Molecular Study of Cellulase Gene Transcription Regulatory Elements via EMS Mutagenesis in a Novelthermophilic Cellulytic Bacillus sp.

Ebtesam Basheer, Ehab Salman

Abstract: Cellulose is the most common biomass on the globe and is available as huge amounts of agricultural and forestry natural residues. Microbial cellulases are the major enzymes widely used in degrading cellulose. Naturally cellulytic microorganisms need to be induced to increase their cellulytic activity. In this study, EMS chemical mutagen was used to increase cellulytic activity in the novel thermophilic Bacillus sp. isolate isolated from Iraqi soil. Sequencing results of cellulase gene transcription regulatory elements post-EMS mutagenesis showed a change in the nucleotides sequence. This change was accompanied by a significant increase in cellulase quantitative activity and total cellulase activity.

Keywords: Cellulase gene, transcription regulatory element, thermophilic cellulytic Bacillus