoter, a terminator, an anchoring domain, a linker, a signaling region, etc.). While the one or more enzymatic regions may not be directly bound to the cell membrane or cell wall (e.g., such as when binding occurs via an anchoring domain), the protein is nonetheless considered a "tethered enzyme" according to the present specification.

[00120] Tethering can, for example, be accomplished by incorporation of an anchoring domain into a recombinant protein that is heterologously expressed by a cell, or by prenylation, fatty acyl linkage, glycosyl phosphatidyl inositol anchors or other suitable molecular anchors which can anchor the tethered protein to the cell membrane or cell wall of the host cell. A tethered protein can be tethered at its amino terminal end or optionally at its carboxy terminal end.

[00121] As used herein, "secreted" means released into the extracellular milieu, for example into the media. Although tethered proteins can have secretion signals as part of their immature amino acid sequence, they are maintained as attached to the cell surface, and do not fall within the scope of secreted proteins as used herein.

[00122] As used herein, "flexible linker sequence" refers to an amino acid sequence which links two amino acid sequences, for example, a cell wall anchoring amino acid sequence with an amino acid sequence that contains the desired enzymatic activity. The flexible linker sequence allows for necessary freedom for the amino acid sequence that contains the desired enzymatic activity to have reduced steric hindrance with respect to proximity to the cell and can also facilitate proper folding of the amino acid sequence that contains the desired enzymatic activity. [00123] In some embodiments of the present invention, the tethered biomass degrading enzymes are tethered by a flexible linker sequence linked to an anchoring domain. In some embodiments, the anchoring domain is of CWP2 (for carboxy terminal anchoring) or FLOl (for amino terminal anchoring) from S. cerevisiae.

[00124] In some embodiments, heterologous secretion signals can be added to the expression vectors of the present invention to facilitate the extra-cellular expression of biomass degrading enzyme proteins. In some embodiments, the heterologous secretion signal is the secretion signal from T. reesei Xyn2.

Fusion Proteins Comprising Biomass Degrading Enzymes [00125] The present invention also encompasses fusion proteins. For example, the fusion proteins can be a fusion of a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and a second peptide. The heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and the second peptide can be fused directly or indirectly, for example, through a linker sequence. The fusion protein can comprise for example, a second peptide that is N-terminal to the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and/or a second peptide that is C-terminal to the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. Thus, in certain embodiments, the polypeptide of the present invention comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. In some specific embodiments, the polypeptide of the present invention comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous cellulase.

[00126] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein can comprise a first and second polypeptide wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and the second polypeptide comprises a signal peptide. The signal peptide can be the signal sequence that is natively associated with the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, a T. sacch signal sequence, or a signal sequence from another gram positive organism. Exemplary signal sequences from T. sacch and other gram-positive organisms are listed below in Tables 2 and 3. The signal sequences can be encoded by their native genes or can be codon-optimized for expression, e.g. for expression in T. sacch. (Codon-optimization is described in more detail below.) In some embodiments, the signal peptide is N-terminal to the biomass degrading enzyme. In some embodiments, the fusion protein comprises a signal peptide, a linker sequence and a biomass degrading enzyme.

Table 3. Signal Sequences from T. sacch and other Gram Positive Organisms.

[00127] The signal sequence can be encoded by a native nucleotide sequence or can be encoded by a codon-optimized sequence. (Codon-optimized sequences are described in more detail below.) Sequences encoding the signal peptides in Table 3 that have been codon- optimized for expression in T.sacch are shown below in Table 4.

Table 4. Codon-Optimized Signal Sequences from T. sacch and other Gram Positive Organisms.

According to another embodiment, the fusion protein can comprise a first and second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and the second polypeptide comprises a polypeptide used to facilitate purification or identification or a reporter peptide. The reporter polypeptide or the polypeptide used to facilitate purification or identification can be, for example, a HIS-tag, a GST-tag, a FLAG-tag, an HA-tag, a MYC-tag or a fluorescent protein (e.g. GFP). In some embodiments, a tag (e.g. a polypeptide used to facilitate purification or identification or a reporter peptide) is fused to the N-terminus of the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. In some embodiments, the tag is fused to the C- terminus of the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme. In some embodiments, the tag is not at either the N- or C- terminus of the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, but is instead inserted into the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme sequence. According to yet another embodiment, the fusion protein can comprise a first and second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme and the second polypeptide comprises an anchoring peptide. In some embodiments, the anchoring domain is of CWP2 (for carboxy terminal anchoring) or FLOl (for amino terminal anchoring) from S. cerevisiae.

[00130] According to yet another embodiment, the fusion protein can comprise a first and second polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, such as a cellulase and the second polypeptide comprises a cellulose binding module (CBM). In some embodiments, the CBM is from for example, T. reesei Cbhl or Cbh2 or from C. lucknowense Cbh2b. In some particular embodiments, the CBM is fused to a cellobiohydrolase.

[00131] In certain other embodiments, the first polypeptide and the second polypeptide are fused via a linker sequence. The linker sequence can, in some embodiments, be encoded by a codon-optimized polynucleotide. (Codon-optimized polynucleotides are described in more detail below.) An amino acid sequence corresponding to a codon-optimized linker 1 according to the invention is a flexible linker - strep tag - TEV site - FLAG - flexible linker fusion and corresponds to GGGGSGGGGS AWHPQFGG ENLYFQG DYKDDDK GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 149).

[00132] The DNA sequence is as follows:

GGAGGAGGTGGTTCAGGAGGTGGTGGGTCTGCTTGGCATCCACAATTTGGAGGAGG CGGTGGTGAAAATCTGTATTTCCAGGGAGGCGGAGGTGATTACAAGGATGACGACA AAGGAGGTGGTGGATCAGGAGGTGGTGGCTCC (SEQ ID NO: 150) [00133] An amino acid sequence corresponding to another optimized linker is a flexible linker - strep tag -linker- TEV site - flexible linker and corresponds to GGGGSGGGGS WSHPQFEK GG ENLYFQG GGGGSGGGGS (SEQ ID NO: 151). The DNA sequence is as follows: ggtggcggtggatctggaggaggcggttcttggtctcacccacaatttgaaaagggtggagaaaacttgtactttcaaggcggtggtggag gttctggcggaggtggctccggctca (SEQ ID NO: 152).

Polynucleotides Encoding Heterologous Biomass Degrading Enzymes [00134] The present invention also includes isolated polynucleotides encoding biomass degrading enzymes of the present invention. Thus, the polynucleotides of the invention can encode for example, mannanases or cellulases, such as endoglucanases, β-glucosidases or cellobiohydrolases.

[00135] In some particular embodiments of the invention, the polynucleotide encodes an endoglucanase which is a endo-l,4-β-glucanase or isoform, paralogue, or orthologue thereof, hi certain embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes a β-glucosidase I or a β-glucosidase II or an isoform, paralogue, or orthologue thereof, hi certain embodiments of the invention, the polynucleotide encodes a cellobiohydrolase I and/or an cellobiohydrolase II or an isoform, paralogue, or orthologue thereof.

[00136] In particular embodiments of the present invention, the polynucleotide encodes a biomass degrading enzyme described in Table 2. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide comprising a sequence at least about 70, about 80, about 90, about 95, about 96, about 97, about 98, about 99, or 100% identical to the sequence of a biomass degrading enzyme described in Table 2.

[00137] In certain aspects the polynucleotide can encode an endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase or β-glucosidase derived from, for example, a fungal, bacterial, protozoan or termite source.

[00138] The present invention also encompasses variants of the biomass degrading enzyme genes, as described above. Variants can contain alterations in the coding regions, non- coding regions, or both. Examples are polynucleotide variants containing alterations which produce silent substitutions, additions, or deletions, but do not alter the properties or activities of the encoded polypeptide. In certain embodiments, nucleotide variants are produced by silent substitutions due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, hi further embodiments, Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosohens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme polynucleotide variants can be produced for a variety of reasons, e.g., to optimize codon expression for a particular host. Codon optimized polynucleotides of the present invention are discussed further below. [00139] The present invention also encompasses an isolated polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein. In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein comprises a first polynucleotide encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, e.g. a cellobiohydrolase, and a second polynucleotide encoding for a CBM. The CBM can be, for example, a CBM from T. reesei Cbhl or Cbh2.

[00140] The present invention also encompasses an isolated polynucleotide encoding a fusion protein that comprises a first polynucleotide encoding a biomass degrading enzyme and a second polynucleotide encoding a signal sequence.

[00141] In further embodiments of the fusion polynucleotide, the first and second polynucleotides are in the same orientation, or the second polynucleotide is in the reverse orientation of the first polynucleotide. In additional embodiments, the first polynucleotide is either 5' or 3' to the second polynucleotide. In certain other embodiments, the first polynucleotide and/or the second polynucleotide are codon-optimized polynucleotides, for example, polynucleotides codon-optimized for expression in T. sacch. In particular embodiments of the nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein, the first polynucleotide is a codon-optimized signal peptide and the second polynucleotide encodes for a codon-optimized biomass degrading enzyme, for example a cellulase.

[00142] Also provided in the present invention are allelic variants, orthologs, and/or species homologs. Procedures known in the art can be used to obtain full-length genes, allelic variants, splice variants, full-length coding portions, orthologs, and/or species homologs of genes corresponding to any of SEQ ID NOs: 77-107, using information from the sequences disclosed herein or the clones deposited with the ATCC. For example, allelic variants and/or species homologs can be isolated and identified by making suitable probes or primers from the sequences provided herein and screening a suitable nucleic acid source for allelic variants and/or the desired homologue.

[00143] By a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence at least, for example, 95%

"identical" to a reference nucleotide sequence of the present invention, it is intended that the nucleotide sequence of the nucleic acid is identical to the reference sequence except that the nucleotide sequence can include up to five point mutations per each 100 nucleotides of the reference nucleotide sequence encoding the particular polypeptide. In other words, to obtain a nucleic acid having a nucleotide sequence at least 95% identical to a reference nucleotide sequence, up to 5% of the nucleotides in the reference sequence can be deleted or substituted with another nucleotide, or a number of nucleotides up to 5% of the total nucleotides in the reference sequence can be inserted into the reference sequence. The query sequence can be an entire sequence shown of any of SEQ ID NOs: 77- 107, or any fragment or domain specified as described herein.

[00144] As a practical matter, whether any particular nucleic acid molecule or polypeptide is at least 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to a nucleotide sequence or polypeptide of the present invention can be determined conventionally using known computer programs. A method for determining the best overall match between a query sequence (a sequence of the present invention) and a subject sequence, also referred to as a global sequence alignment, can be determined using the FASTDB computer program based on the algorithm of Brutlag et al. (Comp. App. Biosci. (1990) 6:237-245.) In a sequence alignment the query and subject sequences are both DNA sequences. An RNA sequence can be compared by converting U's to T's. The result of said global sequence alignment is in percent identity. Preferred parameters used in a FASTDB alignment of DNA sequences to calculate percent identity are: Matrix=Unitary, k-tuple=4, Mismatch Penalty=l, Joining Penalty=30, Randomization Group Length=0, Cutoff Score=l, Gap Penalty=5, Gap Size Penalty 0.05, Window Size=500 or the length of the subject nucleotide sequence, whichever is shorter.

