WO2012009272A2 - Pentose fermentation by a recombinant microorganism - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising a xylose isomerase polynucleotide, a recombinant fungal host cell comprising a recombinant xylose isomerase polynucleotide, and related methods.

Description

PENTOSE FERMENTATION BY A RECOMBINANT MICROORGANISM

[0001] The present application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No.

61/364,180, filed July 14, 2010.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Ethanol and ethanol fuel blends are widely used in Brazil and in the United States as a transportation fuel. Combustion of these fuels is believed to produce fewer of the harmful exhaust emissions (hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)) that are generated by the combustion of petroleum. Bioethanol is a particularly favored form of ethanol because the plant biomass from which it is produced utilizes sunlight, an energy source that is renewable. In the United States, ethanol is used in gasoline blends that are from 5% to 85% ethanol. Blends of up to 10%o ethanol (E10) are approved for use in all gasoline vehicles in the U.S. and blends of up to 85%o ethanol (E85) can be utilized in specially engineered flexible-fuel vehicles (FFV). The Brazilian government has mandated the use of ethanol-gasoline blends as a vehicle fuel and the mandatory blend has been 25% ethanol (E25) since 2007.

[0003] Bioethanol is currently produced by the fermentation of hexose sugars that are obtained from carbon feedstocks. Currently, only the sugar from sugar cane and starch from feedstock such as corn can be economically converted. There is, however, much interest in using lignocellulosic feedstocks where the cellulose part of a plant is broken down to sugars and subsequently converted to ethanol. Lignocellulosic biomass is made up of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose can be hydrolyzed in a saccharification process to sugars that can be subsequently converted to ethanol via fermentation. The major fermentable sugars from lignocelluloses are glucose and xylose.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Baker's yeast) is normally used in the production of ethanol from hexose sugars, such as glucose. Although it would be highly desirable to utilize all of the sugars derivable from the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic feedstock, Saccharomyces cerevisiae is unable to ferment D-xylose naturally. While certain bacteria are able to ferment xylose, these hosts are limited in terms of their ethanol tolerance and commercial applicability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from: (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2; and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The present invention further provides a recombinant fungal host cell transformed with the nucleic acid construct of the present invention. The present invention further provides a process for producing a fermentation product, wherein the method comprises: (a) providing a recombinant host fungal host cell of the present invention; (b) providing a fermentation medium comprising xylose; and (c) fermenting the culture medium with the recombinant fungal host cell under conditions suitable for generating the fermentation product.

[0005] In some embodiments, the present invention provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising polynucleotide sequences that encode polypeptides that are capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, wherein the polynucleotides are selected from (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:2; and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least about 75%>, at least about 80%>, at least about 85%>, at least about 90%, or at least about 95%> identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some further embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some additional embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is at least about 75%>, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: l or SEQ ID NO:3. In some further embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO: l or SEQ ID NO:3. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs further comprise at least one genetic element that facilitates stable integration into a fungal host genome. In some embodiments, the genetic element facilitates integration into a fungal host genome by homologous recombination. In some additional embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs comprise a fungal origin of replication. In some embodiments, the fungal origin of replication is a yeast origin of replication. In some further embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is operatively linked to a promoter sequence that is functional in a fungal cell. In some embodiments, the promoter sequence is a fungal promoter sequence. In some additional embodiments, the fungal promoter sequence is a yeast promoter sequence. In some further embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is operatively linked to a transcription termination sequence that is functional in a fungal cell. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence contains codons optimized for expression in a yeast cell. [0006] The present invention also provides recombinant fungal host cells comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from: (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:2, and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide sequence is any polynucleotide sequence provided herein. In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cells comprise at least one recombinant nucleic acid construct provided herein. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is integrated into the host cell genome. In some embodiments, the host cell is a yeast cell. In some further embodiments, the host cell has had one or more native genes deleted from its genome. In some embodiments, the deletion results in one or more phenotypes selected from the group consisting of: increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to low pH, and reduced production of by products, wherein comparison is made with respect to the corresponding host cell without the deletion(s). In some additional embodiments, the host cell is altered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides. In some further embodiments, overexpression results in one or more phenotypes selected from the group consisting of: increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to low pH, and reduced product of by products, wherein comparison is made to the corresponding unaltered host cell. In still some further embodiments, the host cell is capable of growth in a xylose-based culture medium. In some embodiments, the host cell is capable of faster growth in a xylose-based culture medium as compared to wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In some embodiments, the host cell is capable of growth at a rate of at least about 0.2 per hour in a xylose-based culture medium. In some embodiments, the host cell is capable of fermenting xylose at a rate of at least about 1 g/L/h in a xylose-based culture medium. In some additional embodiments, the xylose-based culture medium is selected from the group consisting of product from a cellulosic saccharification process or a hemicellulosic feedstock.

[0007] The present invention also provides methods for producing at least one fermentation product, wherein the methods comprise: providing the recombinant host cell described herein; providing a fermentation medium comprising xylose; and contacting the fermentation medium with the recombinant fungal host cell under conditions suitable for generating at least one fermentation product. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise the step of recovering the fermentation product. In some further embodiments, the fermenting step is carried out under conditions selected from the group consisting of microaerobic or aerobic conditions. In some embodiments, the fermenting step is carried out under anaerobic conditions. In yet additional embodiments, the fermentation product is selected from alcohols, fatty acids, lactic acid, acetic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, amino acids, 1,3 -propanediol, ethylene, glycerol, and β- lactams. In some embodiments, the fermentation product is an alcohol selected from of ethanol, butanol, and a fatty alcohol. In some further embodiments, the fermentation product is ethanol. In some alternative embodiments, the fermentation product is a fatty alcohol that is a C8-C20 fatty alcohol. In some further embodiments, the fermentation medium comprises product from a saccharification process. In yet some additional embodiments, the fermentation medium comprises hemicellulosic feedstock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0008] Figure 1 depicts the two pathways for converting D-xylose to D-xylulose. In one pathway, the D-xylose can be converted to xylitol by xylose reductase (3) or aldoreductase (4) . The xylitol can be further converted to D-xylulose with a xylulose reductase (5). In the second pathway, D- xylose is converted directly to D-xylulose with a xylose isomerase (1). The D-xylulose produced from either pathway can be further converted to D-xylulose-5-P with a xylulokinase (2). The numbers in the figure correspond to the numbers in this description.

[0009] Figures 2A-C depict the metabolic pathways for converting D-xylulose-5-P to ethanol.

[0010] Figure 2A depicts the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP). The substrates and products are shown. The enzymes are represented by numbers as follows: 6. Ribulose-5 -phosphate 3-epimerase; 7. Transketolase (TKL1); 8. Transaldolase (TALI); 9. Ribose-5 -phosphate ketoisomerase (RKI1); 10. 6- phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (GND1); 11. 6-phosphogluconalactonase (SOL3); and 12. Glucoses- phosphate- 1 -dehydrogenase (ZWF).

[0011] Figure 2B depicts the pathway of glycolysis. The substrates and products are shown.

The enzymes are represented by numbers as follows: 13. Hexokinase; 14. Phosphoglucose isomerase; 15. Phosphofructokinase; 16. Aldolase; 17. Triose phosphate isomerase; 18. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase; 19. 3-Phosphoglycerate kinase; 20. Phosphoglyceromutase; 21. Enolase; and 22.

Pyruvate kinase.

[0012] Figure 2C depicts the metabolic pathway for converting pyruvate to ethanol. The substrates and products are shown. The enzymes are represented by numbers as follows: 23. Pyruvate decarboxylase; 24. Aldehyde dehydrogenase; and 25. Alcohol dehydrogenase.

[0013] Figure 3 depicts the native Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase gene (SEQ ID NO: 1). [0014] Figure 4 depicts the native Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase amino acid sequence

(SEQ ID NO:2) encoded by the polynucleotide sequence depicted in Figure 3 (SEQ ID NO: l).

[0015] Figure 5 depicts a polynucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) that has been codon optimized for expression in Saccharomyces cerevisae. This codon optimized polynucleotide sequence also encodes the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. SEQ ID NO:4 in the Sequence Listing is identical to SEQ ID NO:2.

[0016] Figure 6 depicts vector PLS 10096, which is an 8262 bp vector having a 2 micron origin of replication, pBS (pBluescript) origin of replication, the TEF1 promoter of S. cerevisiae, a polynucleotide encoding the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase, a CYC1 terminator, a Kanamycin resistance gene, and an ampicillin resistance gene.

[0017] Figure 7 depicts the amount of xylose consumed over a 120 hour growth cycle for

Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell line BY4741 transformed with three different plasmids: 1. PLS1567, which is the vector control (no xylose isomerase gene); 2. PLS1569, which contains the codon-optimized xylose isomerase gene from Clostridium phytofermentans, SEQ ID NO: 7 ("CP XI"); and 3. PLS10096, which contains codon-optimized xylose isomerase gene from Abiotrophia defectiva, SEQ ID NO:2 ("AD XI"). The corresponding experiment is described in Example 2.

[0018] Figure 8 provides a graph showing the amount of xylose consumed by plasmids PLS 1448

(vector control) and PLS 13352 (polynucleotide encoding Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO:3) transformed into strain S. cerevisiae BY4741.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the isomerization of xylose to xylulose.

[0020] All patents and publications, including all sequences disclosed within such patents and publications, referred to herein are expressly incorporated by reference. Unless otherwise indicated, the practice of the present invention involves conventional techniques commonly used in molecular biology, fermentation, microbiology, and related fields, which are known to those of skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise herein, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described. Indeed, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents described herein, as these may vary, depending upon the context in which they are used. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the present invention. [0021] Nonetheless, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, a number of terms are defined below. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range. Thus, every numerical range disclosed herein is intended to encompass every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein. It is also intended that every maximum (or minimum) numerical limitation disclosed herein includes every lower (or higher) numerical limitation, as if such lower (or higher) numerical limitations were expressly written herein.

[0022] As used herein, the term "comprising" and its cognates are used in their inclusive sense

(i.e., equivalent to the term "including" and its corresponding cognates).

[0023] As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular "a", "an" and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a "host cell" includes a plurality of such host cells.

[0024] Unless otherwise indicated, nucleic acids are written left to right in 5' to 3' orientation; amino acid sequences are written left to right in amino to carboxy orientation, respectively. The headings provided herein are not limitations of the various aspects or embodiments of the invention that can be had by reference to the specification as a whole. Accordingly, the terms defined below are more fully defined by reference to the specification as a whole.

[0025] As used herein, the terms "isolated" and "purified" are used to refer to a molecule (e.g., an isolated nucleic acid, polypeptide, etc.) or other component that is removed from at least one other component with which it is naturally associated.

[0026] As used herein, the term "recombinant" refers to a polynucleotide or polypeptide that does not naturally occur in a host cell. A recombinant molecule may contain two or more naturally- occurring sequences that are linked together in a way that does not occur naturally. A recombinant cell contains a recombinant polynucleotide or polypeptide.

[0027] As used herein, the term "overexpress" is intended to encompass increasing the expression of a protein to a level greater than the cell normally produces. It is intended that the term encompass overexpression of endogenous, as well as heterologous proteins.

[0028] For clarity, reference to a cell of a particular strain refers to a parental cell of the strain as well as progeny and genetically modified derivatives of the same. Genetically modified derivatives of a parental cell include progeny cells that contain a modified genome or episomal plasmids that confer for example, antibiotic resistance, improved fermentation, the ability to utilize xylose as a carbon source, etc.

[0029] A nucleic acid construct, nucleic acid (e.g., a polynucleotide), polypeptide, or host cell is referred to herein as "recombinant" when it is non-naturally occurring, artificial or engineered. [0030] The terms "xylose isomerase" and "xylose isomerase polypeptide" are used interchangeably herein to refer to an enzyme that is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose. The ability to catalyze the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose is referred to herein as "xylose isomerase activity". An exemplary assay for detecting xylose isomerase activity is provided in Example 2. The terms "protein" and "polypeptide" are used interchangeably herein to refer to a polymer of amino acid residues. The term "xylose isomerase polynucleotide" refers to a polynucleotide that encodes a xylose isomerase polypeptide.

[0031] In some embodiments, xylose isomerase polynucleotides employed in the practice of the present invention encode a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 71% identical, at least about 72% identical, at least about 73% identical, at least about 74% identical, at least about 75%> identical, at least about 76% identical, at least about 77%> identical, at least about 78%> identical, at least about 79% identical, at least about 80% identical, at least about 81% identical, at least about 82% identical, at least about 83% identical, at least about 84% identical, at least about 85% identical, at least about 86% identical, at least about 87% identical, at least about 88% identical, at least about 89%> identical, at least about 90% identical, at least about 91 > identical, at least about 92% identical, at least about 93% identical, at least about 94% identical, at least about 95% identical, at least about 96%> identical, at least about 97%> identical, at least about 98%> identical, or at least about 99%> identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence that consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

[0032] In some embodiments, xylose isomerase polynucleotides employed in the practice of the present invention comprise a polynucleotide sequence that is at least about 70% identical, at least about 71% identical, at least about 72% identical, at least about 73% identical, at least about 74% identical, at least about 75%> identical, at least about 76%> identical, at least about 77%> identical, at least about 78%> identical, at least about 79% identical, at least about 80% identical, at least about 81% identical, at least about 82% identical, at least about 83% identical, at least about 84% identical, at least about 85% identical, at least about 86% identical, at last about 87% identical, at least about 88% identical, at least about 89%> identical, at least about 90% identical, at least about 91 > identical, at least about 92% identical, at least about 93% identical, at least about 94% identical, at least about 95% identical, at least about 96%> identical, at least about 97%> identical, at least about 98%> identical, or at least about 99%> identical to SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:3. In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide comprises the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:3.

[0033] The terms "percent identity," "%> identity", "percent identical," and "%> identical," are used interchangeably herein to refer to the percent amino acid or polynucleotide sequence identity that is obtained by ClustalW analysis (version W 1.8 available from European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge, UK), counting the number of identical matches in the alignment and dividing such number of identical matches by the length of the reference sequence, and using the following ClustalW parameters to achieve slow/accurate pairwise optimal alignments - DNA/Protein Gap Open Penally: 15/10;

DNA/Protein Gap Extension Penalty:6.66/0.1; Protein weight matrix: Gonnet series; DNA weight matrix: Identity; Toggle Slow/Fast pairwise alignments = SLOW or FULL Alignment; DNA/Protein Number of K-tuple matches:2/l ; DNA/Protein number of best diagonals: 4/5; DNA/Protein Window size:4/5.

