Endoglucanase II (EGII) of Penicillium janthinellum: cDNA sequence, heterologous expression and promotor analysis.

The cDNA coding for the endoglucanase EGII of P. janthinellum was cloned and sequenced. The open reading frame comprises 1230 nucleotides and the deduced amino-acid sequence shows an overall homology of 63% with the T. reesei egl2. The cellulose-binding domain of EGII represents a typical member of the A family of cellulases. The egl2 gene is only induced by cellulose or cellobiose and not by sophorose. A promotor fragment including 1 kb was cloned and sequenced. Three major transcription startpoints were identified. Five motifs matching the binding site of the carbon-catabolite repressor CREA of A. nidulans were detected. Their potential implication in repression was analyzed by bandshift assays.