Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Putative cDNA Encoding Endoglucanase IV from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma Viride</Emphasis> and its Expression in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bombyx Mori</Emphasis>

The development of cellulase production technology has greatly contributed to the successful use of cellulosic materials as renewable carbon sources. In this study, a putative endoglucanase IV (EG IV) complementary DNA was cloned from the mycelium of a strain of the filamentous fungus Trichoderma viride using a PCR-based exon-splicing method and expressed in both a silkworm BmN cell line and in silkworm larvae. Western blot analysis detected a band of 42 kDa in BmN cells after infection with a recombinant mBacmid/BmNPV/EG IV baculovirus. Sequence alignment analysis of the T. viride EG IV gene showed two domains that were highly conserved with glycosyl hydrolases and a funga-type cellulose-binding domain. Analysis of variance showed that silkworms infected with recombinant baculoviruses exhibited significantly higher enzyme activity that was 48.84% higher than silkworms infected with blank baculoviruses and 46.61% higher than normal silkworms. The expressed bioactive EG IV was also stable at the pH range from 5.0 to 10.0. The availability of large quantities of bioactive EG IV in silkworm provided a possibility to produce cellulase transgenic silkworm, which express bioactive cellulase specially in its digestive tract and improve its metabolism efficiency of mulberry leaves. Its application in the sericulture industry may be very promising.