[0034] Two sequences are "aligned" when they are aligned for similarity scoring using a defined amino acid substitution matrix (e.g., BLOSUM62), gap existence penally and gap extension penally so as to arrive at the highest score possible for that pair of sequences. Amino acid substitution matrices and their use in quantifying the similarity between two sequences are well known in the art (See, e.g., Dayhoff et al., in Dayhoff [ed.], Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure." Vol. 5, Suppl. 3, Natl. Biomed. Res. Round., Washington D.C. [1978]; pp. 345-352; and Henikoff et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89: 10915-10919 [1992], both of which are incorporated herein by reference). The BLOSUM62 matrix is often used as a default scoring substitution matrix in sequence alignment protocols such as Gapped BLAST 2.0. The BLOSUM62 matrix is often used as a default scoring substitution matrix in sequence alignment protocols such as Gapped BLAST 2.0. The gap existence penally is imposed for the introduction of a single amino acid gap in one of the aligned sequences, and the gap extension penalty is imposed for each additional empty amino acid position inserted into an already opened gap. The alignment is defined by the amino acid position of each sequence at which the alignment begins and ends, and optionally by the insertion of a gap or multiple gaps in one or both sequences so as to arrive at the highest possible score. While optimal alignment and scoring can be accomplished manually, the process is facilitated by the use of a computer-implemented alignment algorithm (e.g., gapped BLAST 2.0; See, Altschul et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 25:3389-3402 [1997], which is incorporated herein by reference), and made available to the public at the National Center for Biotechnology Information Website). Optimal alignments, including multiple alignments can be prepared using readily available programs such as PSI- BLAST (See e.g„ Altschul et al., supra).

[0035] The present invention also provides a recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a xylose isomerase polynucleotide sequence that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D- xylulose. An exemplary polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:l and SEQ ID NO:3. [0036] In some embodiments, the polynucleotide that hybridizes to the complement of a polynucleotide which encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, does so under high or very high stringency conditions to the complement of a reference sequence encoding a polypeptide having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 (e.g., over substantially the entire length of the reference sequence).

[0037] Nucleic acids "hybridize" when they associate, typically in solution. There are numerous texts and other reference materials that provide details regarding hybridization methods for nucleic acids (See e.g., Tijssen, Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Hybridization with Nucleic Acid Probes," Parti, Chapter 2, Elsevier, New York, [1993], incorporated herein by reference). For polynucleotides of at least 100 nucleotides in length, low to very high stringency conditions are defined as follows: prehybridization and hybridization at 42°C in 5xSSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 μg/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and either 25% formamide for low stringencies, 35% formamide for medium and medium-high stringencies, or 50% formamide for high and very high stringencies, following standard Southern blotting procedures. For polynucleotides of at least 200 nucleotides in length, the carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2xSSC, 0.2% SDS at least at 50°C (low stringency), at least at 55°C (medium stringency), at least at 60°C (medium-high stringency), at least at 65°C (high stringency), and at least at 70°C (very high stringency).

[0038] The terms "corresponding to", "reference to" and "relative to" when used in the context of the numbering of a given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence refers to the numbering of the residues of a specified reference sequence when the given amino acid or polynucleotide sequence is compared to the reference sequence.

[0039] The "position" is denoted by a number that sequentially identifies each amino acid in the reference sequence based on its position relative to the N-terminus. Owing to deletions, insertions, truncations, fusions, and the like that must be taken into account when determining an optimal alignment, in general the amino acid residue number in a test sequence determined by simply counting from the N- terminal will not necessarily be the same as the number of its corresponding position in the reference sequence. For example, in a case where there is a deletion in an aligned test sequence, there will be no amino acid that corresponds to a position in the reference sequence at the site of deletion. Where there is an insertion in an aligned reference sequence, that insertion will not correspond to any amino acid position in the reference sequence. In the case of truncations or fusions there can be stretches of amino acids in either the reference or aligned sequence that do not correspond to any amino acid in the corresponding sequence.

[0040] As used herein, the term "by-product" refers to an organic molecule that is an undesired product of a particular fermentation process. [0041] As used herein, the term "transformed" or "transformation" used in reference to a cell means that the cell has a non-native nucleic acid sequence integrated into its genome or has an episomal plasmid that is maintained through multiple generations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] The present invention provides methods and compositions suitable for use in the isomerization of xylose to xylulose.

[0043] The initial metabolic pathways for xylose utilization in fungi and bacteria differ. In most fungi, including xylose-fermenting yeasts (e.g., Pichia stipitis, Pachysolen tannophilus, and Candida shehatae), D-xylose is converted to D-xylulose by two oxidoreductases involving cofactors NAD(P)H and NAD(P)+. (See, Matsushika et al, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 84:37-53 [2009]). In these organisms, D-xylose is initially reduced to xylitol by NAD(P)H-dependent xylose reductase (XR) (EC 1.1.1.21). Xylitol is subsequently oxidized to D-xylulose by NAD+-dependent xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) (EC 1.1.1.9). Xylulokinase (XK) (EC 2.7.1.17) subsequently phosphorylates D-xylulose to produce D-xylulose 5 -phosphate (X5P), which is then further metabolized through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).

[0044] However, most strains of S. cerevisiae cannot utilize xylose even though the genes encoding XR, XDH, and XK are present in its genome, as the expression levels of these enzymes are too low to allow xylose utilization (See, Matsushika et al, supra). Some strains have been shown to natively utilize xylose but at very low rates and fermentation to ethanol has not been detected (See, Wenger et al., PLoS Genet., 6(5):el000942 [2010]). Even when the endogenous genes are overexpressed in S.

cerevisiae, only slow growth on xylose has been observed (See, Matsushika et al, supra).

[0045] In contrast, most bacteria (e.g., Escherichia coli and Streptomyces species) can isomerize

D-xylose directly to D-xylulose by using a xylose isomerase (XI) (EC 5.3.1.5) (See, Matsushika et al, supra). In bacteria, as in fungi, the D-xylulose is phosphorylated to D-xylulose 5-phosphate by XK, which is then further metabolized through the pentose phosphate pathway.

[0046] Efforts to express a functional heterologous xylose isomerase gene (xylA) in S. cerevisiae and grow the yeast on xylose has met with very limited success (See e.g., Matsushika et al. supra). It has been reported that xylose isomerase genes from the fungi Piromyces (Kuyper et al. FEMS Yeast Res., 4:69-78 [2003]) and Orpinomyces (Madhaven et al, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 82:1067-1078

[2009a]) have been functionally expressed in S. cerevisiae, but that growth on xylose was very slow. In addition, the functional expression of the Thermus thermophilus xylose isomerase (Accession No. IBXB) in S. cerevisiae has been reported (See, Walfridsson et al, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 62:4648-4651 [1996]). The success in producing an active xylose isomerase by expressing the T. thermophilus xylA gene in S. cerevisiae may have been due to the relatedness between the two organisms, as T. thermophilus diverged from the domain of eubacteria and may, in many respects, be more closely related to S.

cerevisiae than are the eubacteria (Id., at 4651).

[0047] Heterologous expression of xylose isomerase genes from Actinop lanes missouriensis and

Clostridium thermosulfurogenes in S. cerevisiae generated inactive proteins, even though their messenger RNA could be detected (See, Amore et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 30:351-357 [1989]); and Moes et al., Biotech. Lett, 18:269-274 [1996]; and Matsushika et al., supra). Other studies report the heterologous expression of the xylA from E. coli (See e.g., Sarthy et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 53: 1996-2000 [1987]), Bacillus subtilis (Amore et al, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 30:351-357 [1989]), and Streptomyces rubiginosus (Gardonyi et al., Enzyme Microb. Technol., 32:252-259 [2003]) in S. cerevisiae resulted in mainly insoluble proteins which were catalytically inactive (See, Matsushika et al., supra). In addition, some reports indicate that attempts to produce xylose isomerase from recombinant S. cerevisiae transformed with the xylA genes from Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus pentosus resulted in inactive protein (See, Walfridsson et al., supra). .

[0048] In further studies, the results of screening for xylose isomerase activity in S. cerevisiae transformed with the xylose isomerase genes from various organisms have been reported (See e.g., Brat et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 75:2304-2311 [2009]). The xylose isomerases are reported to have from 17% to 60% sequence identity to the xylose isomerase from Piromyces. While transformants expressing the xylose isomerase from Clostridium phytofermentans (DSM 18823) could grow on xylose medium, S. cerevisiae transformed with the xylose isomerase gene from the following organisms could not: Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 13), Burkholderia xenovaorans _(DSM 17367), Lactobacillus pentosus (DSM 20314), Leifsonia xyli subsp. cynodontis (DSM 46306), Pseudomonas savastanoi pvar. Phaseolicola (DSM 50282), Robiginitalea biformata (DSM 15991), Saccharophagus degradans (DSM 17024),

Staphylococcus xylosus (DSM 20266), Streptomyces diastaticus subsp. diastaticus (DSM 40496), Xanthomonas campestris pvar. campestris (DSM 3586), Salmonella typhimurium (71-098L),

Agrobacterium tumefaciens, and Arabidopsis thaliana (See, Brat et al., supra).

[0049] The present invention provides sequences that are capable of conferring the property of xylose-utilization in a non-mammalian, eukaryotic host cell, such as, for example, a fungal host cell. This biological sequence and variants thereof, encode xylose isomerases, which catalyze the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, as depicted in Figure 1. Xylose isomerase is distinguished from xylose reductase (XD), which catalyzes the conversion of xylose to xylitol. Xylose isomerase is also distinguished from xylitol dehydrogenase (XD), which catalyzes the conversion of xylitol to D-xylulose (See, Figure 1). [0050] Xylose utilization by these host cells results in useful products that are produced metabolically by the host cell. In these host cells, D-xylulose may be phosphorylated by a native or recombinant xylulokinase to xylulose-5-P, as depicted in Figure 1. The xylulose-5-P may be further metabolized by enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway to products such as glucose-6-P, fructose-6-P, glyceraldehydes-3-P, and the like. The pentose phosphate pathway and relevant enzymes and products are depicted in Figure 2A. As used herein, the terms "enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway" and "pentose phosphate pathway enzyme" are used interchangeably to refer to an enzyme from the group of enzymes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, (i.e., 6. Ribulose-5 -phosphate ketoisomerase (RKl l); 7. Transketolase (TKL1); 8. Transaldolase (TALI); 9. Ribose-5-phosphate ketoisomerase (RKl l); 10. 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (GND1); 11. 6-phosphogluconalactonase (SOL3); and/or 12. Glucose-6-phosphate-l -dehydrogenase (ZWF); the reference numbers are depicted in Figure 2A).

[0051] Products of the pentose phosphate pathway may be further metabolized through the process of glycolysis. The metabolic process of glycolysis is depicted in Figure 2B. As used herein, the term "glycolytic enzyme" refers to an enzyme from the group of enzymes involved in glycolysis (i.e.: 13. Hexokinase; 14. Phosphoglucose isomerase; 15. Phosphofructokinase; 16. Aldolase; 17. Triose phosphate isomerase; 18. Glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase; 19. Phosphoglycerate kinase; 20.

Phosphoglyceromutase; 21. Enolase; and/or 22. Pyruvate kinase; the reference numbers are depicted in Figure 2B).

[0052] Pyruvate from the glycolytic pathway (i.e., glycolysis) may be further metabolized to ethanol as shown in Figure 2C by ethanologenic enzymes. As used herein, the term "ethanologenic enzyme" refers to an enzyme involved in the conversion of pyruvate to ethanol, (e.g., a pyruvate decarboxylase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, and/or an alcohol dehydrogenase). The term "ethanologenic pathway" refers to the pathway depicted in Figure 2C.

[0053] Therefore, the polynucleotide sequences described herein are useful for creating recombinant fungal host cells, particularly yeast host cells, that are capable of isomerizing D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, which can lead to the production of desirable fermentation products (e.g., an alcohol, such as ethanol, butanol, and the like, including a fatty alcohol [such as a C8-C20 fatty alcohol], a fatty acid [e.g., a C8-C20 fatty acid], lactic acid, 3-hydroxpropionic acid, acrylic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, an amino acid, 1,3 -propanediol, ethylene, glycerol, a β- lactam, and the like). Recombinant Nucleic Acid Constructs

[0054] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the polypeptide is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose. SEQ ID NO:2 corresponds to the amino acid sequence encoding a xylose isomerase from the bacteria, Abiotrophia defectiva (See, Figure 4). SEQ ID NO:l corresponds to the native A. defectiva polynucleotide sequence that encodes the A. defectiva xylose isomerase (SEQ ID NO:2). In some embodiments, recombinant nucleic acid constructs of the present invention further comprise a polynucleotide sequence (genetic) element that facilitates integration into a fungal host cell genome, by homologous or non-homologous recombination. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid construct of the present invention further comprises an origin of replication that is functional in a fungal cell, such as, for example, a yeast origin of replication. Typically the fungal host cell is a yeast or filamentous fungal cell, more typically, a yeast cell. In some embodiments, nucleic acid constructs of the present invention comprise a transcriptional regulatory element that is functional in a fungal cell. For example, in some embodiments the recombinant nucleic acid construct comprises a promoter sequence and/or transcription terminator sequence that is functional in a fungal cell such that the xylose isomerase polynucleotide is operatively linked to the promoter sequence and/ or transcription terminator sequences.

