Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Enzyme – proenzyme; compositions thereof; process for... – Hydrolase
Patent
1999-03-03
2000-12-12
Prouty, Rebecca E.
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Enzyme , proenzyme; compositions thereof; process for...
Hydrolase
435200, 435263, 435264, 435277, 435278, 4353201, 4352523, 435 891, 536 231, 536 232, C12N 942, C12N 1556, C12S 1100
Patent
active
061597201
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cellulase and a cellulase preparation containing the same, as well as a removal of nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers by using the cellulase or cellulase preparation.
2. Background Art
Cellulose-containing fibers are treated with cellulase to give desired properties to those fibers. For example, in the fiber industry, treatment is performed using cellulase in order to improve the texture and appearance of cellulose-containing fibers, and to give the appearance of being stonewashed to denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers.
In addition, Tencel, a reproduced cellulose fiber that is spun wood pulp-based cellulose dissolved in an organic solvent, has attracted attention in recent years due to properties such as high strength, water absorbing capacity and the like, and its manufacturing method which causes very little environmental contamination. However, since nap is produced during the manufacturing process of Tencel, Tencel has low product value as a fiber if left as is. Therefore, methods for removing nap formed during the manufacturing process by using cellulase have been proposed.
At present, cellulases primarily originating in Trichoderma species and Humicola species of wood-rotting fungi are used for treatment of cellulose-containing fibers. However, a large amount of cellulase is required under the present conditions to demonstrate the desired effect on the fibers.
It is likely that the cost of this processing would be able to be reduced, if it were possible to be able to improve the texture and appearance of cellulose-containing fibers, give the appearance of being stone-washed to denim-dyed cellulose-containing fibers, and remove nap from Tencel by using highly active cellulase in smaller amount than the conventional amount.
Furthermore, an example of a cellulase originating in Humicola, it is shown in WO 91/17243 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 5-509223) that the endoglucanase gene of 43 kD was isolated from Humicola insolens DSM1800 strain, and that its base sequence was determined.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors of the present invention have now isolated from Humicola insolens a novel highly active cellulase and its gene, which can be used extremely advantageously in the treatment of various cellulose-containing fibers. The present invention is based on those findings.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel cellulase and its gene.
Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a process for removing nap of cellulose-containing fibers using a novel cellulase, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers and a process for decoloring denim-dyed, cellulose-containing fibers.
The novel cellulase according to the present invention is a protein or a modified protein having a portion of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1 or a sequence from position 1 to position 284 of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1.
In addition, according to the present invention, there is provided a process for removing nap of cellulose-containing fibers, a process for reducing cellulose-containing fibers, and a process for decoloring denim-dyed, cellulose-containing fibers comprising the step of contacting the protein or modified protein of the present invention with the denim-dyed, cellulose-containing fibers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
E. coli JM109 strain transformed by plasmid pNCE4Sal (see Example A5) containing the cellulase gene according to the present invention has been deposited in the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (1-1-3 Higashi, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan) under accession No. FERM BP-5976 (original deposit: FERM P-15732, date of original deposit: Jul. 12, 1996).
Cellulase and its Gene
The cellulase enzyme according to the present invention
REFERENCES:
patent: 5435809 (1995-07-01), Holst et al.
Charlotte Schou, et al., "Stereochemistry, specificity and kinetics of the hydrolysis of reduced cellodextrins by nine cellulases" Eur. J. Biochem., 1993, vol. 217, p. 947-953.
Aoyagi Kaoru
Hamaya Toru
Koga Jinichiro
Kono Toshiaki
Moriya Tatsuki
Hutson Richard
Meiji Seika Kaisha Ltd.
Prouty Rebecca E.
LandOfFree
Enzyme endoglucanase and cellulase preparations containing the s does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Enzyme endoglucanase and cellulase preparations containing the s, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Enzyme endoglucanase and cellulase preparations containing the s will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-215602