[00145] If the subject sequence is shorter than the query sequence because of 5' or 3' deletions, not because of internal deletions, a manual correction must be made to the results. This is because the FASTDB program does not account for 5' and 3' truncations of the subject sequence when calculating percent identity. For subject sequences truncated at the 5' or 3' ends, relative to the query sequence, the percent identity is corrected by calculating the number of bases of the query sequence that are 5' and 3' of the subject sequence, which are not matched/aligned, as a percent of the total bases of the query sequence. Whether a nucleotide is matched/aligned is determined by results of the FASTDB sequence alignment. This percentage is then subtracted from the percent identity, calculated by the above FASTDB program using the specified parameters, to arrive at a final percent identity score. This corrected score is what is used for the purposes of the present invention. Only bases outside the 5' and 3' bases of the subject sequence, as displayed by the FASTDB alignment, which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence, are calculated for the purposes of manually adjusting the percent identity score. [00146] For example, a 90 base subject sequence is aligned to a 100 base query sequence to determine percent identity. The deletions occur at the 5' end of the subject sequence and therefore, the FASTDB alignment does not show a matched/alignment of the first 10 bases at 5' end. The 10 unpaired bases represent 10% of the sequence (number of bases at the 5' and 3' ends not matched/total number of bases in the query sequence) so 10% is subtracted from the percent identity score calculated by the FASTDB program. If the remaining 90 bases were perfectly matched the final percent identity would be 90%. In another example, a 90 base subject sequence is compared with a 100 base query sequence. This time the deletions are internal deletions so that there are no bases on the 5' or 3' of the subject sequence which are not matched/aligned with the query. In this case the percent identity calculated by FASTDB is not manually corrected. Once again, only bases 5' and 3' of the subject sequence which are not matched/aligned with the query sequence are manually corrected for. No other manual corrections are to be made for the purposes of the present invention.

[00147] Some embodiments of the invention encompass a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 10, 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, or 800 consecutive nucleotides or more of any of SEQ ID NOs: 77-107, or domains, fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof.

[00148] The polynucleotide of the present invention can be in the form of RNA or in the form of DNA, which DNA includes cDNA, genomic DNA, and synthetic DNA. The DNA can be double stranded or single-stranded, and if single stranded can be the coding strand or non- coding (anti-sense) strand. The coding sequence which encodes the mature polypeptide can be identical to the coding sequence encoding SEQ ID NO: 108-148, or can be a different coding sequence which coding sequence, as a result of the redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code, encodes the same mature polypeptide as the DNA of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 77-107. [00149] In certain embodiments, the present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid fragment which encodes at least 10, at least 20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least 70, at least 80, at least 90, at least 95, or at least 100 or more contiguous amino acids of SEQ ED NOs: 108-148.

[00150] The polynucleotide encoding for the mature polypeptide of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 or can include: only the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide; the coding sequence of any domain of the mature polypeptide; and the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide (or domain-encoding sequence) together with non coding sequence, such as introns or non-coding sequence 5' and/or 3' of the coding sequence for the mature polypeptide.

[00151] Thus, the term "polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide" encompasses a polynucleotide which includes only sequences encoding for the polypeptide as well as a polynucleotide which includes additional coding and/or non-coding sequences. [00152] In further aspects of the invention, nucleic acid molecules having sequences at least about 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% or 99% identical to the nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein, encode a polypeptide having mannanase, cellobiohydrolase (Cbh), endoglucanase (Eg) or β-glucosidase (BgI) functional activity. By "a polypeptide having mannanase, Cbh, Eg or BgI functional activity" is intended polypeptides exhibiting activity similar, but not necessarily identical, to a functional activity of the mannanase, Cbh, Eg or BgI polypeptides of the present invention, as measured, for example, in a particular biological assay. For example, a Cbh, Eg or BgI functional activity can routinely be measured by determining the ability of Cbh, Eg or BgI polypeptide to hydrolyze cellulose, or by measuring the level of Cbh, Eg or BgI activity. [00153] Of course, due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, one of ordinary skill in the art will immediately recognize that a large portion of the nucleic acid molecules having a sequence at least 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% identical to the nucleic acid sequence of any of SEQ ID NOs: 77-107, or fragments thereof, will encode polypeptides having mannanase, Cbh, Eg or BgI functional activity. In fact, since degenerate variants of any of these nucleotide sequences all encode the same polypeptide, in many instances, this will be clear to the skilled artisan even without performing the above described comparison assay. It will be further recognized in the art that, for such nucleic acid molecules that are not degenerate variants, a reasonable number will also encode a polypeptide having mannanase, Cbh, Eg or BgI functional activity.

[00154] The polynucleotides of the present invention also comprise nucleic acids encoding a Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium ster cor avium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya βscheri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzyme, or domain, fragment, variant, or derivative thereof, fused to a polynucleotide encoding a marker sequence which allows for detection of the polynucleotide of the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, expression of the marker is independent from expression of the biomass degrading enzyme. The marker sequence can be, for example, the kanamycin (KanR) or ampicillin (ampR) resistance marker.

Codon Optimized Polynucleotides

[00155] According to one embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotides encoding heterologous biomass degrading enzymes can be codon optimized. As used herein the term "codon optimized coding region" means a nucleic acid coding region that has been adapted for expression in the cells of a given organism by replacing at least one, or more than one, or a significant number, of codons with one or more codons that are more frequently used in the genes of that organism.

[00156] In general, highly expressed genes in an organism are biased towards codons that are recognized by the most abundant tRNA species in that organism. One measure of this bias is the "codon adaptation index" or "CAI," which measures the extent to which the codons used to encode each amino acid in a particular gene are those which occur most frequently in a reference set of highly expressed genes from an organism.

[00157] The CAI of codon optimized sequences of the present invention corresponds to between about 0.8 and 1.0, between about 0.8 and 0.9, or about 1.0. A codon optimized sequence can be further modified for expression in a particular organism, depending on that organism's biological constraints. For example, large runs of "As" or "Ts" (e.g., runs greater than 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 consecutive bases) can be removed from the sequences if these are known to effect transcription negatively. Furthermore, specific restriction enzyme sites can be removed for molecular cloning purposes. Examples of such restriction enzyme sites include Pad, Ascl, BamHI, BgIII, EcoRI and Xhol. Additionally, the DNA sequence can be checked for direct repeats, inverted repeats and mirror repeats with lengths of ten bases or longer, which can be modified manually by replacing codons with "second best" codons, i.e., codons that occur at the second highest frequency within the particular organism for which the sequence is being optimized.

[00158] Deviations in the nucleotide sequence that comprise the codons encoding the amino acids of any polypeptide chain allow for variations in the sequence coding for the gene. Since each codon consists of three nucleotides, and the nucleotides comprising DNA are restricted to four specific bases, there are 64 possible combinations of nucleotides, 61 of which encode amino acids (the remaining three codons encode signals ending translation). The "genetic code" which shows which codons encode which amino acids is reproduced herein as Table 5. As a result, many amino acids are designated by more than one codon. For example, the amino acids alanine and proline are coded for by four triplets, serine and arginine by six, whereas tryptophan and methionine are coded by just one triplet. This degeneracy allows for DNA base composition to vary over a wide range without altering the amino acid sequence of the proteins encoded by the DNA.

TABLE 5: The Standard Genetic Code

[00159] Many organisms display a bias for use of particular codons to code for insertion of a particular amino acid in a growing peptide chain. Codon preference or codon bias, differences in codon usage between organisms, is afforded by degeneracy of the genetic code, and is well documented among many organisms. Codon bias often correlates with the efficiency of translation of messenger RNA (mRNA), which is in turn believed to be dependent on, inter alia, the properties of the codons being translated and the availability of particular transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules. The predominance of selected tRNAs in a cell is generally a reflection of the codons used most frequently in peptide synthesis. Accordingly, genes can be tailored for optimal gene expression in a given organism based on codon optimization.

[00160] Given the large number of gene sequences available for a wide variety of animal, plant and microbial species, it is possible to calculate the relative frequencies of codon usage. Codon usage tables are readily available, for example, at http://phenotype.biosci.umbc.edu/codon/sgd/index.php (visited May 7, 2008) or at http://www.kazusa.or.jp/codon/ (visited March 20, 2008), and these tables can be adapted in a number of ways. See Nakamura, Y., et al. "Codon usage tabulated from the international DNA sequence databases: status for the year 2000" Nucl. Acids Res. 28:292 (2000). Codon usage tables for T. sacch are reproduced below as Table 6. This table uses mRNA nomenclature, and so instead of thymine (T) which is found in DNA, the tables use uracil (U) which is found in RNA. The Table has been adapted so that frequencies are calculated for each amino acid, rather than for all 64 codons.

TABLE 6: Codon Usage Table for T. sacch Genes

[00161] By utilizing this or similar tables, one of ordinary skill in the art can apply the frequencies to any given polypeptide sequence, and produce a nucleic acid fragment of a codon- optimized coding region which encodes the polypeptide, but which uses codons optimal for a given species. Codon-optimized coding regions can be designed by various different methods. [00162] In one method, a codon usage table is used to find the single most frequent codon used for any given amino acid, and that codon is used each time that particular amino acid appears in the polypeptide sequence. For example, referring to Table 6 above, for leucine, the most frequent codon is UUA, which is used 33.2% of the time. Thus all the leucine residues in a given amino acid sequence would be assigned the codon UUA.

[00163] In another method, the actual frequencies of the codons are distributed randomly throughout the coding sequence. Thus, using this method for optimization, if a hypothetical polypeptide sequence had 100 leucine residues, referring to Table 6 for frequency of usage in the T. sacch, about 7, or 7% of the leucine codons would be CUA, about 3, or 3% of the leucine codons would be CUC, about 7, or 7% of the leucine codons would be CUG, about 27, or 27% of the leucine codons would be CUU, about 33, or 33% of the leucine codons would be UUA, and about 23, or 23% of the leucine codons would be UUG.

