Transgenic plants as an alternative source of lignocellulosic-degrading enzymes

• US 6,818,803 B1
• Filed: 08/12/1999
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Original Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (University of Wisconsin System)
• Inventors: Ziegelhoffer, Thomas, Burgess, Richard R., Austin-Phillips, Sandra, German, Thomas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): EPPS -SMITH, JANET L
• Application Number:
  US09/373,272
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 800/278, 800/284, 800/317.3, 536/23.1, 536/23.74, 435/69.1, 435/70.1, 435/468, 435/469, 435/410, 435/414
• US Class Current: 800/278
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8242 with non-agronomic quality (output) traits, e.g. for industrial processing; Value added, non-agronomic traits
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8246 Non-starch polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, fructans, levans
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8257 for the production of primary gene products, e.g. pharmaceutical products, interferon
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 9/2437 Cellulases (3.2.1.4; 3.2.1.74; 3.2.1.91; 3.2.1.150)
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01004 Cellulase (3.2.1.4), i.e. endo-1,4-beta-glucanase
• CPC Class Codes: C12Y 302/01091 Cellulose 1,4-beta-cellobiosidase (3.2.1.91)

Abstract

Transgenic plants which express cellulose-degrading enzymes, methods to make the transgenic plants, and methods to use the cellulose-degrading enzymes produced by the transgenic plants are disclosed.

Claims

1. A genetically recombinant tobacco or alfalfa plant which is stably transformed to contain and express a gene sequence which encodes T. fusca cellulase E2.

3. The genetically recombinant plant of claim 1, which is alfalfa.

4. The genetically recombinant plant of claim 1, which is tobacco.

5. A method for producing cellulose-degrading enzymes comprising cultivating a genetically recombinant plant according to claim 1.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising concentrating the cellulose-degrading enzymes.

7. A method of ensilement comprising ensiling a plant according to claim 1, whereby cellulose-degrading enzymes produced by the plant increase nutritional value of silage.

2. A genetically recombinant tobacco or alfalfa plant which is stably transformed to contain and express a gene sequence which encodes T. fusca cellulase E3.

8. The genetically recombinant plant of claim 2, which is alfalfa.

9. The genetically recombinant plant of claim 2, which is tobacco.

10. A method for producing cellulose-degrading enzymes comprising cultivating a genetically recombinant plant according to claim 2.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising concentrating the cellulose-degrading enzymes.

12. A method of ensilement comprising ensiling a plant according to claim 2, whereby cellulose-degrading enzymes produced by the plant increase nutritional value of silage.