Abstract: A novel endoglucanase PPCE derived from Penicillium pinophilum, a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase PPCE, and a method of treating a cellulose-containing fabric utilizing the endoglucanase PPCE or the cellulase preparation, are disclosed. The endoglucanase PPCE is highly active to a fabric, and has a low optimum temperature and a strongly acidic optimum pH.

Abstract: A novel endoglucanase PPCE derived from Penicillium pinophilum, a cellulase preparation containing the endoglucanase PPCE, and a method of treating a cellulose-containing fabric utilizing the endoglucanase PPCE or the cellulase preparation, are disclosed. The endoglucanase PPCE is highly active to a fabric, and has a low optimum temperature and a strongly acidic optimum pH.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for producing substance PF1022 derivatives, in particular PF1022-220 and PF1022-260, by a direct fermentation method, and a transformant to be used for this method. According to the present invention, there is provided a transformant producing substance FF1022 derivatives, which can be obtained by introducing a genes involved in a biosynthetic pathway from chorismic acid to p-aminophenylpyruvic acid, including a papA gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase. which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; a papB gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxyclaismate mutase, which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4; and a papC gene encoding 4-amino-4-deoxyprepbenate dehydrogenase, which gene comprises the DNA sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6, into a phenylalanine auxotrophic host induced from an organism that produces a substance PF1022.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide enzymes that have high endoglucanase activity and yet exhibit high activity even under alkaline conditions, and genes encoding the same. The enzyme according to the invention has the following properties: a) exhibiting endoglucanase activity; and b) capable of completely removing fuzz from regenerated cellulose fabrics at a concentration of 1 mg of the protein/L or below. The enzyme of the invention having endoglucanase activity is a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or 11; a modified protein thereof exhibiting endoglucanase activity; or a homologue of the protein or the modified protein.

Abstract: An expressing system which enables a large amount of production of a protein in Humicola, in particular, Humicola insolens, and particularly host-vector systems and a process for producing a protein using the systems, wherein an expression vector comprising the regulator sequences, i.e., the promoter, the signal sequence, and the terminator, of the cellulase NCE1 gene or NCE2 gene derived from Humicola insolens is constructed and used. The expression vector enables highly efficient production of cellulase NCE4, for example, in Humicola insolens at a rate as high as about 4.5 g or more per one liter of culture.

Abstract: A high-yield production system for proteins and peptides has been established, and especially a high-yield production system for cellulase in Trichoderma viride and similar filamentous fungi. The cellulase cbh1 gene regulator sequence derived from Trichoderma viride gives high expression of target proteins. The regulator sequence can therefore be used for high-yield expression of target proteins, especially cellulase. In particular, 15 g/L of an endoglucanase derived from Humicola insolens was successfully produced with this regulator sequence.

Abstract: A highly active cellulase suitable for use in 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, and its gene are provided. A novel cellulase NCE4 isolated from Humicola insolens is a highly active cellulase, and can be used for various treatments of cellulose-containing fibers.