[00164] These frequencies would be distributed randomly throughout the leucine codons in the coding region encoding the hypothetical polypeptide. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the distribution of codons in the sequence can vary significantly using this method; however, the sequence always encodes the same polypeptide. [00165] When using the methods above, the term "about" is used precisely to account for fractional percentages of codon frequencies for a given amino acid. As used herein, "about" is defined as one amino acid more or one amino acid less than the value given. The whole number value of amino acids is rounded up if the fractional frequency of usage is 0.50 or greater, and is rounded down if the fractional frequency of use is 0.49 or less. Using again the example of the frequency of usage of leucine in human genes for a hypothetical polypeptide having 62 leucine residues, the fractional frequency of codon usage would be calculated by multiplying 62 by the frequencies for the various codons. Thus, 6.7 percent of 62 equals 4.15 CUA codons, or "about 4," i.e., 3, 4, or 5 CUA codons, 3.4 percent of 62 equals 2.10. CUC codons or "about 2," i.e., 1, 2, or 3 CUC codons, 7.3 percent of 62 equals 4.52 CUG codons, or "about 5," i.e., 4, 5, or 6 CUG codons, 26.6 percent of 62 equals 16.49 CUU codons or "about 16," i.e., 15, 16, or 17 CUU codons, 33.2 percent of 62 equals 20.59 UUA codons or "about 21," i.e., 20, 21, or 22 CUA codons, and 22.7 percent of 62 equals 14.07 UUG codons, or "about 14," i.e., 13, 14, or 15 UUG codons.

[00166] Randomly assigning codons at an optimized frequency to encode a given polypeptide sequence, can be done manually by calculating codon frequencies for each amino acid, and then assigning the codons to the polypeptide sequence randomly. Additionally, various algorithms and computer software programs are readily available to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the "EditSeq" function in the Lasergene Package, available from DNAstar, Inc., Madison, WI, the backtranslation function in the VectorNTI Suite, available from InforMax, Inc., Bethesda, MD, and the "backtranslate" function in the GCG~Wisconsin Package, available from Accelrys, Inc., San Diego, CA. In addition, various resources are publicly available to codon-optimize coding region sequences, e.g., the "backtranslation" function at http://www.entelechon.com/ bioinformatics/backtranslation.php?lang=eng (visited April 15, 2008). Constructing a rudimentary algorithm to assign codons based on a given frequency can also easily be accomplished with basic mathematical functions by one of ordinary skill in the art. [00167] A number of options are available for synthesizing codon optimized coding regions designed by any of the methods described above, using standard and routine molecular biological manipulations well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In one approach, a series of complementary oligonucleotide pairs of 80-90 nucleotides each in length and spanning the length of the desired sequence are synthesized by standard methods. These oligonucleotide pairs are synthesized such that upon annealing, they form double stranded fragments of 80-90 base pairs, containing cohesive ends, e.g., each oligonucleotide in the pair is synthesized to extend 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more bases beyond the region that is complementary to the other

- I l l - oligonucleotide in the pair. The single-stranded ends of each pair of oligonucleotides is designed to anneal with the single-stranded end of another pair of oligonucleotides. The oligonucleotide pairs are allowed to anneal, and approximately five to six of these double-stranded fragments are then allowed to anneal together via the cohesive single stranded ends, and then they ligated together and cloned into a standard bacterial cloning vector, for example, a TOPO® vector available from Invitrogen Corporation, Carlsbad, CA. The construct is then sequenced by standard methods. Several of these constructs consisting of 5 to 6 fragments of 80 to 90 base pair fragments ligated together, i.e., fragments of about 500 base pairs, are prepared, such that the entire desired sequence is represented in a series of plasmid constructs. The inserts of these plasmids are then cut with appropriate restriction enzymes and ligated together to form the final construct. The final construct is then cloned into a standard bacterial cloning vector, and sequenced. Additional methods would be immediately apparent to the skilled artisan. In addition, gene synthesis is readily available commercially.

[00168] hi certain embodiments, an entire polypeptide sequence, or fragment, variant, or derivative thereof is codon-optimized by any of the methods described herein. Various desired fragments, variants or derivatives are designed, and each is then codon-optimized individually. In addition, partially codon-optimized coding regions of the present invention can be designed and constructed. For example, the invention includes a nucleic acid fragment of a codon- optimized coding region encoding a polypeptide in which at least about 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% of the codon positions have been codon-optimized for a given species. That is, they contain a codon that is preferentially used in the genes of a desired species, e.g., T. sacch_* in place of a codon that is normally used in the native nucleic acid sequence. [00169] hi certain embodiments a codon-optimized sequence is fused to a^non-codon- optimized sequence. For example, in the case of a fusion protein, for example, a signal peptide fused to a cellulase, the sequence encoding the signal peptide and the sequence encoding the cellulase can both be codon-optimized. Alternatively, only the sequence encoding the signal peptide can be codon-optimized or only the sequence encoding the cellulase can be codon- optimized.

[00170] hi additional embodiments, a full-length polypeptide sequence is codon-optimized for a given species resulting in a codon-optimized coding region encoding the entire polypeptide, and then nucleic acid fragments of the codon-optimized coding region, which encode fragments, variants, and derivatives of the polypeptide are made from the original codon-optimized coding region. As would be well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, if codons have been randomly assigned to the full-length coding region based on their frequency of use in a given species, nucleic acid fragments encoding fragments, variants, and derivatives would not necessarily be fully codon optimized for the given species. However, such sequences are still much closer to the codon usage of the desired species than the native codon usage. The advantage of this approach is that synthesizing codon-optimized nucleic acid fragments encoding each fragment, variant, and derivative of a given polypeptide, although routine, would be time consuming and would result in significant expense.

[00171] The codon-optimized coding regions can be, for example, versions encoding a biomass degrading enzyme from Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii or domains, fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof. [00172] Codon optimization is carried out for a particular species by methods described herein, for example, in certain embodiments codon-optimized coding regions encoding polypeptides of Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii, or domains, fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof are optimized according to T. sacch usage. Also provided are polynucleotides, vectors, and other expression constructs comprising codon optimized coding regions encoding polypeptides of Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii biomass degrading enzymes or domains, fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, and various methods of using such polynucleotides, vectors and other expression constructs. [00173] In certain embodiments described herein, a codon-optimized coding region encoding any of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 or domain, fragment, variant, or derivative thereof, is optimized according to codon usage in a gram positive anaerobic bacteria. In some embodiments, the sequences are codon-optimized specifically for expression in T. sacch. In some embodiments, a sequence is simultaneously codon-optimized for optimal expression in both T. sacch and another organism such as another gram positive anaerobic bacteria. Alternatively, a codon-optimized coding region encoding any of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 can be optimized according to codon usage in any plant, animal, or microbial species.

Vectors and Methods of Using Vectors in Host Cells

[00174] The present invention also relates to vectors which include polynucleotides of the present invention, host cells which are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and the production of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques. [00175] Host cells are genetically engineered (transduced or transformed or transfected) with the vectors of this invention which can be, for example, a cloning vector or an expression vector. The vector can be, for example, in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, a phage, etc. The engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes of the present invention. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.

[00176] The polynucleotides and vectors can be employed for producing polypeptides by recombinant techniques. Thus, for example, the polynucleotide can be included in any one of a variety of expression vectors for expressing a polypeptide. Such vectors include chromosomal, nonchromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, e.g., derivatives of SV40; bacterial plasmids; and yeast plasmids. Such vectors also include "suicide vectors" which cannot are not self- replicating but can be replicated after insertion into the host chromosome. Other vectors can also be used.

[00177] The appropriate DNA sequence can be inserted into the vector by a variety of procedures. In general, the DNA sequence is inserted into an appropriate restriction endonuclease site(s) by procedures known in the art. Such procedures and others are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art.

[00178] The DNA sequence in the expression vector is operatively associated with an appropriate expression control sequence(s) (promoter) to direct mRNA synthesis. Any suitable promoter to drive gene expression in the host cells of the invention can be used. The promoter can be, for example, a high expression promoter. Additionally the E. coli, lac or trp, and other promoters known to control expression of genes in prokaryotic or lower eukaryotic cells can be used, hi some embodiments, the promoter is a native T. sacch promoter, hi other embodiments, a Clostridium thermocellum promoter can be used, hi other embodiments, a cellobiose phosphotransferase (CBP) promoter is used, hi one specific embodiment, a Clostridium thermocellum CBP promoter is used. For example, the Clostridium thermocellum CBP promoter can have the following sequence (SEQ ED NO: 153): gagtcgtgactaagaacgtcaaagtaattaacaatacagctatttttctcatgc ttttacccctttcataaaatttaattttatcgttatcataaaaaattatagacg ttatattgcttgccgggatatagtgctgggcattcgttggtgcaaaatgttcgg agtaaggtggatattgatttgcatgttgatctattgcattgaaatgattagtta tccgtaaatattaattaatcatatcataaattaattatatcataattgttttga cgaatgaaggtttttggataaattatcaagtaaaggaacgctaaaaattttggc gtaaaatatcaaaatgaccacttgaattaatatggtaaagtagatataatattt tggtaaacatgccttcagcaaggttagattagctgtttccgtataaattaaccg tatggtaaaacggcagtcagaaaaataagtcataagattccgttatgaaaatat acttcggtagttaataataagagatatgaggtaagagatacaagataagagata taaggtacgaatgtataagatggtgcttttaggcacactaaataaaaaacaaat aaacgaaaattttaaggaggacgaaag

[00179] hi addition, the expression vectors can contain one or more selectable marker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells such as chloramphenicol, thiamphenicol, streptomycin, tetracycline, ampicillin or kanamycin resistance genes. The expression vectors can also contain other selectable markers such as URA3, HIS3, LEU2, TRPl, LYS2, ADE2, dihydrofolate reductase, neomycin (G418) resistance or zeocin resistance.

