Identification of cellulase genes in Acremonium strictum isolated from Brazilian biome

Explorations of biodiversity in the search for new biocatalysts by selecting microorganisms from plants or animal cells represents a method for discovering new enzymes which may permit the development of bio-catalysis on an industrial scale. Currently, there is great interest in finding microorganism species, which are not yet known as interesting producers of inputs to industry in general, and also in biotechnological processes, which can replace many chemical processes, in terms of production of key products.  This study had as a target the identification of cellulase genes in Acremonium strictum isolated from Brazilian Biome. Initially, 454 sequencing was carried out of the genome of the microorganism under study and the predicted cellulase genes were isolated from cDNA. In 454 sequencing, 2 genes were predicted: the contig 006, that predicts a gene of 2764 bp, which showed 66% identity to the  endoglucanase (Cel74a) of Trichoderma virens when performed BLASTx, and the contig 249, that predicts a gene with 2666 bp, and showed 69% identity to β-glycosidase of Trichoderma reesei. These cellulose genes were isolated, sequenced and cloned in E.coli, using the vector pGEM-T Easy. As a next step of this work, the intention is to express these two enzymes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, aiming the production of 2nd generation bioethanol.