[0055] Xylose isomerase polynucleotides that are suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include those encoding variants of SEQ ID NO:2. These variants include those having amino acid sequences with one or more conservative or non-conservative substitutions relative to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. As used herein, the term "conservative substitution" refers to the substitution of a residue for another residue that does not generally alter the specific activity of the encoded polypeptide. An exemplary conservative substitution is a substitution that is within the same group of basic amino acids (arginine, lysine and histidine), acidic amino acids (glutamic acid and aspartic acid), polar amino acids (glutamine and asparagine), hydrophobic amino acids (leucine, isoleucine and valine), aromatic amino acids (phenylalanine, tryptophan and tyrosine), and small amino acids (glycine, alanine, serine, threonine, proline, cysteine and methionine). Amino acid substitutions that do not generally alter the specific activity are well known in the art (See e.g., Neurath and Hill, in The Proteins. Academic Press, New York, [1979], which is incorporated herein by reference). The most commonly occurring exchanges are Ala/Ser, Val/Ile, Asp/Glu, Thr/Ser, Ala/Gly, Ala/Thr. Ser/Asn, Ala/Val, Ser/Gly, Tyr/Phe, Ala/Pro, Lys/Arg, Asp/Asn, Leu/Ile, Leu/Val, Ala/Glu, and Asp/Gly, as well as these in reverse.

[0056] In some embodiments, polynucleotides encoding conservatively substituted variations of the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase employed in the practice of the present invention may include substitutions of a small percentage, typically less than about 5%, more typically less than 2%, and often less than 1% of the amino acids of the polypeptide sequence, with a conservatively selected amino acid of the same conservative substitution group.

[0057] Other xylose isomerase polynucleotides suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include those encoding variants of A. defectiva xylose isomerase generated by mutagenesis, recombination, or other protein engineering method followed by screening of the variants for xylose utilization using a method, such as that described in Example 2. The resulting variants may comprise one or more substitutions (conservative or non-conservative), deletions, or insertions. The present invention thus provides a method for making an improved A. defectiva xylose isomerase polynucleotide variant, wherein the method comprises introducing one or more modifications into a polynucleotide encoding SEQ ID NO:2 to produce a modified polynucleotide, wherein the modification is selected from the group consisting of a substitution, a deletion, and an insertion; transforming a host cell with the modified polynucleotide; and screening the transformed host cell for an improvement in a desired phenotype relative to the corresponding untransformed host cell. Exemplary phenotypes include improved utilization of a pentose sugar (e.g., xylose, arabinose, and the like), stability, specific activity, lower Ki for xylitol, ethanol/acetate tolerance and/or tolerance to low pH, decreased by product formation, and/or increased ethanol yield. Exemplary desirable xylose utilization phenotypes include the ability to ferment xylose to ethanol, the ability to ferment xylose to other metabolic intermediates/products, the ability to undergo aerobic or anaerobic growth on xylose, and the like.

[0058] Methods for generating variant libraries of polynucleotides encoding modified polypeptides are well known in the art. For example, mutagenesis and directed evolution methods can be readily applied to polynucleotides encoding the xylose isomerase polypeptide of SEQ ID NO:2 to generate variant libraries that can be expressed, screened, and assayed using the methods described herein.

[0059] For example, mutagenesis and directed evolution methods can be readily applied to polynucleotides encoding the xylose isomerase polypeptides to generate variant libraries that can be expressed, screened, and assayed using the methods described herein. Mutagenesis and directed evolution methods are well known in the art [See e.g., US Patent Nos. 5,605,793, 5,830,721, 6,132,970,

6,420,175, 6,277,638, 6,365,408, 6,602,986, 7,288,375, 6,287,861, 6,297,053, 6,576,467, 6,444,468, 5,811238, 6,117,679, 6,165,793, 6,180,406, 6,291,242, 6,995,017, 6,395,547, 6,506,602, 6,519,065, 6,506,603, 6,413,774, 6,573,098, 6,323,030, 6,344,356, 6,372,497, 7,868,138, 5,834,252, 5,928,905, 6,489,146, 6,096,548, 6,387,702, 6,391,552, 6,358,742, 6,482,647, 6,335,160, 6,653,072, 6,355,484, 6,03,344, 6,319,713, 6,613,514, 6,455,253, 6,579,678, 6,586,182, 6,406,855, 6,946,296, 7,534,564, 7,776,598, 5,837,458, 6,391,640, 6,309,883, 7,105,297, 7,795,030, 6,326,204, 6,251,674, 6,716,631, 6,528,311, 6,287,862, 6,335,198, 6,352,859, 6,379,964, 7,148,054, 7,629,170, 7,620,500, 6,365,377, 6,358,740, 6,406,910, 6,413,745, 6,436,675, 6,961,664, 7,430,477, 7,873,499, 7,702,464, 7,783,428, 7,747,391, 7,747,393, 7,751,986, 6,376,246, 6,426,224, 6,423,542, 6,479,652, 6,319,714, 6,521,453, 6,368,861, 7,421,347, 7,058,515, 7,024,312, 7,620,502, 7,853,410, 7,957,912, 7,904,249, and all related non-US counterparts; Ling et al, Anal. Biochem., 254(2):157-78 [1997]; Dale et al, Meth. Mol. Biol., 57:369-74 [1996]; Smith, Ann. Rev. Genet, 19:423-462 [1985]; Botstein et al., Science, 229:1193-1201 [1985]; Carter, Biochem. J., 237:1-7 [1986]; Kramer et al, Cell, 38:879-887 [1984]; Wells et al, Gene, 34:315-323 [1985]; Minshull et al., Curr. Op. Chem. Biol., 3:284-290 [1999]; Christians et al, Nat. Biotechnol., 17:259-264 [1999]; Crameri et al., Nature, 391 :288-291 [1998]; Crameri, et al., Nat.

Biotechnol., 15:436-438 [1997]; Zhang et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 94:4504-4509 [1997];

Crameri et al., Nat. Biotechnol., 14:315-319 [1996]; Stemmer, Nature, 370:389-391 [1994]; Stemmer, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA, 91 :10747-10751 [1994]; WO 95/22625; WO 97/0078; WO 97/35966; WO 98/27230; WO 00/42651 ; WO 01/75767; and WO 2009/152336, all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0060] In some embodiments, the present invention provides Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase polypeptide variants that comprise at least one modification that is a substitution, insertion, and/or deletion relative to SEQ ID NO:2. In some embodiments, the polypeptide variant has from about 1 to about 2, about 1 to about 3, about 4, about 5, about 6, about 7, about 8, about 9, about 10, about 11, about 12, about 13, about 14, about 15, about 16, about 17, about 18, about 19, about 20, about 21, about 22, about 23, about 24, about 25, about 26, about 27, about 28, about 29, about 30, about 31, about 32, about 33, about 34, about 35, about 36, about 37, about 38, about 39, about 40, about 41, about 42, about 43, about 44, about 45, about 46, about 47, about 48, about 49, up to about 50, about 75, about 100, about 130 or about 132 modifications.

[0061] Also suitable for use in the practice of the present invention are polynucleotides encoding a truncated variant of the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase or sequence variant thereof that is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose. These truncation variants may be truncated at the carboxy (C)-terminus and/or the amino (N)-terminus. Typically, the truncation is from about 1 to about 50 amino acid residues

[0062] Those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, a multitude of nucleotide sequences that encode the xylose isomerase polypeptides described herein exist. Table 1 provides the standard triplet genetic code for each amino acid. For example, the codons AGA, AGG, CGA, CGC, CGG, and CGU all encode the amino acid arginine. Thus, at every position in the nucleic acids referred to herein, where an arginine is specified by a codon, the codon can be altered to any of the corresponding codons described above without altering the encoded polypeptide. It is understood that U in an RNA sequence corresponds to T in a DNA sequence. The invention contemplates and provides each and every possible variation of nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention that could be made by selecting combinations based on possible codon choices.

Table 1. Genetic Code

Amino Acids Codon

Alanine Ala A GCA GCC GCG GCU

Cysteine Cys C UGC UGU

Aspartic acid Asp D GAC GAU

Glutamic Glu E GAA GAG

acid

PhenylalaPhe F UUC uuu

nine

Glycine Gly G GGA GGC GGG GGU

Histidine His H CAC CAU

Isoleucine lie I AUA AUC AUU

Lysine Lys K AAA AAG

Leucine Leu L UUA UUG CUA cue CUG CUU

Methionine Met M AUG

Asparagine Asn N AAC AAU

Proline Pro P CCA ccc CCG ecu

Glutamine Gin Q CAA CAG

Arginine Arg R AGA AGG CGA CGC CGG CGU

Serine Ser S AGC AGU UCA ucc UCG UCU

Threonine Thr T ACA ACC ACG ACU

Valine Val V GUA GUC GUG GUU

Tryptophan Trp w UGG

Tyrosine Tyr Y UAC UAU

[0063] In some embodiments, DNA sequences are designed for high codon usage bias (codons that are used at higher frequency in the protein coding regions than other codons that code for the same amino acid). The preferred codons may be determined in relation to codon usage in a single gene, a set of genes of common function or origin, highly expressed genes, the codon frequency in the aggregate protein coding regions of the whole organism, codon frequency in the aggregate protein coding regions of related organisms, or combinations thereof. Codons whose frequency increases with the level of gene expression are typically optimal codons for expression. In particular, a DNA sequence can be optimized for expression in a particular host organism. References providing preference information for a wide range of organisms are readily available and known in the art (See e.g., Henaut and Danchin in

"Escherichia coli and Salmonella. Neidhardt et al., (eds.), ASM Press, Washington D.C., p. 2047-2066 [1987], which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0064] A variety of methods are known for determining the codon frequency (e.g., codon usage, relative synonymous codon usage) and codon preference in specific organisms, including multivariate analysis, for example, using cluster analysis or correspondence analysis, and the effective number of codons used in a gene (See, GCG CodonPreference, Genetics Computer Group Wisconsin Package;, Peden, Codon W. University of Nottingham; Mclnerney, Bioinform., 14:372-73 [1998]; Stenico et al., Nucl. Acids Res. 222437-46 [1994]; Wright, Gene 87:23-29 [1990]; Wada et al, Nucl. Acids Res., 20:2111-2118 [1992]; Nakamura et al, Nucl. Acids Res., 28:292 [2000]; and Henaut and Danchin, supra; all of which are incorporated herein by reference). The data source for obtaining codon usage may rely on any available nucleotide sequence capable of coding for a protein. These data sets include nucleic acid sequences actually known to express proteins (e.g., complete protein coding sequences-CD S), expressed sequence tags (ESTs), or predicted coding regions of genomic sequences (See e.g., Mount,

Bioinformatics: Sequence and Genome Analysis. Chapter 8, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, [2001]; Uberbacher, Methods Enzymol., 266:259-281 [1996]; and Tiwari et al, Comput. Appl. Biosci. 13 :263-270 [1997]; all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0065] In certain embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide contains codons optimized for expression in a fungal cell, particularly a yeast cell. An exemplary codon optimized xylose isomerase polynucleotide sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO:3 (Figure 5) which exhibits improved expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as compared to wild-type sequence (SEQ ID NO:l). An additional codon optimized polynucleotide sequence is provided as SEQ ID NO: 18, below:

ATGAGTGAATTGTTCCAAAACATCCCAAAAATCAAATACGAAGGTGCAAATTCCAAAAATC

CTTTGGCTTTTCATTATTATGATGCTGAAAAAATAGTCCTCGGTAAGACCATGAAGGAGCAT

TTGCCATTCGCTATGGCATGGTGGCACAATTTGTGTGCCGCTGGTACTGATATGTTCGGACGT

GATACTGCGGACAAGTCCTTTGGTTTGGAAAAAGGCTCAATGGAACATGCTAAGGCCAAAG

TTGATGCTGGTTTCGAATTTATGGAAAAGCTGGGCATTAAATACTTCTGCTTCCATGATGTAG

ACCTTGTTCCAGAAGCTTGCGACATTAAAGAGACCAATTCTCGACTGGACGAAATTTCTGAT

TACATCTTGGAGAAGATGAAGGGCACTGATATTAAGTGTTTATGGGGCACTGCTAATATGTT

TTCTAACCCCAGGTTCGTGAACGGTGCAGGATCTACTAATAGTGCCGATGTTTACTGTTTTGC

TGCTGCGCAAATAAAGAAAGCATTAGATATTACCGTCAAGTTGGGCGGTAGAGGTTATGTCT

TTTGGGGTGGTAGAGAAGGTTACGAGACCCTGCTGAATACTGACGTGAAATTTGAACAGGA

AAACATTGCTAATCTAATGAAGATGGCCGTAGAATACGGTAGGTCTATTGGATTCAAAGGTG

ACTTCTACATCGAGCCTAAACCCAAGGAACCTATGAAGCACCAGTACGACTTCGACGCTGCT ACCGCAATAGGTTTTTTAAGGCAGTACGGGTTGGATAAAGACTTCAAATTGAACATCGAAGC

CAATCACGCCACACTAGCAGGACACTCATTCCAGCATGAGTTACGTATTTCTAGTATTAACG

GTATGTTGGGTTCTGTTGATGCTAACCAAGGTGACATGTTGTTAGGATGGGACACGGATGAA

TTTCCCTTTGACGTTTATGATACTACTATGTGTATGTATGAGGTCCTTAAAAACGGTGGTTTG

ACAGGCGGCTTTAACTTTGATGCGAAAAATCGTAGGCCTTCATACACGTATGAAGATATGTT

CTATGGTTTCATTCTTGGTATGGATTCTTTCGCGTTAGGGTTGATAAAAGCTGCTAAATTGAT

TGAAGAAGGTACACTTGACAATTTTATTAAGGAAAGGTATAAATCTTTTGAATCCGAAATTG

GTAAAAAAATTAGATCCAAATCAGCCTCTTTGCAAGAATTGGCAGCTTATGCTGAGGAAATG

GGTGCTCCCGCGATGCCGGGTTCAGGTAGGCAAGAGTATCTGCAAGCTGCTCTCAACCAAAA

TTTGTTTGGTGAAGTG (SEQ ID NO: 18)

[0066] In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotides are employed in recombinant nucleic acid constructs that comprise a vector (e.g., a plasmid, a cosmid, a phage, a virus, a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), and the like), into which a xylose isomerase polynucleotide sequence has been inserted. The xylose isomerase polynucleotides provided herein find use when incorporated into any one of a variety of vectors. Suitable vectors include, but are not limited to chromosomal, nonchromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, yeast plasmids, vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA, and many others. Any suitable vector that transduces genetic material into a cell, and, if replication is desired, which is replicable and viable in the relevant host find use in the present invention.