[00180] The expression vector can also contain a ribosome binding site for translation initiation. The expression vector can also contain a transcription terminator. The transcription terminator can be, for example, E. coli Tl and T2 terminator. Thus, the sequence of the terminator can be: aacgaaaggctcagtcgaaagactgggcctttcgttttatctgttgtttgtcggtgaacgctctcctgagtaggacaaatccgccgggagcgg atttgaacgttgcgaagcaacggcccggagggtggcgggcaggacgcccgccataaactgccaggcatcaaattaagcagaaggccatc ctgacggatggcctttt (SEQ ID NO: 163). The vector can also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression, or can include additional regulatory regions. The vector can also include an origin of replication, for example a yeast origin of replication, such as a cen6/Arsh origin of replication, and/or a pUC origin of replication. The vector can also include an origin of replication for replication in T. sacch., for example, the B6A T. sacch origin of replication. [00181] The expression vector can be a vector that is thermostable and can autonomously replicate in thermophilic hosts. The vector can comprise a sequence or sequences derived from the pB6A plasmid. Examples of vectors that can be used are described in more detail in International Patent Application PCT/US2008/010545, filed on September 10, 2008, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[00182] Expression in a host cell can also be accomplished by integrating the heterologous nucleotide sequence into the host chromosome. For example, a gene encoding a biomass degrading enzyme could be inserted into a host chromosome by building a construct comprising DNA sequences upstream and downstream from the desired point of insertion. For strain M0355, a useful insertion point is the site of the ldh deletion. The following ldh upstream DNA sequence can be used:

Ctcatcgaggtatccaagcgattcaatagtaacagtccttgtatgccctctttctttatcacgatatccatctgcaatagat aggtatattcttccggaactgcgtctacttttctttaaatacacattaaactcccccaataaaattcaatataactatattata ccacaatccataataatccgcaaccaaaatatgacaaaaatttaaaaaaattttacccaaaatcgttagtaaaattgctg gttccgggttacgctacataaaattttgctgcaaaactagggtaaaaaaaatacaaaccatgcgtcaatagaaattgac ggcagtatattaaagcagtataatgaatatatggaaaaacaaaagggcaatataatattaaaagggaaatataaacctg aatataaggaaaagttgcttaatttagccaaattttttactgataatggctttgttcctactgaacatgcattgaatgaaata cttgggaaaacagcttctggaagattgccagatgacaaacagatgttattggatgtattacaaaatggtgaaaattatatt gaacctaatggcaatatagtcaggtataaaaatggcatatcaatacatatcgataaagaacatggctggataattactat aactccaaggaaacgaatagtaaaggaatggaggcgaattaatgagtaatgtcgcaatgcaattaatagaaatttgtc ggaaatatgtaaataataatttaaacataaatgaatttatcgaagactttcaagtgctttatgaacaaaagcaagatttatt gacagatgaagaaatgagcttgtttgatgatatttatatggcttgtgaatactatgaacaggatgaaaatataagaaatg aatatcacttgtatattggagaaaatgaattaagacaaaaagtgcaaaaacttgtaaaaaagttagcagcataataaac cgctaaggcatgatagctaaag (SEQ ID NO: 154)

[00183] The following ldh downstream DNA sequence can be used:

Ccgcaagagattatatcgagtgcctttaagaaggctaaaaattacgaagatgtgatacacaaaaaggcaaaagatta cggcaaaaacataccggatagtcaagttaaaggagtattgaaacagatagagattactgccttaaaccatgtagacaa gattgtcgctgctgaaaagacgatgcagatagattccctcgtgaagaaaaatatgtcttatgatatgatggatgcattgc aggatatagagaaggatttgataaatcagcagatgttctacaacgaaaatctaataaacataaccaatccgtatgtgag gcagatattcactcagatgagggatgatgagatgcgatttatcactatcatacagcagaacatagaatcgttaaagtca aagccgactgagcccaacagcatagtatatacgacgccgagggaaaataaatgaaagtagctattataggagcagg ctcggcaggcttaactgcagctataaggcttgaatcttatgggataaagcctgatatatttgagagaaaatcgaaagtc ggcgatgcttttaaccatgtaggaggacttttaaatgtcataaataggccaataaatgatcctttagagtatctaaaaaat aactttgatgtagctattgcaccgcttaacaacatagacaagattgtgatgcatgggccaacagtcactcgcacaatta aaggcagaaggcttggatactttatgctgaaagggcaaggagaattgtcagtagaaagccaactatacaagaaatta aagacaaatgtcaattttgatgtccacgcagactacaagaacctaaaggaaatttatgattatgtcattgtagcaactgg aaatcatcagataccaaatgagttaggatgttggcagacgcttgttgatacgaggcttaaaattgctgaggtaatcggt aaattcgacccg (SEQ ID NO: 155) [00184] Using methods commonly known to those in the art, the following DNA fragments can be added to the construct in between the ldh upstream and downstream regions in this order: a strong promoter active in T. sacch, a ribosome binding site, a gene encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, an intrinsic terminator, a counter-selectable marker and an antibiotic resistance gene. The construct can then be cloned into a plasmid replicon that replicates in E. coli but not in T. sacch. After verification of the sequence, the plasmid DNA can be transformed into T. sacch. Cells in which the DNA has undergone recombination to integrate into the chromosome can be isolated using selection for the encoded antibiotic resistance gene. These cells are then subjected to counterselection to remove the antibiotic resistance gene.

[00185] Thus, vectors containing the appropriate DNA sequence as described herein, as well as an appropriate promoter or control sequence, can be employed to transform an appropriate host to permit the host to express the protein. Such vectors can include, for example, self-replicating vectors or vectors for use in chromosomal integration.

[00186] Thus, in certain aspects, the present invention relates to host cells containing the above-described constructs. The host cell can be a host cell as described elsewhere in the application. The host cell can be, for example, a bacterial cell, such as a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria e.g., T. sacch. The selection of an appropriate host is deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

Methods of Using Host Cells

[00187] The present invention is also directed to use of host cells to produce ethanol or other fermentation products from cellulosic substrates. Such methods can be accomplished, for example, by contacting a cellulosic substrate with a host cell of the present invention. [00188] Numerous cellulosic substrates can be used in accordance with the present invention. Substrates for cellulose activity assays can be divided into two categories, soluble and insoluble, based on their solubility in water. Soluble substrates include xylans, cellodextrins or derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), or hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC). Insoluble substrates include crystalline cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel), amorphous cellulose, such as phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC), dyed or fluorescent cellulose, and pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. These substrates are generally highly ordered cellulosic material and thus only sparingly soluble. [00189] It will be appreciated that suitable lignocellulosic material can be any feedstock that contains soluble and/or insoluble cellulose, where the insoluble cellulose can be in a crystalline or non-crystalline form. In various embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass comprises, for example, wood, corn, corn stover, sawdust, bark, leaves, agricultural and forestry residues, grasses such as switchgrass, ruminant digestion products, municipal wastes, paper mill effluent, newspaper, cardboard or combinations thereof.

[00190] In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for hydrolyzing a cellulosic substrate, for example a cellulosic substrate as described above, by contacting the cellulosic substrate with a host cell of the invention. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to a method for fermenting cellulose. Such methods can be accomplished, for example, by culturing a host cell in a medium that contains insoluble cellulose to allow saccharifϊcation and fermentation of the cellulose.

[00191] In some embodiments, the host cells expressing heterologous biomass degrading enzymes show increased efficiency of ethanol production. For example, in some embodients, the host cell expressing the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme produces at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times as much ethanol as an untransformed host cell grown in the same conditions. In some embodients, the host cell expressing the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme produces at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times as much ethanol as wild-type T. sacch grown in the same conditions.

[00192] In some embodiments, the host cells expressing heterologous biomass degrading enzymes show increased efficiency of acetic acid, lactic acid or CO₂ production. For example, in some embodients, the host cell expressing the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme produces at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times as much acetic acid, lactic acid or CO₂ as an untransformed host cell grown in the same conditions. In some embodients, the host cell expressing the heterologous biomass degrading enzyme produces at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times as much acetic acid, lactic acid or CO₂ as wild-type T. sacch grown in the same conditions. [00193] In some embodiments, the host cells comprising heterologous biomass degrading enzymes show increased ability to hydrolyze a cellulosic substrate. For example, in some embodiments, the host cell expressing the biomass degrading enzyme hydrolyzes a cellulosic substrate at a rate that is at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times the rate of hydrolysis by an untransformed host cell grown in the same conditions. In some embodiments, the host cell expressing the biomass degrading enzyme hydrolyzes a cellulosic substrate at a rate that is at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times the rate of hydrolysis by wildtype T. sacch grown in the same conditions.

[00194] In some embodiments, the host cells comprising heterologous biomass degrading enzymes show increased ability to ferment cellulose. For example, in some embodiments, the host cell expressing the biomass degrading enzyme ferment cellulose at a rate that is at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times the rate of fermentation by an untransformed host cell grown in the same conditions. In some embodiments, the host cell expressing the biomass degrading enzyme ferment cellulose at a rate that is at least about 1.5 times, about 2 times, about 3 times, about 5 times, about 10 times, about 20 times, about 50 times, about 100 times or about 1000 times the rate of fermentation by wildtype T. sacch grown in the same conditions.

[00195] The production of ethanol, or other fermentation product can, according to the present invention, be performed at temperatures of at least about above about 40° C, about 55° C, about 50° C, about 55° C, about 60° C, about 65° C, about 70° C, about 75° C, or about 80° C. hi some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell can produce the fermentation product, such as ethanol, from cellulose at temperatures from about 40° C to 90° C, about 40° C to 80° C, about 40° C to 75° C, about 40° C to 70° C, about 40° C to 65° C, about 40° C to 60° C, or about 40° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell can produce the fermentation product such as ethanol from cellulose at temperatures from about 45° C to 90° C, about 45° C to 45° C, about 45° C to 75° C, about 45° C to 70° C, about 45° C to 65° C, about 45° C to 60° C, or about 45° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell can produce the fermentation product such as ethanol from cellulose at temperatures from about 50° C to 50° C, about 50° C to 80° C, about 50° C to 75° C, about 50° C to 70° C, about 50° C to 65° C, about 50° C to 60° C, or about 50° C to 55° C. In some embodiments of the present invention, the host cell can produce the fermentation product such as ethanol from cellulose at temperatures from about 55° C to 90° C, about 55° C to 80° C, about 55° C to 75° C, about 55° C to 70° C, about 55° C to 65° C, or about 55° C to 60° C.

[00196] Culture conditions can also be changed by varying the pH. For example, the pH can be from about 4.0 to 7.5, from about 4.5 to 7.0, from about 5.0 to 6.5 or from about 5.5 to 6.5. The pH can also be from about 4.0 to 5.0, from about 5.0 to 6.0, from about 6.0 to 7.0, or from about 6.0 to 7.5. The pH can also be from about 4.0 to 4.5, from about 4.5 to 5.0, from about 5.0 to 5.5, from about 5.5 to 6.0, from about 6.0 to about 6.5, or from about 6.5 to 7.0. [00197] In some embodiments, the host cells comprising heterologous biomass degrading enyzmes, such as cellulases, are grown in anaerobic conditions. In some embodiments, the host cells comprising heterologous biomass degrading enzymes, such as cellulases, grown in anaerobic conditions can produce ethanol, or another product of fermentation, from cellulose in the absence of externally added enzymes, hi some embodiments, the host cells comprising heterologous cellulases grown in anaerobic conditions can decrease the amount of externally added enzymes required to produce a given amount of ethanol, or another fermentation product, from a given amount of cellulose in a given time period.

[00198] hi some embodiments, methods of producing ethanol, acetic acid, lactic acid, CO_2, or another useful fermentation product can comprise contacting a cellulosic substrate with a host cell of the invention and additionally contacting the cellulosic substrate with externally produced biomass degrading enzymes enzymes. Exemplary externally produced biomass degrading enzymes, such as cellulases, are commercially available and are known to those of skill in the art. [00199] Therefore, the invention is also directed to methods of reducing the amount of externally produced biomass degrading enzymes required to produce a given amount of ethanol from cellulose comprising contacting the cellulose with externally produced biomass degrading enzymes and with a host cell, hi some embodiments, the same amount of ethanol production can be achieved using at least about 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, or 50% less externally produced biomass degrading enzymes.

