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Journal of Integrative Agriculture  2016, Vol. 15 Issue (4): 855-861    DOI: 10.1016/S2095-3119(15)61144-3
Animal Science · Veterinary Science Advanced Online Publication | Current Issue | Archive | Adv Search |
Screening and characterization of a novel ruminal cellulase gene (Umcel-1) from a metagenomic library of gayal (Bos frontalis)
LI Bi-feng1*, ZHU Ya-xin2*, GU Zhao-bing1*, CHEN Yuan3, LENG Jing1, GOU Xiao1, FENG Li1, LI Qing1, XI Dong-mei1, MAO Hua-ming1, YANG Shu-Li1
1 Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, P.R.China
2 Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R.China
3 Department of Biological Science, Huizhou University, Huizhou 560001, P.R.China
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摘要  Gayal is a rare semi-wild bovine species found in the Indo-China. They can graze grasses, including bamboo leaves, as well as reeds and other plant species, and grow to higher mature live weights than Yunnan Yellow cattle maintained in similar harsh environments. The aim of this study was to identify specific cellulase in the gayal rumen. A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA isolated from the ruminal contents of four adult gayals. This library contained 38 400 clones with an average insert size of 35.5 kb. The Umcel-1 gene was isolated from this library. Investigation of the cellulase activity of 24 random clones led to the identification of the Umcel-1 gene, which exhibited the most potent cellulase activity. Sequencing the Umcel-1 gene revealed that it contained an open reading frame of 942 base pairs that encoded a product of 313 amino acids. The putative gene Umcel-1 product belonged to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and showed the highest homology to the cellulase (GenBank accession no. YP_004310852.1) from Clostridium lentocellum DSM 5427, with 44% identity and 62% similarity. The Umcel-1 gene was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and recombinant Umcel-1 was purified. The activity of purified recombinant Umcel-1 was assessed, and the results revealed that it hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose with optimal activity at pH 5.5 and 45°C. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence for a cellulase produced by bacteria in gayal rumen.

Abstract  Gayal is a rare semi-wild bovine species found in the Indo-China. They can graze grasses, including bamboo leaves, as well as reeds and other plant species, and grow to higher mature live weights than Yunnan Yellow cattle maintained in similar harsh environments. The aim of this study was to identify specific cellulase in the gayal rumen. A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed using genomic DNA isolated from the ruminal contents of four adult gayals. This library contained 38 400 clones with an average insert size of 35.5 kb. The Umcel-1 gene was isolated from this library. Investigation of the cellulase activity of 24 random clones led to the identification of the Umcel-1 gene, which exhibited the most potent cellulase activity. Sequencing the Umcel-1 gene revealed that it contained an open reading frame of 942 base pairs that encoded a product of 313 amino acids. The putative gene Umcel-1 product belonged to the glycosyl hydrolase family 5 and showed the highest homology to the cellulase (GenBank accession no. YP_004310852.1) from Clostridium lentocellum DSM 5427, with 44% identity and 62% similarity. The Umcel-1 gene was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and recombinant Umcel-1 was purified. The activity of purified recombinant Umcel-1 was assessed, and the results revealed that it hydrolyzed carboxymethyl cellulose with optimal activity at pH 5.5 and 45°C. To our knowledge, this study provides the first evidence for a cellulase produced by bacteria in gayal rumen.
Keywords:  gayal       ruminal microorganism        fosmid library        Umcel-1 gene        gene expression        cellulase activity  
Received: 31 March 2015   Accepted:
Fund: 

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31160467, 31360562, 31160449 and 31260543).

Corresponding Authors:  YANG Shu-li, Mobile: +86-13759115322, E-mail: yangshuli77@163.com     E-mail:  yangshuli77@163.com
About author:  LI Bi-feng, E-mail: ynjsclbf@163.com

Cite this article: 

LI Bi-feng, ZHU Ya-xin, GU Zhao-bing, CHEN Yuan, LENG Jing, GOU Xiao, FENG Li, LI Qing, XI Dong-mei, MAO Hua-ming, YANG Shu-Li. 2016. Screening and characterization of a novel ruminal cellulase gene (Umcel-1) from a metagenomic library of gayal (Bos frontalis). Journal of Integrative Agriculture, 15(4): 855-861.

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