[0067] Nucleic acid constructs of the present invention find use in transforming a host cell to permit the host to express the xylose isomerase polypeptide. Methods for recombinant expression of proteins in fungi are well known in the art, and a number of vectors are available or can be constructed using routine methods (See e.g., Zhu et al., Plasmid 6:128-33 [2009], incorporated herein by reference; and the many standard reference works in this field).

[0068] In some embodiments, recombinant nucleic acid constructs of the present invention further comprise a transcriptional regulatory element that is functional in a fungal cell. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid construct comprises the xylose isomerase polynucleotide operatively linked to a transcriptional regulatory sequence (e.g., a promoter, transcription termination sequence, and the like), that is functional in a fungal cell. Examples of promoters that are functional in a fungal host cell include, but are not limited to promoters from yeast and filamentous fungi. Promoters that are suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include endogenous or heterologous promoters and include both constitutive and inducible promoters that are natural or modified. Particularly useful promoters are those that are insensitive to catabolite (glucose) repression and/or do not require xylose for induction. Such promoters are well known in the art. In some embodiments, a promoter sequence is operably linked to the 5' region of the xylose isomerase coding sequence using routine methods that are well known in the art. [0069] Promoters that are suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to yeast promoters from glycolytic genes (e.g., yeast phosphofructokinase (PFK), triose phosphate isomerase (TPI), glyceraldehyde-3 -phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD, TDH3 or GAPDH), pyruvate kinase (PYK), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) promoters, and the like; See e.g., WO 93/03159, which is incorporated herein by reference); promoters of glucose transporters; ribosomal protein encoding gene promoters; alcohol dehydrogenase promoters (e.g., ADH1, ADH4, and the like), and the enolase promoter (ENO).

[0070] Exemplary promoters that are useful for directing the transcription of the nucleic acid constructs of the present invention in yeast host cells include, but are not limited to those from the genes for Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (eno-1), Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactokinase (gall),

Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3 -phosphate dehydrogenase

(ADH1/ADH2/GAP), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3 -phosphoglycerate kinase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription elongation factor (TEF), Saccharomyces cerevisiae fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA1), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphate glycerate kinase (PGK1). Other useful promoters for yeast host cells are well known in the art (See e.g., Romanos et al., Yeast 8:423-488 [1992], which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0071] Suitable filamentous fungal promoters that are useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to promoters obtained from the genes for Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger acid stable alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase (glaA), Rhizomucor miehei lipase, Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease, Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase, Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase, and Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease (See e.g., WO 96/00787, which is incorporated herein by reference), as well as the NA2-tpi promoter (a hybrid of the promoters from the genes for Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase and Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase), promoters such as cbhl, cbh2, egll, egl2, pepA, hfbl, hfb2, xynl, amy, and glaA (See, Nunberg et al., Mol. Cell Biol., 4:2306-2315 [1984]; Boel et al., EMBO J. 3 :1581-85 [1984]; and EP 0 137 280A, all of which are incorporated herein by reference), and mutant, truncated, and hybrid promoters thereof. Promoters associated with chitinase production in fungi also find use in some embodiments (See e.g., Blaiseau and Lafay, Gene 120:243-248 [1992] [filamentous fungus

Aphanocladium album]; and Limon et al., Curr. Genet., 28:478-83 [1995] [Trichoderma harzianum]; both of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[0072] Any other suitable promoter sequence that drives expression in a fungal host cell, particularly a yeast host cell finds use in the present invention. Suitable promoter sequences can be identified using well known methods. In one approach, a putative promoter sequence is linked 5' to a sequence encoding a reporter protein, the construct is transfected into the host cell and the level of expression of the reporter is measured. Expression of the reporter can be determined by measuring, for example, mRNA levels of the reporter sequence, an enzymatic activity of the reporter protein, or the amount of reporter protein produced. For example, promoter activity may be determined by using the green fluorescent protein as coding sequence (See, Henriksen et al., Microbiol., 145:729-34 [1999], which is incorporated herein by reference) or a lacZ reporter gene (See, Punt et al., Gene, 197:189-93 [1997], which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, functional promoters are derived from naturally occurring promoter sequences by directed evolution methods (See e.g., Wright et al., Hum. Gene Ther., 16:881-892 [2005], which is incorporated herein by reference).

[0073] Exemplary transcription termination sequences (terminators) that are functional in a fungal host cell, include transcription termination sequences from yeast and filamentous fungi, that are well known in the art. In some embodiments, the transcription termination sequence is from a yeast. Exemplary yeast transcription termination sequences include, but are not limited to CYC1, ADHlt, ADH2t, etc. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs of the present invention contain a ribosome binding site for translation initiation. In some embodiments, the construct includes appropriate sequences for amplifying expression (e.g., an enhancer). Such elements are well known in the art and any suitable enhancers and/ or transcription termination sequences, and/or ribosome binding sites find use in the present invention.

[0074] In some additional embodiments, nucleic acid constructs of the present invention contain one or more selectable marker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells. Suitable marker genes include, but are not limited to those coding for antimicrobial resistance such as, ampicillin (ampR), kanamycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, streptomycin or spectinomycin (e.g., the aada gene); including but not limited to the streptomycin phosphotransferase (spt) gene coding for streptomycin resistance, the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptll) gene encoding kanamycin or geneticin resistance, the nourseothricin acetyltransferase (natl) gene coding for nourseothricin resistance, the hygromycin phosphotransferase (hpt) gene coding for hygromycin resistance, genes encoding dihydrofolate reductase, phleomycin, or neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, and tetracycline or ampicillin resistance in E. coli, as well as other marker genes that are well known in the art. Nucleic acid constructs of the present invention typically comprise a fungal origin of replication, such as, for example, a filamentous fungal or yeast origin of replication. Typically, the recombinant nucleic acid constructs of the present invention comprise a yeast origin of replication. Examples include, but are not limited to constructs containing autonomous replicating sequences, constructs containing 2 micron DNA including the autonomous replicating sequence and rep genes, constructs containing centromeres like the CEN6, CEN4, CEN11, CDN3 and autonomous replicating sequences, and other like sequences that are well known in the art. Exemplary nucleic acid constructs include constructs suitable for transforming yeast. These include, but are not limited to episomal constructs based on the yeast 2μ or CEN origin based plasmids like pYES2/CT, pYES3/CT, pESC/His, pESC/Ura, pESC/Trp, pES/Leu, p427TEF, pRS405, pRS406, pRS413, and other yeast-based constructs that are known in the art.

[0075] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs of the present invention comprise elements to facilitate integration of the xylose isomerase polynucleotide into a fungal host chromosome (i.e., the genome), by either homologous or non-homologous recombination and either site-directed or random mutagenesis. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs comprise elements that facilitate homologous integration. In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide is integrated at one or more site and is present in one or more copies. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid construct comprises the xylose isomerase polynucleotide and no promoter that is operatively linked to the xylose isomerase polynucleotide. This type of construct typically comprises genetic elements to facilitate integration into the fungal host chromosome at a location that is downstream of a native promoter (i.e., in the host chromosome). In some embodiments, a second nucleic acid construct is employed which comprises a promoter and genetic elements to facilitate integration into the fungal host chromosome in a location upstream of the targeted integration site of the xylose isomerase polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid construct comprises the xylose isomerase polynucleotide operatively linked to a promoter or promoter and terminator sequences such that all are integrated into the host chromosome (genome).

[0076] Genetic elements that facilitate integration by homologous recombination are those having sequence homology to targeted integration sites in the fungal host chromosome (genome).

Suitable sites that find use as targets for integration include, but are not limited to the TYl loci, the RDN loci, the ura3 locus, the GPD locus, aldose reductase (GRE3) locus, etc. Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that additional sites for integration can be readily identified using methods known in the art, including but not limited to microarray analysis, metabolic flux analysis, comparative genome hybridization analysis, etc.

[0077] Genetic elements or techniques which facilitate integration by non-homologous recombination include, but are not limited to restriction enzyme-mediated integration (REMI) (See e.g., Manivasakam et al., Mol. Cell Biol., 18(3): 1736-1745 [1998], which is incorporated herein by reference), transposon-mediated integration, and other elements and methods that are well known in the art.

[0078] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs of the present invention comprise at least one further recombinant polynucleotide that is capable of conferring a desired phenotype to a fungal host cell, particularly in the context of xylose fermentation. In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotide that is capable of conferring an improved phenotype to the fungal host cell is a non-coding polynucleotide such as a regulatory polynucleotide, a coding polynucleotide, or combination thereof.

[0079] Exemplary further desired phenotypes include, but are not limited to increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to organic acids, reduced production of by-products, and other similar properties related to increasing flux through the pentose phosphate and glycolysis pathways to produce a desired metabolic product/intermediate at higher levels as compared to the corresponding wild-type host cell. Typically, the desired metabolic product is an alcohol (e.g., ethanol).

[0080] In some embodiments, nucleic acid constructs comprising at least one further polynucleotide that is capable of conferring a desired phenotype to a fungal host cell comprise a polynucleotide encoding a protein known to impact the desired phenotype, wherein the polynucleotide is either native or heterologous to the fungal host cell. In some embodiments, this polynucleotide is operatively linked to its native promoter, or to a heterologous promoter (i.e., a promoter that is not associated with the polynucleotide in the corresponding native gene). In some embodiments, the at least one further polynucleotide is overexpressed. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid constructs comprise multiple copies of a least one polynucleotide. Suitable polynucleotides include, but are not limited to those that facilitate overexpression of proteins known to have an impact on the desired phenotype.

[0081] Exemplary recombinant polynucleotides that are capable of conferring a desired phenotype to a fungal host cell include recombinant polynucleotides (either wild-type or mutated forms) which encode a xylose or hexose transporter, a xylulose kinase (XKS), an enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway (See e.g., Figure 2A), a glycolytic enzyme (i.e., from the glycolytic metabolic pathway; See e.g., Figure 2B), and an ethanologenic enzyme (See e.g., Figure 2C), regulatory sequences that enhance expression of these sequences, and combinations thereof. Additional recombinant polynucleotides (either wild-type or mutated forms) that find use in the present invention include those that encode additional proteins involved in the pentose phosphate, glycolysis, and ethanologenic pathways (See e.g., Figures 2A-C).

[0082] Exemplary transporters include, but are not limited to GXF1, SUT1 and At6g59250 from

Candida intermedia, Pichia stipitis and Arabidopsis thaliana, respectively (See e.g., Runquist et al., Biotechnol. Biofuels, 3:5 [2010], which is incorporated herein by reference), as well as HXT4, HXT5, HXT7, GAL2, AGTl, GXF2 (See e.g., Matsushika et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 84:37-53 [2009], which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, overexpression of native S. cerevisiae transporters is desirable, particularly HXT5 and HXT7. [0083] Particularly suitable recombinant polynucleotides include those which encode: a xylulose kinase (XK); an enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway (e.g., a ribulose-5 -phosphate 3- epimerase (RPE1), a ribose-5-phosphate ketol-isomerase (RKI1), a transketolase (TKL1), a transaldolase (TALI), etc.); a glycolytic enzyme (e.g., a hexokinase (HXK1/HXK2), a glyceraldehyde-3 -phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a pyruvate kinase (PVK2), etc.); and an ethanologenic enzyme (e.g., a pyruvate decarboxylase, an alcohol dehydrogenase, etc.).

[0084] Exemplary regulatory polynucleotides include promoters, enhancer, terminator, and other regulatory elements that function to improve the expression of polynucleotides in a fungal host cell, particularly, a yeast host cell. These include, but are not limited to the regulatory elements described hereinabove.

[0085] The nucleic acid constructs described herein are useful for transforming fungal host cells to confer to these cells the property of xylose utilization.

Recombinant Fungal Host Cells

[0086] The present invention provides a recombinant fungal host cell comprising at least one xylose isomerase polynucleotide provided herein. More specifically, the recombinant fungal host cell comprises a polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from: (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is at least about 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:2; and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

[0087] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a recombinant fungal host cell comprising or transformed with a nucleic acid construct of the present invention. In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide is integrated into the host cell genome. Typically, the recombinant fungal host cell is a filamentous fungal or yeast host cell. More typically, the recombinant fungal host cell is a yeast host cell.

[0088] The present invention also provides methods for producing a recombinant fungal host cell, wherein the method comprises: (a) providing a nucleic acid construct of the present invention, wherein the nucleic acid construct comprises at least one xylose isomerase polynucleotide provided herein; and (b) transforming a fungal host cell with the nucleic acid construct to produce a recombinant fungal host cell.

[0089] Introduction of the expression construct of the present invention into the host cell can be accomplished using any suitable method, including but not limited to calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, electroporation, or any other suitable technique. Indeed, there are numerous methods known in the art and described in various standard reference texts. In some embodiments, the xylose isomerase polynucleotide sequence is integrated into the host cell genome.

[0090] Suitable fungal host cells include yeast and filamentous fungal host cells. In some embodiments, the fungal host cell is a yeast cell. Exemplary yeast host cells that are useful in the practice of the present invention include, but are not limited to Candida, Hansenula, Saccharomyces,

Schizosaccharomyces, Pichia, Kluyveromyces, and Yarrowia. In some embodiments of the invention, the yeast cell is Hansenula polymorpha, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces carlsbergensis,

Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces norbensis, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Pichia pastoris, Pichia finlandica, Pichia trehalophila, Pichia kodamae, Pichia membranaefaciens, Pichia opuntiae, Pichia thermotolerans, Pichia salictaria, Pichia quercuum, Pichia pijperi, Pichia stipitis, Pichia methanolica, Pichia angusta, Kluyveromyces lactis, Candida albicans, or Yarrowia lipolytica. In some embodiments, the yeast host cell is Saccharomyces species. In some additional embodiments, the yeast host cell is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

[0091] Yeast strains that find use in the present invention include, but are not limited to

Lallemand 6469, Lallemand LYCC 6391, Lallemand LYCC 6939, Lallemand LYCC 6469, Lallemand LYCC 6469 (all from Lallemand, Inc., Montreal, Canada); NRRL YB-1952 (ARS (NRRL) Collection, U.S. Department of Agriculture); and BY4741.

[0092] Suitable fungal host cells further include, but are not limited to, Ascomycota,

Basidiomycota, Deuteromycota, Zygomycota, and Fungi imperfecti. In some embodiments the fungal host cells are yeast cells and filamentous fungal cells. The filamentous fungal host cells of the present invention include all filamentous forms of the subdivision Eumycotina and Oomycota. Filamentous fungi are characterized by a vegetative mycelium with a cell wall composed of chitin, cellulose and other complex polysaccharides. The filamentous fungal host cells of the present invention are morphologically distinct from yeast.

[0093] In some embodiments the filamentous fungal host cell is a cell of a species of, but not limited to the genera Achlya, Acremonium, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Bjerkandera, Ceriporiopsis, Cephalosporium, Chrysosporium, Cochliobolus, Corynascus, Cryphonectria, Cryptococcus, Coprinus, Coriolus, Diplodia, Endothia, Fusarium, Gibberella, Gliocladium, Humicola, Hypocrea, Myceliophthora, Mucor, Neurospora, Penicillium, Podospora, Phlebia, Piromyces, Pyricularia, Rhizomucor, Rhizopus, Schizophyllum, Scytalidium, Sporotrichum, Talaromyces, Thermoascus, Thielavia, Trametes,

Tolypocladium, Trichoderma, Verticillium, Volvariella, or teleomorphs, or anamorphs, and synonyms, basonyms, and/or taxonomic equivalents thereof. [0094] In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is of the

Aspergillus species, Ceriporiopsis species, Chrysosporium species, Corynascus species, Fusarium species, Humicola species, Neurospora species, Penicillium species, Tolypocladium species, Tramates species, or Trichoderma species.

[0095] Indeed, exemplary filamentous fungal host cells that find use in the present invention include, but are not limited to a filamentous fungal host cell of the Trichoderma species (e.g., T.

longibrachiatum, T. viride [e.g., ATCC 32098 and 32086], T. reesei [NRRL 15709, ATTC 13631, 56764, 56765, 56466, 56767, and RL-P37 and derivatives thereof; See e.g., Sheir-Neiss et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 20:46-53 [1984], incorporated herein by reference), T. koningii, and T. harzianum), as well as Hypocrea jecorina. The term "Trichoderma" refers to any fungal strain that was previously classified as Trichoderma or is currently classified as Trichoderma.

[0096] In some embodiments of the present invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is an

Aspergillus species (e.g., A. awamori, A. funigatus, A. japonicas, A. nidulans, A. niger. A. aculeatus, A. foetidus, A. oryzae, A. sojae, or A. kawachi (See e.g., Kelly and Hynes, EMBO J., 4:475479 [1985]; NRRL 3112, ATCC 11490, 22342, 44733, and 14331; Yelton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81, 1480-1474 [1984]; Tilburn et al., Gene 26,205-221 [1982]; and Johnston et al., EMBO J., 4:1307-1311 [1985], all of which are incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Fusarium species (e.g., F. bactericides, F. cerealis, F. crookwellense, F. culmorum, F. graminaearum, F. graminum, F. oxysporum, F. rosium, or F. venenatum). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is of a Neurospora species (e.g., N. crassa; See e.g., Case, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 76:5259-5263 [1979]; US Pat. No. 4,486,553; and Kinsey and Rambosek, Mol. Cell. Biol., 4:117-122 [1984], all of which are incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is of a Humicola species (e.g., H. insolens. H. grisea, or H. lanuginose). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Mucor species (e.g., M. miehei or M. circinelloides). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Rhizopus species (e.g., R. oryzae or R. niveus). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is of a Penicillium species (e.g., P. purpurogenum, P. chrysogenum, or P. verruculosum). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Thielavia species (e.g., T. terrestris). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Tolypocladium species (e.g., T.

inflatum or T. geodes). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Trametes species (e.g., T. villosa or T. versicolor). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is a Chrysosporium specie, (e.g., C. lucknowense, C. keratinophilum, C. tropicum, C. merdarium, C. inops, C. pannicola, or C. zonatum). In some embodiments of the invention, the filamentous fungal host cell is of the Myceliophthora species, e.g., M. thermophila.

[0097] Strains that find use in the present invention include those that are readily accessible to the public from a number of culture collection, including but not limited to the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkutlturen GmbH (DSM), Centraalbureau Voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), and Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection, Northern Regional Research Center (NRRL).

[0098] Recombinant fungal host cells of the present invention are capable of growth in a xylose- based culture medium (i.e., a culture medium where xylose is the primary carbon source). In these xylose-based culture media, the carbon source typically consists essentially of xylose. In some xylose- based culture media, the carbon source consists of xylose. Typically, the recombinant fungal host cell is capable of faster growth in a xylose-based culture medium as compared to the corresponding wild-type fungal host cell. In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cell is capable of faster growth in a xylose-based culture medium as compared to wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Typically, the recombinant fungal host cell is capable of growth at a rate of at least about 0.2 per hour (h-1) in a xylose- based culture medium. More typically, the growth rate is at least about 0.3 or 0.4 per hour (h-1). Growth rate can be determined by optical density, cell counting methods, and any other suitable method. Indeed, there are various well known methods for determining cell growth that find use in the present invention. In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cell is capable of fermenting xylose at a rate of at least about 1 g/L/h in a xylose-based culture medium, and sometimes at a rate of at least about 2 g/L/h in a xylose-based culture medium. Exemplary xylose-based culture media include culture media which have been formulated to contain xylose (See e.g., Example 2 herein), as well as feedstock from a cellulosic saccharification process and/or feedstock from a hemicellulose pre-treatment process (i.e., a

"hemicellulosic feedstock").

[0099] Recombinant fungal host cells of the present invention are also capable of fermenting xylose when provided with a xylose based culture medium. Typically, the recombinant fungal host cells described herein are capable of fermenting xylose at a faster rate compared to the corresponding wild- type fungal host cell. In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cells are capable of fermenting xylose at a rate of at least about 1 g/L/h and sometimes at a rate of at least about 2g/L/h. In some embodiments the recombinant fungal host cells are capable of fermenting xylose at a rate of at least 0.5g/g CDW/h and sometimes at a rate of 0.25 g/g CDW/h and other times at a rate of 0. lg/g CDW/h. Exemplary xylose-based culture media include culture media which have been formulated to contain xylose, as well as feedstock from cellulosic saccharification processes and/or feedstock from a hemicellulose pre-treatment process (i.e., a "hemicellulosic feedstock"). [00100] In some embodiments, the fungal host cell is a wild-type fungal cell, while in other embodiments, it is a mutated or otherwise altered or engineered form of a wild-type fungal cell.

Typically, the fungal host cell (either wild-type or otherwise altered or engineered) comprises polynucleotides encoding a xylulokinase and one or more enzymes in the pentose phosphate, glycolytic, and/or ethanologenic pathways. In some embodiments, the fungal host cell comprises polynucleotides encoding a xylulokinase and all of the enzymes in the pentose phosphate, glycolytic, and ethanologenic pathways. In some embodiments, the fungal host cell comprises recombinant polynucleotides encoding enzymes that are heterologous to the fungal host cell (i.e., not native to the fungal host cell). In some additional embodiments, the fungal host cell is engineered to comprise other metabolic pathways that utilize products/intermediates from the pentose phosphate, glycolytic, and/or ethanologenic pathways to produce other desirable products. For example, in some embodiments, the fungal host cell is engineered to comprise a metabolic pathway for the biosynthesis of a fatty alcohol or fatty acid (See e.g., WO 2007/136762, which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the fatty alcohol or fatty acid is a C8-C20 fatty acid or fatty alcohol. In some embodiments, the fungal host cell is altered or engineered to overexpress any one or more of the polynucleotides encoding the enzymes in one or more of these metabolic pathways.

[00101] In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cell of the present invention further comprises genetic modifications in addition to the xylose isomerase polynucleotide. In some embodiments, in addition to having a xylose isomerase polynucleotide described herein, the recombinant host cell comprises at least one different recombinant polynucleotide that is capable of conferring a further desired phenotype to the fungal host cell. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a recombinant fungal host cell comprising at least one A. defectiva xylose isomerase polynucleotide or variant thereof as described herein, and at least one recombinant polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide which differs from the A. defectiva xylose isomerase or variant thereof, wherein the recombinant polynucleotide imparts a desired phenotype to the fungal host cell. It is contemplated that the recombinant polynucleotide that is capable of conferring a desired phenotype to the fungal host cell may be introduced to the fungal host cell on the same nucleic construct as the xylose isomerase polynucleotide, or on a separate nucleic acid construct. Nucleic acid constructs of the present invention comprising both a xylose isomerase polynucleotide and at least one further recombinant polynucleotide capable of conferring a desired phenotype to the fungal host cell are described above.

[00102] In some embodiments, the recombinant polynucleotide that is capable of conferring a desired phenotype to the fungal host cell is a non-coding polynucleotide (e.g., a regulatory

polynucleotide, a coding polynucleotide, or a combination thereof). As described above, exemplary further desired phenotypes include, but are not limited to increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to organic acids, reduced production of by-products, and other like properties related to increasing flux through the pentose phosphate, glycolysis, and/or ethanologenic pathways to produce the desired metabolic product/intermediate at higher levels as compared to the corresponding wild-type host cell. In some embodiments, the desired metabolic product is an alcohol (e.g., ethanol).

[00103] In some embodiments, recombinant fungal host cells comprising at least one further polynucleotide capable of conferring a desired phenotype to the fungal host cell comprise at least one polynucleotide encoding a protein known to impact the desired phenotype, wherein the polynucleotide is either native or heterologous to the fungal host cell. In some embodiments, the polynucleotide(s) are operatively linked to its native promoter, while in other embodiments, the polynucleotide is operatively linked to a heterologous promoter (i.e., one not associated with the polynucleotide in the corresponding native gene). In some embodiments, the polynucleotide is overexpressed. In some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cell comprises multiple copies of the polynucleotide. Suitable polynucleotides include, but are not limited to those that facilitate overexpression of proteins known to have an impact on the desired phenotype. Therefore, in some embodiments, the fungal host cell is altered or engineered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides.

[00104] In some embodiments, recombinant polynucleotides that are capable of imparting a desired phenotype to a fungal host cell include, but are not limited to recombinant polynucleotides which encode a xylose or hexose transporter, a xylulose kinase (XKS), an enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway (See e.g., Figure 2A), a glycolytic enzyme (i.e., from the metabolic pathway of glycolysis; See e.g., Figure 2B), and an ethanologenic enzyme (See e.g., Figure 2C), the regulatory sequences associated with these sequences, and any combination thereof.

[00105] Exemplary transporters that find use in the present invention include, but are not limited to GXF1, SUT1 and At6g59250 from Candida intermedia, Pichia stipitis, and Arabidopsis thaliana, respectively (See e.g., Runquist et al., 84:37-53 [2010], incorporated herein by reference), HXT4, HXT5, HXT7, GAL2, AGT1, and GXF2, (See e.g., Matsushika et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol.,84:37-53 [2009]). In some embodiments, overexpression of native S. cerevisiae transporters is desirable, particularly HXT5 and HXT7.

[00106] Particularly suitable recombinant polynucleotides include, but are not limited to those that encode: a xylulose kinase (XK); an enzyme from the pentose phosphate pathway (e.g., a ribulose-5- phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE1), a ribose-5 -phosphate ketol-isomerase (RKI1), a transketolase (TKL1), a transaldolase (TALI), etc.); a glycolytic enzyme (e.g., a hexokinase (HXK1/HXK2), a glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), a pyruvate kinase (PVK2), etc.; and an ethanologenic enzyme (e.g., a pyruvate decarboxylase, an alcohol dehydrogenase, etc.).

[00107] Exemplary regulatory polynucleotides include promoters, enhancer, terminator, and other regulatory elements that function to improve the expression of polynucleotides in a fungal host cell, particularly, a yeast host cell, as described above.

[00108] In some embodiments, recombinant host cells of the present invention comprise one or more native genes deleted from its genome. In some embodiments, the deletion(s) cause removal or diminishment of a biological activity that is otherwise exhibited by the fungal host cell. In some embodiments, the cumulative effect of the deletion(s) also leads to an improvement in a phenotype of the fungal host cell. Any suitable method for deleting gene finds use in the present invention. There are numerous methods well known in the art. For example, in some embodiments, recombinant host cells of the present invention have certain native genes deleted from the host genome in order to improve the utilization of pentose sugars (e.g., xylose), increase transport of xylose into the host cell, increase xylulose kinase activity, increase flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decrease sensitivity to catabolite repression, increase tolerance to ethanol/acetate, increase tolerance to increased osmolarity, increase tolerance to organic acids (low pH), reduce production of by-products, and other like properties related to increasing flux through the relevant pathways to produce ethanol and other desired metabolic products at higher levels, where comparison is made with respect to the corresponding host cell without the deletion(s). Genes targeted for deletion include, but are not limited to genes encoding enzymes in the pentose phosphate pathway, a glycolytic enzyme, and/or an ethanologenic enzyme.

[00109] In some embodiments, other genes are targeted for deletion, including but not limited to those encoding aldose reductase (GRE3) (See e.g., Matsushika et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 84:37-53 [2009]), sorbitol dehydrogenases (SOR1/SOR2), a glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH1), a 6- phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (GND), a glucose-5 -phosphate dehydrogenase (ZWF1), and any enzyme for which its deletion is known in the art to improve the utilization of a pentose sugar, decrease by-product formation, and/ or increase the ethanol yield of a fungal host cell. The genes encoding these enzymes in many fungi are known in the art. Those having ordinary skill in the art appreciate that additional genes encoding these enzymes can be readily identified by microarray analysis (See e.g., Sedlak et al., Yeast 21 :671-684 [2004]), metabolic flux analysis (See e.g Sonderegger et al., Appl.

Environ. Microbiol., 70(4):2307-2317 [2004]), in silico modeling (See e.g Hjersted et al., Biotechnol. Bioengineer. 97(5):1190-1204 [2007]), chemogenomics (See e.g Teixeira et al., Appl. Environ.

Microbiol., 75(18):5761-5772 [2009]), and other well known methods.

[00110] In some embodiments, the host cells employed in the practice of the present invention are mutagenized and/or evolved to exhibit further desired phenotypes, for example, further improvement in the utilization of pentose sugars (e.g., xylose, arabinose, etc.), increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol/acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to organic acids (low pH), reduced production of by-products, and other like properties related to increasing flux through the pentose phosphate and glycolysis pathways to produce a desired metabolic product/intermediate at higher levels. In some embodiments, the desired metabolic product is an alcohol (e.g., ethanol). In some embodiments, the host cells are mutagenized and/or evolved using known methods either prior to or after transformation with the xylose isomerase polynucleotide. These methods include, but are not limited to classical mutagenesis, whole genome shuffling, evolutionary engineering methods, which employ screening and/or selection methods, or any combination of such well known methods.

[00111] Classical mutagenesis methods include, but are not limited to treatment of the host cell with a mutagen such as a chemical mutagen or irradiation exposure (e.g., ultraviolet or gamma- irradiation). Whole genome shuffling methods involving, for example, recombination of genomic DNA between native genomic DNA sequences and/or variants thereof, can be facilitated by sexual mating, protoplast fusion methods and other methods well known in the art (See e.g., WO 98/31837 and WO 2000/04190, incorporated herein by reference). These methods are coupled with screening and/or selection methods to identify altered fungal host cells that exhibit the desired phenotype. For example, such methods find use in altering or engineering a fungal host cell to overexpress one or more desired polynucleotides.

[00112] Evolutionary engineering can be done by prolonged cultivation and selection of strains under desired conditions through chemostat, turbidostat or batch cultures. Evolutionary engineering methods can be practiced under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Selection strategies can be optimized by varying culture conditions, for example, carbon source, nitrogen source, aeration, pH and temperature. Methods for evolutionary engineering are well known in the art (See e.g., Wisselink et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 75(4):907-914 [2009]; Kuyper et al., FEMS Yeast Res., 5:399-409 [2005]; and Sauer, Adv. Biochem. Engineer. Biotechnol., 73: 129-169 [2001], all of which are incorporated herein by reference).

[00113] Therefore, in some embodiments, the recombinant fungal host cell comprising a xylose isomerase polynucleotide exhibits an improved phenotype relative to the corresponding fungal host cell without the xylose isomerase polynucleotide. In some embodiments, the improved phenotype comprises further improvement in the utilization of pentose sugars (e.g., xylose, arabinose, etc.), increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol/acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to organic acids (low pH), and reduced production of by products, or other properties.

Fermentation

[00114] The present invention provides processes for producing fermentation products, wherein the method comprises: (a) providing the recombinant fungal cell of the present invention; (b) providing a fermentation medium comprising xylose; (c) contacting the fermentation medium with the recombinant fungal cell under conditions suitable for generating the fermentation product; and optionally (d) recovering the fermentation product. In some embodiments, the fermentation product is an alcohol (e.g., ethanol, butanol, etc.), a fatty alcohol (e.g., a C8-C20 fatty alcohol), a fatty acid (e.g., a C8-C20 fatty acid), lactic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, an amino acid, 1,3 -propanediol, ethylene, glycerol, and/or a β-lactam (e.g., cephalosporin). However, it is contemplated that other fermentation products will be produced using the methods of the present invention.

[00115] In some embodiments, the fermentation medium is feedstock from a cellulosic saccharification process and/or feedstock from a hemicellulose pre-treatment process. Such feedstocks include, but are not limited to carbohydrates (e.g., lignocellulose, xylans, cellulose, starch, etc.), other sugars (e.g., glucose, xylose, arabinose, etc.), and other compositions. Compositions of fermentation media suitable for the growth of yeast and filamentous fungi are well known in the art and there are various reference texts that provide recipes for these media.

[00116] Fermentation conditions suitable for generating desired fermentation products are well known in the art and any suitable method finds use in the present invention. In some embodiments, the fermentation process is carried out under aerobic or microaerophilic (i.e., where the concentration of oxygen is less than that in air), or anaerobic conditions. In some embodiments, fermentation is conducted under anaerobic conditions (i.e., no detectable oxygen), or less than about 5, about 2.5, or about 1 mmol/L/h oxygen. In the absence of oxygen, the NADH produced in glycolysis cannot be oxidized by oxidative phosphorylation. Under anaerobic conditions, pyruvate or a derivative thereof may be utilized by the host cell as an electron and hydrogen acceptor in order to generated NAD+. In some

embodiments of the present invention, when the fermentation process is carried out under anaerobic conditions, pyruvate may be reduced to a fermentation product such as ethanol, butanol, lactic acid, 3- hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, an amino acid, 1,3 -propanediol, ethylene, glycerol, and/or a β-lactam (e.g., a cephalosporin).

[00117] The fermentation process is typically run at a temperature that is optimal for the recombinant fungal cell. For example, in some embodiments, the fermentation process is performed at a temperature in the range of from about 25°C to about 42°C. Typically the process is carried out a temperature that is less than about 38°C, less than about 35°C, less than about 33°C, or less than about 38°C, but at least about 20°C, 22°C, or 25°C.

[00118] In some embodiments, recombinant host cells of the present invention are grown under batch or continuous fermentation conditions. Classical batch fermentation is a closed system, wherein the composition of the medium is set at the beginning of the fermentation and is not subject to artificial alterations during the fermentation. A variation of the batch system is a fed-batch fermentation, which also finds use in the present invention. In this variation, the substrate is added in increments as the fermentation progresses. Fed-batch systems are useful when catabolite repression is likely to inhibit the metabolism of the cells and/or where it is desirable to have limited amounts of substrate in the medium. Batch and fed-batch fermentations are common and well known in the art. Continuous fermentation is an open system where a defined fermentation generally maintains the culture at a constant high density where cells are primarily in log phase growth. Continuous fermentation systems strive to maintain steady state growth conditions. Methods for modulating nutrients and growth factors for continuous fermentation processes, as well as techniques for modulating nutrients and growth factors for continuous fermentation processes as well as techniques for maximizing the rate of product formation are well known in the art of industrial microbiology.

Enzyme Mixtures

[00119] In some embodiments, the present invention provides an enzyme mixture that comprises at least one xylose isomerase variant polypeptide as provided herein. The enzyme mixture may be cell- free, or in alternative embodiments, may not be separated from host cells that secrete an enzyme mixture component. A cell-free enzyme mixture typically comprises enzymes that have been separated from cells. Cell-free enzyme mixtures can be prepared by any of a variety of methodologies that are known in the art, such as filtration or centrifugation methodologies. In some embodiments, the enzyme mixtures are partially cell-free, substantially cell-free, or entirely cell-free.

[00120] In some embodiments, at least one xylose isomerase variant and any additional enzymes present in the enzyme mixture are secreted from a single genetically modified fungal cell or by different microbes in combined or separate fermentations. Similarly, in additional embodiments, at least one xylose isomerase variant and any additional enzymes present in the enzyme mixture are expressed individually or in sub-groups from different strains of different organisms and the enzymes are combined in vitro to make the enzyme mixture. It is also contemplated that the xylose isomerases and any additional enzymes in the enzyme mixture will be expressed individually or in sub-groups from different strains of a single organism, and the enzymes combined to make the enzyme mixture. In some embodiments, all of the enzymes are expressed from a single host organism, such as a genetically modified fungal cell.

[00121] In some embodiments, the enzyme mixture comprises at least one cellulase, selected from cellobiohydrolase (CBH), endoglucanase (EG), and/or beta-glucosidase (BG) cellulase. In some embodiments, the cellobiohydrolase is T. reesei cellobiohydrolase II. In some embodiments, the endoglucanase comprises a catalytic domain derived from the catalytic domain of a Streptomyces avermitilis endoglucanase. In some embodiments, at least one cellulase is Acidothermus cellulolyticus, Thermobifida fusca, Humicola grisea or a Chrysosporium sp. cellulose. Cellulase enzymes of the cellulase mixture work together in decrystallizing and hydrolyzing the cellulose from a biomass substrate to yield soluble sugars, such as but not limited to glucose (See e.g., Brigham et al. in Wyman ([ed.], Handbook on Bioethanol, Taylor and Francis, Washington DC [1995], pp 119-141, incorporated herein by reference).

[00122] Cellulase mixtures for efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose are known (See e.g.,

Viikari et al., Adv. Biochem. Eng. Biotechnol., 108: 121-45 [2007]; and US Pat. Publns. 2009/0061484; US 2008/0057541 ; and US 2009/0209009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, mixtures of purified naturally occurring or recombinant enzymes are combined with cellulosic feedstock or a product of cellulose hydrolysis. In some embodiments, one or more cell populations, each producing one or more naturally occurring or recombinant cellulases, are combined with cellulosic feedstock or a product of cellulose hydrolysis.

[00123] In some embodiments, at least one variant xylose isomerase polypeptide of the present invention is present in mixtures comprising enzymes other than cellulases that degrade cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and/or lignocellulose.

[00124] A "hemicellulase" as used herein, refers to a polypeptide that can catalyze hydrolysis of hemicellulose into small polysaccharides such as oligosaccharides, or monomeric saccharides.

Hemicellulloses include xylan, glucuonoxylan, arabinoxylan, glucomannan and xyloglucan.

Hemicellulases include, for example, the following: endoxylanases, b-xylosidases, a-L- arabinofuranosidases, a-D-glucuronidases, feruloyl esterases, coumarolyl esterases, a-galactosidases, b- galactosidases, b-mannanases, and b-mannosidases. In some embodiments, the present invention provides enzyme mixtures that comprise at least one xylose isomerase variant of the present invention and one or more hemicellulases.

[00125] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one endoxylanase. Endoxylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) catalyze the endohydrolysis of 1 ,4" -D-xylosidic linkages in xylans. This enzyme may also be referred to as endo-1 ,4- -xylanase or 1 ,4" -D-xylan xylanohydrolase. In some embodiments, an alternative is EC 3.2.1.136, a glucuronoarabinoxylan endoxylanase, an enzyme that is able to hydrolyze 1 ,4 xylosidic linkages in glucuronoarabinoxylans.

[00126] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one β-xylosidase. β-xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) catalyze the hydrolysis of 1 ,4" -D-xylans, to remove successive D-xylose residues from the non-reducing termini. This enzyme may also be referred to as xylan 1 ,4- -xylosidase, 1 ,4- -D-xylan xylohydrolase, exo-1 ,4- -xylosidase or xylobiase.

[00127] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one a-L-arabinofuranosidase . a-L-arabinofuranosidases (EC 3.2.1.55) catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing alpha-L-arabinofuranoside residues in alpha-L- arabinosides. The enzyme acts on alpha-L-arabinofuranosides, alpha-L-arabinans containing (1,3)- and/or (l,5)-linkages, arabinoxylans, and arabinogalactans. Alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase is also known as arabinosidase, alpha-arabinosidase, alpha-L-arabinosidase, alpha-arabinofuranosidase,

arabinofuranosidase, polysaccharide alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase, alpha-L-arabinofuranoside hydrolase, L-arabinosidase and alpha-L-arabinanase.

[00128] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one alpha-glucuronidase. Alpha-glucuronidases (EC 3.2.1.139) catalyze the hydrolysis of an alpha-D-glucuronoside to D-glucuronate and an alcohol.

[00129] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one acetylxylanesterase. Acetylxylanesterases (EC 3.1.1.72) catalyze the hydrolysis of acetyl groups from polymeric xylan, acetylated xylose, acetylated glucose, alpha-napthyl acetate, and p-nitrophenyl acetate.

[00130] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one feruloyl esterase. Feruloyl esterases (EC 3.1.1.73) have 4-hydroxy-3- methoxycinnamoyl-sugar hydrolase activity (EC 3.1.1.73) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 4-hydroxy- 3-methoxycinnamoyl (feruloyl) group from an esterified sugar, which is usually arabinose in "natural" substrates, to produce ferulate (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamate). Feruloyl esterase is also known as ferulic acid esterase, hydroxycinnamoyl esterase, FAE-III, cinnamoyl ester hydrolase, FAEA, cinnAE, FAE-I, or FAE-II.

[00131] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one coumaroyl esterase. Coumaroyl esterases (EC 3.1.1.73) catalyze a reaction of the form: coumaroyl-saccharide + H20 = coumarate + saccharide. In some embodiments, the saccharide is an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide. This enzyme may also be referred to as trans-4- coumaroyl esterase, trans-p-coumaroyl esterase, p-coumaroyl esterase or p-coumaric acid esterase. The enzyme also falls within EC 3.1.1.73 so may also be referred to as a feruloyl esterase.

[00132] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one alpha-galactosidase. Alpha-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.22) catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing a-D-galactose residues in a-D- galactosides, including galactose oligosaccharides, galactomannans, galactans and arabinogalactans. This enzyme may also be referred to as melibiase.

[00133] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one beta-galactosidase. Beta-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing β-D-galactose residues in β-D- galactosides. In some embodiments, the polypeptide is also capable of hydrolyzing a-L-arabinosides. This enzyme may also be referred to as exo-(l->4)" -D-galactanase or lactase.

[00134] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one beta-mannanase. Beta-mannanases (EC 3.2.1.78) catalyze the random hydrolysis of 1 ,4-P-D-mannosidic linkages in mannans, galactomannans and glucomannans. This enzyme may also be referred to as mannan endo-1 ,4-P-mannosidase or endo-1 ,4-mannanase.

[00135] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one beta-mannosidase. Beta-mannosidases (EC 3.2.1.25) catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal, non-reducing β-D-mannose residues in β-D- mannosides. This enzyme may also be referred to as mannanase or mannase.

[00136] In some embodiments one or more enzymes that degrade pectin are included in enzyme mixtures that comprise at least one xylose isomerase variant of the present invention. A pectinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of pectin into smaller units such as oligosaccharide or monomeric saccharides. In some embodiments, the enzyme mixtures comprise any pectinase, for example an endopolygalacturonase, a pectin methyl esterase, an endo-galactanase, a pectin acetyl esterase, an endo-pectin lyase, pectate lyase, alpha rhamnosidase, an exo-galacturonase, an exo-polygalacturonate lyase, a rhamnogalacturonan hydrolase, a rhamnogalacturonan lyase, a rhamnogalacturonan acetyl esterase, a rhamnogalacturonan galacturonohydrolase and/ or a xylogalacturonase.

[00137] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one endo-polygalacturonase. Endo-polygalacturonases (EC 3.2.1.15) catalyze the random hydrolysis of 1 ,4-a-D-galactosiduronic linkages in pectate and other galacturonans. This enzyme may also be referred to as polygalacturonase pectin depolymerase, pectinase,

endopolygalacturonase, pectolase, pectin hydrolase, pectin polygalacturonase, poly-a-1 ,4-galacturonide glycanohydrolase, endogalacturonase; endo-D-galacturonase or poly(l ,4-a-D-galacturonide) glycanohydrolase .

[00138] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one pectin methyl esterase. Pectin methyl esterases (EC 3.1.1.11 ) catalyze the reaction: pectin + n H20 = n methanol + pectate. The enzyme may also been known as pectinesterase, pectin demethoxylase, pectin methoxylase, pectin methylesterase, pectase, pectinoesterase or pectin pectylhydrolase.

[00139] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one endo-galactanase. Endo-galactanases (EC 3.2.1.89) catalyze the endohydrolysis of 1 ,4- -D-galactosidic linkages in arabinogalactans. The enzyme may also be known as arabinogalactan endo-1 ,4- -galactosidase, endo-1 ,4-β- galactanase, galactanase, arabinogalactanase or arabinogalactan 4-β-ϋ- galactanohydrolase.

[00140] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one pectin acetyl esterase. Pectin acetyl esterases catalyze the deacetylation of the acetyl groups at the hydroxyl groups of GalUA residues of pectin.

[00141] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one endo-pectin lyase. Endo-pectin lyases (EC 4.2.2.10) catalyze the eliminative cleavage of (1→4)-a-D-galacturonan methyl ester to give oligosaccharides with 4-deoxy-6- O-methyl-a-D-galact-4-enuronosyl groups at their non- reducing ends. The enzyme may also be known as pectin lyase, pectin trans-eliminase; endo-pectin lyase, polymethylgalacturonic transeliminase, pectin methyltranseliminase, pectolyase, PL, PNL or PMGL or (1→4)-6-0-methyl-a-D-galacturonan lyase.

[00142] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one pectate lyase. Pectate lyases (EC 4.2.2.2) catalyze the eliminative cleavage of (1→4)-a-D-galacturonan to give oligosaccharides with 4-deoxy-a-D-galact-4-enuronosyl groups at their non-reducing ends. The enzyme may also be known polygalacturonic transeliminase, pectic acid transeliminase, polygalacturonate lyase, endopectin methyltranseliminase, pectate transeliminase, endogalacturonate transeliminase, pectic acid lyase, pectic lyase, a-1 ,4-D- endopolygalacturonic acid lyase, PGA lyase, PPase-N, endo-a-1 ,4-polygalacturonic acid lyase, polygalacturonic acid lyase, pectin trans-eliminase, polygalacturonic acid trans-eliminase or (1→4)-a-D- galacturonan lyase.

[00143] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one alpha-rhamnosidase. Alpha-rhamnosidases (EC 3.2.1.40) catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal non-reducing a-L-rhamnose residues in a-L- rhamnosides or alternatively in rhamnogalacturonan. This enzyme may also be known as α-L-rhamnosidase T, α-L-rhamnosidase N or a- L-rhamnoside rhamnohydrolase.

[00144] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one exo-galacturonase. Exo-galacturonases (EC 3.2.1.82) hydrolyze pectic acid from the non-reducing end, releasing digalacturonate. The enzyme may also be known as exo-poly- a-galacturonosidase, exopolygalacturonosidase or exopolygalacturanosidase.

[00145] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one exo-galacturonase. Exo-galacturonases (EC 3.2.1.67) catalyze a reaction of the following type: (1 ,4-a-D-galacturonide)n + H20 = (1 ,4-a-D-galacturonide)n-i + D- galacturonate. The enzyme may also be known as galacturan 1 ,4-a-galacturonidase,

exopolygalacturonase, poly(galacturonate) hydrolase, exo-D-galacturonase, exo-D- galacturonanase, exopoly-D-galacturonase or poly(l ,4-a-D-galacturonide) galacturonohydrolase.

[00146] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one exopolygalacturonate lyase. Exopolygalacturonate lyases (EC 4.2.2.9) catalyze eliminative cleavage of 4-(4-deoxy-a-D-galact-4-enuronosyl)-D-galacturonate from the reducing end of pectate (i.e. de-esterified pectin). This enzyme may be known as pectate disaccharide-lyase, pectate exo-lyase, exopectic acid transeliminase, exopectate lyase, exopolygalacturonic acid-trans- eliminase, PATE, exo-PATE, exo-PGL or (1→4)-a-D-galacturonan reducing-end-disaccharide-lyase.

[00147] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one rhamnogalacturonanase. Rhamnogalacturonanases hydrolyze the linkage between galactosyluronic acid and rhamnopyranosyl in an endo-fashion in strictly alternating rhamnogalacturonan structures, consisting of the disaccharide [(l,2-alpha-L-rhamnoyl-(l,4)-alpha- galactosyluronic acid].

[00148] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one rhamnogalacturonan lyase. Rhamnogalacturonan lyases cleave a-L- Rhap-(1→4)-a-D-GalpA linkages in an endo-fashion in rhamnogalacturonan by beta-elimination.

[00149] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one rhamnogalacturonan acetyl esterase. Rhamnogalacturonan acetyl esterases catalyze the deacetylation of the backbone of alternating rhamnose and galacturonic acid residues in rhamnogalacturonan.

[00150] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one rhamnogalacturonan galacturonohydrolase. Rhamnogalacturonan galacturonohydrolases hydrolyze galacturonic acid from the non-reducing end of strictly alternating rhamnogalacturonan structures in an exo-fashion. This enzyme may also be known as xylogalacturonan hydrolase.

[00151] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one endo-arabinase. Endo-arabinanases (EC 3.2.1.99) catalyze endohydrolysis of 1 ,5-a-arabinofuranosidic linkages in 1 ,5-arabinans. The enzyme may also be known as endo-arabinase, arabinan endo-1 ,5-a-L-arabinosidase, endo-1 ,5-a-L-arabinanase, endo-a-1 ,5- arabanase; endo-arabanase or 1 ,5-a-L-arabinan 1 ,5-a-L-arabinanohydrolase.

[00152] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one enzyme that participates in lignin degradation in an enzyme mixture. Enzymatic lignin depolymerization can be accomplished by lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases, laccases and cellobiose dehydrogenases (CDH), often working in synergy. These extracellular enzymes are often referred to as "lignin-modifying enzymes" or "LMEs." Three of these enzymes comprise two glycosylated heme-containing peroxidases: lignin peroxidase (LIP); Mn-dependent peroxidase (MNP); and, a copper-containing phenoloxidase laccase (LCC).

[00153] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one laccase. Laccases are copper containing oxidase enzymes that are found in many plants, fungi and microorganisms. Laccases are enzymatically active on phenols and similar molecules and perform a one electron oxidation. Laccases can be polymeric and the

enzymatically active form can be a dimer or trimer.

[00154] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one Mn-dependent peroxidase. The enzymatic activity of Mn-dependent peroxidase (MnP) in is dependent on Mn2+. Without being bound by theory, it has been suggested that the main role of this enzyme is to oxidize Mn2+ to Mn3+ (See e.g„ Glenn et ah, Arch. Biochem.

Biophys., 251 :688-696 [1986]). Subsequently, phenolic substrates are oxidized by the Mn3+ generated.

[00155] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one lignin peroxidase. Lignin peroxidase is an extracellular heme that catalyses the oxidative depolymerization of dilute solutions of polymeric lignin in vitro. Some of the substrates of LiP, most notably 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol (veratryl alcohol, VA), are active redox compounds that have been shown to act as redox mediators. VA is a secondary metabolite produced at the same time as LiP by ligninolytic cultures of P. chrysosporium and without being bound by theory, has been proposed to function as a physiological redox mediator in the LiP-catalyzed oxidation of lignin in vivo (See e.g., Harvey, et al, FEBS Lett., 195:242-246 [1986]).

[00156] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one protease and/or a lipase that participates in cellulose degradation. [00157] As used herein, "protease" includes enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds (peptidases), as well as enzymes that hydrolyze bonds between peptides and other moieties, such as sugars

(glycopeptidases). Many proteases are characterized under EC 3.4, and are suitable for use in the present invention. Some specific types of proteases include, cysteine proteases including pepsin, papain and serine proteases including chymotrypsins, carboxypeptidases and metalloendopeptidases.

[00158] As used herein, "lipase" includes enzymes that hydrolyze lipids, fatty acids, and acylglycerides, including phosphoglycerides, lipoproteins, diacylglycerols, and the like. In plants, lipids are used as structural components to limit water loss and pathogen infection. These lipids include waxes derived from fatty acids, as well as cutin and suberin.

[00159] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one expansin or expansin-like protein, such as a swollenin (See e.g., Salheimo et ah, Eur. J. Biochem., 269:4202-4211 [2002]) or a swollenin-like protein. Expansins are implicated in loosening of the cell wall structure during plant cell growth. Expansins have been proposed to disrupt hydrogen bonding between cellulose and other cell wall polysaccharides without having hydrolytic activity. In this way, they are thought to allow the sliding of cellulose fibers and enlargement of the cell wall. Swollenin, an expansin-like protein contains an N-terminal Carbohydrate Binding Module Family 1 domain (CBD) and a C-terminal expansin-like domain. In some embodiments, an expansin-like protein or swollenin-like protein comprises one or both of such domains and/ or disrupts the structure of cell walls (such as disrupting cellulose structure), optionally without producing detectable amounts of reducing sugars.

[00160] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one polypeptide product of a cellulose integrating protein, scaffoldin or a scaffoldin-like protein, for example CipA or CipC from Clostridium thermocellum or Clostridium cellulolyticum respectively. Scaffoldins and cellulose integrating proteins are multi-functional integrating subunits which may organize cellulolytic subunits into a multi-enzyme complex. This is accomplished by the interaction of two complementary classes of domain (i.e. a cohesion domain on scaffoldin and a dockerin domain on each enzymatic unit). The scaffoldin subunit also bears a cellulose-binding module that mediates attachment of the cellulosome to its substrate. A scaffoldin or cellulose integrating protein for the purposes of this invention may comprise one or both of such domains.

[00161] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one cellulose induced protein or modulating protein, for example as encoded by cipl or cip2 gene or similar genes from Trichoderma reesei (See e.g., Foreman et al, J. Biol. Chem, 278:31988-31997 [2003]). [00162] In some additional embodiments, the present invention provides at least one xylose isomerase variant and at least one member of each of the classes of the polypeptides described above, several members of one polypeptide class, or any combination of these polypeptide classes to provide enzyme mixtures suitable for various uses.

Other Components of Xylose Isomerase Compositions

[00163] In some embodiments, xylose isomerase polypeptides of the present invention are used in combination with other optional ingredients such as at least one buffer, surfactant, and/or scouring agent. In some embodiments, at least one buffer is used with at least one xylose isomerase polypeptide of the present invention (optionally combined with other enzymes) to maintain a desired pH within the solution in which the xylose isomerase is employed. The exact concentration of buffer employed will depend on several factors which the skilled artisan can determine. Suitable buffers are well known in the art. In some embodiments, at least one surfactant is used in with at least one xylose isomerase of the present invention. Suitable surfactants include any surfactant compatible with the xylose isomerase(s) and, optionally, with any other enzymes being used in the mixture. Exemplary surfactants include an anionic, a non-ionic, and ampholytic surfactants. Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonates; alkyl or alkenyl ether sulfates having linear or branched alkyl groups or alkenyl groups; alkyl or alkenyl sulfates; olefinsulfonates; alkanesulfonates, and the like. Suitable counter ions for anionic surfactants include, for example, alkali metal ions, such as sodium and potassium; alkaline earth metal ions, such as calcium and magnesium; ammonium ion; and alkanolamines having from 1 to 3 alkanol groups of carbon number 2 or 3. Ampholytic surfactants suitable for use in the practice of the present invention include, for example, quaternary ammonium salt sulfonates, betaine-type ampholytic surfactants, and the like. Suitable nonionic surfactants generally include polyoxalkylene ethers, as well as higher fatty acid alkanolamides or alkylene oxide adduct thereof, fatty acid glycerine monoesters, and the like. Mixtures of surfactants also find use in the present invention, as is known in the art.

[00164] The foregoing and other aspects of the invention may be better understood in connection with the following non-limiting examples.

EXPERIMENTAL

[00165] The present invention is described in further detail in the following Examples, which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

[00166] In the experimental disclosure below, the following abbreviations apply: ppm (parts per million); M (molar); mM (millimolar), uM and μΜ (micromolar); nM (nanomolar); mol (moles); gm and g (gram); mg (milligrams); ug and μg (micrograms); L and 1 (liter); ml and mL (milliliter); cm

(centimeters); mm (millimeters); um and μηι (micrometers); sec. (seconds); min(s) (minute(s)); h(s) and hr(s) (hour(s)); U (units); MW (molecular weight); rpm (rotations per minute); °C (degrees Centigrade); DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid); RNA (ribonucleic acid); CDW (cell dry weight); HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography); HMF (hydroxymethyl furfural); YPD (yeast extract lOg/L; peptone 20g/L;

dextrose 20g/L); YPD agar (Difco YPD agar containing yeast extract lOg/L; peptone 20g/L; dextrose 20g/L; and agar 15g/L); propagation medium (160g/l glucose, 40g/l xylose, 4.5g/l arabinose, 20g/l yeast extract, 6 g/1 acetic acid, 0.6 g/1 furfural, 0.9 g/1 hydroxymethylfurfural with a vitamin solution added to final concentrations of 0.05mg/l biotin, lmg/1 calcium pantothenate, lmg/1 nicotinic acid, lmg/1 myoinositol, lmg/1 thiamine chloride hydrochloride, lmg/1 pyridoxal hydrochloride potassium iodide and a trace element solution added to final concentrations of 0.403 μΜ EDTA, 15.6μΜ ZnS04, 5μΜ MnC12, 1.3μΜ CoC12, 1.2μΜ CuS04, 1.6μΜ disodium molybdate, 30.6μΜ CaC12, 10.8μΜ FeS04, 16.2μΜ boric acid, 0.6μΜ potassium iodide, 5g/l NH4S04 , 3g/l K2P04, 0.5g/l MgS04 and pH adjusted to 5.0 with NaOH); ARS (ARS Culture Collection or NRRL Culture Collection, Peoria, IL); Lallemand (Lallemand Ethanol Technology, Milwaukee, WI); Dualsystems (Dualsystems Biotech AG, Basel, Switzerland); Megazyme (Megazyme International Ireland, Ltd., Wicklow, Ireland); Dasgip (Dasgip Biotools, LLC, Shrewsbury, MA); Difco (Difco Laboratories, BD Diagnostic Systems, Detroit, MI); PCRdiagnostics (PCRdiagnostics, E coli SRO, Slovak Republic); Agilent (Agilent Technologies, Inc., Santa Clara, CA); and Bio-Rad (Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, CA).

EXAMPLE 1

Vector Construction

[00167] A polynucleotide encoding the xylose isomerase from Abiotrophia defectiva was synthesized with codons optimized for expression in yeast with the following 5' and 3' flanks:

5' GGATCCCAAACAAA (SEQ ID NO:5)

3' TAACATATG (SEQ ID NO: 17)

to introduce δ'-ΒαηιΆΙ and V-Ndel restriction sites flanking the gene. The codon optimized polynucleotide encoding the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase corresponds to SEQ ID NO:3.

[00168] The yeast vector p427TEF (Dual Biosystems AG) was used for gene expression. This vector contains a kanamycin resistance gene that allows for selection in yeast, an ampicillin resistance gene that allows for selection in E. coli, and a 2 micron origin of replication that allows for propagation of plasmids in high copy numbers in yeast. For cloning the xylose isomerase gene, p427TEF was digested with Sacl and Xhol restriction enzymes. The larger fragment (6235 bp) was ligated with an oligomer of the following sequence: 5'GAGCTCACGGATCCGTCATATGCTAGATCTCTGAATTCTTACTAGTTCGACGTCTACCTAG GCAGTCGACACGCGGCCGCTTCTCGAG 3 ' (SEQ ID NO: 6)

to introduce a new multiple cloning site (MCS) with desired restriction sites. Using the new MCS, the TEF1 promoter of S.cerevisiae was re-introduced in the vector using Sacl/BamKl restriction sites resulting in vector PLS1567. The codon optimized xylose isomerase gene was cloned in PLS1567 downstream of the TEF1 promoter using BamHl/Ndel restriction sites. The expression construct, PLS10096 is depicted in Fig 6.

EXAMPLE 2

Transformation and Growth of Transformed Strains on Xylose

[00169] Plasmids PLS 10096 (polynucleotide encoding Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase

(SEQ ID NO:3)), PLS1569 (yeast codon optimized polynucleotide encoding Clostridium phytofermentens xylose isomerase (SEQ ID NO:7), the encoded amino acid sequence is provided in SEQ ID NO: 8)) and PLS1567 (Vector control with no xylose isomerase polynucleotide) were used to transform S.cerevisiae BY4741 (MATa ; his3Al leu2A0 metl5A0 ura3A0). Transformants were selected on YPD agar plates supplemented with G418 antibiotic (200ug/ml). Positive transformants were confirmed using

PCRdiagnostics.

[00170] S.cerevisiae BY4741 strain transformed with plasmids PLS10096 (containing the polynucleotide encoding Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase (SEQ ID NO:3)), PLS 1569 (empty vector) and PLS 1567 (containing the polynucleotide encoding Clostridium phytofermentans xylose isomerase (SEQ ID NO:7)) were grown on YPD agar plates for 48 hrs at 30°C. Single colonies were used to inoculate 400ul of YPD supplemented with 200ug/ml G418. Cells were grown at 30°C for 24 hrs at 250rpm. This culture was used to inoculate YP (lOg/L yeast extract, 20g/L peptone) media containing 0.5% glucose and 4% xylose at 12.5% starting inoculum. Cultures were incubated at 30°C and 250 rpm. Growth was monitored by measuring the optical density at 600 nm. After 120 hrs, the residual xylose was measured using a spectrophotometric assay (Megazyme xylose assay; Cat no. K-XYLOSE) performed according to the manufacture's protocol. The results are shown in Figure 7.

[00171] The results indicate that strains transformed with PLS 10096 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Abiotrophia defectivas xylose isomerase) and PLS 1569 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Clostridium phytofermentens xylose isomerase) consumed greater amounts of xylose than the control strain transformed with PLS 1567 (vector control) due to the activity of the xylose isomerases present.

EXAMPLE 3 Activity of Homologous Xylose Isomerases

[00172] Plasmids PLS1567 (vector control), PLS1569 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding

Clostridium phytofermentans xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO:7), PLS4416 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Alkaliphilus metalliredigens QYMF xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO:9), PLS4417 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Fusobacterium mortiferum xylose isomerase ATCC 9817 xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO:l 1), PLS4418 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Epulopiscium sp. 'N.t. morphotype B xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO: 13) and PLS4419 (comprising the polynucleotide encoding Clostridium cellulolyticum H10 xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO: 15) were transformed into strain S. cerevisiae Superstart LYCC6469 and the cultures were evaluated for growth on xylose-based media as described in Example 2. As described in Example 1 for the polynucleotide encoding the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase, all polynucleotides encoding the xylose isomerases were codon optimized for expression in yeast. Growth was measured by monitoring OD at 600 nm at 96 hrs. Residual xylose was measured using a spectrophotometric assay (Megazyme xylose assay; Cat no. K-XYLOSE) performed according to the manufacture's protocol. The results are shown in Table 3-1.

[00173] The strain transformed with PLS1569 (polynucleotide encoding Clostridium phytofermentans xylose isomerase) showed significantly greater xylose utilization compared to the control strain , plasmid PLS1567, whereas all other strains had growth and xylose utilization similar to the control strain.

[00174] As described previously, various attempts at expressing different xylose isomerases in

Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been made with mixed results. A comparison of the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase sequence to the sequences of these various xylose isomerases was made. Table 3-2 provides the sequence identity of the Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase to various xylose isomerases described previously herein.

Table 3-2. Sequence Identities of Various Xylose Isomerases (expressed from S. cerevisiae in the literature) Relative to the Abiot ophia defectiva Xylose Isomerase

Accession No. Source Sequence Reference

Identity

SEQ ID NO:

2

Typhimurium str. 14028S

AAK88959.2 Agrobacterium tumefaciens str. C58 46.8% Brat et al. 2009

YP_527976.1 Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 49.8% Brat et al. 2009

YP 00319391 Robiginitalea biformata HTCC2501 50.1% Brat et al. 2009 7.1

CAB76571.1 Piromyces sp. E2 53.3% Kuyper ei a/. 1993

1BXG Thermus Thermophilus 20.5% Walfridsson et al.

1996

A8A623.1 Escherichia coli HS 49.4% Chan et al. 1989

EXAMPLE 4

Fermentation Activity of Xylose Isomerase

[00175] The vector PLS1567 was modified to introduce additional promoters. Yeast promoters

(Adhlp, GPDp) and terminators (Adh2t, Adhlt) were cloned into PLS1567 using yeast recombinational cloning using methods commonly used in the art. SOE-PCR was used to combine the ADH2 terminator with the ADHl promoter, and the ADHl terminator with the GPDl promoter. An internal Aatll site in the ADH2 terminator was removed by changing its sequence from GACGTC (SEQ ID NO: 19) to GATGTC (SEQ ID NO:20). For yeast recombinational cloning, PLS1567 was digested with BamHIJXhol, and a 3: 1 mass ratio of each insert to digested PLS1567 was used. The transformants were selected on culture plates containing G418. The resulting plasmid (PLS1448) with the 3 promoters and terminators was confirmed by sequencing. Xylose isomerase (SEQ ID NO:3) from Abiotrophia defectiva gene was sub-cloned into plasmid PLS1448 under the control of the TEF promoter (PLS13352).

[00176] Plasmids PLS1448 (vector control) and PLS13352 (polynucleotide encoding Abiotrophia defectiva xylose isomerase, SEQ ID NO:3) were transformed into strain S. cerevisiae BY4741. Single colonies of transformed strains were used to inoculate 400ul of YPD medium containing ImM MgS0₄ and 200ug/ml G418. The cultures were grown at 30°C for 72 hrs at 250rpm. Then, 40μ1 of saturated cultures were used to inoculate 400ul of YPD containing 2% xylose supplemented with ImM MgS0₄ and 200ug/ml of G418. The cultures were grown at 30°C for 48 hrs with 250rpm shaking. At 48 hrs, the cells were spun down at 22°C for lOmins.

[00177] To assay for fermentation, cells were re-suspended in 400ul of YPD containing 4% xylose supplemented with ImM MgS0₄ and 200ug/ml of G418. The plates were sealed with mats and incubated at 30°C with 160 rpm shaking. At 120 hrs, cells were harvested. The residual sugars and ethanol in the supernatant were measured using HPLC, as known in the art (See e.g., DuPont et al, Carbohydr. Polym., 68:1-16 [2007], which is incorporated herein by reference). In some experiments, the residual xylose in the supernatant was measured using a spectrophotometric assay (e.g., Megazyme xylose assay; Cat no. K-XYLOSE) performed according to the manufacture's protocol. As indicated in Figure 8, strains transformed with PLS13352 consumed 1.8 g/L xylose compared to the vector control, which consumed less than 0.6 g/L xylose.

[00178] While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention encompass all such changes and modifications with the scope of the present invention.

[00179] The present invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part(s) of the invention. The invention described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is/are not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation. There is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features described and/or shown or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed invention. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by some preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be utilized by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A recombinant nucleic acid construct comprising a polynucleotide sequence that encodes at least one polypeptide that is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D-xylulose, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from: (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:2; and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

2. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 1, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least about 75%>, at least about 80%>, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, or at least about 95% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2.

3. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 2, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

4. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 2, wherein the polynucleotide sequence encodes a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

5. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, wherein the polynucleotide sequence is at least about about 75%o, at least about 80%o, at least about 85%o, at least about 90%o, or at least about 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:l or SEQ ID NO:3.

6. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, which comprises the polynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: l or SEQ ID NO:3.

7. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim further comprising a genetic element that facilitates stable integration into a fungal host genome.

8. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 7, wherein the genetic element facilitates integration into a fungal host genome by homologous recombination.

9. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, which comprises a fungal origin of replication.

10. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 9, wherein the fungal origin of replication is a yeast origin of replication.

11. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, wherein the polynucleotide sequence is operatively linked to a promoter sequence that is functional in a fungal cell.

12. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 11 , wherein the promoter sequence is a fungal promoter sequence.

13. The nucleic acid construct of Claim 12, wherein the fungal promoter sequence is a yeast promoter sequence.

14. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is operatively linked to a transcription termination sequence that is functional in a fungal cell.

15. The nucleic acid construct of any preceding Claim, wherein the polynucleotide sequence contains codons optimized for expression in a yeast cell.

16. A recombinant fungal host cell comprising at least one polynucleotide sequence that encodes a polypeptide which is capable of catalyzing the isomerization of D-xylose directly to D- xylulose, wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least about 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:2, and (b) a polynucleotide that hybridizes under stringent hybridization conditions to the complement of a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.

17. The host cell of Claim 16, wherein said polynucleotide sequence is a polynucleotide sequence as defined in any of Claims 1-6.

18. The host cell of Claim 17, which comprises a recombinant nucleic acid construct according to any of Claims 1-15.

19. The host cell of any of Claims 16-18, wherein the polynucleotide is integrated into the host cell genome.

20. The host cell of any of Claims 16-19, wherein the host cell is a yeast cell.

21. The host cell of any of Claims 16-20, wherein the host cell has had one or more native genes deleted from its genome.

22. The host cell of Claim 21, wherein the deletion results in one or more phenotypes selected from: increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to low pH, and reduced production of by products, wherein comparison is made with respect to the corresponding host cell without the deletion(s).

23. The host cell of any of Claims 16-22, wherein the host cell is altered to overexpress one or more polynucleotides.

24. The host cell of Claim 23, wherein overexpression results in one or more phenotypes selected from: increased transport of xylose into the host cell, increased xylulose kinase activity, increased flux through the pentose phosphate pathway, decreased sensitivity to catabolite repression, increased tolerance to ethanol, increased tolerance to acetate, increased tolerance to increased osmolarity, increased tolerance to low pH, and reduced product of by products, wherein comparison is made to the corresponding unaltered host cell.

25. The host cell of any of Claims 16-24, wherein the host cell is capable of growth in a xylose-based culture medium.

26. The host cell of Claim 25, wherein the host cell is capable of growth at a rate of at least about 0.2 per hour in a xylose-based culture medium.

27. The host cell of Claim 25, wherein the host cell is capable of fermenting xylose at a rate of at least about 1 g/L/h in a xylose-based culture medium.

28. The host cell of any of Claims 16-27, wherein the host cell is capable of faster growth in a xylose-based culture medium as compared to wildtype Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

29. The host cell of any of Claims 25-28, wherein the xylose-based culture medium is selected from: the product from a cellulosic saccharification process or a hemicellulosic feedstock.

30. A method for producing a fermentation product, wherein the method comprises:

(a) providing the recombinant host cell of any of Claims 16-29;

(b) providing a fermentation medium comprising xylose; and

(c) contacting the fermentation medium with the recombinant fungal host cell under conditions suitable for generating the fermentation product.

31. The method of Claim 30, further comprising (d) recovering the fermentation product.

32. The method of any of Claims 30-31, wherein the fermenting step is carried out under conditions selected from the group consisting of microaerobic or aerobic conditions.

33. The method of any of Claims 30-31, wherein the fermenting step is carried out under anaerobic conditions.

34. The method of any of Claims 30-33, wherein the fermentation product is selected from: alcohols, fatty acids, lactic acid, acetic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, acrylic acid, succinic acid, citric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, amino acids, 1,3 -propanediol, ethylene, glycerol, and β- lactams.

35. The method of Claim 34, wherein the fermentation product is an alcohol selected from ethanol, butanol, and a fatty alcohol.

36. The method of Claim 35, wherein the fermentation product is ethanol.

37. The method of Claim 35, wherein the fermentation product is a fatty alcohol that is a C8- C20 fatty alcohol.

38. The method of any of Claims 30-37, wherein the fermentation medium comprises product from a saccharification process.

39. The method of any of Claims 30-37, wherein the fermentation medium comprises hemicellulosic feedstock.