[00200] In some embodiments, the methods comprise producing ethanol, or another fermentation product at a particular rate. For example, in some embodiments, ethanol, or another fermentation product, is produced at a rate of at least about 0.1 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.25 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.5 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.75 mg per hour per liter, at least about 1.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 2.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 5.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 10 mg per hour per liter, at least about 15 mg per hour per liter, at least about 20.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 25 mg per hour per liter, at least about 30 mg per hour per liter, at least about 50 mg per hour per liter, at least about 100 mg per hour per liter, at least about 200 mg per hour per liter, or at least about 500 mg per hour per liter.

[00201] In some embodiments, the host cells of the present invention can produce ethanol, or another fermentation product, at a rate of at least about 0.1 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.25 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.5 mg per hour per liter, at least about 0.75 mg per hour per liter, at least about 1.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 2.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 5.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 10 mg per hour per liter, at least about 15 mg per hour per liter, at least about 20.0 mg per hour per liter, at least about 25 mg per hour per liter, at least about 30 mg per hour per liter, at least about 50 mg per hour per liter, at least about 100 mg per hour per liter, at least about 200 mg per hour per liter, or at least about 500 mg per hour per liter more than a control strain (lacking heterologous biomass degrading enzymes) and grown under the same conditions. In some embodiments, the ethanol or other fermentation product can be produced in the absence of any externally added biomass degrading enzymes. [00202] Ethanol production can be measured using any method known in the art. For example, the quantity of ethanol in fermentation samples can be assessed using HPLC analysis. Many ethanol assay kits are commercially available that use, for example, alcohol oxidase enzyme based assays. Methods of determining ethanol production are within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

[00203] In some embodiments, the host cells expressing biomass degrading enzymes can be used to produce and purify the biomass degrading enzymes. Methods of purifying the expressed proteins have been described elsewhere in the application and are known to those of skill in the art. For example, antibody purification, protein A, trichloroacetic acid, ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel filtration, and lectin chromatography methods can be used to purify the heterologous biomass degrading enzymes. The proteins can be purified and stored in any convenient form including frozen or lyophilized forms and liquid, solid or powder forms. [00204] In some embodiments, transformed T. sacch host cells can be used to produce an enzyme useful in separate applications. This can be accomplished by trasforming a T. sacch host cell with a sequence encoding a heterologous enzyme, culturing the transformed host cell under conditions suitable for protein expression and purifying the enzyme.

[00205] The following embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of these non-limiting examples.

Examples

Example 1: Creation of M0355 Strain

[00206] A strain of T. sacch that was engineered to remove genes necessary for acetate and lactate production has previously been described. Shaw AJ et al. Proc Natl Acad Sd. 105: 13769-74 (2008). However, selection for plasmids based on kanamycin resistance cannot be performed using this strain because the kanamycin resistance gene is already present in it. Thus, the strain M0355 was engineered to remove genes necessary for acetate and lactate production, but does not contain any antibiotic resistance genes. Strain M0355 was made using the widely- implemented strategy of counterselection to remove unwanted DNA sequences from the bacterial genome of a Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum strain. {See Reyrat et al. Infection and Immunity 66:4011-4017 (1998)).

[00207] The following DNA sequence was removed from the thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum JW/SL-YS485 (DSM #8691). This is a non- hazardous, non-pathogenic bacterium that is unlikely to grow if released into the environment since will not grow in the presence of atmospheric levels of oxygen. This deleted sequence encodes the proteins acetate kinase and phosphotransacetylase.

TTATTCAAAACATCATTGAAAAAGCTAAAAGCGATAAAAAGAAAATTGTTCTGC CAGAAGGTGCAGAACCCAGGACATTAAAAGCTGCTGAAATAGTTTTAAAAGAAG GGATTGCAGATTTAGTGCTTCTTGGAAATGAAGATGAGATAAGAAATGCTGCAA AAGACTTGGACATATCCAAAGCTGAAATCATTGACCCTGTAAAGTCTGAAATGT TTGATAGGTATGCTAATGATTTCTATGAGTTAAGGAAGAACAAAGGAATCACGT TGGAAAAAGCCAGAGAAACAATCAAGGATAATATCTATTTTGGATGTATGATGG TTAAAGAAGGTTATGCTGATGGATTGGTATCTGGCGCTATTCATGCTACTGCAG ATTTATTAAGACCTGCATTTCAGATAATTAAAACGGCTCCAGGAGCAAAGATAG TATCAAGCTTTTTTATAATGGAAGTGCCTAATTGTGAATATGGTGAAAATGGTG TATTCTTGTTTGCTGATTGTGCGGTCAACCCATCGCCTAATGCAGAAGAACTTG CTTCTATTGCCGTACAATCTGCTAATACTGCAAAGAATTTGTTGGGCTTTGAAC CAAAAGTTGCCATGCTATCATTTTCTACAAAAGGTAGTGCATCACATGAATTAG TAGATAAAGTAAGAAAAGCGACAGAGATAGCAAAAGAATTGATGCCAGATGTTG CTATCGACGGTGAATTGCAATTGGATGCTGCTCTTGTTAAAGAAGTTGCAGAGC TAAAAGCGCCGGGAAGCAAAGTTGCGGGATGTGCAAATGTGCTTATATTCCCTG ATTTACAAGCTGGTAATATAGGATATAAGCTTGTACAGAGGTTAGCTAAGGCAA ATGCAATTGGACCTATAACACAAGGAATGGGTGCACCGGTTAATGATTTATCAA GAGGATGCAGCTATAGAGATATTGTTGACGTAATAGCAACAACAGCTGTGCAGG CTCAATAAAATGTAAAGTATGGAGGATGAAAATTATGAAAATACTGGTTATTAA TTGCGGAAGTTCTTCGCTAAAATATCAACTGATTGAATCAACTGATGGAAATGT GTTGGCAAAAGGCCTTGCTGAAAGAATCGGCATAAATGATTCCATGTTGACACA TAATGCTAACGGAGAAAAAATCAAGATAAAAAAAGACATGAAAGATCACAAAGA CGCAATAAAATTGGTTTTAGATGCTTTGGTAAACAGTGACTACGGCGTTATAAA AGATATGTCTGAGATAGATGCTGTAGGACATAGAGTTGTTCACGGAGGAGAATC TTTTACATCATCAGTTCTCATAAATGATGAAGTGTTAAAAGCGATAACAGATTG CATAGAATTAGCTCCACTGCACAATCCTGCTAATATAGAAGGAATTAAAGCTTG CCAGCAAATCATGCCAAACGTTCCAATGGTGGCGGTATTTGATACAGCCTTTCA TCAGACAATGCCTGATTATGCATATCTTTATCCAATACCTTATGAATACTACAC AAAGTACAGGATTAGAAGATATGGATTTCATGGCACATCGCATAAATATGTTTC AAATAGGGCTGCAGAGATTTTGAATAAACCTATTGAAGATTTGAAAATCATAAC TTGTCATCTTGGAAATGGCTCCAGCATTGCTGCTGTCAAATATGGTAAATCAAT TGACACAAGCATGGGATTTACACCATTAGAAGGTTTGGCTATGGGTACACGATC TGGAAGCATAGACCCATCCATCATTTCGTATCTTATGGAAAAAGAAAATATAAG CGCTGAAGAAGTAGTAAATATATTAAATAAAAAATCTGGTGTTTACGGTATTTC AGGAATAAGCAGCGATTTTAGAGACTTAGAAGATGCCGCCTTTAAAAATGGAGA TGAAAGAGCTCAGTTGGCTTTAAATGTGTTTGCATATCGAGTAAAGAAGACGAT TGGCGCTTATGCAGCAGCTATGGGAGGCGTCGATGTCATTGTATTTACAGCAGG TGTTGGTGAAAATGGTCCTGAGATACGAGAATTTATACTTGATGGATTAGAGTT TTTAGGGTTCAGCTTGGATAAAGAAAAAAATAAAGTCAGAGGAAAAGAAACTAT TATATCTACGCCGAATTCAAAA (SEQ ID NO : 156 )

[00208] The DNA sequence of the region from which the above sequence was removed is as follows (the underlined nucleotides are the site of the deletion):

CGTGCCCATTGTGAAGTGGATTGTATTCTACAATTAAACCTAATACGCTCATAA TATGCGCCTTTCTAAAAAATTATTAATTGTACTTATTATTTTATAAAAAATATG TTAAAATGTAAAATGTGTATACAATATATTTCTTCTTAGTAAGAGGAATGTATA AAAATAAATATTTTAAAGGAAGGGACGATCTTATGAGCAGTTAGCGTGATGGTT GTGCCTACTAATGAAGAATACATGATTGCTAAAGATACTGAAAAGATTGTAAAG AGTATAAAATAGCATTCTTGACAAATGTTTACCCCATTAGTATAATTAATTTTG GCAATTATATTGGGGTGAGAAAATGAAAATTGATTTATCAAAAATTAAAGGACA TAGGGGCCGCAGCATCGAAGTCAACTACGTA ( SEQ ID NO : 157 )

[00209] The following sequence was also removed. This sequence encodes the protein lactate dehydrogenase:

CGGTATTTTTATGCAATTAAAAGGATGAAATGATATCTGATAAACTGCGAAAAA GTATTTTAGAAAATAACTATAAAGATAATATTTCAAATCAATAAGGACAAAATA AGATTAAAATTTAGACAATTTCATCAAAACTATGTTATAATATTATTAAAGGAA AATACATATTATTTAGGAGGCGATGTAATGAGCAAGGTAGCAATAATAGGATCT GGTTTTGTAGGTGCAACATCGGCATTTACGCTGGCATTAAGTGGGACTGTGACA GATATCGTGCTGGTGGATTTAAACAAGGACAAGGCTATAGGCGATGCACTGGAC

ATAAGCCATGGCATACCGCTAATACAGCCTGTAAATGTGTATGCAGGTGACTAC

AAAGATGTGAAAGGCGCAGATGTAATAGTTGTGACAGCAGGTGCTGCTCAAAAG

CCGGGAGAGACACGGCTTGACCTTGTAAAGAAAAATACAGCCATATTTAAGTCC

ATGATACCTGAGCTTTTAAAGTACAATGACAAGGCCATATATTTGATTGTGACA

AATCCCGTAGATATACTGACGTACGTTACATACAAGATTTCTGGACTTCCATGG

GGCAGAGTTTTTGGTTCTGGCACCGTTCTTGACAGCTCAAGGTTTAGATACCTT

TTAAGCAAGCACTGCAATATAGATCCGAGAAATGTCCACGGAAGGATAATCGGC

GAGCATGGTGACACAGAGTTTGCAGCATGGAGCATAACAAACATATCGGGTATA

TCATTTAATGAGTACTGCAGCATATGCGGACGCGTCTGCAACACAAATTTCAGA

AAGGAAGTAGAAGAAGAAGTCGTAAATGCTGCTTACAAGATAATAGACAAAAAA

GGTGCTACATACTATGCTGTGGCAGTTGCAGTAAGAAGGATTGTGGAGTGCATC

TTAAGAGATGAAAATTCCATCCTCACAGTATCATCTCCATTAAATGGACAGTAC

GGCGTGAAAGATGTTTCATTAAGCTTGCCATCTATCGTAGGCAGGAATGGCGTT

GCCAGGATTTTGGACTTGCCTTTATCTGACGAAGAAGTGGAGAAGTTTAGGCAT

TCAGCAAGTGTCATGGCAGATGTCATAAAACAATTAGATATATAATCAAATTAT

GTTGGGAGGCTTCACATATGTGTGGTGAGGCCTCTTTTTATGTATATAAGGGAT

GCAATGTGGAAAATCTAATAACGGTGATGCAAAATGCAGAATATGAGC ( SEQ

ID NO : 158 )

[00210] The DNA sequence of the region from which the above sequence was removed is as follows (the underlined nucleotides are the site of the deletion):

GTAAATAATAATTTAAACATAAATGAATTTATCGAAGACTTTCAAGTGCTTTAT GAACAAAAGCAAGATTTATTGACAGATGAAGAAATGAGCTTGTTTGATGATATT TATATGGCTTGTGAATACTATGAACAGGATGAAAATATAAGAAATGAATATCAC TTGTATATTGGAGAAAATGAATTAAGACAAAAAGTGCAAAAACTTGTAAAAAAG TTAGCAGCATAATAAACCGCTNAGGCATGATAGCTAAAGCCCGCAAGAGATTAT ATCGAGTGCCTTTAAGAAGGCTAAAAATTACGAAGATGTGATACACAAAAAGGC AAAAGATTACGGCAAAAACATACCGGATAGTCAAGTTAAAGGAGTATTGAAACA G (SEQ ID NO : 159)

[00211] The counterselection strategy that was used resulted in a strain that was completely free of transgenic or heterologous sequences or plasmid. No "scars" were introduced into the genome other than a single unexpected "C" cytosine base at the site of one of the deletions. No antibiotic markers or other foreign DNA is present in the M0355 strain. The major change made was to remove DNA from the original strain (JW/SL-YS485 (DSM #8691)).

Example 2: Expression of CeIZ in T. sacch

[00212] The gene CeIZ was PCR-amplified from genomic DNA from C. stercorarium and then cloned into a plasmid vector as shown in Figure 1. After verification of plasmid construction, the plasmid DNA was transformed into T. sacch strain M0355 and selected by plating on agar plates containing kanamycin. T. sacch M0355 strains expressing CeIZ (native C. stercorarium sequence) alone or CeIZ fused to C-terminal tags 6X His (HHHHHH) (SEQ ID NO: 160), Flag (DYKDDDDK) (SEQ ID NO: 161), or Hemagglutinin (HA) (YPYDVPDYA) (SEQ ID NO:162) were grown overnight to an OD₆₀₀ >2.0 in M122 media, pH 6.1 supplemented with 5 g/L cellobiose. Cells were separated from supernatants by centrifugation, and supernatant proteins were precipitated using a DOC/TCA method. Proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis on Novex^® 4-20% Tris-Glycine Gels and transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Proteins were detected using either anti-6X His (Qiagen 34660), anti-Flag (Abeam 18230) or anti-HA (Abeam 18181) primary antibodies and Alkaline phosphatases-conjugated secondary goat anti-mouse IgG (Santa Cruz sc-2008). As shown in Figure 2, western blots revealed that CeIZ fusion proteins were expressed by T. sacch.

Example 3: Expression of E5 and CBHl in T. sacch

[00213] Vectors encoding T. fusca E5, Talaromyces emersonii CBHl, Cellulomonas fimi cex and Nasutitermes takasagoensiswere NtEG were also transformed in the MO355 strain. In these experiments, the transformed cells were grown in M122C, pH 6.1 with 5ug/mL thiamphenicol at 47 °C. Overnight cultures and cultures in stationary phase (OD₆₀₀=I.9-2.1) for 2 hours were assayed for protein expression. Cells were separated from supernatant by centrifugation, and 5mL culture supernatant was precipitated overnight using DOC/TCA. Protein pellets were resuspended in SDS-PAGE gel loading buffer and analyzed by gel electrophoresis prior to Western blotting with anti His antibodies. Both E5 and CBHl were detected from culture supernatants from both overnight and stationary cultures as shown in Figure 3.

Example 4: Growth of Transformed T. Sacch on Avicel

[00214] Plasmids containing PCR-cloned cellulase genes celB {Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii), celA {Anaerocellum thermophilum), and celZ {Clostridium stercorarium) were used to transform T. sacch M0355. Plasmids containing codon-optimized cellulase genes cel5A {Acidothermus cellulolyticus HB), celD {Anaerocellum thermophilum), cbhl{T. reeseϊ), cbh2 {T. reesei), celZ {Clostridium stercorarium), manA {Caldocellum saccharolyticum), celD {Thermobifida fused) and endl {Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens) were used to transform T. sacch M0699, a derivative of M0355 adapted for fast growth in a chemostat. The resulting strains were grown on rich medium containing 2% Avicel. Plates were incubated for 96 hours at 55° C followed by a washing with IM Tris and staining with a 0.5% solution of Pontamine Orange 6RN and Direct Blue I dyes (Pylam Products). The stained plate revealed clearing zones for celZ and celA transformants as compared to the M0355 parent (negative control) and celSA, celD (A. thermophilum), cbhl, cbh2, celZ, manA, celD (T. fused) and endl as compared to the M0699 parent (negative control). C. thermocellum was used as a positive control. T. sacch containing a plasmid encoding for T. fusca cel9A with its native promoter also showed a clearing zone in this type of assay.

Example 5: Bio mass Degrading Enzyme Activity in the MuLac Assay [00215] In order to perform MuLac assays, supernatants from transformed cultures are mixed with MuLac, a fluorescent substrate for beta-lactosidase or galactosidase and glucosidase activities, and Relative Fluorescent Light Units are detected over time. Cleavage of MuLac releases 4-methylumbelliferone that is detected by fluorescence (ex. 355 run and em. 460 ran). [00216] MO699 was transformed with vectors containing sequences encoding the following proteins as described in Table 2 above: C. fimi Cex (827), A. celluloyticus HB Cel5A (828), A thermophilum celD (829), C. formosanus CfEGA (830), T. reesei CBHl (831), T. reesei CBH2 (833), T. fusca Cel5A, CeIE (834), C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00091 geneorl761) (835), C. saccharolyticum ManA (836), T. reesei EGl (837), T. fusca CeIC (838), A. cellulolyticus HB Biomass degrading enzyme (839), C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00009 geneor0219) (841), C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00029; geneor 0692) (842), N. fischeri putative biomass degrading enzyme (843), C. stercorarium Avicellase I (846), C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00135 geneor2202) (847), C. stercorarium Avicellase II (849), T. fusca CelD(850), A. celluloyticus HB secreted biomass degrading enzyme (852), A. thermophilum CeI A (853) and T. fusca Cel5A, CeIE (855). The resulting transformed strains were cultured in TS5-rich media with 100 ug/mL kanamycin, 55⁰C to an OD_6O0 greater than 2.0. Supernatants were separated from cells after spinning at 19K, 4°C. Supernatants were poured into a new, clean tube, and cells were discarded. 50 μl of 4 mM 4-Methylumbelliferyl β-D- lαctoside (MuCeII), MGT #M0554 was made in 50 mM Citrate Buffer pH 6.1 and pipetted into analytical 96-well plate. 50 ul culture supernatants was added. Plates were incubated at 55 °C for timecourse. Fluorescence was read in microtiter plate reader (ex. 355 nm and em. 460 nm). The results are shown in Figure 4 and demonstrate that T. sacch expressing C. stercorarium CelZ, C. fimi Cex, A. thermophilum celD, T. reesei CBHl, C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00091 geneor 1761), C. saccharolyticum ManA, A. cellulolyticus HB Biomass degrading enzyme, C. saccharolyticum CeIB (contig 00135 geneor2202), C. stercorarium Avicellase II, T. fusca CeID, and A. celluloyticus HB secreted biomass degrading enzyme show activity in the MuLac assay that is greater than the MO699 strain from which they were derived. In addition, T. sacch containing plasmids encoding for T. fusca cel9A or B. fibrisolvens endl with their native promoters showed activity in a MuLac assay.

Example 6: Ethanol Production by T. Sacch Expressing Heterologous Biomass Degrading

Enzymes

[00217] Plasmids containing PCR-cloned cellulase genes celB from Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii ("T. sacch 555"), celA from Anaerocellum thermophilum ("T. sacch 559"), and celZfrom Clostridium stercorarium ("T. sacch 567") were used to transform T. sacch. Cultures of the transformed strain, and the control parent strain, M0355, were grown in bottles at 25 ml volumes containing M 122 media supplemented with 2% Avicel with 1 g/L yeast extract and 1 g/L xylose as a starting sugar. Cultures were grown at 47° C with 2.5μg/ml thiamphenicol at either pH 5.5, 6.1, or 6.7, with samples collected at 0 and 96 hours for HPLC analysis. As shown in Figure 5, there was an increase in ethanol production (0.3-0.6 g/L) at all three pH levels for the cellulase transformants when compared to the parent T. sacch M0355 strain indicating some cellulolytic activity.

Example 7: Ethanol Production by T. Sacch Expressing Heterologous Biomass Degrading

Enzymes

[00218] Plasmids containing PCR-cloned or codon-optimized cellulase genes celD

{Anaerocellum thermophilum, pMU829), cbhl (T reesei, pMU831), cbh2 (T. reesei, pMU833), celZ (Clostridium stercorarium, pMU876), Contig00135 geneor2202 (Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii pMU847), celD (Thermobiβda fusca pMU850), and endl (Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens pMU854) were used to transform T. sacch M0699. Cultures of the transformed strain, and the control parent strain, M0699, were grown in bottles at 25 ml volumes containing TS5 media supplemented with 2% Avicel and exogenous enzymes. Cultures were grown at 55° C at pH 6.1 with samples collected at 24 and 72 hours for HPLC analysis. As shown in Figure 6, there was an increase in ethanol production (0.5 g/L) for the cellulase transformants pMU876 (celZ) when compared to the parent T. sacch M0699 strain indicating some cellulolytic activity. Example 8: Expression of Identified Heterologous CeIIulases in T. sacch

[00219] In order to identify cellulases that increase cellulose digestion and ethanol production in T. sacch, codon-optimized sequences encoding the biomass degrading enzymes of Table 2 (SEQ ED NO: 108- 148) are cloned into a T. sacch expression vector. The T. sacch expression vector comprises a C. therm promoter, a signal peptide, the codon-optimized cellulase-encoding sequence and the E. coli Tl and T2 terminator. The signal peptide is a signal peptide selected from the signal peptides of Tables 2 and 3. The vectors are transformed into MO355. The presence of the heterologous cellulase in the transformed host cells is confirmed by genetic assay {e.g. PCR assay) enzyme assay {e.g. assay for cellulase activity) or by analytical methodology. Transformed host cells are grown on cellulosic substrates {e.g. Avicel) and ethanol production is monitored. Transformed host cells that produce large quantities of ethanol are used in a consolidated bioprocessing system, optionally in combination with externally added enzymes to produce ethanol

Example 9: Identification and Expression of Cellulases from T. sαcc/z-Related Organisms

[00220] In order to identify cellulases from organisms related to T. sacch that increase cellulose digestion and ethanol production when expressed in T. sacch, DNA is prepared from an organism or group of organisms likely to contain biomass degrading enzymes. This can be done by obtaining organisms that contain similar 16S rRNA sequences, evaluated using BLAST search. These organisms may be obtained from repositories of microorganisms or by isolating them from natural environments. DNA can also be prepared directly from mixed cultures of microorganisms or from microorganisms residing in the natural environment. A library of different DNA fragments is then generated. This library can consist of T. sacch replication-ready plasmids into which fragments of the DNA have been inserted. The library can also consist of plasmids or linear DNA constructs designed to integrate into the T. sacch chromosome. A strong promoter active in T. sacch may be positioned up and downstream of cloning sites to drive gene expression in both directions. This may be useful if no promoter was included in the DNA fragment that was cloned, or if the promoter present in that DNA is not active in T. sacch under the conditions used. The DNA constucts are transformed into T. sacch and transformed host cells are either selected or assayed for protein expression and/or increased biomass degradation. Organisms that are mildly cellulolytic are passaged serially and selected for increased cellulase activity. Transformed host cells that produce large quantities of ethanol are used in a consolidated bioprocessing system, optionally in combination with externally added enzymes to produce ethanol.

[00221] In another variation, the DNA is not cloned but instead directly transformed into

T. sacch. By mechanisms either native to or introduced into T. sacch, some portion of the DNA is then integrated into the chromosome. Cells that integrated DNA sequences encoding biomass degrading enzymes can then be isolated by selection or screening.

Example 10: Screening of Signal Peptides

[00222] A comprehensive signal peptide library was tested in combination with three different cellulases in order to identify signal peptides that commonly promote secretion in T. sacch. Signal peptides were cloned upstream of histidine-tagged CBHl (Talaromyces emersonii), E5 {Thermobifida fused), and CeIZ {Clostridium stercorarium) and over-expressed in T. sacch strain M0699. The predicted protein sizes for CBHl, E5, and CeIZ are 48 kDa, 48 kDa, and 105 kDa, respectively. T. sacch culture supernatants were harvested during logarithmic growth phase, and protease inhibitors were added. Proteins were precipitated with sodium deoxycholαte (DOC) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) overnight. Protein pellets were resuspended in SDS-PAGE gel loading buffer that contained DTT and analyzed by gel electrophoresis on Novex 4-20% Tris-glycine gels prior to Western blotting. Anti-6X His antibodies were used to detect CBHl :6X His (Talaromyces emersonii) (Figure 7A), E5:6X His (Thermobifida fusca) (Figure 7B), and CelZ:6X His (Clostridium stercorarium) (Figure 7C) fusion proteins. CBHl and E5 could be detected by Western analysis when expressed as fusion with a T. sacch signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 15. Additionally, CBHl could be detected when fused to T. sacch signal peptides SEQ ID NO: 19 and 20, and E5 was detected when fused to T. sacch signal peptides of SEQ ID NO: 5, 7, 11, 13, 14,17, 19, 20, 24 and 31. However, fusion to these signal peptides resulted in detection of bands smaller or larger that the predicted protein size. These bands may be the result of truncated proteins due to proteolysis, conformational changes or incomplete translation from a pre-mature stop codon, for example. Larger bands may have resulted from protein aggregation or post-translational modifications. A CeIZ band of predicted size was detected by Western blot only when fused to the native Clostridium stercorarium CeIZ signal peptide sequence. Fusions with a T. sacch signal peptide SEQ ID NO: 15, 16, 17, 33, and 34 resulted in bands that were smaller than the predicted size.

Example 11: Evidence of Proteolysis of Heterlogous Cellulases in T. sacch [00223] Multiple bands, in addition to a band at the expected size of CeIZ were visible by

Western blot when CeIZ was heterologously expressed in T. sacch. See Figure 2. The multiplicity of bands was observed in samples collected from T. sacch heterologously expressing CelZ:HA, CelZ:His and CelZ:Flag fusions. Therefore, the mulitplicity of bands was not the result of a particular protein tag. In order to determine if the extraneous bands were due to culture growing conditions, T. sacch cultures expressing CeIZ were grown at multiple pHs (5.5, 6.1, and 6.7). In order to determine if the extraneous bands were due to methods of sample preparation, T. sacch cultures expressing CeIZ were processed in three different ways: 1) no treatment; 2) sodium deoxycholαte (DOC) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitation; and 3) filtration through 1OkDa MWCO filter. A similar banding pattern was observed in anti-His Western blots regardless of culture growing conditions or sample preparation techniques. These results indicated that the extra bands were not due to growth pH or sample processing. [00224] In order to determine if the banding pattern was the result of proteolysis, N- terminal sequencing of the bands was performed. Histidine-tagged CBHl (Talaromyces emersoniϊ) and E5 (Thermobiβda fusca) were cloned downstream of a T. sacch signal peptide of SEQ ID NO: 15, and CeIZ {Clostridium stercorarium) was cloned with the native C. stercorarium CeIZ signal peptide (SEQ ID NO:34). The heterologous cellulases were over-expressed in T. sacch strain M0699. The T. sacch culture supernatants were harvested during logarithmic growth phase, and protease inhibitors were added. Proteins were precipitated with DOC/TCA overnight. Protein pellets were resuspended in SDS-PAGE gel loading buffer that contained DTT and analyzed by gel electrophoresis on Novex^® 4-20% Tris-glycine gels prior to Western blotting. Anti-6X His antibodies were used to detect CBHl :6X His, E5:6X His, and CelZ:6X His fusion proteins. Figure 8. hi addition, the fusion proteins were purified from T. saccharolyticum supernatants by fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) using a cobalt resin. Eluant was separated by electrophoresis on Novex^® 4-20% Tris-glycine gels. Samples were transferred to a PVDF membrane and stained with Coomassie. After destaining, bands were cut out and identified by N-terminal sequencing. The resulting sequences, shown in Figure 8, correspond to sequences of the heterologous cellulase being expressed. This data indicates that there is T. sαccλ-mediated proteolysis of secreted cellulases. Cleavage sites that were consistent with serine-protease cleavage were identified. Cleavage sites consistent with trypsin- like cleavage were also identified.

Example 12: T. emersonii CBHl :His shows Hydrolytic Activity in T. Saccharolyticum [00225] In order to determine if T. emersonii CBHl was enzymatically active when expressed in T. sacch, an in-gel MuLac assay was performed. In this experiment, approximately 30 L of T. saccharolyticum was grown in TSCl medium with 30g/L maltodextrin. The TSCl media recipe is shown below: TSCl Media reci e (made up for 1 liter inoculum for the 40 liters)

[00226] Supernatant was separated from cells by spinning and clarified of residual cells using a 500 kDa MWCO filter. The permeate was retained and concentrated in a 1OkDa MWCO filter. Retentate was diafiltered into 50 mM Na phosphate, 300 mM NaCl, pH 7.4 and purified by FPLC using a Pierce cobalt column. Samples of the material loaded onto the column (Figure 9A "load") and a sample of the fraction that was retained on the column and eluted with an imidazole gradient (Figure 9A "peak") were obtained and applied to a 4-20% SDS-PAGE gel and separated electrophoretically. The gel was then incubated in 100 mM succinate, pH 5.8 to remove the SDS and equilibrate the gel to the optimal pH. The gel was then incubated in 100 mM succinate, pH 5.8 with 0.5 mM 4-methylumbelliferyl cellobioside (MuCeII), a fluorescent substrate for CBHl. After incubating for an additional 2 hours at 45 °C, the gel was visualized on a Syngene G:Box with a CCD camera after exciting the MuCeIl with UV light. Bands containing enzymes that can digest the MuCeIl fluoresce. Figure 9A, left panel. The gel was also stained with Simply Blue safe stain to visualize all of the proteins present in each sample and to estimate the amount of protein in each sample. Figure 9A, right panel. Based on this staining, there is significantly less protein present in the peak sample compared to the load sample (approximately 10%). Figure 9 A, right panel. Both the load and the peak appeared to be positive for MuCeI. Figure 9 A, left panel.

[00227] The activity of T. emersonii CBHl in T. sacch was also assessed by measuring the percent of Avicel conversion using the reducing sugar (DNS) method. Commercially available exogenous endoglucanase (EG) (2 mg/g) from AB Enzymes batch number EL2007025L and T. saccharolyticum supernatants from empty vector controls or CBHl -expressing strains were added to 2% Avicel. A water control was performed in which 2 mg/g total of EG and commercially available exogenous CBHl (AB Enzymes thermostable, mono-component) was added. Measurements were taken at 24 hours and 48 hours, and at both time points a greater percentage of Avicel was converted by the CBHl -expressing T. sacch strain than either of the controls. Figure 9B.

[00228] The activity of T. emersonii CBHl in T. sacch was also assessed using fermentation bottle experiments. These experiments were performed with 2% Avicel in TSCl medium and T. saccharolyticum transformed with an empty vector control or a CBHl -containing plasmid. Commercially available exogenous EG (2 mg/g) or EG and CBHl in a ratio of 1:3.5 (2 mg/g) was added to each bottle. Cellobiose, glucose, xylose, and ethanol concentrations were measured by HPLC using a 300 x 7.8 mm BioRad Aminex HPX 87H column, an ion-moderated partition chromatography technique, at 72 hours. CBHl -expressing T. sacch increased the concentration of ethanol produced under all of the conditions tested. Figure 9C. Example 13: Increased Heterlogous Cellulase Activity in T. sacch in Protease Knock-Outs [00229] In order to decrease the proteolysis of heterologous cellulases in T. sacch, T. sacch strains lacking a gene encoding a protease are created. For example, knock-outs are created using phosphotransacetylase ipta) and acetate kinase (ack) genes for genetic marker removal via selection with halogen-acetate compounds (e.g. fluoroacetate) as described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/113,978, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A recombinant T. sacch strain expressing the heterologous cellulase in a wild-type background and a recombinant T. sacch strain expressing the heterologous cellulase in the protease knock-out background are cultured under the same conditions, and the concentration of cellulases is measured by Western Blot. An increase in the intensity of the band corresponding to the size of the heterologous cellulase and a decrease in the intensity of the multiplicity of smaller bands indicates a decrease in the proteolysis of the heterologous cellulase. In addition, ethanol production by both strains is measured as described in the Examples above. An increase in ethanol production in the protease knock-out indicates an increase in the enzymatic activity of heterologously expressed cellulase in T. sacch. [00230] These examples illustrate possible embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to some embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation, and various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents. [00231] All documents cited herein, including journal articles or abstracts, published or corresponding U.S. or foreign patent applications, issued or foreign patents, or any other documents, are each entirely incorporated by reference herein, including all data, tables, figures, and text presented in the cited documents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An isolated nucleic acid comprising a polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38 and an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148.

2. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 126.

3. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 108.

4. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148 is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 109.

5. The isolated nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:l-38 is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:15.

6. The nucleic acid of claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide is codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum .

7. A vector comprising the nucleic acid of any one of claims 1 -6.

8. A polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-6.

9. A host cell comprising the nucleic acid of any one of claims 1-6, the vector of claim 7 or the polypeptide of claim 8.

10. The host cell of claim 9, wherein the host cell is a member of the genus Thermoanaerobacterium.

11. The host cell of claim 10, wherein the Thermoanerobacterium host cell is a T. ihermosulfur genes, T. polysaccharolyticum, T. thermosaccharolyticum or T. saccharolyticum host cell.

12. The host cell of claim 11, wherein the Thermoanerobacterium host cell is a T. saccharolyticum cell.

13. A transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cell comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product or lacks a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product or lacks both.

14. The host cell of claim 13, wherein the host cell does not contain heterologous markers.

15. The host cell of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product and lacks a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product.

16. A transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell comprising a heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme operably linked to a cellobiose phosphotransferase (CBP) promoter.

17. A transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell comprising a heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme operably linked to E. coli Tl and T2 terminator sequences.

18. A transformed thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a fusion protein, wherein the fusion protein comprises a signal peptide and a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, and wherein the signal peptide comprises a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38.

19. The host cell of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host is selected from the group consisting of Acetogenium kivui, Caldanaerobacter proteolyticus, Caldanaerobium fijiensis, Clostridium thermoamylolyticwn, Clostridium thermocopriae, Clostridium thermosaccharolyticum, Clostridium uzonii, Desulfotomaculum thermobenzoicum, Garciaella petrolearia, Soehngenia saccharolytica, Thermoanaerobacter acetoethylicus, Thermoanaerobacter brockii, Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter finii, Thermoanaerobacter inferii, Thermoanaerobacter lacticus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus, Thermoanaerobacter siderophilus, Thermoanaerobacter subterraneus, Thermoanaerobacter sulfurigignens, Thermoanaerobacter sulfur ophilus, Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis, Thermoanaerobacter thermohydrosulfuricus, Thermoanaerobacter uzonensis strain, Thermoanaerobacter wiegelii, Thermoanaerobium lactoethylicum, and Thermobacteroides acetoethylicus.

20. The host cell of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the thermophilic anaerobic bacterial host cell is a member of the genus Thermoanerobacterium.

21. The host cell of claim 20, wherein the Thermoanerobacterium host cell is a T. thermosulfur genes, T polysaccharolyticum, T. thermosaccharolyticum or T. saccharolyticum host cell.

22. The host cell of claim 21, wherein the Thermoanerobacterium host cell is a T. saccharolyticum cell.

23. A transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cell comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the biomass degrading enzyme is codon- optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum.

24. A transformed Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum host cell comprising at least one heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is not a biomass degrading enzyme from an anaerobic bacteria.

25. The host cell of claim 24, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is a fungal biomass degrading enzyme or a biomass degrading enzyme from a microorganism residing in the termite gut.

26. A host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the host cell is a Thermoanaerobacterium cell and wherein the host cell has decreased protease activity compared to wild-type Thermoanaerobacterium.

27. A host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the host cell is a Thermoanaerobacterium cell and wherein the host cell has increased chaperone activity, compared to wild-type Thermoanaerobacterium.

28. A host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous biomass degrading enzyme, wherein the host cell is a Thermoanaerobacterium cell and wherein said host cell further comprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of: E. coli DsbA, E. coli B, E. coli C, E. coli D, E. coli G, Bacillus subtilis BdbA, Bacillus subtilis BdbB, Bacillus subtilis BdbC, Bacillus subtilis BdbD, Bacillus subtilis PrsA, SecA, SecY, SecE, SecG, and SecDF.

29. The host cell of any one of claims 13-28, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is derived from Thermobifida fusca, Caldocellum saccharolyticum, Clostridium stercorarium, Eubacterium cellulosolvens, Cellulomonas fimi, Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Anaerocellum thermophilum, Trichoderma reesei, Coptotermes formosanus, Nasutitermes takasagoensis, Talaromyces emersonii, Neosartorya fischeri or Caldicellulosiruptorkristjanssonii.

30. The host cell of any one of claims 9-14 or 16-29, wherein the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product.

31. The host cell of any one of claims 13-15 or 30, wherein the gene that is necessary for producing lactic acid as a fermentation product encodes lactate dehydrogenase.

32. The host cell of any one of claims 9-14 or 16-29, wherein the host cell lacks a gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product.

33. The host cell of any one of claims 13-15 or 32, wherein the gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product encodes phosphotransacetylase.

34. The host cell of any one of claims 13-15 or 32, wherein the gene that is necessary for producing acetic acid as a fermentation product encodes acetate kinase.

35. The host cell of any one of claims 9-34, wherein the host cell lacks genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase, phosphotransacetylase, and acetate kinase.

36. The host cell of any one of claims 9-35, wherein the host cell can hydrolyze cellulose.

37. The host cell of any one of claims 9-36, wherein the host cell can grow on crystalline cellulose.

38. The host cell of claim 37, wherein the host cell can grow on Avicel.

39. The host cell of any one of claims 9-38, wherein the host cell has at least 10 U/mg activity.

40. The host cell of any one of claims 9-15 or 17-39, wherein the nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme is operably associated with a cellobiose phosphotransferase (CBP) promoter.

41. The host cell of claim 16 or 40, wherein the CBP promoter is the Clostridium thermocellum CBP promoter.

42. The host cell of claim 41, wherein the CBP promoter comprises the sequence of SEQ ID NO:153.

43. The host cell of any one of claims 9-16 or 18-42, wherein the nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme is operably associated with E. coli Tl and T2 terminators.

44. The host cell of any one of claims 13-17 or 19-43, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is fused to a signal peptide.

45. The host cell of claim 44, wherein the signal peptide comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38.

46. The host cell of claim 45, wherein the amino acid sequence selected from the group consistiong of SEQ ID NOs: 1-38 is the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 15.

47. The host cell of any one of claims 16 and 44-46, wherein the signal peptide is fused to the N- terminus of the biomass degrading enzyme.

48. The host cell of any one of claims 16 and 44-47, wherein the signal peptide is encoded by a nucleic acid codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum.

49. The host cell of any one of claims 13-48, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 108-148.

50. The host cell of any one of claims 9-22 and 24-49, wherein the nucleic acid encoding the biomass degrading enzyme is codon-optimized for expression in Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum .

51. The host cell of any one of claims 9-50, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is fused to a cellulose binding module (CBM).

52. The host cell of any one of claims 9-51, further comprising a second heterologous polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid encoding a biomass degrading enzyme.

53. The host cell of any one of claims 13-52, wherein the biomass degrading enzyme is a cellulase.

54. The host cell of any one of claims 9-25 and 27-53, wherein the host cell has decreased protease activity compared to wild-type protease activity.

55. The host cell of claim 26 or claim 54, wherein the decreased protease activity is a result of decreased activity of a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ K) NOs: 164-168.

56. The host cell of claim 55, wherein the decreased protease activity is a result of a mutation or deletion in a gene encoding the protease.

57. The host cell of claim 56, wherein the mutation or deletion in the gene was created using chromosomal integration.

58. The host cell of any one of claims 9-26 or 28-57, wherein the host cell has increased chaperone activity compared to wild-type chaperone activity.

59. The host cell of claim 27 or 58, wherein said host cell comprises a heterologous nucleic acid encoding a chaperone selected from the group consisting of E. coli HSP60/GroEL, E. coli HSP60/GroES, E. coli HSP70/DnaK, E. coli DnaJ, E. coli GrpE, E. coli HSP90/HtpG, E. coli HSP100/Clp family, E. coli peptidyl prolyl isomerase Trigger Factor, Bacillus subtilis Ffh, Bacillus subtilis HBsu, Bacillus subtilis FtsY, Bacillus subtilis CsaA and Bacillus subtilis FIhF.

60. The host cell of claim 58 or 59, wherein the chaperone is expressed from a plasmid.

61. The host cell of any one of claims 9-27 or 29-60, wherein the host cell further comprises a nucleic acid encoding a protein selected from the group consisting of: E. coli DsbA, E. coli B, E. coli C, E. coli D, E. coli G, Bacillus subtilis BdbA, Bacillus subtilis BdbB, Bacillus subtilis BdbC, Bacillus subtilis BdbD, Bacillus subtilis PrsA, SecA, SecY, SecE, SecG, and SecDF.

62. A method for hydrolyzing a cellulosic substrate, comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with the host cell of any one of claims 9-61.

63. A method for producing ethanol from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with the host cell of any one of claims 9-61.

64. The method of claim 62 or 63, further comprising contacting the substrate with exogenous enzymes.

65. The method of any one of claims 62-64, wherein said contacting occurs in anaerobic conditions.

66. The method of any one of claims 62-65, wherein said cellulosic substrate is a lignocellulosic biomass selected from the group consisting of grass, switch grass, cord grass, rye grass, reed canary grass, miscanthus, sugar-processing residues, sugarcane bagasse, agricultural wastes, rice straw, rice hulls, barley straw, corn cobs, cereal straw, wheat straw, canola straw, oat straw, oat hulls, corn fiber, stover, soybean stover, corn stover, forestry wastes, recycled wood pulp fiber, paper sludge, sawdust, hardwood, softwood, and combinations thereof.

67. A method of producing acetic acid from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with the host cell of any one of claims 9-14, 16-31, or 36-61.

68. A method of producing lactic acid from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with the host cell of any one of claims 9-14, 16-29, 32-34, or 36-61.

69. A method of producing a biomass degrading enzyme comprising culturing the host cell of any one of claims 1-61 under conditions suitable for protein expression and purifying the biomass degrading enzyme.

70. A method of producing ethanol from a cellulosic substrate comprising contacting said cellulosic substrate with a Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum, wherein the Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum expresses a heterologous cellulase and (i) has increased chaperone activity compared to wild-type Therrήoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum or (ii) has decreased protease activity compared to wild-type Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum.