AU2015210488B2

AU2015210488B2 - Xylanases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for making and using them

Info

Publication number: AU2015210488B2
Application number: AU2015210488A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Blum; Walter Callen; Alireza Esteghlalian; Geoff Hazlewood; Shaun Healey; Brian Steer; Di Wu
Original assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
Current assignee: BP Corp North America Inc
Priority date: 2002-06-14
Filing date: 2015-08-10
Publication date: 2017-10-12
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-16
Also published as: AU2015210488A1

Abstract

The invention relates to xylanases and to polynucleotides encoding the xylanases. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and 5 temperature.

Description

XYLANASES, NUCLEIC ACIDS ENCODING THEM AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING

THEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of US provisional application no 60/387,299, filed June 14, 2001, The aforementioned application is explicitly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

This application is a divisional application of Australian patent application no 2008201402, which is a divisional of AU 2003251549, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides and more specifically to enzymes having xylanase activity, e.g. catalysing hydrolysis of internal p-l,4-xylosidic linkages or endo- p-l,4-glucanase linkages.

BACKGROUND

Xyianases (e.g. endo-1,4-beta-xylanase, EC 3.2.1.8) hydrolyse internal P-l,4-xyIosidic linkages in xylan to produce smaller molecular weight xylose and xylo-oligomers. Xylans and polysaccharides formed from 1,4-p-glycoside-linked D-xylopyranoses. Xyianases are of considerable commercial value, being used in the food industry, for baking and fruit and vegetable processing, breakdown of agricultural waste, in the manufacture of animal feed and in pulp and paper production. Xyianases are formed by fungi and bacteria.

Arabinoxylanase are major non-starch polysaccharides of cereals representing 2.5 - 7.1% w/w depending on variety and growth conditions. The physiochemical properties of this polysaccharide are such that it gives rise to viscous solutions or even gels under oxidative conditions. In addition, arabinoxylans have high water-binding capacity and may have a role in protein foam stability. All of these characteristics present problems for several industries including brewing, baking, animal nutrition and paper manufacturing. In brewing applications, the presence of xylan results in word filterability and haze formation issues. In baking applications (especially for cookies and crackers), these arabinoxylans create sticky doughs that are difficult to machine and reduce biscuit size. In addition, this carbohydrate is implicated in rapid rehydration of the baked product resulting in loss of crispiness and reduced shelf-life. For monogastrie animal feed applications with cereal diets, arabinoxylan is a major contributing factor to viscosity of gut contents and thereby adversely affects the digestibility of the feed and animal growth rate. For ruminant animals, these polysaccharides represent substantial components of fiber intake and more complete digestion of arabinoxylans would facilitate higher feed conversion efficiencies.

Xylanases are currently used as additives (dough conditioners) in dough processing for the hydrolysis of water soluble arabinoxylan. In baking applications (especially for cookies and crackers), arabinoxylan creates sticky doughs that are difficult to machine and reduce biscuit size. In addition, this carbohydrate is implicated in rapid rehydration of the baked product resulting in loss of crispiness and reduced shelf-life.

The enhancement of xylan digestion in animal feed may improve the availability and digestibility of valuable carbohydrate and protein feed nutrients. For monogastric animal feed applications with cereal diets, arabinoxylan is a major contributing factor to viscosity of gut contents and thereby adversely affects the digestibility of the feed and animal growth rate. For ruminant animals, these polysaccharides represent substantial components of fiber intake and more complete digestion would facilitate higher feed conversion efficiencies. It is desirable for animal feed xylanases to be active in the animal stomach. This requires a feed enzyme to have high activity at 37 °C and at low pH for monogastrics (pH 2-4) and near neutral pH for ruminants (pH 6.5-7). The enzyme should also possess resistance to animal got xylanases and stability at the higher temperatures involved in feed pelleting. As such, there is a need in the art for xylanase feed additives for monogastric feed with high specific activity, activity at 35-40°C and pH 2-4, half life greater than 30 minutes in SGF and a half-life > 5 minutes at 85°C in formulated state. For ruminant feed, there is a need &r xylanase feed additives that have a high specific activity, activity at 35- · 40°C and pH 6.5-7.0, half life greater than 30 minutes in SRF and stability as a concentrated dry powder.

Xylanases are also used in a number of other applications. For example, xylanases are used in improving the quality and quantity of milk protean production in lactating cows (see, for example, Rung, L., etal, J. Dairy Science. 2000 Jan 83:115-122), increasing the amount of soluble saccharides in the stomach and small intestine of pigs (see, for example, van derMeulen, J. et ah Arch. Tieremahr. 200154:101-115), mqnovinglate egg production efficiency and egg yields in hens (see, for example, Jaroni, D., et al, Poult Sci., 1999 June 78:841-847). Additionally, xylanases have been shown to be useful in biobleaching and treatment of chemical pulps (see, for'example, U.S. Pat No. 5,202,249), biobleaching and treatment of wood or paper pulps (see, for example, U.S. Pat Nos. 5,179,021,5,116,746,5,407,827,5,405,769,5,395,765,5,369,024,5,457,045,5,434,071, 5*498,534,5,591304,5,545,686,5,725,732,5,759,840,5,834,301,5,871,730 and 6,057,438) in redncdng lignin in wood and modifying wood (see, for example, IIS. Pat Nos. 5,486,468 and 5,770,012) as flour, dough and bread improvers (see, for example, U.S. Pat Nos. 5,108,765 and 5,306,633) as feed additives and/or supplements, as set forth above (see, for example, U.S. Pat Nos. 5,432,074,5,429,828,5,612,055,5,720,971,5,981,233,5,948,667, 6,099,844,6,132,727 and 6,132,716), in manufacturing cellulose solutions (see, for example, U.S. Pat No.5,760,211). Detergent compositions having xylanase activity are used for Suit, vegetables and/or mud and clay compounds (see, for example, U.S. Pat No. 5,786,316).

Xylaaases are also useful in a method of use and composition of a caibohydrase and/or a xylanase for the manufacture of an agent for the treatments and/or prophylaxis of coccidiosis. The manufactured agent can be in the form of a cereal-based animal feed, (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,678) Additional uses for xylanases include use in the production of water soluble dietary fiber (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,738), in improving the filterability, separation and production of starch (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,960,705 and 5,023,176), in the beverage industry in improving filterability of wort or beer (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,517), in an enzyme composition for promoting the secretion of milk of livestock and improving the quality of the milk (see, for example, U.S. Pat No. 4,144354), in reducing viscosity of plant material (see, for example, U.S. Pat No. 5,874,274), in increasing viscosity or gel strength of food products such as jam, marmalade, jelly, juice, paste, soup, salsa, etc. (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,981). Xylanases may also be used in hydrolysis of hemicelMose for which it is selective, particularly in the presence of cellulose. Additionally,· the cellulase rich retentate is suitable for the hydrolysis of cellulose (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,544).

Various uses of xylanases include the production of ethanol (see, for example;, PCT Application Nos. W00043496 and W08100857), in transformation of a microbe that produces ethanol (see, for examples, PCT Application No. W099/46362), in production of oenological tannins and enzymatic composition (see, for example, PCT Application No. WO0164830), in stimulating the natural defenses ofplants (see, for example, PCT Application No. W00130161), in production of sugars from hemicellulose substrates (see, for example, PCT Application No. WO9203541), in the cleaning of Suit, vegetables, mud or clay containing soils (see, for example, PCT Application No. W09613568), in cleaning beer filtration membranes (see, for example, PCT Application No. W09623579), in a method of killing or inhibiting microbial cells (see, for example, PCT Application No. W09732480) and in determining the characteristics of process waters from wood pulp bleaching by using the ratios of two UV absorption measurements and comparing the spectra (see, for example, PCT Application No. W09840721). "With regard to xylanases used in the paper mid pulp industry, xylanases have been isolated firm many sources, hi particular, see U.S. Patents No. 6,083,733 and 6,140,095 and 6,346,407. In particular, it is noted that U.S. Patents No. 6,140,095 addresses alkali-tolerant xylanases. However, it is noted that there remains a need in the art for xylanases to be used in the paper and pulp industry where the enzyme is active in the temperature range of 65°C to 75°C and at a pH of approximately 10. Additionally, an enzyme of the invention useful in tire paper and pulp industry would decrease the need for bleaching chemicals, such as chlorine dioxide.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising a nucleic add sequence having at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary nucleic acid of the mvention, e.g., SEQEDNO:!, SEQID NO:3, SBQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:ll, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID N031, SEQID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ Π) NO:37, SEQ ID N039, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID N0:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID N0:53, SEQ ID N0:55, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ IDNO:63, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID N0:75, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:El, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ IDNO:85, SEQ IDNO:87, SEQ ID N0:89, SEQ ID NO:9l, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID NO:95, SEQ ID N0:97, SEQ E>.N0:99, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID · NO: 103, SEQ ID NO:10S, SEQID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NOrlll, SEQ Π) NO: 113, SEQ3DNO:115, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID N0:119, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID NO:125, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO: 139, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO: 143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO: 153, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO;157, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID NO:161, SBQ ID NO:163, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO:167, SBQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID NO:171, SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:175, SEQ ID NO:177, SEQ ID N0:179, SEQ ID N0:1S1, SEQ ID NO: 183, SEQ ID NO:185, SEQ ID NO:187, SEQ ID NO:189, SEQ ID NO:191, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO:195, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ 3D NO:199, SEQ ID NO:201, SEQ ID NO:203, SEQ ID NO205, SEQ ID NO207, SEQ ID NO:209, SEQ ID NO:211, SEQ ED N0213, SEQ ID NO:21S, SEQ ID N0217, SEQ ID NO:219, SEQ ID NO:221, SEQ ED N0.223, SEQ ID NO:225, SEQ ID NO:227, SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ Π> NO:231, SEQ ID NO:233, SEQ ED N0335, SEQ ID NO:237, SEQ 3GD NO:239, SEQ ID N0241, SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ IDNO:245, SEQ ID NO:247, SEQ ED NO:249, SEQ ED NO:251, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ED NO:259, SEQ Π> NO:261, SEQ ID NO:263, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQ ED NO:267, SEQ 3D NO:269, SEQ ED N0271, SEQ ED NO:273, SEQ ID NO:275, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID NO:281, SEQ ED NO:283, SEQ ID N0285, SEQ ID NO:287, SBQ ID NO:289, SEQ ED NO:291, SEQ ED NO:293, SEQ ED NO:295, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ED NO:299, SEQ ED NO:301, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:305, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:309, SEQ ID NO:311, SEQ ID NO:313, SEQ 3D NO:315, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ 3D NO:319, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ED N0325, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQ ID NO:329, SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ 3D NO:335, SEQ 3D NO:337, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQ 3D NO:341, SEQ ID NO:343, SEQ ID NO:345, SEQ 3D NO:347, SEQ ED NO:349, SEQ 3D NO:351, SEQ ID NO:353, SEQ ED NO:355, SEQ ED NO:357, SEQ ID NO:359, SEQ ID NO-361, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQ ID N0365, SEQ ED NO:367, SEQ ID N0.369, SEQEDN0371, SEQ ID NO:373, SEQ ID NO:375, SEQ ID NO:377 or SEQ 3D NO:379, oyer a region of at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,75,100,150,200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550, 600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150,1200,1250,1300,1350, 1400,1450,1500,1550,1600,1650,1700,1750,1800,1850,1900,1950,2000,2050,2100, 2200,2250,2300,2350,2400,2450,2500, or more residues, encodes at least one polypeptide having a xylamse activity, and tile sequence identities are determined by analysis with a sequence comparison algorithm or by a visual inspection.

Exemplary nucleic adds of the invention also include isolated or recombinant nucleic adds encoding a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO;2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ©NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ©NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID N0:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NQ:38, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ © NO:56, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO;(52, SEQ ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:76, SEQ ID NO:78, SEQ ED NO:80, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:S6, SEQ ID NO:88, SEQ ID NO:90, SEQ Π> NO:92, SEQ ED NO:94, SEQ ©NO:96, SEQ ID NO:98, SEQ ID NOrlOO, SEQ ID NO:102, , SEQ ID NO:104, SEQ ID NO:106, SEQ ID NO:108, SEQ ID NOrllO, SEQ ID NO:112, SEQ © NO:l 14, SEQ ID NO: 116, SEQ ID NO:118, SEQ ID NO:120, SEQ ID NO:122, SEQ ED NO: 124, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID NO:130, SEQ ID NO:132; SEQ ID NO: 134; SEQ ED NO:136; SEQ ID NO:138; SEQ ID NO:140; SEQ ID NO:142; SEQ ID NO: 144; NO:146, SEQ ED NO:148, SEQ ED NO:150, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO: 154, SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ED NO:160, SEQ 3D NO:162, SEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO:166, SEQ ID NO:16S, SEQ ID NO:170, SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:174, SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID NO:178, SEQ ID NO:180, SEQ ID NO:182, SEQ© NO:184, SEQ ©NO:186, SEQ© NO:188, SEQ © NO:190, SEQ © NO:192, SEQ © NO:194, SEQ © NO:196, SEQ © NO:198, SEQ © NO:200, SEQ © NO:202, SEQ © NO-.204, SEQ © NO206, SEQ © NO:208, SEQ © NO210, SEQ © NO:212, SEQ © N0214, SEQ © N0216, SEQ©NO:218, SEQ©NO:220, SEQ©NO:222, SEQ© NO:224, SEQ © N0226, SEQ © NO:228, SEQ © NO;230, SBQ©NO:232, SEQ© N0234, SEQ © N0236, SEQ © NO:238, SEQ © NO240, SEQ © NO:242, SEQ © NO:244, SEQ © NO:246, SEQ © NO:248, SEQ © NO:250, SEQ © N0252, SEQ © N0254, SEQ © N0256, SEQ © N0258, SEQ © NO260, SEQ © NO:262, SEQ © NO*264, SEQ © NO:266, SEQ © NO:268, SEQ © NO:270, SEQ © N0272, SEQ © NO:274, SEQ © NO:276, SEQ © NO:278, SEQ © NO280, SEQ © NO:282, SEQ © NO:284, SEQ © NO:286, SEQ © NO:288, SEQ © NO290, SEQ © N0292, SEQ ©. N0294, SEQ© N0296, SEQ © NO:298, SEQ © N0:300, SEQ © NO:302,.SEQ © NO:304, SEQ©NO:306, SEQ ©NO:308, SEQ © NO:310, SEQ © NO:312, SEQ © NO:314, SEQ © NO:316, SEQ © NO:318, SEQ © NO:320, SEQ © NO:322, SEQ © NO:324, SEQ © NO:326, SEQ © NO:328, SEQ © NO:330, SEQ © NO:332, SEQ © NO:334, SEQ H> NO:336, SEQ ID NO:338, SEQ ID NO:340, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:348, SEQ ID NO:350, SEQ ID NO:352, SEQ ID NO:354, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID NO:358, SEQ ID NO:360, SEQ ED NO:362, SEQ ID NO:364, SEQ ID NO:366, SEQ IDNO:368, SEQ ID NO:370, SEQ ID NO:372, SEQ ID NO:374, SEQ ID NO:376, SEQ ID NO:378 or SEQ ID NO380, and subsequences thereof and variants thereof. In one aspect, the polypeptide has a xylanase activity.

In one aspect, the invention also provides xylanase-mcoding nucleic adds with a common novelty in that they are derived from mixed cultures. The invention provides xylanase-encoding nucleic adds isolated from mixed cultures comprising a nucleic add sequence having at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary nucleic add of the invention, e.g., SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ED NO:9, SEQ ID NO:ll, SEQ ID NO:l3, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ED NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:5l, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ED NO:67, · SEQ ED NO:69, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ Π> NO;77, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:8l, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:87, SEQ ED NO:89, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID NO:95, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ ID NO:99, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ BDNO:103, SEQ ID NO:105, SEQ ID NO;107, SEQ ED NO:109, SEQ ID NO:lll, SEQ IDNO:113, SEQ ID NO:115, SEQ ED NO:117, SEQ ID NO:119, SEQ ID NO: 121, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID N0.125, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID N0.131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID N0:137, SEQ ED NO:139, SEQ ID NO: 141, SEQ ED NO:143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ Π>ΝΟ:Ι53, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ ED NO:199, SEQ ID NO:161, SEQ IDNO:163, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ Π>ΝΟ:167, SEQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID NO:171, SEQ JB NO:173, SEQ ID NO.T75, SEQ ID NO:177, SEQ ED NO:179, SEQ ID NO:181, SEQ ID NO:183, SEQ ID NO:185, SEQ ED NO:187, SEQ ID NO:189, SEQ ID NO:191, SEQ ED NO:193, SEQ ID NO:X95, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ ID NO:l 99, SEQ ID NO:201, SEQ ID NO:203, SEQ ID NO205, SEQ ED NO:207, SEQ ED NO:209, SEQ ID HO:2H5SEQ ID NO:213, SEQ ID NO:215, SEQ ID N0:217, SEQ ID N0319, SEQ ID 140:221, SEQEDNO:223, SEQIDNO:225, SEQEDNO:227, SEQIDNO:229, SEQ ID NO:231, SEQ ID NO:233, SEQ ID N0235, SEQ ID NO:237, SEQ ID NO;239, SEQ ID NO:241, SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ ID NO:245, SEQ DDNO:247, SEQ ID NO:249, SEQ ID NO:251, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO;257, SEQ ID NO:259, SEQ ID NO:261, SEQ ID NO:263, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQIDN0:267, SEQ ID NO:269, SEQ ID NO-.271, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO:275, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID N0281, SEQ ID NO*283, SEQ ID ΝΟώ85, SEQ ED NO:287, SEQ ID NO:289, SEQ ID NO:291, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID NO:295, SEQ ED NO:297, SEQ Π) N0299, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:305, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:3Q9, SEQ ID N0311, SEQEDNO:313, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ ID NO^ 19, SEQ ID NO-321, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID N0325, SEQ ED NO:327, SEQ IDN0329, SEQ ID N0331, SEQ ID N0333, SEQ ID N0335, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID N0339, SEQ ID N0341, SEQ ID N0343, SEQ ID N0345, SEQ ID N0347, SEQ Π>ΝΟ:349, SEQ ID NO:351, SEQ ID N0353, SEQ ID NO:355, SEQ ED N0357, SEQ ID N0359, SEQ ED ' N0361, SEQ ED NO:363, SEQ ID N0365, SEQ ID NO:367, SEQ Π) N0369, SEQ ED ? N0371, SEQ ED N0373, SEQ ED N0375, SEQ ID NO:377 or SEQ ID N0379, over a region of at least about 50,75,100,150,200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600,650, 700,750,800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150, or more.

In one aspect, the invention also provides xylanase-encoding nucleic acids with a common novelty in that they are derived from an environmental source, e.g., mixed environmental sources, a bacterial source and/or an archaeal source, see Table 3, below. In one aspect, the invention provides xylanase-encoding nucleic adds isolated from an environmental source, e.g., a mixed environmental source, a bacterial source and/or an archaeal source, comprising a nucleic acid sequence having at least about 10,15,20,25,30, 35,40,45,50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary nucleic add of the invention over a region of at least about 50,75,100,150,200,250,300, 350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150, 1200 or more, residues, wherein the nucleic add encodes at least one polypeptide having a xylanase activity, and the sequence identities are determined by analysis with a sequence comparison algorithm or by a visual inspection.

In one aspect* tie invention also provides xylanase-encoding nucleic acids •with a common novelty in that they are derived from a common glycosidase family* e.g., family 5,6,8,10,11* 26 or 30, as set forth in Table 5, below.

In one aspect, the sequence comparison algorithm is a BLAST version 2.2.2 algorithm where a filtering setting is set to blastall -p blastp -d "nr pataa” -F F, and all other options axe set to default

Another aspect of the invention is an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid including at least 10 consecutive bases of a nucleic acid sequence of the invention, sequences substantially identical thereto, and die sequences complementary thereto.

In one aspect* the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of internal P-l,4-xylosidic linkages. In one aspect* the xylanase activity comprises an endo-l,4-beta-xylanase activity.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing a Xylan to produce a smaller molecular weight xylose and xylo-oligomer. Ια one aspect; the xylan comprises an. arabinoxylan, such as a water soluble arabinoxylan. The water soluble arabinoxylan can comprise a dough or a bread product

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing polysaccharides comprising 1 ^p-glycoside-linked D-xjdopyranoses. In one aspect* the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing hemicdluloses. In one aspect* the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in a wood or paper pulp or a paper product In one aspect, the invention provides methods for reducing lignin in a wood or wood product comprising contacting the wood or wood product with a polypeptide of the invention.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of xylans in a beverage or a feed or a food product The feed or food product can comprise a cereal-based animal feed, a wort or a beer, a milk or a milk product, a fruit or a vegetable. In one aspect, the invention provides a food, feed or beverage or a beverage precursor comprising a polypeptide of the invention. The food can be a dough or a bread product The beverage or a beverage precursor can be a beer or a wort

In one aspect; the invention provides methods of dough conditioning comprising contacting a dough or a bread product with at least one polypeptide of the invention under conditions sufficient for conditionrng the dough, hi one aspect, the invention · provides methods of beverage production comprising administration of at least one polypeptide of the invention to a beverage or a beverage precursor under conditions sufficient for decreasing the viscosity of the beverage.

Ia one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of xylans in a ceil, e.g., a plant cell or a microbial cell. Ια one aspect, the isolated or recombinant nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide having a xylanase activity that is thermostable. The polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity under conditions comprising a temperature range of between about 3TC to about 95°C; between about 55°C to about 85°C, between about 70°C to about 95°C, or, between about 90°C to about 95°C. in another aspect, the isolated or recombinant nucleic add encodes a polypeptide having a xylanase activity that is thsnnotolerant The polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to a temperature in the range from greater than 37°C to about 95°C or anywhere in the range from greater than 55°C to about 85°C. The polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to a temperature in the range between about 1°C to about 5°C, between about 5°C to about 15°C, between about 15°C to about 25°C, between . about 25eC to about 3TC, between about 37°C to about 95°C, between about 55°C to about 85° C, between about 70°C to about 75°C, or between about 90°C to about 95°C, car more. In one aspect, the polypeptide retains a xylanase activity after exposure to a temperature in the > range from greater than 90°C to about 95°C at pH 4.5.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising a sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic add comprising a sequence ; of toe invention, e.g., a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:l 1, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ IDNO:19, SEQ IDNO:21, SEQ IDNO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID NO:35, SEQ ID NO:37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQ ID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID NO:57, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:6l, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ Π> NO:81, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQIDNO:87, SEQ IDNO:89, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID NO:93, SBQ ID NO:95, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ IDNO:99, SEQ ID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:103, SEQ ID NO: 105, SEQΠ> NO:107, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NO:l 11, SEQ ID NO:113, SEQ ID NO:115, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ED NO:I19, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ ID NO: 125, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ IDNO:137, SEQ ID NO:139, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQID NO:157, SEQID NO:159, SEQID N0:161, SEQ ID NO:163, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ Π>ΝΟ:167, SEQ ID NO-.169, SEQ ID Ν0Λ7Ι, SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:175, SEQ IDNO:177, SEQ ID NO:179, SEQ ID N0:181, SEQ ID NO:183, SEQ ID NO;185, SEQID NO:187,SBQID NO:189, SEQ ID N0:191, SEQ ID NO: 193, SEQ ID NO:195, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID NO201, SEQ ID NO:203, SEQ ID NO:205, SEQ ID NO:207, SEQ ID NO:209, SEQ ID NOSH, SEQ Π) N0213, SEQ ID NO:215, SEQ ID NO:217, SEQ ID NO:219, SEQ ID NO:221, SEQ ID NO:223, SEQ ID NO:225, SEQ ID N0227, SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID N0231, SEQ ID NO:233, SEQ ID · NO:235, SEQ ID NO'237, SEQ ID NO:239, SEQ Ε) N0241, SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ ID NO:245, SEQ ID NO-247, SEQ ID NO:249, SEQ ID N0251, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ID N0259, SEQ ID NO:261, SEQ ID N0263, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQ ID N0267, SEQ ID N0269, SEQ ID N0271, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO:275, SEQ ID N0277, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID N0281, SEQ ID N0283, SEQ ID N0285, SEQ ID N0287, SEQ ID N0289, SEQ ID NO:291, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID NO.-295, SEQ ID N0297, SEQ Ε) N0299, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:305,SEQ3DNO:307, SEQIDNO:309, SEQE>N0:311, SEQIDNO:313, SEQ ID NO;315, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQID NO:319, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID NO:325, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQID NO:329, SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ ID NO:335, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQIDNO:341, SEQIDNO:343, SEQID NO:345, SEQ IDNO:347, SEQID N0349, SEQ IDNO:351, SEQID NO:353, SEQ ID NO:355, SEQ ID NO:357, SEQ ID NO:359, SEQ ID N0261, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQ ID NO:365, SEQ ID N0367, SEQ ID NO:369, SEQ ID NO:371, SEQID N0373, SEQ ID NO:375, SEQ ID NO:377 or SEQ ID NO:379, or fragments or subsequences thereof In one aspect, the nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide having a xylanase activity. The nucleic acid can be at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,75,100,150,200,250,300,350,400, 450,500,550,600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150,1200 or more residues in length or the full length of the gene or transcript In one aspect, the stringent conditions include a wash step comprising a wash in 02X SSC at a temperature of about 65°C for about 15 minutes.

The invention provides a middc add probe for identifying a nucleic add encodings polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein the probe comprises at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80,85,90,95,100,150,200,250,300, 350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000 or more, consecutive bases of a sequence comprising a sequence of the invention, or fragments or subsequences thereof, wherern the probe identifies the nucleic add by binding ox hybridization. The probe can comprise an oEgonucleotide comprising at least about 10 to 50» about 20 to 60, about 30 to 70, about 40 to E0, or about 60 to 100 consecutive bases of a sequence comprising a sequence of the invention, or fragments ox subsequences thereof

The invention provides a nucleic add probe for identifying a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein tire probe comprises a nucleic add comprising a sequence at least about 10,15,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100» 150,200, 250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000 or more residues having at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to a nucleic add of tire invention, wherein the sequence identities are determined by analysis with a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection.

The probe can comprise an oligonucleotide comprising at least about 10 to 50, about 20 to 60, about 30 to 70, about 40 to 80, or about 60 to 100 consecutive bases of a nucleic add sequence of the invention, or a subsequence thereof

The invention provides an amplification primer pair for amplifying a nucleic add encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein the primer pair is capable of' amplifying a nucleic acid comprising a sequence of the invention, or fragments or subsequences thereof. One or each member of the amplification primer sequence pair can comprise an oligonucleotide comprising at least about 10 to 50 consecutive bases of the sequence, or about 12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22» 23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 or more consecutive bases of the sequence.

The invention provides amplification primer pairs, wherein the primer pair comprises a first member having a sequence as set forth by about the first (the 5’) 12,13,14, 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 or more residues of a nucleic add of the invention, and a second member having a sequence as set forth by about the first (the 5’) 12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30 or more residues of the complementary strand of the first member.

The invention provides xylanase-eocoding nucleic adds generated by amplification, e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), rising an amplification primer pair of the invention. The invention provides xylanases generated by amplification, e.g, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using an amplification primer pair of the invention. The invention provides methods of making a xylanase by amplification, e.g., polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using an amplification primer pair of the invention. la one aspect, the amplification primer pair amplifies a nucleic acid from a library, e.g., a gene library, such as an environmental library.

The invention provides methods of amplifying a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity comprising amplification of a template nucleic add with an amplification primer sequence pair capable of amplifying a nucleic add sequence of the invention, or fragments or subsequences thereof.

The invention provides expression cassettes comprising a nucleic add of the invention or a subsequence thereof. In one aspect, the expression cassette can comprise the nuddc acid that is operably linked to a promoter. The promoter can be a viral, bacterial, mammalian or plant promoter. In one aspect, the plant promoter can be a potato, rice, com, wheat, tobacco or barley promoter. The promoter can be a constitutive promoter. The constitutive promoter can comprise CaMV35S. In another aspect, the promoter can be an indndble promoter. In one aspect, the promoter can be a tissue-spedfic promoter or an environmentally regulated or a developmeataJly regulated promoter. Thus, the promoter can be, e.g., a seed-specific, a leaf-spedfic, a root-specific, a stem-specific or an abscission-induced promoter. In one aspect, the expression cassette can further comprise a plant or plant virus expression vector.

The invention provides cloning vehicles comprising an expression cassette (e.g., a vector) of the invention or a nucleic add of the invention. The cloning vehicle can be a viral vector, aplasmid, a phage, aphagemid, a cosraid, a fosnrid, a bacteriophage or an artificial chromosome. The viral vector can comprise an adenovirus vector, a retroviral vector or an adeno-assodated viral vector. The cloning vehicle can comprise a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC), aplasmid, a bacteriophage PI-derived vector (PAC), a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC), or a mammalian artifidal chromosome (MAC).

The invention, provides transformed cell comprising a nucleic add of the invention or an expression cassette (e.g„ a vector) of the invention, or a cloning vehicle of the invention. In one aspect, the transformed cell can be a bacterial cell, a mammalian cell, a fungal cell, a yeast cell, an insect cell or a plant cell. Jn one aspect, the plant cell can be a cereal, a potato, wheat,· rice, com, tobacco or barley cell.

The invention provides transgenic non-human animals comprising a nucleic add of the invention or an expression cassette (e.g., a vector) of the invention. In one aspect, the animal is a mouse.

The invention provides transgenic plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention or an expression cassette (e.g., a vector) of the invention. The transgenic plant can be a cereal plant, a com plant, a potato plant; a tomato plant, a wheat plant, an oilseed plant, a rapeseed plant, a soybean plant, a rice plant, a barley plant or a tobacco plant.

The invention provides transgenic seeds comprising a nucleic acid of the invention or an expression cassette (e.g., a vector) of the invention- The transgenic seed can be a cereal plant, a com seed, a wheat kernel, an oilseed, a rapeseed, a soybean seed, a palm kernel, a sunflower seed, a sesame seed, a peanut or a tobacco plant seed.

The invention provides an antisense oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence complementary to or capable of hybridizing tinder stringent conditions to a nucleic acid of the invention. The invention provides methods of inhibiting the translation of a xylanase message in a cell comprising administering to the cell or expressing in the cell an antisense oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic arid sequence complementary to or capableof hybridizing under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid of the invention. In one aspect, the antisense ohgcmucleotide is between about 10 to 50, about 20 to 60, about 30 to 70, about 40 to BO, or about 60 to 100 bases in length.

The invention, provides methods of inhibiting the translation of a xylanase message in a cell comprising administering to the cell or expressing in the cell an antisense oligonucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence complementary to or capable of hybridizing under stringent conditions to a nucleic arid of the invention. The invention provides double-stranded inhibitory KNA (RNAi) molecules comprising a subsequence of a sequence of the invention. In one aspect, tile ENAi is about 15,16,17, 18,19,20,21,22,23, 24,25 or more duplex nucleotides in length. The invention provides methods of inhibiting the expression of a xylanase in a cell comprising adnrinistering to the cell or expressing in the cell a double-stranded inhibitory ENA (2RNA), wherein the ENA comprises a subsequence · of a sequence of the invention.

The invention provides an isolated or recombinant polypeptide comprising an amino arid sequence having at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more/or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary polypeptide or peptide of the invention over a region of at least about 25,50,75,100,125,150,175,200,225,250,275,300,325,350 or more residues, or over the full length of tire polypeptide, and the sequence identities are determined by analysis with a. sequence comparison algorithm or by a visual inspection. Exemplary polypeptide or peptide sequences of the invention include SEQ ID NO:2, SBQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID. NO:30, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO:30, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ JD NO;38, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID NO:56, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:76, SEQ ID NO:78, SEQ ID NO:80, SEQ ID NO:S2, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ ID NO:88, SBQ ID NO:90, SEQ ID NO:92, SEQ ID NO:94, SEQ ID NO:96, SEQ ID NO:98, SEQ ID N0:100, SEQ ID NO:102, SEQ ID NO:104> SEQ ID NO: 106, SEQ ID NO: 108, SEQ ID NO:110, SEQ ID NO;l 12, SEQ ID NO:l 14, SEQ Π> NO:l 16, SEQ ID NO:l 18, SEQ ID N0:120, SEQ ID NO:122, SEQ ID NO: 124, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID N0:130, SEQ ID NO:132; SEQ ID NO: 134; SEQ ID NO:136; SEQIDNO:138; SEQIDNO:140; SEQ ID NO:142; SEQ ID > N0:144; NO:146, SEQ ID NO:148, SEQ ID NO:150, SEQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO: 154, ‘ SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ID NO:160, SEQ ID NO:162, SEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO: 166, SEQ ID N0:168, SEQ ID NO:170, SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:174, SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID NO:178, SEQ ID NO: 180, SEQ ID NO:182, SEQ ID NO:184, ‘ SEQ 3D NO: 186, SEQ ID NO:188, SEQ ID NO:190S SEQ ID NO:192, SEQ ID NO:194, · SEQ ID NO:196, SEQ ID NO:198, SEQ ID ΝΌ200, SEQ ID NO:202, SEQ ID NO:204, SEQ ID NO:206, SEQ ID NO:208, SEQ ID NO:210, SEQ ID NO:212, SEQ ID NO:214, SEQ ID NO:216, SEQ ID N0218, SEQ ID NO:220, SEQ ID NO:222, SEQ ID NO:224, SEQ ID NO:226, SEQ ID NO:228, SEQ ID NO:230, SEQ ID NO:232, SEQ ID NO:234, SEQ ID NO:236, SEQ ID N0538, SEQ ID N0:240, SEQ ID N0242, SEQ Η) ΝΟΛ44, SEQ ID NO:246, SEQ ID N0 248, SEQ ID NO:250, SEQ ID NO:252, SEQ ID NO:254, SEQ ID ΝΟΛ56, SEQ ID NO*258, SEQ ID N0:260, SEQ ID NO:262, SEQ ID NO:264, SEQ ID NO:266, SEQ ID NO:268, SEQ ID NO:270, SEQ ID N0272, SEQ Π) NO:274, SEQ ID NO:276, SEQ ID N0278, SEQ ID NO:280, SEQ ID NO:282, SEQ ID NO:284, SEQ ID NO:286, SEQ ID NOi288, SEQ ID NO:290, SEQ 3D NO:292, SEQ ID NO:294, SEQ ID NO:296, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID N0:300, SEQ ID NO:302, SEQ ID NO:304, SEQ ID NO:306, SEQ ID NO:308, SEQ ID NO:310, SEQ ID NO:312, SEQ ID NO:314, SEQ ID NO:316, SEQ 3D NO:318, SEQ ID NO:320, SBQ 3D NO:322, SEQ ID NO:324, SEQ ID NO:326, SEQ ID NO:328, SEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO:332, SEQ IDNO:334, SEQ ID N0:336, SEQ ID NO:338, SEQ 3D NO:340> SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:348, SEQ ID NO:350, SEQ ID NO:352, SEQ ID NO:354, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID N0.358, SEQ ID NO:360, SEQ ID NO:362, SEQ Π) NO:364, SEQ ID NO:366, SEQ ID NO:368, SEQ Π> NO:370, SEQ ID NO:372, SEQ ID NO:374, SEQ ID NO:376, SEQ ID NO:378 or SEQ ID NO380, and subsequences thereof and variants thereof Exemplary polypeptides also include fragments of at least about 10,15,20, 25,30,35,40,45,50,75,100, ISO, 200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600 or more residues in length, or over the full length of an enzyme. Exemplary polypeptide or peptide sequences of the invention include sequence encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention. Exemplary polypeptide or peptide sequences of the invention include polypeptides or peptides spedfically bound by an antibody of the invention. In one aspect, apolypeptide of the invention has at least one xylanase activity.

Another aspect of the invention provides an isolated or recombinant polypeptide err peptide including at least 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75, 80,85,90,95 or 100 or more consecutive bases of a polypeptide or peptide sequence of the ' invention, sequences substantially identical thereto, and the sequences complementary thereto. The peptide can be, e.g., an immunogenic fragment, a motif (e.g„ abinding site), a signal sequence, a prepro sequence or an active site.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising a sequence encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity and a signal sequence, wherein · the nucleic acid comprises a sequence of the invention. The signal sequence can be derived from another xylanase or a non-xylanase (a heterologous) enzyme. The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic adds comprising a sequence encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein the sequence does not contain a signal sequence and the nucleic add comprises a sequence of the invention.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of internal (M,4~xyk>sidie linkages. In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises an endo-l,4-beta-xylanase activity. In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing a xylan to produce a smaller molecular weight xylose and xylo-oligomer. In one aspect, the xylan comprises an arabinoxylan, such as a water soluble arabinoxylan. The water soluble arabinoxylan can comprise a dough or a bread product.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing polysaccharides comprising l,4-(^$ycoside4ioked D-xylopyranoses. In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing hemicelhiloses. in one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing hemicettuloses in a wood or paper pulp or a paper product.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of xylans in a feed or a food product The feed or food product can comprise a cereal-based animal feed, a wort or abeer, a milk, or a milk product, a fruit or a vegetable.

In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises catalyzing hydrolysis of xylans in a cell, e.g., a plant cell or a microbial cell

In one aspect, the xylanase activity is thermostable. The polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity under conditions comprising a temperature range of between about 1°C to about 5°C, between about 5°C to about 15"C, between about 15°C to about 25°C, between about 25°C to about 37°C, between about 37°C to about 95°C, between about 55°C to about 85°C, between about 70°C to about 75°C, or between about 90°C to about 95°C, or more. In. another aspect, the xylanase activity can be thermotolerant The polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to a temperature in the range from greater than 37°C to about 95°C, or in the range from greater than 55°C to about 85°C. In one aspect, the polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to a temperature in the range from greater than 90°C to about 95°C at pH 4.5.

In one aspect, the isolated or recombinant polypeptide can comprise the polypeptide of the invention that lacks a signal sequence. In one aspect, the isolated or recombinant polypeptide can comprise the polypeptide of the invention comprising a heterologous signal sequence, such as a heterologous xylanase or non-xylanase signal sequence.

In one aspect, the invention provides chimeric proteins comprising a first domain comprising a signal sequence of the invention and at least a second domain. The protein can be a fusion protein. The second domain can comprise an enzyme. The enzyme can be a xylanase.

The invention provides chimeric polypeptides comprising at least a first domain comprising signal peptide (SP), a prepro sequence and/or a catalytic domain (CD) of the invention and at least a second domain comprising a heterologous polypeptide or peptide, wherein the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is not naturally associated with the signal peptide (SP), prepro sequence and/ or catalytic domain (CD). In one aspect, the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is not a xylanase. The heterologous polypeptide or peptide can be amino terminal to, carboxy terminal to or on both ends of the signal peptide (SP), prepro sequence and/or catalytic domain (CD).

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic adds encoding a chimeric polypeptide, wherein the chimeric polypeptide comprises at least a first domain comprising signal peptide (SP), a piepro domain and/or a catalytic domain (CD) of the invention and at least a second domain comprising a heterologous polypeptide or peptide, wherein the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is not naturally associated with the signal peptide (SP), prepxo domain and/ or catalytic domain (CD).

The invention provides isolated or recombinant signal sequences (e.g., signal peptides) consisting of a sequence as set forth in residues 1 to 14,1 to 15,1 to 16,1 to 17,1 to 18,1 to 19,1 to 20,1 to 21,1 to 22,1 to 23,1 to 24,1 to 25,1 to 26,1 to 27,1 to28,1 to 28,1 to 30,1 to 31,1 to 32,1 to 33,1 to 34,1 to 35,1 to36,1 to 37,1 to 38,1 to 40,1 to41, 1 to 42,1 to 43 or 1 to 44, of a polypeptide of the invention, e.g, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ Π> NO:12, SEQ ID NO:14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID NO:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ID NO:24, SEQ ID NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID N0:30, SEQ ID NO:32, SEQ ID NO:34, SEQ ID NO:36, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID NO:40, SEQ ID NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ID NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48, ‘ SEQ ID NO:50, SEQ ID NO:52, SEQ 3D NO:54, SEQ ID NO:56, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ ID NO:60, SEQ ID NO:62, SEQ ID NO:64, SEQ ID NO:66, SEQ ID NO:68, SEQ ID NO:70, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:74, SEQ ID NO:76, SEQ ID NO:78, SEQ ID NO:80, SEQ ID NO:82, SEQ ID NO:84, SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ ID NO:88, SEQ ID NO:90, SEQ ID NO:92, · · SEQ ID NO:94, SEQ ID NO:96, SEQ ID NO:98, SEQ ID NOtlOO, SEQ ID NO:102, SEQ ID' NO:104, SEQ ID NO:106, SEQIDNO:108, SEQIDNO:110, SEQ 3DNO:112, SEQ ID NO: 114, SEQ ID NO:116, SEQ ID NO:118, SEQ ID N0:I20, SEQ Π) ΝΟ.Ί22, SEQ ID NO:124, SEQ ID NO:126, SEQ ID NO:128, SEQ ID N0:130, SEQ ID NO:132; SEQ ID NO: 134; SEQ ID NO:136; SEQ ID NO:138; SEQ ID NO:140; SEQ ID NO:142; SEQ ID NO:144; NO:146, SEQ ID NO:148, SEQ ID NO:150, SBQ ID NO:152, SEQ ID NO:154, SEQ ID NO:156, SEQ ID NO:158, SEQ ID NO:160, SEQ ID NO:162, SEQ ID NO:164, SEQ ID NO:166, SEQ ID NO:168, SEQ ID N0:170, SEQ ID NO:172, SEQ ID NO:174, SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID N0:178, SEQ ID NO:180, SEQ ID Nai 82, SEQ ID NO:184, SEQ ID NO:186, SEQ ID NO:188, SEQ ID NO:190, SEQ ID NO:192, SEQ ID NO:194, SEQ ID NO:196, SEQ 3D NO:198, SEQ ID ΝΟώΟΟ, SEQ ID NO:202, SEQ ID ΝΟώ04, SEQ ID NO206, SEQ ID NO‘208, SEQ ID NO:210, SEQ 3D NO:212, SEQ ID NO:214, SEQ ID NO:216, SEQ ID NO:218, SEQ ID NO.220, SEQ 3D NO:222, SEQ ID NO:224, SEQ ID NO:226, SEQ IDNO-J228, SEQ ID NO:230, SEQ ID NO:232, SEQ ID NO:234, SEQ JD NO:236, SEQ ID NO:238, SEQ ID NO:240, SEQ ID NO:242, SEQ ID NO:244, SEQ ID NO:246, SEQ ID NO-248, SEQ ID NO:250, SEQ ID N0:252, SEQ ID NO:254, SEQ ED N0256, SEQ Π> NO:258, SEQ ID NO:260, SEQ 3D NO:262, SEQ ID NO:264, SEQ ID NO:266, SEQ ID NO:268, SEQ ID NO:270, SEQ ID NO:272, SEQ ID NO:274, SEQ ID NO:276, SEQ ID NO:278, SEQ ID NO:280, SEQ ID NO:282, SEQ ID NO:284, SEQ ID NO:286, SEQ ID NO:288, SEQ ID NO:290, SEQ ID NO:292, SEQ ID NO:294, SEQ Π> NO:296, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID N0:300, SEQ ID NO:3Q2, SEQ ID NO:304, SEQ ID NO:306, SEQ ID NO:308, SEQ ID NO:310, SEQ ID NO:312, SEQ 3D NO:3I4, SEQ ID N0:316, SEQ ID NO:318, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ ID NO:322, SEQ ID NO:324, SEQ ID NO:326, SEQ ID NO:328, SEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO:332, SEQ ID NO:334, SEQ ID NO:336, SEQ ID NO:338, SEQ ID NO:340, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:348, SEQ ID NO:350, SEQ ID NO:352, SEQ ID NO:354, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID NO:358, SEQ ID N0:360, SEQ ID NO:362, SEQ ID NO:364, SEQ ID NO:366, SEQ ID NO:368, SEQ ID NO:370, SEQ ID NO:372, SEQ ID NO:374, SEQ ID NO.376, SEQ Π) NO:378 or SEQ ID NO:380. Ια one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises a specific activity at about 37°C in the range from about 1 to about 1200 units pear milligram of protein, or, about 100 to about 1000 units per milligram ofprotein. In another aspect, the xylanase activity comprises a specific activity from about 100 to about 1000 units per milligram ofprotein, or, from about 500 to about 750 units per milligram ofprotein. Alternatively, the xylanase activity comprises a specific activity at 37°C in the range from about 1 to about 750 units per milligram of protein, or, from about 500 to about 1200 units per milligram ofprotein. hi one aspect, the xylanase activity .comprises a specific activity at 37°C in the range from about 1 to about 500 units per milligram ofprotein, or, from about 750 to about 1000 units per mi lligram of protein. In another aspect, the xylanase activity comprises a specific activity at 37°C in the range from about 1 to about 250 units per milligram ofprotein. Alternatively, the xylanase activity comprises a specific activity ai 3TC in the range from about 1 to about 100 units per milligram of protein. In another aspect, the thermotolerance comprises retention of at least half of the specific activity of the xylanase at 37°C after being heated to the elevated temperature. Alternatively, the thennotolerance can comprise retention of specific activity at -37°C in the range from about 1 to about 1200 units per milligram ofprotein, or, from about 500 to about 1000 units per milligram of protein, after being heated to the elevated temperature. Iu another aspect, the thennotolerance can comprise retention of specific activity at 37°C m the range from about 1 to about 500 units per milligram of protein after being heated to the elevated temperature.

The invention provides the isolated or recombinant polypeptide of the invention, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least one glycosylation ate. In one aspect, glycosylation can be an N-linked glycosylation. In one aspect, the polypeptide can be glycosylated after being expressed in aP-pastoris or a S. pombe.

In one aspect, the polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity tinder conditions comprising about pH 6.5, pH 6, pH'5.5, pH 5, pH 4.5 or pH 4. In another aspect, the polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity under conditions comprising about pH 7, pH 7.5 pH 8.0, pH 8.5, pH 9, pH 9.5, pH 10, pH 10.5 or pH Π. In one aspect, the polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to conditions comprising about pH 6.5, pH 6, pH 5.5, pH 5, pH 4.5 or pH 4. In another aspect; the polypeptide can retain a xylanase activity after exposure to conditions comprising about pH 7, pH 7.5 pH 8.0, pH 8.5, pH 9, pH 9.5, pH 10, pH 10.5 orpH 11.

The invention provides protein preparations comprising a polypeptide of the invention, wherein the protein preparation comprises a liquid, a solid or a gel.

The invention provides heterodimers comprising a polypeptide of the invention and a second protein or domain. The second member of the heterodimer can be a / different phospholipase, a different enzyme or another protein, hut one aspect, the second domain can be a polypeptide and the heterodimer can be a fusion protein. In one aspect, the second domain can be an epitope or a tag. In one aspect, the invention provides homodimers -comprising a polypeptide of the invention.

The invention provides immobilized polypeptides having a xylanase activity, . wherein the polypeptide comprises a polypeptide of the invention, a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention, or a polypeptide comprising apolypeptide of the invention and a second domain. In one aspect, the polypeptide can be immobilized on a ceil, a metal, a resin, a polymer, a ceramic, a glass, a microelectrode, a graphitic particle, a bead, a gel, a i plate, an array or a capillary tube.

The invention provides arrays comprising an immobilized nucleic acid of the invention. The invention provides arrays comprising an antibody of the invention.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant antibodies that specifically bind to a polypeptide of the invention or to a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the • invention. The antibody can be a monoclonal or a polyclonal antibody The invention provides hybiidomas comprising an antibody of the invention, e.g., an antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide of the invention or to a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention.

The invention provides method of isolating or identifying a polypeptide having a xylanase activity comprising the steps of: (a) providing an antibody of the invention; (b) providing a sample comprising polypeptides; and (c) contacting the sample of step (b) with the antibody of step (a) under conditions wherein the antibody can specifically bind to the polypeptide, thereby isolating or identifying a polypeptide having a xylanase activity.

The invention provides methods of making an anti-xylanase antibody comprising administering to a non-human anim al a nucleic acid of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention or subsequences thereof in an amount sufficient to generate a humoral immune response, thereby making an anti-xylanase antibody. The invention provides methods of making an anti-xylanase immune comprising administering to a con-human animal a nucleic acid of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention or subsequences thereof in an amount sufficient to generate an immune response.

The invention provides methods of producing a recombinant polypeptide comprising the steps of: (a) providing a nucleic acid of the invention operably linked to a promoter; and (b) expressing the nucleic acid of step (a) under conditions that allow expression of the polypeptide, thereby producing a recombinant polypeptide. In one aspect, · the method can further comprise transforming a host cell with the nucleic add of step (a) followed by expressing the nucleic add of step (a), thereby producing a recombinant polypeptide in a transformed cell.

The invention provides methods for identifying a polypeptide having a xylanase activity comprising tire following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention; or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention; (b) providing a xylanase substrate; and (c) contacting the polypeptide or a fragment or variant thereof of step (a) with the substrate of step (b) and detecting a decrease in the amount of substrate or an increase in the amount of a reaction product, wherein a decrease in the amount of the substrate or an increase in the amount of the reaction product detects a polypeptide having a xylanase activity.

The invention provides methods for identifying a xylanase substrate comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention; or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of tie invention; (b) providing a test substrate; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) with the test substrate of step (fa) and detecting a decrease in the amount of substrate or an increase in the amount of reaction product, wherein a decrease in ' the amount of the substrate or an increase in the amount of a reaction product identifies the test substrate as a xylanase substrate.

The invention provides methods of determining whether a test compound specifically binds to a polypeptide comprising the following steps: (a) expressing a nucleic acid or a vector comprising the nucleic acid under conditions permissive for translation of the nucleic add to a polypeptide, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a nucleic acid of the invention, or, providing a polypeptide of the invention; (b) providing a test compound; (c) contacting the polypeptide with the test compound; and (d) ddenmmng whether the test compound of step (b) specifically binds to the polypeptide.

The invention provides methods for identifying a modulator of a xylanase activity comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a test compound; (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) with the test compound of step (b) and measuring an activity of the xylanase, wherein a change in the xylanase activity measured in the presence of the test compound compared to the activity in the absence of the test compound provides a determination that the test compound modulates the xylanase activity. In one aspect, the xylanase activity can be measured by providing a xylanase substrate and detecting a decrease * in the amount of the substrate or an increase in the amount of a reaction product, or, an increase in the amount of the substrate or a decrease in the amount of a reaction product A · decrease in the amount of the substrate or an increase in the amount of the reaction product with the test compound as compared to the amount of substrate or reaction product without ·. the test compound identifies the test compound as an activator of xylanase activity. An increase in the amount of the substrate or a decrease in the amount of the reaction product with the test compound as compared to the amount of substrate or reaction product without the test compound identifies the test compound as an inhibitor of xylanase activity.

The invention provides computer systems comprising a processor and a data storage device wherein said data storage device has stored thereon a polypeptide sequence or a nucleic acid sequence of the invention (e.g., a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention). In one aspect, tire computer system can further comprise a sequence comparison algorithm and a data storage device having at least one reference sequence stored thereon. In another aspect, the sequence comparison algorithm comprises a computer program that indicates polymorphisms, hi one aspect, the computer system can further comprise an . identifier that identifies one or more features in said sequence. The invention provides computer readable media having stored thereon a polypeptide sequence or a nucleic add sequence of fee invention. The invention provides methods for identifying a feature in a sequence comprising fee steps of: (a) reading fee sequence using a computer program which identifies one or more features in a sequence, wherein the sequence comprises a polypeptide sequence or a nucleic add sequence of die invention; and 0?) identifying one oar more features in the sequence with the computer program. The invention provides methods for comparing a first sequence to a second sequence comprising the steps of: (a) reading the first sequence and the second sequence through use of a computer program which compares sequences, wherein the first sequence comprises a polypeptide sequence or a nucleic acid sequence of the invention; and (b) determining differences between the first sequence and the second sequence with the computer program. The step of determining differences between the first sequence and the second sequence can further comprise the step of identifying polymorphisms. In one aspect, die method can further comprise an identifier that identifies one car more features in a sequence. In another aspect, the method can comprise reading the first sequence using a computer program and identifying one or more features in the sequence.

The invention provides methods for isolating or recovering a nucleic arid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity from an environmental sample comprising’ the steps of: (a) providing an amplification primer sequence pah: for amplifying a nucleic arid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein the primer pair is capable of amplifying a nucleic arid of the invention; (b) isolating a nucleic arid from the environmental sample or treating the environmental sample such that nucleic arid in the sample is accessible for hybridization to die amplification primer pain and, (c) combining the nucleic acid of step (b) with the amplification primer pair of step (a) and amplifyingnuclric arid from the environmental sample, thereby isolating or recovering a nucleic arid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity from an environmental sample. One ox each member of the amplification primer sequence pair can comprise an oligonucleotide comprising at least about 10 to 50 consecutive bases of a sequence of the invention. In one aspect, the amplification primer sequence pair is an amplification pair of the invention.

The invention provides methods for isolating or recovering a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity from an environmental sample comprising the steps of: (a) providing a polynucleotide probe comprising a nucleic arid of the invention or a subsequence thereof (b) isolating a nucleic acid from the environmental sample or treating the environmental sample such that nucleic acid in the sample is accessible for hybridization to a polynucleotide probe of step (a); (c) combining the isolated nucleic arid or the treated environmental sample of step (b) with the polynucleotide probe of step (a); and (d) isolating a nucleic arid that specifically hybridizes with the polynucleotide probe of step (a), thereby isolatingor recovering a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity from an environmental sample. The environmental sample can comprise a water sample, a liquid sample, a soil sample, an air sample or a biological sample. In one aspect, the biological sample can be derived from abacterial cell, a protozoan cell, an insect cell, a yeast cell, a plant cell, a fungal cell or a mammalian cell

The invention provides methods of generating a variant of a nucleic add encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity comprising the steps of: (a) providing a template nucleic add comprising a nucleic add of the invention; and (b) modifying, deleting or adding one or more nucleotides in the template sequence, or a combination thereof, to generate a variant of the template nuclcic acid. In one aspect, the method can further comprise expressing the variant nucleic add to generate a variant xylanase polypeptide. The modifications, additions or deletions can be introduced by a method comprising error-prone PCS, shuffling, ofigonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, assembly PCR, sexual PCR mutagenesis, in vivo mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis, recursive ensemble mutagenesis, exponential ensemble mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis, gene reassembly (e.g., GeneReassembly™, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,537,776), gene site saturated mutagenesis (GSSM™), synthetic ligation reassembly (SIR) or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the modifications, additions or deletions are introduced by a method comprising recombination, recursive sequence recombination, phosphothioate-modified DNA mutagenesis, uracfl^ntaming template mutagenesis, gapped duplex mutagenesis, point mismatch repair mutagenesis, repair-deficient host strain mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis,. radiogenic mutagenesis, deletion mutagenesis, restriction-selection mutagenesis, restriction-purification mutagenesis, artificial gene synthesis, ensemble mutagenesis, chimeric nucleic add multimer creation and a combination thereof.

In one aspect, the method can be iteratively repeated until a xylanase having an altered or different activity or an altered or different stability from that of a polypeptide encoded by the template nucleic add is produced, hi one aspect, the variant xylanase polypeptide is thermotolerant, and retains some activity after being exposed to an elevated temperature. In another aspect, the variant xylanase polypeptide has increased gfycosylafion as compared to the xylanase encoded by a template nucleic add. Alternatively, the variant xylanase polypeptide has a xylanase activity tinder a high temperature, wherein the xylanase encoded by the template nucleic add is not active under the high temperature. In one aspect, the method can be iteratively repeated until a xylanase coding sequence having an altered codon usage from that of the template nucleic add is produced. In another aspect, the method can be iteratively repeated until axylanase gene having higher or lower level of message expression or stability from that of the template nucleic add is produced.

In one aspect, the invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 189, wherein SEQ ID NO: 189 contains one or more of the following mutations: the nucleotides at positions 22 to 24 are TTC, the nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 are CAC, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are TTG, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATA, the nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 are CAT, the nucleotides at positions 67 to 69 are ACG, the nucleotides at positions 178 to 180 are CAC, the nucleotides atpositions 190 to 192 areTGT, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTA, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTT, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTG, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCT, the nucleotides at positions 235 to 237 are CCA, or the nucleotides at positions 235 to 237 are CCC. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for making a nucleic add comprising this sequence, wherein the mutations in SEQ ID NO: 189 are obtained by gene site saturated mutagenesis (GSSM™).

In one aspect, the invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic adds comprising SEQ ID NO: 190, wherein SEQ ID NO: 190 contains one or more of the following mutations: the aspartic add at amino acid position 8 is phenylalanine, the glutamine at amino add position 11 is histidine, the asparagine at amino acid position 12 is leucine, the glycine at amino add position 17 is isoleucine, the threonine at amino add position 23 is threonine encoded by a codon other than the wild type codon, the glycine at amino add position 60 is histidine, the proline at amino add position 64 is cysteine, the proline at amino add position 64 is valine, the serine at amino acid position 65 is valine, the glydne at amino add position 68 is isoleudne, the glydne at amino acid position 68 is alanine, or the valine at amino add position 79 is proline.

The invention provides methods for modifying codons in a nucleic add encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity to increase its expression in a host cell, the method complising the following steps: (a) providing a nucleic add of the invention encoding a polypeptide having axylanase activity; and, (b) idmtifying anon-preferred or a less preferred codon in the nucleic add of step (a) and replacing it with a preferred or neutrally used codon encoding the same, amino add as the replaced codon, wherein a preferred codon is a codon over-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell and a non-preferred or less preferred codon is a codon under-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell, thereby modifying the nucleic add to increase its expression in a host cell.

Hie invention provides methods for modifying codons in a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylahase activity; the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a nucleic acid of the invention; and, (b) identifying a codon in the nucleic add of step (a) and replacing it with a different codon encoding the same amino acid as the replaced codon, thereby modifying codons in a nucleic acid encoding a xylanase.

The invention provides methods for modifying codons in a nucleic add encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity to increase its expression in a host cell, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a nucleic add of the invention encoding a xylanase polypeptide; and, (b) identifying a non-preierred or a less preferred codon in the nucleic add of step (a) and replacing it with a preferred or neutrally used codon encoding the same amino add as the replaced codon, wherein a preferred codon is a codon over-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell and a non-preferred or less preferred codon is a codon under-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell, thereby modifying the nucleic add to increase its expression in a host cell.

The invention provides methods fox modifying a codon in a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity to decrease its expression in a host cell, the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a nucleic acid of the invention; and (b) · identifying at least one preferred codon in the nucleic acid of step (a) and replacing it with a non-preferred or less preferred codon encoding the same amino add as the replaced codon, wherein a preferred codon is a codon over-represented in coding sequences in genes in a host -cell and a non-preferred or less preferred codon is a codon under-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell, thereby modifying die nucleic add to decrease its expression, in a host cell. In one aspect, the host cell can be a bacterial cell, a fungal cell, an insect cell, a yeast cell, a plant cell or a mammalian cell.

The invention provides methods for producing a library of nucleic acids encoding a plurality of modified xylanase active sites or substrate binding sites, wherein the modified active sites or substrate binding sites are derived from a first nucleic add comprising a sequence encoding a first active site or a first substrate binding site the method comprising the following steps: (a) providing a first nucleic add encoding a first active site or first substrate binding site, wherein the first nucleic add sequence comprises a sequence that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic add of the invention, and the nucleic add encodes a xylanase active ate or a xylanase substrate binding site; (b) providing a set of mutagenic oligonucleotides that encode naturally-occurring amino acid variants at a plurality of targeted coders in the firstnacleic acid; and, (c) usingthe set of mutagenic oligonucleotides to generate a set of active site-encoding or substrate binding site-encoding variant nucleic adds encoding a range of amino acid variations at each amino acid codon that was mutagenizedL, thereby producing a library of nucleic adds encoding a plurality of modified xylanase active sites or substrate binding sites. In one aspect, the method comprises mutagenizmg the first nucldc add of step (a) by a method comprising an optimized directed evolution system, gene site-saturation mutagenesis (GSSM™), synthetic ligation reassembly (SIS), error-prone PCR, shuffling, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, assembly PCS, sexual PCS mutagenesis, in vivo mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis, recursive ensemble mutagenesis, exponential ensemble mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis, gene reassembly (GeneRcassemJbly™, U.S. Patent No. 6,537,776), gene ate saturated mutagenesis (GSSM™), synthetic ligation reassembly (SLR) and a combination thereof. In another aspect, the method comprises mutagenizing the first nucleic add of step (a) or variants by a method comprising recombination, recursive sequence recombination, phosphothioate-modified DNA mutagenesis, madl-cuntaining template mutagenesis, gapped duplex mutagenesis, point mismatch repair mutagenesis, repair-deficient host strain mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis, radiogenic mutagenesis, deletion mutagenesis, restriction-selection mutagenesis, restriction- , purification mutagenesis, artificial gene synthesis, ensemble mutagenesis, chimeric nucleic add multimer creation and a combination thereof.

The invention provides methods for making a small molecule comprising the foUowing steps: (a) providing aplurality ofbiosynthetic enzymes capable of synthesizing or · modifying a small molecule, wherein one of the enzymes comprises a xylanase enzyme encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a substrate for at least one of the enzymes of step (a); and (c) reacting the substrate of step (b) with the enzymes under conditions that facilitate a plurality ofbiocatalytic reactions to generate a small molecule by a series ofbiocatalytic reactions. The invention provides methods for modifying a small molecule comprising the following steps: (a) providing a xylanase enzyme, wherein the enzyme comprises a polypeptide of the invention, or, a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention, or a subsequence thereof; (b) providing a small molecule; and (c) reacting the enzyme of step (a) with the small molecule of step (b) under conditions that facilitate an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by the xylanase enzyme, thereby modifying a small molecule by a xylanase enzymatic reaction. In one aspect, the method can comprise a plurality of small molecule substrates for the enzyme of step (a), thereby generating a library of modified small molecules produced by at least one enzymatic reaction catalyzed by the xylanase enzyme. In one aspect, the method can comprise a plurality of additional enzymes under conditions that facilitate a plurality of biocatalytic reactions by the enzymes to form a library of modified small molecules produced by the plurality of enzymatic reactions. In another aspect, the method can further comprise the step of testing the library to determine if a particular modified small molecule that exhibits a desired activity is present within the library. The step of testing the library can further comprise the steps of systematically eliminating all but one of the biocatalytic reactions used to produce a portion of the plurality of the modified small molecules within the library by testing the portion of the modified small molecule for the presence or absence of the particular modified small molecule with a desired activity, and identifying at least one specific biocatalytic reaction that produces the particular modified small molecule of desired activity.

The invention provides methods for determining a functional fragment, of a xylanase enzyme comprising the steps of: (a) providing a xylanase enzyme, wherein the . enzyme comprises a polypeptide of the invention, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention, or a subsequence thereof; and (b) deleting a plurality of amino acid residues from the sequence of step (a) and testing the remaining subsequence for a xylanase activity, thereby determining a functional fragment of a xylanase enzyme. In one aspect, the xylanase activity is measured by providing a xylanase substrate and detecting a decrease in the amount. of the substrate or an increase in the amount of a reaction product

The invention provides methods for whole cell engineering of new or modified phenotypes by using real-time metabolic flux analysis, the method comprising the following steps: (a) making a modified cell by modifying the genetic composition of a cell, wherein the genetic composition is modified by addition to the cell of a nucleic add of the invention; (b) culturing the modified cell to generate a plurality of modified cells; (c) measuring at least one metabolic parameter of the cell by monitoring the cell culture of step (b) in real time; and, (d) analyzing the data of step (c) to determine if the measured parameter differs from a comparable measurement in an unmodified cell under similar conditions, thereby identifying an engineered phenotype in the cell using real-time metabolic flux analysis, hi one aspect, the genetic composition of the cell can be modified by a method comprising deletion of a sequence or modification of a sequence in the cell, or, knocking out the expression of a gene. In one aspect, the method can further comprise selecting a cell • comprising a newly engineered phenotype. In another aspect, the method can comprise culturing the selected cell, thereby generating a new cell strain comprising a newly engineered phenotype.

The invention provides methods of increasing thermotolerance or thermostability of-a xylanaise polypeptide, the method comprising glycosylating a xylanase polypeptide, wherein the polypeptide comprises at least thirty contiguous amino acids of a polypeptide of the invention; or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add sequence of the invention, thereby increasing the thermotolerance or thermostability of the xylanase polypeptide. In one aspect, the xylanase specific activity can be thermostable or thennotolerant at a temperature in the range from greater than about 37°Cto about 95°C.

The invention provides methods for overexpressing a recombinant xylanase polypeptide in a cell comprising expressing a vector comprising a nucleic add comprising a nucleic acid of the invention or a nucleic add sequence of the invention, wherein the sequence identities are determined by analysis with a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection, wherein overexpression is effected by use of a high activity promoter, a dicistronic vector or by gene amplification of the vector.

The invention provides methods of making a transgenic plant comprising the following steps: (a) introducing a heterologous nucleic add sequence into the cell, wherein the heterologous nucleic sequence comprises a nucldc add sequence of the invention, thereby producing a transformed plant cell; and (b) producing a transgenic plant from frte transformed celL In one aspect, the step (a) can further comprise introdndng the heterologous nucleic add sequence by electroporation ormicroiigection of plant cell protoplasts. In another aspect, the step (a) can further comprise introducing the heterologous i-nucleic add sequence directly to plant tissue by DNA particle bombardment. Alternatively, the step (a) can further comprise introducing the heterologous nucleic acid sequence into file plant cell DNA using an Agrobactemm tumefaciens host 3n one aspect, the plant cell can be a potato, com, rice, wheat, tobacco, or barley cell.

The invention provides methods of expressing a heterologous nucleic add sequence in a plant cell comprising file foUowing steps: (a) transforming the plant cell with a heterologous nucleic add sequence operably linked to a promoter, wherein the heterologous nucldc sequence comprises a nnddc acid of the invention; (b) growing the plant under conditions wherein the heterologous nucleic acids sequence is expressed in the plant cell.

The invention provides methods of expressing a heterologous nucleic acid sequence in a plant cell comprising the following steps: (a) transforming file plant cell with a heterologous nucldc acid sequence operably linked to a promoter, wherein the heterologous nucleic sequence comprises a sequence of the invention; (b) growing the plant under conditions wherein the heterologous nucleic adds sequence is expressed in the plant cell.

The invention provides methods for hydrolyzing, breaking up or disrupting a xylan-Gomprising composition comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention; (b) providing a composition comprising a xylan; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) with the composition of step (b) under conditions wherein the xylanase hydrolyzes, breaks up or disrupts the xylaa-comprismg composition- hi one aspect, the composition comprises a plant cell, a bacterial cell, a yeast cell, an insect cell, or an animal cell. Thus, the composition can comprise any plant or plant part, any xylan-containing food or feed, a waste product and the like. The invention provides methods for liquefying or removing a xylan-comprismg composition comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a compositioii comprising a xylan; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) with the composition of step (b) under conditions wherein the xylanase removes, softens or liquefies the xylan-comprising composition.

The invention provides detergent compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention, wherein the polypeptide has a xylanase activity. The xylanase can be a nonsurface-active xylanase or a surface-active xylanase. The xylanase can be formulated in a non-aqueous liquid composition, a cast solid, a granular form, a particulate form, a compressed tablet, a gel form,· a paste or a slurry form. The invention provides methods for washing an object comprising -the following steps: (a) providing a composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing an object; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the object of step (b) tinder conditions wherein the composition can wash the object

The invention provides textiles or fabrics, including, e.g., threads, comprising a polypeptide of the invention, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention.

In one aspect, the textiles or fabrics comprise xylan-containing fibers. The invention provides methods for treating atextile or fabric (e.g.s removing a stain from a composition) comprising the following steps: (a) providing a composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a textile or fabric comprising a xylan; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the composition of step (b) under conditions wherein the xylanase can treat the textile or fabric (e.g., remove the stain). The invention provides methods for improving the finish of a fabric comprising foe following steps: (a) providing a composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a ©brie; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the fabric of step (b) under conditions wherein the polypeptide can treat the fabric thereby improving the finish of the fabric. In one aspect, the fabric is a wool or a silk.

The invention provides feeds or foods comprising apolypeptide of the invention, or a polypeptide encoded by anncleic add of the invention. The invention provides methods for hydrolyzing xylans in a feed or a food prior to consumption by an animal comprising the following steps: (a) obtaining a feed material comprising a xylanase of the invention, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention; and (b) adding the polypeptide of step (a) to the feed or food material in an amount sufficient for a sufficient time period to cause hydrolysis of the xylan and formation of a treated food or feed, thereby hydrolyzing the xylans in the food or the feed prior to consumption by foe animal. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for hydrolyzing xylans in a feed or a food after consumption by an animal comprising the following steps: (a) obtaining a feed material comprising a xylanase of the invention, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention; (b) adding the polypeptide of step (a) to file feed or food material; and (c) administering the feed or food material to the animal, wherein after consumption, the xylanase causes hydrolysis of xylans in foe feed or food in the digestive tract of the animaL = The food or the feed can be, e.g„ a cereal, a grain, a com and the like.

The invention provides food or nutritional supplements for an animal comprising apolypeptide’of the invention; e.g., a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of foe invention. In one aspect, foe polypeptide in the food or nutritional supplement can be glycosylated. The invention provides edible enzyme delivery matrices comprising a polypeptide of the invention, e.g., a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid of the invention. In one aspect, the delivery matrix comprises a pellet In one aspect, foe polypeptide can be glycosylated. In one aspect, foe xylanase activity, is theamotolerant. In another aspect, the xylanase activity is thermostable.

The invention provides a food, a feed or a nutritional supplement comprising a polypeptide of foe invention. The invention provides methods for utilizing a xylanase as a nutritional supplement in an animal diet, foe method comprising: preparing a nutritional supplement containing a xylanase enzyme comprising at least thirty contiguous amino acids of apolypeptide of the invention; and administering file nutritional supplement to an animal to increase utilization of a xylan contained in a feed or a food ingested by the animal. The animal can be a human, a ruminant or a mono gastric animal. The xylanase enzyme can be prepared by expression of a polynucleotide encoding fee xylanase in an organism selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a yeast, a plant, an insect, a fungus and an animal. The organism can be selected from the group consisting of an £ pombe, £. cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris> Pseudomonas sp., & coli, Streptomyces sp., Bacillus sp. and Lactobacillus sp.

The invention provides edible enzyme delivery matrix comprising a thermostable recombinant xylanase enzyme, e.g., a polypeptide of the invention. The invention provides methods for delivering a xylanase supplement to an animal, the method comprising: preparing an edible enzyme delivery matrix in the form of pellets comprising a granulate edible carrier and a thermostable recombinant xylanase enzyme, wherein the pellets readily disperse the xylanase enzyme contained therein into aqueous media, and administering the edible enzyme delivery matrix to the animal. The recombinant xylanase enzyme can comprise a polypeptide of the invention. The granulate edible carrier can comprise a carrier selected from the group consisting of a grain gam, a grain germ that is spent of oil, a hay, an alfalfa, a timothy, a soy hull, a sunflower seed meal and a wheat midd. . The edible carrier can comprise grain germ that is spent of oil. The xylanase enzyme can be * glycosylated to provide thermostability at pelletizing conditions. The delivery matrix can be formed by pelletizing a mixture comprising a grain gram and a xylanase. The pelletizing conditions can include application of steam. The pelletizing conditions can comprise application of a temperature in excess of about 80°C for about 5 minutes and the enzyme retains a specific activity of at least 350 to about 900 units per milligram of enzyme.

The invention provides methods for improving texture and flavor of a dairy product comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention; (b) providing a dairy product; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the dairy product of step (b) under conditions wherein the xylanase can improve the texture or flavor of foe dairy product, hi one aspect, the dairy product comprises a cheese or a yogurt The invention provides dairy products comprising a xylanase of foe invention, or is encoded by a nucleic add of foe invention.

The invention provides methods for improving the extraction of oil from an oil-rich plant material comprising foe following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of foe invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing an oil-rich plant material; and (c) contacting foe polypeptide of step (a) and foe oil-rich plant material, hi one aspect, foe oil-rich plant material comprises an oil-rich seed. The oil can be a soybean oil, an olive oil, a rapeseed (canola) oil or a sunflower oil.

The invention provides methods for preparing a Suit or vegetable juice, syrup, puree or extract comprising the following steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a composition or a liquid comprising a fruit or vegetable material; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the composition, thereby preparing the fruit or vegetable juice, syrup, puree or extract

The invention provides papers or paper products or paper pulp comprising a xylanase of the invention, or a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid of the invention. The invention provides methods for treating a paper or a paper or wood pulp comprising the Mowing steps: (a) providing a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucleic add of the invention; (b) providing a composition comprising a paper or a paper or wood pulp; and (c) contacting the polypeptide of step (a) and the composition of step (b) under conditions wherein the xylanase can treat the paper or paper or wood pulp, hi one aspect, the pharmaceutical composition acts as a digestive aid or an antimicrobial (e.g., against Salmonella). In one aspect, the treatment is prophylactic. In one aspect, the invention provides oral care products comprising a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucldc add of the invention. The oral ·. ) care product can comprise a toothpaste, a dental cream, a gel or a tooth powder, an odontic, a .. mouth wash, a pro- or post brushing rinse formulation, a chewing gum, a lozenge or a candy. The invention provides contact lens deaning compositions comprising a polypeptide of the invention having a xylanase activity, or a xylanase encoded by a nucldc add of the invention. in one aspect, the invention provides methods for eliminating or protecting animals from a microorganism comprising a xylan comprising administering a polypeptide of the invention. The microorganism can be a bacterium comprising a xylan, e.g., Salmonella.

The invention provides an isolated nucldc add having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO.:l 89 and variants thereof having at least 50% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO.:189 and encoding polypeptides having xylanase activity. In one aspect, file polypeptide has a xylanase activity, e.g., athennostable xylanase activity.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic adds comprising SEQ ID NOtl 89, wherein SEQ ID NO:l 89 comprises one or more or all of the following sequence variations: the nucleotides at positions 22 to 24 are TTC, the nucleotides at positions 22 to 24 are TTT, the nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 are CAC, the nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 are CAT, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are TTG, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are TTA, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are GTC, the nucleotide at positions 34 to 36 are CTT, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are CTA, the nucleotides at positions 34 to 36 are CTG, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATA, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATT, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATC, the nucleotides at positions 178 to 180 are CAC, the nucleotides at positions 178 to 180 are CAT, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are TGT, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are TGC, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTA, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTT, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTC, the nucleotides at positions 190 to 192 are GTG, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTG, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTC, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTA, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 arc GTT, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are ATA, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are ATT, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are ATC, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCT, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCG, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCC, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCA, the nucleotides at positions 235 to 237 arc CCA, the nucleotides at positions 235 to 237 are CCC, -or the nucleotides at positions 235 to 237 are CCG.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides comprising an amino add sequence comprising SEQ ID NO:190, wherein SEQ ID NO:190 comprises one · or more or all of the following sequence variations: the aspartic add at amino acid position 8 is phenylalanine, the glutamine at amino add position 11 is histidine, the asparagine at amino acid position 12 is leucine, the glycine at amino acid position 17 is isolendne, the threonine at amino add position 23 is threonine encoded by a codon other than the wild type codon, the glycine at amino add position 60 is histidine, the proline at amino add position 64 is cysteine, the proline at amino add position 64 is valine, the serine at amino add position 65 is valine, the glycine at amino add position 68 is isoleudne, the glycine at amino add position 68 is alanine, or the serine at amino add position 79 is proline. In one aspect, the polypeptide has a xylanase activity, e.g., a thermostable xylanase activity.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising SEQ ID NO: 189, wherein SEQ ID NO:189 comprises one ormore-or all sequence variations set forth, in Table 1 or Table 2. The invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides encoded by nucleic adds comprising SEQ ID NO: 189, wherein SEQ ID NO:189 comprises one or more or all sequence variations set forth in Table 1 or Table 2. In one aspect, the polypeptide has a xylanase activity, e.g., a thermostable xylanase activity.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids comprising SEQ ID NO:379, wherein SEQ ID NO:379 comprises one or more or all of the following sequence variations: the nucleotides at positions 22 to 24 are TTC, the nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 areCAC, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATA, the nucleotides at positions 178 to 180 are CAC, the nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTG, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCT.

The invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides comprising SEQ ID NO.380, wherein SEQ ID "ΝΟ:380 comprises one or more or all of the following sequence variations: D8F, Q11H, G17I, G60H, S65V and/or G68A. hi one aspect, the polypeptide has a xylanase activity, e.g., a thermostable xylanase activity.

The isolated or recombinant nucleic adds of the invention are also referred to as “Group A nucleic add sequences”. The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid including at least 10 consecutive bases of a sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences complementary thereto.

The isolated or recombinant polypeptides of the invention, which include functional fragments of the exemplary sequences of the invention, are also referred to as “Group B amino acid sequences”. Another aspect of the invention is an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having at least 10 consecutive amino adds . of a sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially · identical thereto, ha yet another aspect, the invention provides a purified polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. Another aspect of the invention is an isolated or purified antibody that specifically binds to a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is an isolated or purified antibody or binding fragment thereof which specifically binds to a polypeptide having at least 10 consecutive amino acids of one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of making a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. The method includes introducing a nucleic add encoding the polypeptide into a host cell, wherein the nucleic add is operably linked to a promoter and culturing the host cell under conditions that allow expression of the nucleic acid* Another aspect of the invention is a method of making a polypeptide having at least 10 amino adds of a sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. The method includes introducing a nucleic add encoding the polypeptide into a host cell, wherein the nucldc add is operably linked to a promoter and culturing the host cell under conditions that allow expression of the nucldc add, thereby producing the polypeptide.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of generating a variant including obtaining a nucleic add having a sequence as set forth in Group A nucldc add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto, sequences complementary to the sequences of Group A nucleic add sequences, fragments comprising at least 30 consecutive nucleotides of the foregoing sequences and changing one or more nucleotides in the sequence to another nucleotide, deleting one or more nucleotides in the sequence, or adding one or more nucleotides to the sequence.

Another aspect of the invention is a computer readable medium having stored thereon a sequence as set forth in Group A nucldc add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is a computer system including a processor and a data storage device wherein the data storage device has stored thereon a sequence as set -forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another asp ect of the invention is a method for comparing a first sequence to a reference sequence wherein the first sequence is a nucldc add having a sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide code of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. The method includes reading the first sequence and the reference sequence through use of a computer program that compares sequences; and determining differences between the first sequence and the reference sequence with the computer program.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for identifying a feature in a sequence as set forth in Group A nucldc add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, including reading the sequence through the use of a computer program which identifies features in sequences; and identifying features in the sequence with the computer program.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of catalyzing the breakdown of xylan or a derivative thereof, comprising the step of contacting a sample containing xylan or the derivative thereof with a polypeptide of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto under conditions which facilitate the breakdown of the xylan.

Another aspect of the invention is an assay for identifying fragments or variants of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, which retain the enzymatic function ofthe polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. The assay includes contacting the polypeptide of Group B amino acid sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto, or polypeptide fragment or variant with a substrate molecule under conditions which allow the polypeptide fragment or variant to function and detecting either a decrease in the level of substrate or an increase in the level of the specific inaction product of die reaction between the polypeptide and substrate thereby identifying a fragment or variant of such sequences.

Another aspect of the invention is a nucleic add probe of an oligonucleotide from about 10 to 50 nucleotides in length and having a segment of at least 10 contiguous nucleotides that is at least 50% complementary to a nucleic add target region of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consisting of Group A nucleic add sequences; and which hybridizes to the nucleic add target region under moderate to highly stringent conditions to form a detectable targetprobe duplex.

Another aspect of the invention is a polynucleotide probe for isolation or identification of xylanase genes having a sequence which is the same as, or fully complementary to at least a fragment of one of Group Anuddc add sequences.

In still another aspect, the invention provides a protein preparation comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence selected from Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto wherein the protein preparation is a liquid.

Still another aspect of the invention provides a protein preparation comprising a polypeptide having an amino add sequence selected from Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto wherein the polypeptide is a solid.

Yet another aspect ofthe invention provides a method for modifying small molecules, comprising the step of mixing at least one polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide selected from Group A nucleic add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences complementary thereto with at least one small molecule, to produce at least one modified small molecule via at least one biocatalytic reaction, where the at least one polypeptide has xylanase activity.

Another aspect of the invention is a cloning vector of a sequence that encodes a polypeptide having xylanase activity, said sequence being selected from Group A nucleic add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences complementary thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is a host cell comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide having xylanase activity, said sequence being selected from Group A nucleic acid sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences complementary thereto.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an expression vector capable of replicating in a host cell comprising a polynucleotide having a sequence selected Group A nucleic add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto, sequences complementary thereto and isolated nucleic acids that hybridize to nucleic adds having any of the foregoing sequences under conditions of low, moderate and high stringency. hi another aspect, the invention provides a method of dough conditioning comprising contacting dough with at least one polypeptide of Group B amino add sequences ' and sequences substantially identical thereto under conditions suffident for conditioning tire · dough.

Another aspect of the invention is a method of beverage production comprising administration of at least one polypeptide of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto under conditions suffident for decreasing the viscosity of wort or beer.

The xylanases of the invention are used to break down the high molecular weight arabinoxylans in animal feed. Adding the xylanases of the invention stimulates growth rates by improving digestibility, which also improves the quality of the animal litter. Xylanase functions through the gastro-intestinal tract to reduce intestinal viscosity and increase diffusion of pancreatic enzymes. Additionally, die xylanases of the invention may be used in the treatment of endosperm cell walls of feed grains and vegetable proteins. In one aspect of the invention, the novel xylanases of the invention are administered to an animal in order to increase the utilization of the xyian in the food. This activity of the xylanases of the invention may be used to break down insoluble cell wall material, liberating nutrients in the cell walls, which then become available to the animal. It also changes hemicellulose to nutritive sugars so that nutrients formerly trapped within die cell walls are released.

Xyianase also produces compounds that maybe a nutritive source for the ruminal rmcroflora.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for utilizing xyianase as a nutritional supplement in the diets of animals» comprising preparation of a nutritional supplement containing a recombinant xyianase enzyme comprising at least thirty contiguous amino acids of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto and administering the nutritional supplement to an animal to increase the utilization of xylan contained in food ingested by the animal. in smother aspect of die invention» a method for delivering a xyianase supplement to an animal is provided, where the method comprises preparing an edible enzyme delivery matrix in the form of pellets comprising a granulate edible carrier and a thermostable recombinant xyianase enzyme!, wherein the particles readily disperse the xyianase enzyme contained therein into aqueous media, and administering the edible enzyme delivery matrix to the animal The granulate edible carrier may comprise a carrier selected from die group consisting of grain gam that is spent of oil, hay, alfalfa, timothy, soy hull, sunflower seed meal aid wheat midd. The xyianase enzyme may have an amino acid sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. hi another aspect, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a 3 sequence that encodes a polypeptide having xyianase activity, wherein the sequence is selected from Group A nucleic acid sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences complementary thereto, wherein the sequence contains a signal sequence. The invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide having xyianase activity, wherein the sequence is selected from Group A nucleic add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto aid the sequences complementary thereto, wherein the sequence contains a signal sequence from another xyianase.

Additionally, the invention provides an isolated nucleic add comprising a sequence that encodes a polypeptide having xyianase activity, wherein the sequence is selected from Group A nucleic acid sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and the sequences 1 complementary thereto wherein the sequence does not contain a signal sequence. -

Still another aspect of the invention provides an isolated nucleic add that is a mutation of SEQ ID NO: 189. Yet another aspect provides an amino acid sequence that is a mutation of SEQ ID NO: 190.

Tfae details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of rite invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

All publications, patents, patent implications, GeriBank sequences and ATCC deposits, cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of aspects of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims.

The patent or application tile contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of a computer system.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of a process for comparing a new nucleotide or protein sequence with a database of sequences in order to determine the homology levels between the new sequence and the sequences in the database.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of a process in a computer for determining whether two sequences are homologous.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of an identifier process 300 for detecting the presence of a feature in a sequence.

Figure 5 is a graph comparing activity of the wild type sequence (SEQ ID NOS: 189 and 190) to the 8x mutant (SEQ ID NOS:375,376), a combination of mutants D, F, Η, I, S, V, X and AA in Table 1.

Figure 6A illustrates the nine single site amino add mutants of SEQ ID NO:378 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:377) as generated by Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis (GSSM™) of SEQ ID NO:190 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:189), as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 6B illustrates the unfolding of SEQ ID NO:190 and SEQ ID NO:378 in melting temperature transition midpoint (Tm) experiments as determined by DSC for each enzyme, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 7A illustrates the pH and temperature activity profiles for the enzymes SEQ ID NO.190 and SEQ ID NO:378, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 7B illustrates the rate/temperature activity optima for the enzymes SEQ ID NO:190 and SEQ ID NO:378, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 7C Shistjrates the thermal tolerance/ residual activity for the enzymes SEQ ID NO:190 and SEQ ID NO:378, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 8A illustrates the GeneiReassembly1*1 library of all possible combinations of the 9 GSSM™ point mutations that was-constructed and screened for variants with improved thermal tolerance and activity, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 8B illustrates the relative activity of the “6X-2” variant and “9X” variant (SEQ ID NO;378) compared to SEQ ID NO:190 (“wild-type”) at a temperature optimum and pH 6.0, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 9A illustrates the fingerprints obtained after hydrolysis of oligoxylans <Xyi)3, (Xyl)4, (Xyl)5 and (Xyl)6 by foe SEQ ID NO:190 (“wild-type”) and foe “9X~ variant (SEQ ID NO:378) enzymes, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 9B illustrates foe fingerprints obtained after hydrolysis of Beechwood xylan by foe SEQ ID NO:190 (“wild-type”) and foe “9X” variant (SEQ ID NO:378) enzymes, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 10A is a schematic diagram illustrating foe level of thermal stability (represented by Tm) improvement over SEQ ID NO:190 (“wild-type”) obtained by GSSM™ · evolution, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 10B illustrates a “fitness diagram” of enzyme improvement in the form of SEQ ID NO:378 and SEQ ID NO:380, as obtained by combining GSSM1** and GeneiReassembly™ technologies, as described in detail in Example 5, below.

Figure 11 is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary routine screening protocol to determine whether a xylanase of foe invention is useful in preheating paper pulp, as described in detail in Example 6, below. like reference symbols in foe various drawings indicate like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to xylanases and polynucleotides encoding them and methods of making and using them. Xylanase activity of foe polypeptides of the invention encompasses enzymes having hydrolase activity, for example, enzymes capable of hydrolyzing glycosidic linkages presentin xylan, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal β-1,4-xylosidic linkages. The xylanases of foe invention can be used to make and/or process foods, feeds, nutritional supplements, textiles, detergents and foe tike. The xylanases of the invention can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dietary aids. Xylanases of the invention are particularly useful in baking, animal feed, beverage and paper processes. definitions

The term “antibody” includes a peptide or polypeptide derived from, modeled after or substantially encoded by an immimoglobufin gene or imrmmoglnbnHn genes, or fragments thereof capable of specifically binding an antigen or epitope, see, e.g.

Fundamental Immunology, Third Edition, WJB. Paul, ed., Raven Press, N.Y. (1993); Wilson (1994) J. Immunol. Methods 175:267-273; Yarmush (1992) J, Biochem. Biqphys. Methods 25:85-97.. The term antibody includes antigen-binding portions, i.e., “antigen binding sites,” (e.g., fragments, subsequences, complementarity determining regions (CDRs)) that retain capacity to bind antigen, including (i) a Fab fragment, a monovalent fragment consisting of the VL, VH, CL and CHI domains; (ii) a F(ab’)2 fragment, a bivalent fragment comprising two Fab fragments linked by a disulfide bridge at the hinge region; (in) a Fd fragment consisting of the VH and CHI domains; (iv) aFv fragment consisting of the VL and VH domains of a single arm of an antibody, (v) a dAb fragment (Ward et aL, (1989) Nature 341:544-546), which consists of a VH domain; and (vi) an isolated complementarity determining region (CDR). Single chain antibodies are also included by reference in the term "antibody."

The terms “array” or “micro array” or ‘biochip” or “chip” as used herein is a plurality of target elements, each target element comprising a defined amount of one or more polypeptides (including antibodies) or nucleic acids immobilized onto a defined area of a substrate surface, as discussed in further detail, below.

As used herein, the terras “computer,” “computer program” and “processor” are used in their broadest general contexts and incorporate all such devices, as described in detail, below. A “coding sequence of* or a “sequence encodes” a particular polypeptide or protein, is a nucleic add sequence which is transcribed and translated into a polypeptide or protein when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences.

The phrases “nucleic add” or “nucleic add sequence” as used herein refer to an oligonucleotide, nucleotide, polynucleotide, or to a fragment of any of these, to DNA or RNA of genomic or synthetic origin which may be angle-stranded or double-stranded and may represent a sense or antisense strand, to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or to any DNA-like or RNA-Hke material, natural or synthetic in origin. The phrases “nucleic add” or “micldc acid sequence” includes oligonucleotide, nucleotide, polynucleotide, or to a fragment of any of these, to DNA or RNA (e.g,, mRNA, rKNA, tRNA, iRNA) of genomic or synthetic origin which may be single-stranded or double-stranded and may represent a sense ox antisense strand, to peptide nucleic acid (PNA), or to any DNA-like or RNA-like material, natural or synthetic in origin, including, e.g., iKNA, ribonucleoproteins (e.g., e.g., double stranded SRNAs, e.g., £RNPs). The term encompasses nucleic acids, i.e., oligonucleotides, containing known analogues of natural nucleotides. The term also encompasses nucleic-acid-tike structures with synthetic backbones,· see e.g., Mata (1997) Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 144:189-197; Strauss-Sohkup (1997) Biochemistry 36:8692-8698; Samstag (1996) Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev 6:153-156. “Oligonucleotide” includes either a single stranded polydeoxynudeotide or two complementary polydeoxynudeotide strands that may he chemically synthesized. Such synthetic oligonucleotides have no 5' phosphate and thus will not ligate to another oligonucleotide without adding a phosphate with an ATP in the presence of a kinase. A synthetic oligonucleotide can ligate to a fragment that has not been dephosphorylated. A “coding sequence of' or a “nucleotide sequence encoding” a particular polypeptide or protein, is a nucleic add sequence which is transcribed and translated into a polypeptide or protein when placed under the control of appropriate regulatory sequences.

The term “gene” means the segment of DNA involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it includes regions preceding and following the coding region (leader and trailer) as well as, where applicable, intervening sequences (introns) between individual * coding segments (exons). “Operably linked" as used herein refers to a functional relationship between two or more nucleic arid (e.g., DNA) segments. Topically, it refers to the functional relationship of transcriptional regulatory sequence to a transcribed sequence. For example, a promoter is operably linked to a coding sequence, such as a nucleiG acid of the invention, if it stimulates or modulates file transcription of the coding sequence in an appropriate host cell or other expression system. Generally, promoter transcriptional regulatory sequences that are operably linked to a transcribed sequence are physically contiguous to the transcribed sequence, i.e., they are cis-acting. However, some transcriptional regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, need not be physically contiguous or located in close proximity to the coding sequences whose transcription they enhance.

The term "expression cassette" as used herein refers to a nucleotide sequence which is capable of affecting expression of a structural gene (i.e., a protein coding sequence, such as a xylanase of the invention) in a host compatible with such sequences. Expression cassettes include at least a promoter operably linked with the polypeptide coding sequence; and, optionally, with other sequences, e.g., transcription tennination signals. Additional factors necessary or helpful in effecting expression may also be used, e.g., enhancers. Thus, expression cassettes also include plasmids, expression vectors, recombinant viruses, any form of recombinant “naked DNA” vector, and the like. A "vector" comprises a nucleic acid that can infect, transfect, transiently or permanently transduce a cell. It will be recognized that a vector can be a naked nucleic acid, or a nucleic add coroplexed with protein or lipid. The vector optionally comprises viral ox bacterial nucleic acids and/or proteins, and/or membranes (e.g., a cell membrane, a viral lipid envelope, etc.). Vectors include, but are not limited td replicons (e.g., SNA replicons, bacteriophages) to which fragments of DNA may be attached and become replicated. Vectors thus include, but are not limited to KNA, autonomous self-replicating circular or linear DNA orKNA (e.g., plasmids, viruses, ami the like, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,217,879), and include both foe expression and non-expression plasmids. Where a recombinant microorganism or cell culture is described as hosting an "expression vector" this includes both extra-chromosomal circular and linear DNA and DNA that has been incorporated into foe host ehromosome(s)- Where a vector is being maintained by a host cell, foe vector may either be stably replicated by the cells during mitosis as an autonomous structure, or is incorporated within foe host's genome.

As used herein, the term '‘promoter” includes all sequences capable of driving transcription of a coding sequence in a cell, e.g., a plant cell. Thus, promoters used in the constructs of foe invention include ciy-actmg transcriptional control elements and regulatory · sequences that are involved in regulating or modulating foe tuning and/or rate of transcription of a gene. For example, a promoter can be a os-acting transcriptional control element, including an enhancer, a promoter, a transcription terminator, an origin of replication, a chromosomal integration sequence, 5' and 3’ untranslated regions, or an intronic sequence, which are involved in transcriptional regulation. These cis-acting sequences typically interact with proteins or other biomolecnles to carry out (turn on/off, regulate, modulate, etc.) transcription. “Constitutive” promoters are those that drive expression continuously under most environmental conditions and states of development or cell differentiation. “Inducible” or “regulafable” promoters direct expression of the nucleic acid of the invention under the influence of environmental conditions or developmental conditions. Examples of environmental conditions that may affect transcription by inducible promoters include anaerobic conditions, elevated temperature, drought, or the presence of light ‘Tissue-specific” promoters are transcriptional control elements that are only active in particular cells or tissues or organs, e.g., in plants or animals. Tissue-specific regulation maybe achieved by certain intrinsic factors that ensure that genes encoding proteins specific to a given tissue are expressed. Such factors are known to exist in mammals and plants so as to allow for specific tissues to develop.

The term "plant” includes whole plants, plant parts (e.g., leaves, stems, flowers, roots, etc.), plant protoplasts, seeds and plant cells and progeny of same. The class of plants which car be used in the method of the invention is generally as broad as the class of higher plants amenable to transformation techniques, including angiosperms (monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants), as well as gymuosperms. It includes plants of a variety of ploidy levels, including polyploid, diploid, haploid and hemizygous states. As used herein, the term “transgenic plant” includes plants or plant cells into which a heterologous nucleic add sequence has been inserted, e.g,, the nucleic adds and various recombinant constructs (e.g., expression cassettes) of the invention. “Plasmids” can be commerdally available, publicly available on an unrestricted basis, or can be constructed from available plasmids in accord with published procedures. Equivalent plasmids to those described herein are known in the art and will he apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan. “Amino add” or “amino acid sequence” as used herein refer to an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protean sequence, or to a fragment, portion, or subunit of my of these and to naturally occurring or synthetic molecules. “Amino add” or “amino acid sequence” include an oligopeptide, peptide, polypeptide, or protean sequence, or to a fragment, portion, or subunit of any of these, and to .. naturally occurring or synthetic molecules. The term polypeptide” as used herein, refers to amino adds joined to each other by peptide bonds or modified peptide bonds, f.&, peptide isosteres and may contain modified amino acids other than the 20 gene-encoded amino adds. The polypeptides maybe modified by either natural processes, such as post-translational processing, or by chemical modification techniques that are well known in the art. Modifications can occur anywhere in he polypeptide, including the peptide backbone, the amino acid side-chains and the ammo or carboxyl termini. It will be appredated hat he same type of modification maybe present in he same or varying degrees at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also a given polypeptide may have many types of modifications. Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosyiation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of a phosphytidylinositol, cross-linking cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demehylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation of pyrogtaiamate, fotmylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristolyation, oxidation, pegylation, xylan hydrolase processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation and transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to protein such as argicylation. (See Creighton, TJS., Proteins - Structure and Molecular Properties 2nd Ed.. W.H. Freeman and Company,New York (1993); Posttranslational Covalent Modification of Proteins, B.C. Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 1-12 (1983)). The peptides and polypeptides of the invention also include all “mimetic” and “peptidomimetic” forms, as described in further detail, below.

As used herein, the term “isolated” means that the material is removed from its original environment (e.g., the natural environment if it is naturally occurring). For example, a naturahy-occniring polynucleotide or polypeptide present in a living animal is not isolated, but the same polynucleotide or polypeptide, separated from some or all of the coexisting materials in the natural system, is isolated. Such polynucleotides could be part of a vector and/or such polynucleotides or polypeptides could be part of a composition and still be isolated in that such vector or composition is not part of its natural environment. As used herein, the term “purified” does not require absolute purity; rather, it is intended as a relative definition. Individual nucleic acids obtained from a library have been conventionally purified to electrophoretic homogeneity. The sequences obtained from these clones could not be obtained ·. directly either from the library or from total human DNA The purified nucleic adds of the invention have been purified from the remainder of the genomic DNA in the organism by at least 104~10δ fold. However, the team “purified” also includes nucleic acids that have been purified from the remainder of the genomic DNA or from other sequences in a library or other environment by at least one order of magnitude, typically two or three orders and more typically four or five orders ofmagnitude.

As used herein, tire term ‘‘recombinant” means that the nucleic add is adjacent to a “backbone” nucleic add to which it is not adjacent in its natural environment Additionally, to be “enriched’ the nucleic acids will represent 5% or more of the number of nucleic add inserts in a population of nucleic add backbone molecules. Backbone molecules according to the invention include nucleic acids such as expression vectors, self-replicating nucleic adds, viruses, integrating nucleic acids and other vectors or nucleic acids used to maintain or manipulate a nucleic add insert of interest Typically, the enriched nucleic adds represent 15% or more of the number of nucleic acid inserts in the population of recombinant backbone molecules. More typically, the enriched nucleic acids represent 50% or more of the number of nucldc add inserts in the population of recombinant backbone molecules, ία a one aspect; the enriched nucleic acids represent 90% or more of the number of nucleic add inserts in the population of recombinant backbone molecules. "Recombinant” polypeptides or proteins refer to polypeptides or proteins produced by recombinant DNA techniques; i.e., produced from cells transformed by an exogenous DNA construct encoding the desired polypeptide or protein. "Synthetic” polypeptides or protean are those prepared by chemical synthesis. Solid-phase chemical peptide synthesis methods can also be used to synthesize the polypeptide or fragments of the invention. Such method have been known in the art since the early 1960¾ (Memfield, R 13., J. Am. Chem. $oc., 85:2149-2154,1963) (See also Stewart, J.M. and Young, J. D., Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis. 2nd Ed.. Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, UL, pp. 11-12)) and have recently been employed in commercially available laboratory peptide design and synthesis kite (Cambridge Research Biochemicals). Such commercially available laboratory lrits have generally utilized the teachings of Η. M. Geysen et ai, Proc. Natl Acad. ScL, USA, 81:3998 (1984) and provide for synthesizing peptides upon, the tips of a multitude of “rods” or "pins” all of which are connected to a single plate. When such a system is utilized, a plate of rods orpins is inverted and inserted into a second plate of corresponding wells or reservoirs, which contain solutions for attaching or anchoring an appropriate amino acid to tire pin's or rod’s tips. By repeating such a process step, inverting and inserting the rod's and pin's tips into appropriate solutions, amino acids are built into desired peptides. In addition, a number of available FMOC -peptide synthesis systems are available. For example, assembly of a polypeptide or fragment can be carried out on a solid support using an Applied Biosystems, Inc. Model 431A automated peptide synthesizer. Such equipment provides ready access to the peptides of the invention, either by direct synthesis or by synthesis of a series of fragments that can be coupled using other known techniques.

A promoter sequence is “operably linked to” a coding sequence when RNA polymerase which initiates transcription at file promoter will transcribe the coding sequence intomRNA "Plasmids” are designated by a lower case "p” preceded and/or followed by • capital letters and/or numbers. The starting plasmids herein are either commercially available, publicly available on an unrestricted basis, or can be constructed from available plasmids in accord with published procedures. In addition, equivalent plasmids to those described herein are known in the art and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan. “Digestion” of DNA refers to catalytic cleavage of the DNA with a restriction enzyme that acts only at certain sequences in the DNA. The various restriction enzymes used herein are commercially available and their reaction conditions, cofactors and other requirements were used as would be known to the ordinarily skilled artisan. For analytical purposes, typically 1 pg of plasmid or DNA fragment is used with about 2 units of enzyme in about 20 μΐ of buffer solution. For the purpose of isolating DNA fragments for plasmid construction, typically 5 to 50 pg of DNA are digested with 2Q to 250 units of enzyme in a larger volume. Appropriate buffers and substrate amounts for particular restriction enzymes are specified by the manufacturer. Incubation times of about 1 hour at 37°C are ordinarily used, but may vary in accordance with the supplier's instructions. After digestion, gel electrophoresis may be performed to isolate the desired fragment

The phrase “substantially identical” in the context of two nucleic acids or polypeptides, refers to two or more sequences that have, e.g., at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, . 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more nucleotide or amino add residue (sequence) identity, when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence, as measured using one of the known sequence comparison algorithms or by visual inspection. Typically, the substantial identity exists over a region of at least about 100 residues and most commonly the sequences are substantially identical over at least about 150-200 residues. In some aspects, the sequences are substantially identical over the entire length of the coding regions.

Additionally a “substantially identical” amino add sequence is a sequence that differs from a reference sequence by one or more conservative or non-conservative amino acid substitutions, deletions, or insertions, particularly when such a substitution occurs at a site that is not the active site of the molecule and provided that the polypeptide essentially retains its functional properties- A conservative amino add substitution, for example, substitutes one amino acid for another of the same class (e.g., substitution of one hydrophobic amino add, such as isoleucine, valine, leucine, or methionine, for another, or substitution of one polar amino add for another, such as substitution of arginine for lysine, glutamic acid for aspartic add or glutamine for asparagine). Ctae or more amino adds can be deleted, for example, from a xylanase polypeptide, resulting in modification of the structure of the polypeptide, without significantly altering its biological activity. For example, amino- or caxboxyl-teaminal amino acids that are not required for xylanase biological activity can be removed. Modified polypeptide sequences of the invention can be assayed for xylanase biological activity by any number of methods, including contacting the modified polypeptide sequence with a xylanase substrate and determining whether the modified polypeptide decreases the amount of specific substrate in the assay or increases the bioproducts of the enzymatic reaction of a functional xylanase polypeptide with the substrate. “Fragments” as used herein are a portion of a naturally occurring protein which can exist in at least two different conformations. Fragments can have the same or substantially the same amino acid sequence as the naturally occurring protein. “Substantially the same” means that an amino add sequence is largely, but not entirely, the same, but retains at least one functional activity of the sequence to which it is related. In general two amino acid sequences are “substantially the same” or “substantially homologous” if they are at least about 85% identical. Fragments which have different three dimensional structures as the naturally occurring protein are also included. An example of this, is a ‘'pro-form” molecule, such as a low activity proprotein that can be modified by cleavage to produce a mature enzyme with significantly higher activity. “Hybridization” refers to the process by which a nucleic acid strand joins wilh a complementary strand through base pairing. Hybridization reactions can be sensitive and selective so that a particular sequence of interest can be identified even in samples in which it . is present at low concentrations. Suitably stringent conditions can be defined by, for example, the concentrations of salt or formamide in the prehybridization and hybridization solutions, or by the hybridization temperature ‘and are well known in the art hr particular, stringency can be increased by reducing the concentration of salt, increasing the concentration of formamide, or raising the hybridization temperature. In alternative aspects, nucleic acids of the invention are defined by their ability to hybridize under various stringency conditions (e.g., high, medium, and low), as set forth herein.

For example, hybridization under high stringency conditions could occur in about 50% formamide at about 37°C to 42°C. Hybridization could occur under reduced stringency conditions in about 35% to 25% formamide at about 30°C to 35°C. In particular, hybridization could occur under high stringency conditions at 42°C in 50% formamide, 5X • SSPE, 0.3% SDS and 200 n/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA. Hybridization could occur undo: reduced stringency conditions as described above, but in 35% formamide at a reduced temperature of 35°C. The temperature range corresponding to a particular level of stringency can. be farther narrowed by calculating the purine to pyrimidine ratio of the nucleic acid of interest and adjusting the temperature accordingly. Variations on the above ranges and conditions are well known in the art.

The term “variant” refers to polynucleotides or polypeptides of the invention modified at one or more base pairs, codons, rations, exons, or amino add residues (respectively) yet still retain the biological activity of a xylanase of the invention. Variants can be produced by any number of means included methods such as, for example, error-prone PCR, shuffling, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, assembly PCR, sexual PCR mutagenesis, in vivo mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis, recursive ensemble mutagenesis, exponential ensemble mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis, gene reassembly (e.g., GeneReassembly™, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,537,776), GSSM™ and any combination thereof.

Table 1 and Table 2 list variants obtained by mutating SEQ ID NO:189 (encoding SEQ ID N0:190) by GSSM™. The invention provides nucleic acids having one or more, or all, of the sequences as set forth in Tables 1 and 2, ie., nucleic adds having sequences that are variants of SEQ ID NO:189, where the variations are set forth in Table 1 and Table 2, and the polypeptides that are encoded by these variants.

These GSSM11* variants (set forth in Tables 1 and 2) were tested for thermal tolerance (see Examples, below). Mutants D, F, G, Η, I, J, K, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z, AA, DD and EE were found to have the highest thermal tolerance among the mutants in Table 1. ' Mutants may also be combined to form a larger mutant. For example, mutants D,F,H, I,S, . V, X and AA of Table 1 were combined to form a larger mutant termed “8x” with a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:375 (polypeptide encoding nucleic add) and SEQ ID NO:376 (amino add sequence). Figure 5 is a graph comparing the activity of the wild type sequence (SEQ ID NOS: 189 and 190) to foe 8xmutant (SEQ ID NOS: 259 and 260). In comparing the wild type and the 8x mutant, it was discovered that the optimal temperature for both was 65°C and that the optimal pH for both was 5.5. The wild type sequence was found to maintain its stability for less than 1 minute at 65DC, while the 8x mutant (SEQ ID NOS:375, 376) was found to maintain its stability for more than 10 minutes at 85°C. The substrate used was AZO-AZO-xylan. In one aspect, the 8x mutant (SEQ ID NOS:375,376) was evolved by GSSM™. hi another aspect, the wild type is a GSSM™ parent for thermal tolerance evolution.

Table l

The codon variants as set forth in Table 2 that produced variants (of SEQ ID NO:189) with the best variation or ‘%nprovement” over “wild type” (SEQ ID NO:189) in thermal tolerance are highlighted- As noted above, the invention provides nucleic acids, and the polypeptides that encode them, comprising one, several or all or the variations set forth in • Table 2 and Table 1.

Table 2

Ια one aspect the amino acid sequence of an amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 208) of Group B amino add sequences is modified by a single amino acid mutation. Ια a specific aspect; that mutation is an asparagine to aspartic add mutation. The resulting amino acid sequence and corresponding nucleic acid sequence are set forth as SEQ ID NO:252 and SEQ ID ΝΟώ51, respectively. Single amino add mutations with an improvement in the pH optimum of the enzyme, such as the mutation of SEQ ED NO:208, have been shown in the art with respect to xylanases. (See, for example, Joshi, M., Sidhu, G-, Pot, I, Brayer, G., Withers, S., McIntosh, L., I Mol. Bio. 299.255-279 (2000).) It is also noted that in such single amino add mutations, portions of the sequences may be removed in die subcloning process. For example, SEQ ID NO:207 and SEQ ID NO:251 differ in only one nucleotide,, over the area that the sequences align. However, it is noted that a 78 nucleotide area at the N-teacminus of SEQ ID N0:207 was removed from the N-tenninus of SEQ ID N0251 in the subcloning. Additionally, the first three nucleotides in SEQ ID N0251 were changed to ATG and then the point mutation was made at the sixth nucleotide in SEQID NOt251.

The term “saturation mutagenesis”, “gene site saturated mutagenesis” or “GSSM™” includes a method feat uses degenerate oligonucleotide primers to introduce point mutations into a polynucleotide, as described in detail, below.

The term “optimized directed evolution system” or “optimized directed evolution” includes a method for reassembling fragments of related nucleic acid sequences, e.g., related genes, and explained in detail, below.

The term “synthetic ligation reassembly” or “SLR” includes a method of ligating oligonucleotide fragments in a non-stochastic fashion, and explained in detail, below.

Generating and Manipulating Nucleic Acids

> The invention provides nucleic acids (e.g, SEQ ED NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ED NO:I 1, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO;17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID NO:27, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID NO:31, SEQID NO:33, SEQ EDNO:35, SEQ3DNO:37, SEQ 3D NO:39, SEQ Π> NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO;45, SEQ ID NO:47, SEQ ID · 0 NO:49, SEQ ID NO:51, SEQID NO:53, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ED NO:57, SEQ ID NO:59, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID NO:67, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:71, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ ID NO:87, SEQ ID NO:89, SEQ ID NO:91, SEQ ID * NO:93, SEQ ID NO:95, SEQIDNO:97, SEQ Π> NO:99, SEQID NO:101, SEQ ID NO:103, SEQ ID NO-.105, SEQ ID N0:107, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID NOrll 1, SEQ ID NO:I13, SEQ ID NO:115, SEQ ID NO:l 17, SEQ ID NO:119, SEQ ID NO:121, SEQ ID NO:123, SEQ 3D NO: 125, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO:129, SEQ ID NO:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID NO:135, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO:139, SEQ ID NO:l41, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQID NO:157, SEQ ID NO:159, SEQ ID N0:161, SEQ ID NO: 163, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO:I67, SEQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID NO:171, SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:175, SEQ ID NO:177, SEQ ID NO:179, SEQ ID N0:181, SEQ ID NO:183, SEQ ID NO:185, SEQ 3D NO:187, SEQ lt> NO:189, SEQ ID NO:19I, SEQ ID NO:193, SEQ Π> ΝΟ:195, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID NO:201, SEQ ID NO:203, SEQ 3D NO205, SEQ ID NO:207, SEQ ID NO:209, SEQ ID N0:211, SEQ ID NO:213, SEQ ID N0215, SEQ ID NO:217, SEQ ID NO:219, SEQ ID NO:221, SEQ ID NO:223, SEQ ID NO-.22S, SEQ ID NO:227, SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID NO:231, SEQ ID NO:233, SEQ ID NO:235, SEQ ID NO:237, SEQ ID NO:239, SEQ ID NO:241, SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ ID NO-245, SEQ ID N0247, SEQ ID N0249, SEQ © N0251, SEQ ID N0253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ID NO:259, SEQ ID NO:261, SEQ ID N0263, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQ ID NO:267, SEQ ID NO:269, SEQ ID NO:271, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO:275„ SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID N02S1, SEQ ID NO:283, SEQ ID NO:285, SEQ ID NO:287, SEQ ID NO:289,SEQ ID N0291, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID N0295, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ID NO:299, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:305, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:309, SEQ ID NO:311, SEQ ED NO:313, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ ©N0319, SEQ ID N0321, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID NO:325, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQ IDNO:329, SEQ 3D N0331, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ 3D NO-.335, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQ ID NO:341, SEQ ID N0343, SEQ ID N0345, SEQ ID NO:347, SEQ ID NO:349, SEQ 3D N0.351, SEQ ID NO:353, SEQ ID NO:355, SEQ ID N0357, SEQ ID N0359, SEQ ID NO:361, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQ ID NO:365, SEQ ID NO:367, SEQ ID N0369, SEQ ID N0371, SEQ ID NO:373, SEQ 3D NO:375, SEQ ID NO:377 or SEQ ID NO:379; nucleic acids encoding polypeptides as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO;4, SEQ XD NO:6, SEQ Π> NO: 8, SEQ ID NO:10, SEQ ID NO:12, SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO:16, SEQ ID NO:18, SEQ ID N0:20, SEQ ID NO:22, SEQ ED NO:24, SEQ ED NO:26, SEQ ID NO:28, SEQ ID NO30, SEQ ID NO-32, SEQ 3D NO:34, SEQ ID N036, SEQ ID NO:38, SEQ ID N0:40, SEQ ED NO:42, SEQ ID NO:44, SEQ ED NO:46, SEQ ID NO:48, SEQ ID NO:5Q, SEQ IDNO:52, SEQ ID NO:54, SEQ ID N036, SEQ ID NO:58, SEQ BDNO:60, SEQ ED NO:62, SEQ ED NO:64, SEQ ED NO:66, SEQ©NO:68, SEQID NO:70, SEQIDNO:72, SEQ©NO:74, SEQ© NO:76, SEQ © NO:78, SEQ © NO:EO, SEQ©NO:82, SEQ © NO:84, SEQ ID NO:86, SEQ© NO:88, SEQ © NO:90, SEQ © NO:92, SEQ © NO:94, SEQ © NO:96, SEQ © NO:98, SEQ© NO: 100, SEQ © N0:1Q2, SEQ © NO:104, SEQ © NO:106, SEQ © NO:108, SEQ © NO: 110, SEQ © NO:112, SEQ © NO:114, SEQ © NO:l 16, SEQ © NO:l 18, SEQ © N0:120, SEQ © NO:122, SEQ ID NO:124, SEQ © NO:126, SEQ © NO:128, SEQ © NO-.130, SEQ © NO:132; SEQ © NO:134; SEQ © NO:136; SEQ © NO:138; SEQ © N0:140; SEQ © N0.142; SEQ © NO:144; NO:146, SEQ © NO:148, SEQ © NO:150, SEQ © NO:152, SEQ © NO:154, SEQ © NO:156, SEQ © NO:158, SEQ © NO:160, SEQ ID NO:162, SEQ ID NO: 164, SEQ ID NO:166, SEQ ID N0:168, SEQ ID NO:17G, SEQ ID NO:I72, SEQ ID NO:174, SEQ ID NO:176, SEQ ID NO:178, SEQ ID N0:180, SEQ ID NO:182, SEQ ID NO: 184, SEQ ID NO:186, SEQ ID NO:188, SEQ ID NO:190, SEQ ID NO:192, SEQ ID NO:194, SEQ ID NO:196, SEQ ID NO:198, SEQ ID N0:200, SEQ ID NO:202, SEQ ID NO:204, SEQ ID NO206, SEQ ID NO:208, SEQ ID NO:210, SEQ ID NO:212, SEQ ID NO:214, SEQ ID NO:216, SEQ ID NO:218, SEQ ID NOr220, SEQ Π> NO.222, SEQ ID N0224, SEQ ID NO:226, SEQ ID NO:228, SEQ ID NO:230, SEQ ID NO:232, SEQ Π> NO:234, SEQ ID N0236, SEQ ID NO:238, SEQ ID NO:240, SEQ ID NO:242, SEQ ID NO:244, SEQ ID NO:24€, SEQ ID NO:248, SEQ ID NO:250, SEQ ID NO:252, SEQ ID NO:254, SEQ ID NO:256, SEQ ID NO:258, SEQ ID NO;260, SEQ Ή> NO:262, SEQ ID NO:264, SEQ ID NO:266, SEQ ID NO:268, SEQ ID NO270, SEQ ID NO:272, SEQ ID NO:274, SEQ ID NO:276, SEQ ID NO:278, SEQ ID NO:2SO, SEQ ID NO:282, SEQ ID NO:284, SEQ ID NO:286, SEQ ID NO:288, SEQ ID N0090, SEQ ID NO:292, SEQ ID NO:294, SEQ ID N0296, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID N0.300, SEQ ID NO:302, SEQ ID NO:304, SEQ ID NO:306, SEQ ID NO:308, SEQ ID NO:310, SEQ ID NO:312, SEQ ID NO:314, SEQ ID NO:316, SEQ ID NO:318, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ ID NO:322, SEQ ID NO:324, SEQ ID NO:326, SEQ ID NO:32S, SEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO:332, SEQ ID NO:334, SEQ ID NO:336, SEQ ID NO:33S, SEQ ID NO:340, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID NO:344, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:348, SEQ ID NO:350, SEQ ID NO:352, SEQ ID NO:354, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID NO:358, SEQ ID NO:360, SEQ ID NO:362, SEQ ID NO:364, SEQ ID NO:366, SEQ ID NO:368, SEQ 3D N0:370, SEQ ID NO:372, SEQ ID NO:374, SEQ ID NO:376, SEQ.ID NO:378 or SEQ ID NO:380), including expression cassettes such, as expression vectors, encoding the polypeptides of the invention. The invention also includes methods for discovering new xylanase sequences using the nucleic adds of the invention. The invention also includes methods for inhibiting the expression of xylanase genes, transcripts and polypeptides using the nucleic adds of the invention. Also provided are methods for modifying the nucleic acids of the invention by, e.g., synthetic ligation reassembly, optimized directed evolution system and/or saturation mutagenesis.

The nucleic adds of the invention can be made, isolated and/or manipulated by, e.g., cloning and expression of cDNA libraries, amplification of message or genomic DNA by PCR, and the like. For example, the following exemplary sequences of the invention were initially derived tom the following sources:

Table 3

SEP IP SOURCE 2 Bacteria 101,102 Environmental 103,104 Bacteria 105,106 Environmental 107,108 Bacteria - 109,110 Environmental II, 12 Environmental III, 112 Environmental 113,114 Environmental 115,116 Environmental , 117,118 Environmental 119,120 Environmental 121,122 Environmental 123,124 Environmental 125,126 Environmental 127,128 Environmental 129,130 Bacteria 13,14 Environmental . 131,132 Environmental 133,134 Environmental . 135,136 Environmental . 137,138 Bavironmental 139,140 Environmental - 141,142 Environmental 143,144 Bacteria . 145,146 Eukaryote . 147,148 Environmental 149,150 Environmental · 15,16 . Environmental 151,152 Environmental 153,154 Environmental . 155,156 Environmental 157,158 Environmental 159,1®) Environmental 161,162 Environmental 163,164 Environmental . 165,166 Environmental 167,168 Environmental ' 169,170 Environmental 17,18 Bacteria 171,172 Environmental ‘ 173,174 Environmental 175,176 Environmental 177,178 Environmental 179,180 Environmental 181,182 Environmental . 183,184 Environmental 185,186 Environmental. 187,188 Environmental 189,190 Environmental 19 20 Environmental 191,192 Envixoninental 193,194 Environmental . 195,196 Environmental 197 198 Environmental 199* 200 Environmental 201,202 Environmental 203,204 Environmental 205,206 Environmental 207,208 Environmental 209,210 Environmental 21,22 Environmental 211,212 ' Environmental 213,214 Environmental 215^216 Environmental 217,218 Environmental 219,220 Environmental 221* 222 Environmental 223,224 Environmental 225,226 Environmental 227,228 Environmental 229,230 Environmental 23,24 Environmental 231,232 Bacteria 233,234 Environmental . 235,236 Environmental 237,238 Environmental 239,240 Environmental 241,242 Environmental 243,244 Environmental 245,246 Environmental 247,248 Environmental 249,250 Environmental 25,26 Environmental 251,252 Environmental 253,254 Environmental 255,256 Environmental 257,258 Environmental 259,260 Environmental 26U 2^2 Environmental 263,264 Environmental 265,266 Environmental 267,268 Bacteria , 269,270 Environmental · 27,28 Environmental 271,272 Environmental ' 273,274 Environmental , 275,276 Environmental 277,278 Environmental 279,280 Environmental 281,282 Environmental 283,284 Environmental 285,286 Environmental 287,288 Environmental 289,290 Environmental 29,30 Archaea . 291,292 Environmental . 293,294 Environmental 295,296 Environmental 297,298 Environmental 299,300 Environmental 3r 4 Environmental 301,302 Environmental 303,304 Environmental 305,306 Bacteria 307,308 Environmental 309,310 Environmental 31,32 Environmental 311,312 Environmental 313,314 Bacteria 315,316 Environmental 317,318 Environmental 319,320 Environmental 321,322 Environmental 323,324 Environmental 325,326 Environmental 327,328 Environmental 329,330 Environmental 33,34 Environmental 331,332 Environmental - 333,334 Environmental 335,336 Environmental 337,338 Environmental 339,340 Environmental 341,342 Environmental 343,344 Environmental 345,346 Environmental ‘ 347,348 Environmental 349,350 Environmental 35,‘36 Environmental 351,352 Environmental 353,354 Environmental 355,356 · Environmental 357,358 Environmental · . 359,360 Environmental 361,362 Environmental · 363,364 Environmental 365,366 Environmental 367,368 Environmental 369,370 Environmental 37,38 Environmental 371,372 Environmental 373,374 Environmental 375,376 Artificial 377,378 .Artificial 39,40 Environmental 41,42 Environmental 43,44 Environmental 45,46 Environmental 47,48 Environmental 49,50 Environmental 5,6 Environmental 51,52 Environmental 53,54 Bacteria 55,56 Environmental 57,58 Environmental 59,60 Environmental 61,62 Environmental 63,64 Environmental 65,66 Erwiramnental 67,68 Environmental 69,70 Environmental 7,8 Environmental 71,72 Environmental 73,74 Environmental 75,76 Environmental 77,78 Environmental 79,80 Environmental 81,82 Environmental 83,84 Environmental 85,86 Bacteria 87,88 Environmental 89,90 Bacteria 9,10 Environmental 91,92 Environmental 93,94 Environmental 95,96 Environmental 97,98 Environmental 99,100 Environmental

In one aspect, the invention also provides xylanase-encoding nucleic acids with a common novelty in that they are derived from an environmental source, or a bacterial source, or an archaeal source. > In practicing the methods of the invention, homologous genes can be modified by manipulating a template nucleic acid, as described herein. The invention can be practiced in coronation "with, any method or protocol or device known in the art, which are well described in the scientific and patent literature.

One aspect of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid comprising one of the sequences of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, the sequences complementary thereto, or a fragment comprising at least 10,15,20,25,30,35, . 40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or 500 consecutive bases of one of the sequences of a Group A nucleic add sequence (or file sequences complementary thereto). The isolated, nucleic adds may comprise DNA, including cDNA, genomic DNA and synthetic DNA The DNA maybe double-stranded or single-stranded and if single stranded may be the coding strand or non-coding (anti-sense) strand. Alternatively, the isolated nucleic adds may comprise KNA

As discussed in more detail below, the isolated nucleic adds of one of the Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, maybe used to prepare one of the polypeptides of a Group B amino acid sequence and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40, 50.75.100, or 150 consecutive amino adds of one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention is an isolated nucleic acid which encodes one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40, 50.75.100, or 150 consecutive amino adds of one of the polypeptides of the Group B amino acid sequences. The coding sequences of these nucldc acids maybe identical to one of the coding sequences of one of the nucleic acids of Group A nucldc acid sequences, or a fragment thereof or may be different coding sequences which encode one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences, sequences substantially identical thereto and fragments having at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds of one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences, as a result of the redundancy or degeneracy of the genetic code. The genetic code is well known, to those of skill in the art and can be obtained, for example, on page 214 of B. Lewin, Genes YL Oxford University Press, 1997.'

The isolated nucleic acid which encodes one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, may include, but is not limited to: only the coding sequence of one of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto and additional coding sequences, such as leader sequences ox proprotein sequences and non-coding sequences, such as introns or non-coding sequences 5’ and/or 3* of the coding sequence. Thus, as used herein, the term “polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide” encompasses a polynucleotide which includes only the coding sequence for the polypeptide as well as a polynucleotide which includes additional coding and/or non-coding sequence.

Alternatively, the nucleic acid sequences of Group A nucleic acid sequences • and sequences substantially identical thereto, may be mutagenized using conventional techniques, such as site directed mutagenesis, or other techniques familiar to those skilled in the art, to introduce silent changes into the polynucleotides of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. As used herein, “silent changes” include, for example, changes which do not alter the amino acid sequence encoded by the polynucleotide. Such changes may be desirable in orderto increase the level of the polypeptide produced by host cells containing a vector encoding the polypeptide by introducing codons or codon pairs which occur frequently in the host organism.

The invention also relates to polynucleotides which have nucleotide changes which result in amino add substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations in the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. · Such nucleotide changes may be introduced using techniques such as site directed . mutagenesis, random chemical mutagenesis, exonuclease ΠΙ deletion and other recombinant DNA techniques. Alternatively, such nucleotide changes may be naturally occurring allelic valiants which are isolated by identifying nucleic adds which specifically hybridize to probes · comprising at least 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or 500 consecutive bases of one of the sequences of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences . substantially identical thereto (or the sequences complementary thereto) under conditions of high, moderate, or low stringency as provided herein.

General Techniques

The nucleic acids used to practice this invention, whether ENA, iKNA, antisense nucleic add, cDNA, genomic DNA, vectors, viruses or hybrids thereof, may be isolated from a variety of sources, genetically engineered, amplified, and/or expressed/ generated recombinantiy. Recombinant polypeptides (e.g.,xylanases) generated from these nucleic adds can be individually isolated or doned and tested for a desired activity. Any recombinant expression system can be used, including bacterial, mammalian, yeast, insect or plant cell expression systems.

Alternatively, these imcleic adds can be synthesized in vitro by well-known chemical synthesis techniques, as described in, e.g., Adams (1983) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105:661; Belousov (1997) Nucleic Acids Res. 25:3440-3444; Frenkel (1995) Free Radio.

Biol. Med. 19:373-380; Blommers (1994) Biochemistry 33:7886-7896; Naiang (1979) Moth. Enzymol. 68:90; Brown (1979) Meth. EnzymoL 68:109; Beaueage (1981) Tetra. Lett. 22:1859; U.S. Patent No. 4,458,066.

Techniques for the manipulation of nucleic acids, such as, e.g., subcloning, labeling probes (e.g, random-primer labeling using Klenow polymerase, nick translation, amplification), sequencing, hybridization and the like are well described in the scientific and patent literature, see, e.g., Samhrook, ed., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL (2ND ED.), Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1989); CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Ausubel, ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York (1997); LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IN BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY: HYBRIDIZATION WITH NUCLEIC ACID PROBES, Part L Theory and Nucleic Add Preparation, Tijssen, ed. Elsevier, N.Y. (1993).

Another useful means of obtaining and manipulating nucleic adds used to practice the methods of the invention is to clone from genomic samples, and, if desired, screen and re-clone inserts isolated or amplified from, e.g., genomic clones or cDNA clones. Sources of nucleic add used in the methods of the invention include genomic or cDNA libraries contained in, e.g., mammalian artifidal chromosomes (MACs), see, e.g., U.S. Patent . Nos. 5,721,118; 6,025,155; human artificial chromosomes, see, e.g., Rosenfeld (1997) Nat Genet. 15:333-335; yeast artifidal chromosomes (YAC); bacterial artifidal chromosomes (BAG); PI artifidal chromosomes, see, e.g., Woon (1998) Genomics 50:306-316; Pl-derived vectors (PACs), see, e.g, Kern (1997) Biotechmques 23:120-124; cosmids, recombinant viruses, phages or plasmids.

In one aspect, a nucldc add encoding a polypeptide of the invention is assembled in appropriate phase with a leader sequence capable of directing secretion of the translatedpolypeptide or fragment thereof.

The invention provides fosion proteins and nucldc acids encoding them. A polypeptide of the invention can be fused to a heterologous peptide or polypeptide, such as N-terminal identification peptides which impart desired characteristics, such as increased stability or simplified purification. Peptides and polypeptides of the invention can also be synthesized and expressed as fusion proteins with one or more additional domains linked thereto for, e.g., producing a more immunogenic peptide, to more readily isolate a recorabinantly synthesized pqptide, to identify and isolate antibodies and antibody-expressing B cells, and die like. Detection and purification facilitating domains include, e.g., metal chelating peptides such as pofyMstidme tracts and histidine-tryptophan modules that allow purification on immobilized metals, protein A domains that allow purification on immobilized immunoglobulin, and the domain utilized in file FLAGS extenrion/affinity purification system (homunex Coip, Seattle WA). The inclusion of a cleavable links: sequences such as Factor Xa or euterolrinase Qhvitrogen, San Diego CA) between a purification domain and the motif-comprising peptide or polypeptide to facilitate purification. For example, an expression vector can include an epitope-encoding nucleic acid sequence linked to six histidine residues followed by atMoredoxin and an enterokinase cleavage site (see e.g., Williams (1995) Biochemistry 34:1787-1797; Dobeli (1998) Protein Expr. Purif. 12:404-414). The histidine residues facilitate detection and purification while the enterokinase cleavage site provides a means for purifying the epitope from the remainder of fiie fusion protean. Technology pertaining to vectors encoding fusion proteins and application of fusion proteins are well described in the scientific and patent literature, see e.g., Kroll (1993) DNA Cell Biol., 12:441-53.

Transcriptional and translational control sequences

The invention provides nucleic add (e.g., DNA) sequences of the invention operatively linked to expression (e.g., transcriptional or translational) control sequence(s), e.g., promoters or enhancers, to direct or modulate KNA synthesis/ expression. The expression control sequence cm be in an expression vector. Exemplary bacterial promoters include tad, lacZ, T3, T7, gpt, lambda PR, PL and tip. Exemplary eukaryotic promoters include CMV immediate early, HSV thymidine kinase, early and late SV40, LTRs from retrovirus, and mouse mctaHothionein I.

Promoters suitable for expressing a polypeptide in bacteria include the E. colt lac or tap promoters, the lad promoter, the lacZ promoter, the T3 promoter, the T7 promoter, the gpt promoter, the lambda PR promoter, the lambda PL promoter, promoters from operons encoding glycolytic enzymes such as 3-phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), and the acid phosphatase promoter. Eukaryotic promoters include the CMV immediate early promoter, the HSV thymidine kinase promoter, heat shock promoters, the early and late SV40 promoter, LTRs from retroviruses, and the mouse metallothionedn-I promoter. Other promoters known to control expression of genes in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells or their viruses may also be used. Promoters suitable for expressing the polypeptide or fragment thereof in bacteria include the!?. colt lacoitrp promoters, the lad promoter, the lacZ promoter, the T2 promoter, the Ί7 promoter, the gpt promoter, the lambda PR promoter, the lambda Pz promoter, promoters from operons eocoding glycolytic enzymes such as 3 -phosphoglycerate kinase (PGIC) and the add phosphatase promoter. Fungal promoters include the a factor promoter. Eukaryotic promoters include the CMV immediate early promoter, the HSV thymidine kinase promoter, heat shock promote, the early and late SV40 promoter, LTRs from retroviruses and the mouse metallothionein-I promoter. Other promote known to control expression of genes in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells ortheir viruses may also he used.

Tissue-Specific Plant Promoters

The invention provides expression cassettes that can be expressed in a tissue-specific manner, e.g., that can express a xylanase of the invention in a tissue-specific maimer. The invention also provides plants or seeds that express a xylanase of the invention in a tissue-specific maimer. The tissue-spedfidty can be seed specific, stem specific, leaf specific, root specific, fruit specific and the like.

In one aspect, a constitutive promoter such as the CaMV 35S promoter can be used for expression in specific parte of the plant or seed or throughout the plant For example, for overexpression, a plant promoter fragment can be employed which will direct expression of a nucleic acid in some or all tissues of a plant, e.g., a regenerated plant Such promote are referred to herein as "constitutive” promote and are active under most environmental conditions and states of development or cell differentiation. Examples of constitutive promote include tire cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV) 35S transcription initiation region, the Γ- or 2'- promoter derived from T-DNA of Agrobacterhcm tumefaciens, and other transcription initiation regions from various plant genes known to those of skill. Such genes include, e.g., ACT1J from Arabidcpsis (Huang (1996) Plant Mol Biol. 33:125-139); CatS fromArabidopsis (GenBankNo. U43147, Zhong (1996) MoL Gen. Genet 251:196-203); the gene encoding stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase ftamBrassica napus (Genbank-No. X747S2, Solocombe (1994) Plant Physiol 104:1167-1176); GPcl from maize (GsoBarikNo. X15596; Martinez (19S9) J. Mol. Biol 208:551-565); the Gpc2 from maize (GenBank No. U45855, Manjunath (1997) Plant Mot Biol 33:97-112); plant promote described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,962,028; 5,633,440.

The invention uses tissue-specific or constitutive promote derived from viruses which can include, e.g., the tobamovirus subgenomic promoter (Kumagai (1995)

Proc. Nat!. Acad. Sci. USA 92:1679-1683; the xice tungro bacillifoim vims (RTBV), which replicates only in phloem ceils in infected rice plants, with its promoter which drives strong phloem-specific reporter gene expression; the cassava vein mosaic vims (CVMV) promoter, with highest activity in vascular elements, in leaf mesophyll cells, and in root tips (Verdagner (1996) Plant Mol. Biol. 31:1129-1139).

Alternatively, the plant promoter may direct expression of xylanase-expressing nucleic acid in a specific tissue, organ or cell type (z.e. tissue-specific promoters) or may be otherwise under more precise environmental or developmental control or under the control of an inducible promoter. Examples of environmental conditions that may affect transcription include anaerobic conditions, elevated temperature, the presence oflight, or sprayed with ehemicals/honnones. For example, the invention incorporates the drought-inducible promoter of maize (Busk (1997) supra); the cold, drought, and high salt inducible promoter from potato (Kirch (1997) Plant Mol Biol. 33:897 909).

Tissue-specific promoters can promote transcription only within, a certain time frame of developmental stage within that tissue. See, e.g., Blazquez (1998) Plant Cell 10:791-800, characterizing th&Arabidopsis LEAFY gene promoter. See also Cardan (1997) Plant J 12:367-77, describing die transcription factor SPL3, which recognizes a conserved sequence motif in the promoter region of the A thaliana floral meristem identity gene AP1; and Mandel (1995) Plant Molecular Biology, Vol. 29, pp 995-1004, describing the meristem promoter eIF4. Tissue specific promoters which are active throughout the life cycle of a particular tissue can be used. In one aspect, the nucleic acids of the invention are operably linked to. a promoter active primarily only in cotton fiber cells. In one aspect, the nucleic acids of the invention are operably linked to a promoter active primarily during the stages of cotton fiber cell elongation, eg., as described by Rinehart (1996) supra. The nucleic acids can be operably linked to the Fbl2A gene promoter to be preferentially expressed in cotton fiber cells (Ibid). See also, John (1997) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:5769-5773; John, et aL, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,608,148 and 5,602,321, describing cotton fiber-specific promoters and methods for the construction of transgenic cotton plants. Root-specific promoters may also be used to express the nucleic adds of the invention. Examples of root-specific promoters include the promoter from the alcohol dehydrogenase gene (Delisle (1990) lot. Rev. Cytol. 123:39-60). Other promoters that can be used to express the nucleic acids of the invention include, e.g.,.ovule-specific, embryo-specific, endosperm-specific, integument-specific, seed coat-specific promoters, or some combination thereof; a leaf-specific promoter (see, e.g., Busk (1997) Plant J. 11:12851295, describing a leaf-specific promoter in maize); theORF13 promoter from Agrobacterium rhizogenes (which exhibits high activity in roots, see, e.g., Hansen. (1997) supra); a maize pollen specific promoter (see, e.g., Guerrero (1990) Mol. Gem Genet. 224:161 168); a tomato promoter active during fruit ripening, senescence and abscission of leaves and, to a lesser extent, of flowers can be used (see, e.g.s Blume (1997) . Plant J. 12:731 746); a pistil-specific promoter from the potato SK2 gene (see, e.g., Ficker (1997) Plant Mol. BioL 35:425 431); the Blec4 gene from pea, which is active in epidermal tissue of vegetative and floral dhoot apices of transgenic alfalfa making it a useful tool to target the expression of foreign genes to the epidermal layer of actively growing shoots or fibers; the ovule-specific BEL! gene (see, e.g., Reiser (1995) Cell 83:735-742, GenBankNo. U39944); and/or, the promoter in Klee, U.S. Patent No. 5,589,583, describing a plant promoter region is capable of conferring high levels of transcription in meristematic tissue and/or rapidly dividing cells.

Alternatively, plant promoters which are inducible upon exposure to plant hormones, such as auxins, are used to express flue nucleic adds of the invention. For example, the invention can use the auxin-response elements El promoter fragment (AuxKEs) in the soybean (Glycine max L.) (Liu (1997) Plant Physiol. 115:397-407); the auxin-responsive Arabidopsis GST6 promoter (also responsive to salicylic add and hydrogen peroxide) (Chen (1996) Plant J. 10:955-966); the auxm-mdudble parC promoter from tobacco (Sakai (1996) 37:906-913); aplantbiotinresponseelemenl(Strdt (1997) Mol. Plant . Microbe Interact 10:933-937); and, the promoter responsive to die stress hormone absdsic acid (Sheen (1996) Stience 274:1900-1902).

The nucleic adds of the invention can also be operably linked to plant promoters which are inducible upon exposure to chemicals reagents which can be applied to the plant, such as herbiddes or antibiotics. For example, the maize Ih2-2 promoter, activated by benzenesulfonamide herbicide safeners, can be used (DeVeylder (1997) Plant Cell Physiol. 38:568-577); application of different herbidde safeners induces distinct gene expression patterns, including expression in the root, hydafhodes, and the shoot apical meristem.. Coding sequence can be under the control of, e.g., a tetracycHne-indudble promoter, eg., as described with transgenic tobacco plants containing the Avena sativa L. (oat) arginine decarboxylase gene (Masgrau (1997) Plant J. 11:465-473); or, a salicylic add-responsive element (Stange (1997) Plant J. 11:1315-1324). Using chemically- (e.g., hormone- or pesticide-) induced promoters, ie., promoter responsive to a chemical which can be applied to the transgenic plant in the field, expression of a polypeptide of the invention can be induced at a particular stage of development of fire plant Thus, the invention also provides for transgenic plants containing an inducible gene encoding for polypeptides of the invention whose host range is limited to target plant sped®, such as com, rice, barley, wheat, potato or other crops, inducible at any stage of development of the crop.

One of skill will recognize that a tissue-specific plant promoter may drive expression of operably linked sequences in tissues other than the target tissue. Thus, a tissue-specific promoter is one that drives expression preferentially in the target tissue or cell type,· but may also lead to some expression in other tissues as well.

The nucleic adds of the invention can also be operably finked to plant promote which are indudble upon exposure to chemicals reagents. These reagents include, e.g., herbicides, synthetic auxins, or antibiotics which can be applied, e.g., sprayed, onto transgenic plants. Indudble expression of the xylanase-produdng nucleic adds of the invention will allow the grower to select plants with the optimal xylanase expression and/or activity. The development of plant parts can thus controlled, hi this way the invention provides die means to facilitate the harvesting of plants and plant parts. For example, in various embodiments, the maize 3h2-2 promoter, activated by benzenesulfonamide herbicide safeners, is used (De Veylder (1997) Plant Cell Physiol. 38:568-577); application of different herbicide safeners induces distinct gene expression patterns, including expression in the root,, hydathodes, and the shoot apical meristem. Coding sequences of the invention are also under -the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter, e.g., as described with transgenic tobacco plants containing the Avena sativa L. (oat) arginine decarboxylase gene (Masgrau (1997) Plant J. 11:465-473); or, a salicylic add-responsive element (Stange (1997) Plant J. 11:1315-1324).

In some aspects, proper polypeptide expression may require polyadenylation region at the 3'-end of the coding region. The polyadenyMon region can be derived from the natural gene, from a variety of other plant (or animal or other) genes, or from genes in the Agrobacterial T-DNA.

Expression vectors and cloning vehicles

The invention provides expression vectors and cloning vehicles comprising nucleic adds of the invention, e.g., sequences encoding the xylanases of the invention. Expression vectors and cloning vehicles of the invention can comprise viral particles, baculovirus, phage, plasmids, phagenrids, cosnrids, fosmids, bacterial artificial chromosomes, viral DNA (e.g., vaccinia, adenovirus, foul pox virus, pseudorabies and derivatives of SV40), PI-based artifidal chromosomes, yeast plasmids, yeast artifidal chromosomes, and any other vectors specific for specific hosts of interest (such as bacillus, Aspergillus and yeast).

Vectors of the invention can include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences. Large numbers of suitable vectors are known to those of skill in the art, and are commercially available. Exemplary vectors are include: bacterial: pQE vectors (Qiagen), pBluescript plasmids, pNH vectors, (lambda-ZAP vectors (Straiagene); ptrc99a, pKK223-3, pDR540, pRTT2T (Pharmacia); Eukaryotic: pXTl, pSG5 (Stratagene), pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG, pSVLSV40 (Phannacia). However, any other plasmid or other vector maybe used so long as they are replicable and viable in the host. Low copy number or high copy number vectors may be employed with the present invention.

The expression vector can comprise a promoter, a ribosome binding site for translation initiation and a transcription terminator. The vector may also include appropriate . sequences for amplifying expression. Mammalian expression vectors can comprise an origin of replication, any necessary ribosome binding sites, a polyadenylation rite, splice donor and acceptor sites, transcriptional termination sequences, and 5’ flanking non-transcribed sequences, hi some aspects, DNA sequences derived from the SV40 splice and polyadenylation rites may be used to provide the required non4ranscribed genetic elements. in one aspect, the expression vectors contain one or more selectable marker genes to permit selection of host cells containing the vector. Such selectable markers include , genes encoding dihydrofolate reductase or genes conferring neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, genes conferring tetracycline or ampidUin resistance in K coli, and the S'. cerevisiae TKP1 gene. Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using chloramphenicol transferase (CAT) vectors or other vectors with selectable markers.

Vectors for expressing the polypeptide or fragment thereof in eukaryotic cells can also contain enhancers to increase expression levels. Enhancers are cis-acting elements of DNA, usually from about 10 to about 300 bp in length that act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Examples include the SV40 enhancer on the late side of the replication origin bp 100 to 270, the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma enhancer on the late side of the replication origin, and the adenovirus enhancers. A nucleic acid sequence can be inserted into a vector by a variety of procedures, in general, the sequence is ligated to the desired position in the vector following digestion of the insert and the vector with appropriate restriction endonucleases.

Alternatively, blunt ends in both the insert anid the vector may be ligated. A variety of cloning techniques are known in the art, e.g, as described in Ausubel and Sambrook. Such procedures and others are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art

The vector can be in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, or a phage. Other vectors include chromosomal, non-chromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, derivatives of SV40; bacterid plasmids, phage DNA, baculovirus, yeast plasmids, vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage DNA, viral DNA such as vaccinia, adenovirus, fowl pox vims, and pseudorabies. A variety of cloning and expression vectors for use with prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts are described by* e.g., Samhrook.

Particular bacterial vectors which can be used include the commercially available plasmids comprising genetic elements of the well known cloning vector pBR322 (ATCC 37017), pKK223-3 (PhannaciaFine Chemicals, Uppsala, Sweden), GEM1 (Pramega Biotec, Madison, WX, USA) pQE70, pQE60, pQE-9 (Qiagen), pDIO, psiX174 pBluescript H KS, pNHSA, pNHlba, pNHISA, pNH46A (Stratagene), ptrc99a, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, DR540, ρΚΓΓ5 (Pharmacia), pKK232-8 and pCM7. Particular eukaryotic vectors include pSV2CAT, POG44, pXTl, pSG (Stratagene)pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG, and pSVL (Pharmacia). However, any other vector may be used as long as it is replicable and viable in the host cell.

The nucleic adds of the invention can be expressed in expression cassettes, vectors or viruses and transiently or stably expressed in plant cells and seeds. One exemplary transient expression system uses episomal expression systems, e.g., cauliflower mosaic virus . (CaMV) viral KNA generated in the nucleus by transcription of an episomal mini-chromosome containing supercoiled DNA, see, e.g., Covey (1990) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sd. USA 87:1633-1637. Alternatively, coding sequences, i.e, all or sub-fragments of sequences .. of the invention can he inserted into a plant host cell genome becoming an integral part of the host chromosomal DNA Sense or antisense transcripts can be expressed in this manner. A vector comprising the sequences (e.g., promoters or coding regions) from nucleic adds of die invention can comprise a marker gene that confers a selectable phenotype on a plant cell or a seed For example, the marker may encode biocide resistance, particularly antibiotic resistance, such as resistance to kannmydn, G418, bleomycin, hygramycm, or herbidde resistance, such as resistance to chlorosulfuxon ox Basta.

Expression vectors capable of expressing nucleic adds and proteins in plants are well known in the art, and can include, eg., vectors from Agrobacterium spp., potato virus X (see, e.g., Angell (1997) EMBO J. 16:3675-3684), tobacco mosaic virus (see, e.g., Casper (1996) Gene 173:69-73), tomato bushy stunt virus (see,, e.g., Hillman (1989) Virology 169:42-50), tobacco etch virus (see, e.g., Dolja (1997) Virology234:243-252), bean golden mosaic virus (see, e.g.} Morinaga (1993) Microbiol Immunol. 37:471-476), cauliflower mosaic virus (see, e.g., Cecchini (1997) Mol. Plant Microbe Interact. 10:1094-1101), maize

Ac/Ds transposable element (see, e.g, Rubin (1997) Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:6294-6302; Kunze (1996) Curr. Top. Microbiol. hrumnol. 204:161-194), and the maize suppressor-mutator (Spm) transposable element (see, e.g., Schlappi (1996) Plant Mol. Biol. 32:717-725); and derivatives thereof

In one aspect, the expression vector can have two replication systems to allow it to be maintained in two organisms, for example in mammalian or insect cells for expression and in a prokaryotic host for cloning and amplification. Furthermore, for integrating expression vectors, file expression vector can contain at least one sequence homologous to the host cell genome. It can contain two homologous sequences which flank tihe expression construct The integrating vector can be directed to a specific locus in the host cell by selecting the appropriate homologous sequence for inclusion in the vector. Constructs for integrating vectors are well known in the art.

Expression vectors of the invention may also include a selectable marker gene to allow for the selection of bacterial strains that have been transformed, e.g., genes which render the bacteria resistant to drugs such as ampicillm, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, kanamycin, neomycin and tetracycline. Selectable markers can also include biosynthetic genes, such as those in the histidine, tryptophan and leucine biosynthetic pathways.

The DNA sequence in the expression vector is operatively linked to an appropriate expression control sequence(s) (promoter) to direct RNA synthesis. Particular named bacterial promoters include lad, lacZ, T3,17, gpt, lambda P& Pi and trp. Eukaryotic promoters include CMV immediate early, HSV thymidine kinase, early and late SV40, LTRs from retrovirus and mouse metallothionein-L Selection of the appropriate vector and promoter is well within the level of ordinary skill in the art The expression vector also contains a ribosome binding site for translation initiation and a transcription terminator. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for amplifying expression. Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using cMoramphemcol transferase (CAT) vectors or other vectors with selectable markers. In addition, the expression vectors preferably contain one or more selectable maker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells such as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, or such as tetracycline or ampicillm resistance in E. call.

Mammalian expression· vectors may also comprise an origin of replication, any necessary ribosome binding sites, a polyadenylalion site, splice donor and acceptor sites, transcriptional termination sequences and 5’ flanking nontranscribed sequences. In some aspects, DNA sequences derived from the SV40 splice and polyadenylaiion sites maybe used to provide the required nontranscribed genetic elements.

Vectors for expressing the polypeptide or fragment thereof in eukaryotic cells may also contain enhancers to increase expression levels. Enhancers are cis-actmg elements of DNA, usually from about 10 to about 300 bp in length that act on a promoter to increase its transcription. Examples include the SV40 enhancer on the late side of the replication origin bp 100 to 270, the cytomegalovirus early promoter enhancer, the polyoma enhancer on the Me side of the replication orijpn and the adenovirus enhancers. 3h addition, the expression vectors typically contain one or more selectable marker genes to permit selection of host cells containing the vector. Such selectable markers include genes encoding dihydrofolate reductase or genes conferring neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, genes conferring tetracycline or ampicillin resistance in E, coli and the S. cerevisiae TKP1 gene.

In some aspects, the nucleic acid encoding one of the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least about 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof is assembled in appropriate phase with a leader sequence capable of directing secretion of the translated polypeptide or fragment thereof Optionally, the nucleic acid can encode a fusion -polypeptide in which one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and > sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25, 30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds thereof is fused to heterologous peptides or polypeptides, such as N-terxninal identification peptides which impart desired characteristics, such as increased stability or simplified purification.

The appropriate DNA sequence may be inserted into the vector by a variety of procedures. In general, the DNA sequence is ligated to the desired position in the vector following digestion of the insert and the vector with appropriate restriction endonucleases. Alternatively, blunt ends in both the insert and the vector may be ligated. A variety of cloning techniques are disclosed in Ausubel et al Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,

John Wiley503 Sons, Inc. 1997 and Sambrook et oi, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd Ed. Cold Spring Harbor laboratory Press (1989. Such procedures and others are deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art.

The vector may be, for example, in the form of a plasmid, a viral particle, or a phage. Other vectors include chromosomal, nonchromosomal and synthetic DNA sequences, derivatives of SV40; bacterial plasmids, phage DNA, baculovirus, yeast plasmids, vectors derived from combinations of plasmids and phage· DNA, Viral DNA such as vaccinia, adenovirus, fowl pox virus and pseudorabies. A variety of cloning and expression vectors for use with prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts are described by Sambrook, et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd Ed.. Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., (1989).

Host cells and transformed cells

The invention also provides a transformed cell comprising a nucleic acid sequence of Hie invention, e.g., a sequence encoding a xylanase of the invention, ora vector of the invention. The host cell may be any of the host cells familiar to those skilled in the art, including prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, such as bacterial cells, fungal cells, yeast cells, mammalian cells, insect cells, or plant cells. Exemplary bacterial cells include K coti, Strepiomyces, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Strepiomyces, and Staphylococcus. Exemplary insect cells include Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9. Exemplary animal cells include CIIO, COS or Bowes melanoma or any mouse or human cell line. The selection of an appropriate host is within the abilities of those skilled in the art Techniques for transforming a wide variety of higher plant' species are well known and described in the technical and scientific literature. See, e.g., Wdsing (1988) Ann. Rev. Genet. 22:421-477; U.S. Patent No. 5,750,870.

The vector can be introduced into the host cells using any of a variety of techniques, including transformation, transfection, transduction, viral infection, gene guns, or > Ti-mediated gene transfer. Particular methods include calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation (Davis, L, Dibner, M., Battey, L, Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, (1986)).

In one aspect, the nucleic acids or vectors of the invention are introduced into ’ the cells for screening, thus, the nucleic adds enter the cells in a manner suitable for subsequent expression of the nucleic acid. The method of introduction is largely dictated by the targeted cell type. Exemplary methods include CaPC>4 precipitation, liposome fusion, lipofection (e.g., UPOFECTHf™), electroporation, viral infection, etc. The candidate nucleic adds may stably integrate into the genome of the host cell (for example, with retroviral introduction) or may exist either transiently or stably in the cytoplasm (i.e. through the use of traditional plasmids, utilising standard regulatory sequences, selection markers, etc.). As many pharmaceutically important screens require human or model mammalian cell targets, retroviral vectors capable of transfecting such targets are can be used.

Where appropriate, the engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes of the invention. Following transformation of a suitable host strain and growth of the host strain to an appropriate cell density, the selected promoter may be induced by appropriate means (e.g., temperature shift or chemical induction) and the cells may be cultured for an additional period to allow them to produce the desired polypeptide or fragment thereof.

Cells can be harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract is retained for further purification. Microbial cells employed for expression of proteins can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, somcation, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents. Such methods arc well known to those skilled in the art The expressed polypeptide or fragment thereof can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocelhdose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapafite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, in completing configuration of the polypeptide. If desired, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps. I The constructs in host cells can be used in a conventional manner to produce the gene product encoded by the recombinant sequence. Depending upon the host employed in a recombinant production procedure, the polypeptides produced by host cells containing the vectormay be glycosylated ormay be non-glycosylated. Polypeptides of the invention may or may not also include an initial methionine amino add residue.

Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce a polypeptide of the invention. Cell-free translation systems can use mRNAs transcribed from a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide or fragment thereof In some aspects, the DNA construct may be linearized prior to conducting an in vitro transcription reaction. The transcribed mRNA is then incubated with an appropriate cell-free translation extract, such as a rabbit reticulocyte extract, to produce the desired polypeptide or fragment thereof

The expression vectors can contain one or more selectable marker genes to provide a phenotypic trait for selection of transformed host cells such as dihydrofolate reductase or neomycin resistance for eukaryotic cell culture, or such as tetracycline or ampicillin resistance in E. coli.

Host cells containing the polynucleotides of interest, e.g., nucleic acids of the invention, can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying genes. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH and the like, are those previously used with the host cell selected for expression and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan. The clones which are identified as having the specified enzyme activity may then be sequenced to identify the polynucleotide sequence encoding an enzyme having the enhanced activity.

The invention provides a method for overexpressing a recombinant xylanase in a cell comprising expressing a vector comprising a nucleic acid of the invention, e.g., a nucleic acid comprising a nucleic acid sequence with at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more sequence identity to a sequence of Group A nucleic acid sequences over a region of at least about 100 residues, wherein the sequence identities are determined by analysis with a sequence comparison algorithm or by visual inspection, or, a nucleic acid that hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences, or a subsequence thereof The overexpression can be effected by any means, e.g., use of a high activity promoter, a dicistronic vector or by gene amplification of the vector.

The nucleic adds of the invention can be expressed, or overexpressed, in any in vitro or in vivo expression system. Any cell culture systems can be employed to express, or over-express, recombinant protein, including bacterial, insect, yeast, fungal or mammalian cultures. Over-expression can be effected by appropriate choice of promoters, enhancers, vectors (e.g., use of replicon vectors, didstronic vectors (see, e.g., Guxtu (1996) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Common. 229295-8), media, culture systems and the like. In one aspect, gene amplification using selection markers, e.g., glutamine synthetase (see, e.g., Sanders (1987) Dev. BioL Stand. 66:55-63), in cell systems are used to overexpress the polypeptides of tire invention.

Additional details regarding this approach are in tire public literature and/or are known to the skilled artisan. In a particular non-limiting exemplification, such publicly available literature includes EP 0659215 (W0 9403612 Al) (Nevalainen et al); Lapidot, A, Mechaly, A., Shoham, Y., “Overexpression and single-stop purification of a thermostable xylanase from Bacillus stearoihermophihis T-6,” J. Biotechnol. Nov 51:259-64 (1996); Ldthi, E., Jasmat, NB., Bergquist, PX., “Xylanase from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Caldocellum saccharofyticwn: overexpression of the gene in EschericMa coli and characterization of the gene product,” AppL Environ. Microbiol. Sep 56:2677-83 (1990); and Sung, WX., Luk, CX_, Zahab, DM., Wakarchuk, W., ‘Overexpression of the Bacillus subtilis and circulans xylanases m Escherichia coli ” Protein Expr. Purif. Jun 4:200-6 (1993), although these references do not teach the inventive enzymes of the instant application.

The host cell maybe any of the host cells familiar to those skilled in the art, including prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells, mammalian cells, insect cells, or plant cells. As representative examples of appropriate hosts, there may be mentioned: bacterial cells, such as E. coli, Streptomyces, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhimurium and various species within the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces and Staphylococcus, fungal cells, such as yeast, insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodopiera Sf9, animal cells such as CHO, COS or Bowes melanoma and adenoviruses. The selection of an appropriate host is within the abilities of those skilled in the art.

The vector may be introduced into the host cells nsing any of a variety of techniques, including transformation, transfection, transduction, viral infection, gene guns, or Ti-mediated gene transfer. Particular methods include calcium phosphate transfection, DBAE-Dextran mediated transfection, lipofection, or electroporation (Davis, L., Dibner, M., . Battey, I, Basic Methods in Molecular Biology, (1986)).

Where appropriate, the engineered host cells can be cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for activating promoters, selecting transformants or amplifying the genes of the invention. Following transformation of a suitable host strain and growth of the host strain to an appropriate cell density, the selected promoter may be induced by appropriate means (e,g., temperature shift car chemical induction) and the cells may be cultured for an additional period to allow them to produce the desired polypeptide or fragment thereof.

Cells are typically harvested by centrifugation, disrupted by physical or chemical means and the resulting crude extract is retained for further purification. Microbial cells employed for expression of proteins can be disrupted by any convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication, mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents. Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art. The expressed polypeptide or fragment thereof can be recovered and purified from recombinant cell cultures by methods including ammonium sul&te or ethanol precipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography, phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectin chromatography. Protein refolding steps can be used, as necessary, in completing configuration of the polypeptide. If desired, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) can be employed for final purification steps.

Various -mammalian cell culture systems can also be employed to express recombinant protein. Examples of mammalian expression systems include the COS-7 lines of monkey kidney fibroblasts (described by Gluzman, Cell, 23:175,1981) and other cell lines capable of expressing proteins from a compatible vector, such as the C127,3T3, CHO, HeLa and-BHK cell lines.

The constructs in host cells can be used in a conventional manner to produce the gene product encoded by the xecombinant sequence. Depending upon the host employed in a recombinant production procedure, the polypeptides produced by host cells containing the vector may be glycosylated or maybe non-glycosylated. Polypeptides of the invention may or may not also include an initial methionine amino acid residue.

Alternatively, the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25, 30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof can be synthetically produced by conventional peptide synthesizers. In other aspects, fragments or portions of the polypeptides maybe employed for producing the corresponding full-length polypeptide by peptide synthesis; therefore, the fragments maybe employed as intermediates for producing the full-length polypeptides.

Cell-free translation systems can also be employed to produce one of the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds thereof using rriRNAs transcribed from a DNA construct comprising a promoter operably linked to anucleic add encoding the polypeptide or fragment thereof hi some aspects, the DNA construct may be linearized prior to conducting an in vitro transcription reaction. The transcribed mRNA is then incubated with an appropriate cell-free translation extract, such as a rabbit reticulocyte extract, to produce the desired polypeptide or fragment thereof.

Amplifmtion ofNucleic Adds Ια practicing the invention, nucleic acids of the invention and nucleic acids encoding the xylanases ofthe invention, or modified nucleic adds of the invention, can be reproduced by amplification. Amplification can also be used to clone or modify the nucleic acids of the invention. Thus, die invention provides amplification primer sequence pairs for amplifying nucleic adds of the invention. One of skill in the art can design amplification primer sequence pairs for any part of or the lull length ofthese sequences.

In one aspect, the invention provides a nucleic acid amplified by a primer pair of the invention, e.g., a primer pair as set forth by about the first (the 5’) 12,13,14,15,16, 17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24, or 25 residues of a nucleic add of the invention, and about the first (foe 5’) 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24, or 25 residues of foe complementary strand.

The invention provides an amplification primer sequence pair for amplifying a nucldc add encoding a polypeptide having a xylanase activity, wherein foe primer pair is capable of amplifying a nudeic acid comprising a sequence of foe invention, or fragments or subsequences thereof. One or each member of foe amplification primer sequence pair can comprise an oligonucleotide comprising at least about 10 to 50 consecutive bases of the sequence, or about 12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24, or 25 consecutive bases of foe sequence. The invention provides amplification primer pairs, wherein foe primer pair comprises a first member having a sequence as set forth by aboutfoe first (the 5’) 12,13,14, .· 15.16.17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24, or 25 residues of anucleic add of foe invention, and a second member having a sequence as set forth by about foe first (foe 5’) 12,13,14,15,16, 17.18.19.20.21.22.23.24, or 25 residues of the complementary strand of the first member. The invention provides xylanases generated by amplification, e.g., polymerase dram reaction (PCR), using an amplification primer pair of foe invention. The invention provides methods of making a xylanase by amplification, e.g.» polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using an amplification primer pair of foe invention, fit one aspect, foe amplification primer pair amplifies a nudeic add from a library, e.g., a gens library, such as an environmental library. . Amplification reactions can also be used to quantify foe amount of nucleic acid in a sample (such as the amount of message in a cell sample), label foe nucleic add (e.g., to apply it to an array or a blot), detect the nucleic add, or quantify foe amount of a specific nucldc acid in a sample. In one aspect of foe invention, message isolated from a cell or a cDNA library are amplified.

The skilled artisan can select and design suitable oligonucleotide amplification primers. Amplification methods are also well known in the ait, and include, e.g., polymerase chain reaction, PCR (see, e.g., PCRPROTOCOLS, A GUIDE TO METHODS AMD APPLICATIONS, ed. Innis, Academic Press, N.Y. (1990) and PCR STRATEGIES (1995), ed. Innis, Academic Press, Inc., N.Y., ligase chain reaction (LCR) (see, e.g., We (1989) Genomics 4:560; Landegren (1988)Sdence 241:1077; Barringer (1990) Gene 89:117); transcription amplification (sees, e.g., Kwoh(1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:1173);. and, self-sustained sequence replication (see, e.g., GuatelH (1990) Proc. NatL Acad. Sci. USA 87:1874); Q Beta replicase amplification (see, e.g., Smith (1997) J. Clin. Microbiol. 35:1477-1491), automated Q-beta replicase amplification assay (see, e.g., Burg (1996) MoL CelL Probes 10:257-271) and other RNA polymerase mediated techniques (e.g., NASBA,

Cangene, Mississauga, Ontario); see also Berger (1987) Methods Enzymol. 152:307-316; Sambrook; Ausubel; U.S. Patent Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202; Sooknanan (1995) Biotechnology 13:563-564.

Determining the degree of sequence identity

The invention provides nucleic acids comprising sequences having at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, -65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary nucleic acid of the invention (e.g., SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ Π> NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ © NO:ll, SEQ © NO:13, SEQ © NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ© NO:21, SEQ © N0.23, SEQ ©NO:25, SEQ © NO:27, SEQ © NO:29, SEQ © . NO:31, SEQ © NO:33, SEQ © NO:35, SEQ © NO:37, SEQ © NO:39, SEQ © NO:41, SEQ© NO:43, SEQ © NO:45, SEQ ©NO:47, SEQ © NO:49, SEQ ©NO.51, SEQ © NO:53, SEQ ©NO:55, SEQ © NO:57, SEQ © NO:59, SEQ ©NO:61, SEQ © NO:63, SEQ © NO:65, SEQ © NO:67, SEQ © NO:69, SEQ © NO:71, SEQ © NO:73, SEQ © NO:75, SBQ © NO:77, SEQ©NO:79,SEQ©NO:81, SEQ©NO:83, SEQ© NO:85, SEQ©NO:87, SEQ © NO:89, SEQ © NO:91, SEQ ©NO:93, SEQ © N055, SEQ JD NO:97, SBQ © NO:99, SEQ © NO:101, SEQ © NO:103, SEQ © NO: 105, SEQ © NO:107, SEQ © NO:309, SEQ © NO:lll, SEQ © NO:l 13, SEQ © NO:l 15, SEQ © NO:117, SEQ © NO:119, SBQ © NO:121, SEQ © NO:123, SEQ © NO: 125, SEQ © NO: 127, SEQ © NO:129, SEQ © NO:131, SEQ © NO:133, SEQ © NO:135, SEQ © NO: 137, SEQ fl> NO:139, SEQ ID NO:141, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO: 147, SEQ ID NO; 149, SEQ ID NO:151, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQIDNO:155, SEQ ID Nai57, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID NO:16I, SEQ ID NO: 163, SEQ ID NO:165, SEQ ID NO: 167, SEQ ID N0:169, SEQIDNO:171, SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:175, SEQ ID NO:I77, SEQ ID NOrl79, SEQ ID NO:l 81, SEQ ID NO:I83, SEQ ID NO:185, SEQ ID NO:187, SEQ ID NO:189, SEQ ID NO:191, SEQ ID NO:193, SEQ Π> NO:195, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID NOSOl, SEQ ID NO203, SEQ ID NO:205, SEQ ID NO:207, SEQ Π> NO:209, SEQ ID NOSH, SEQ ID NO:213, SEQ ID NO:215, SEQ ID NO:2I7, SEQ ID N0:219, SEQ ID NO:221, SEQ ID NO:223, SEQ ID NO:225, SEQ ID NO:227, SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID NO:231, SEQ BD NO:233, SEQ ID NO:235, SEQ ID NO:237, SEQ ID NO:239, SEQ ID NO:241, SEQ ID NO:243, SEQ ID NO:245, SEQ ID NO:247, SEQ ID NO:249, SEQ ID NO:251, SEQ ID NO:253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ID NO:259, SEQ ID NO:261, SEQ ID NO:263, SEQ ID NO:265, SEQ ID NO:267, SEQ ID NO:269, SEQ ID NO:271, SEQ ID NO:273, SEQ ID NO;275, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID NO:279, SEQ ID NO:281, SEQ ID NO:283, SEQ ID NO:285, SEQ ID NO:287, SEQ ED NO:289, SEQ ID NO:291, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID NO:295, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ID NO:299, SEQ ID NO:301, SEQ ID N0:303, SEQ ID NO;305, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:309, SEQ ID N0311, SEQ ID NO:313, SEQ ID NO:315, SEQ ID NO:317, SEQ ID NO:319, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ED NO:323, SEQ ED NO:325, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQ ED NO:329, SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ ID NO:335, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQID.NO:341, SEQ ED NO:343, SEQ ED NO:345, SEQ ID NO:347, SEQ ID NO:349, SEQ ED N0351, SEQ ID NO:353, SEQ ID N0355, SEQ ID NO:357, SEQ ID NO:359, SEQ ID N0361, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQ ID NO:365, SEQ ED NO:367, SEQ ID NO:369, SEQ ID NO:371, SEQ ID NO:373, SEQ ID NO:375, SEQ ID NO:377 car SEQ ID NO:379) over a region of at least aboil SO, 75,100,150,200,250,300, 350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700,750,800,850,900,950,1000,1050,1100,1150, 1200,1250,1300,1350,1400,1450,1500,1550 or more, residues. The invention provides polypeptides comprising sequences having at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%; 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary polypeptide of the invention. .The extent of sequence identity (homology) may be determined using any computer program and associated parameters, mdading those described herein, such as BLAST 2.2.2. or FASTA version 3.0178, with the default parameters.

The nucleic add sequences are also referred to as “Group A” nucleic acid sequences, which include sequences substantially identical thereto, as well as sequences homologous to Group A nucleic add sequences and fragments thereof and sequences complementary to all of the preceding sequences. Nucleic add sequences of the invention can comprise at least 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or 500 consecutive nucleotides of an exemplary sequence of the invention (e.g., Group A nucleic add sequences) and sequences substantially identical thereto. Homologous sequences and fragments of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, refer to a sequence having at least 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, 70%, 65%, 60%, 55%, or 50% homology to these sequences. Homology may be determined using any of the computer programs and parameters described herein, including FASTA version 3.0t78 with the default parameters. Homologous sequences also include RNA sequences in which uridines replace the thymines in the nucldc add sequences as set forth in the Group A nucleic acid sequences. The homologous sequences may be obtained using any of the procedures described herein or may result from the correction of a sequencing error. It will be, appreciated that the nucleic acid sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, can be represented in the traditional single character format (See the inside back cover of Stryer, Lubert. Biochemistry, 3rd Ed., W. H Freeman & Co., New York.) or in any other format which records the identity of the nucleotides in a sequence.

Various sequence comparison programs identified elsewhere in this patent specification are particularly contemplated for use in this aspect of the invention. Protein and/or nucldc add sequence homologies maybe evaluated using any of the variety of sequence comparison algorithms and programs known in the art. Such algorithms and programs include, but are by no means limited to, TBLASTN, BLASTP, FASTA, TFASTA and CLUSTALW (Pearson and Lipman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sd. USA 85(8):2444-2448,1988; Altschul et at, J. Mol. Biol. 215(3):403-410.1990; Thompson et al> Nucldc Acids Res. 22(2):4673-4680,1994;Higgms et alt Methods EnzymoL 266:383-402.1996; Altschul et al., I MoL Biol. 215(3):403-410,1990; Altschul et aL, Nature Genetics 3:266-272,1993).

Homology or identity is often measured using sequence analysis software (e.g., Sequence Analysis Software Package of the Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center, 1710 University Avenue, Madison, WI53705). Such software matches similar sequences by assigningdegrees of homology to various deletions, substitutions and other modifications. The terms ‘homology” and “identity” in the context of two or more nucleic adds or polypeptide sequences, refer to two or more sequences or subsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage of ammo acid residues or nucleotides that are the same when compared and aligned for maximum correspondence over a comparison window or designated region as measured using any number of sequence comparison algorithms or by manual alignment and visual inspection.

For sequence comparison, typically one sequence acts as a reference sequence, to which test sequences are compared. When using a sequence comparison algorithm, test and reference sequences are entered into a computer, subsequence coordinates are designated, if necessary and sequence algorithm program parameters are designated. Default program parameters can be used, car alternative parameters can. be designated. The sequence comparison algorithm then calculates the percent sequence identities for the test sequences relative to the reference sequence, based on the program parameters. A “comparison window”, as used herein, includes reference to a segment of any one of the number of contiguous positions selected from the group consisting of from 20 to 600, usually about 50 to about 200, more usually about 100 to about 150 in which a sequence maybe . compared to a reference sequence of the same number of contiguous positions after the two sequences are optimally aligned Methods of alignment of sequence for comparison are well-known in the art Optimal alignment of sequences for comparison can be conducted, e g·, by the local homology algorithm of Smith & Waterman, Adv.AppLMalh. 2:482,1981, by the homology alignment algorithm of Needleman & Wunsch, J. MoL Biol 48:443,1970, by the ‘ search for similarity method of person & lipman, Proc. NafI Acad. Sci. USA 85:2444,1988, by computerized implementations of these algorithms (GAP, BESTFTT, FASTA and TFASTA in the Wisconsin Genetics Software Package, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Dr., Madison, WI), or by manual alignment and visual inspection. Other algorithms for determining homology or identity include, for example, in addition to a BLAST program (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool at the National Center for Biological Information), ALIGN, AMAS (Analysis of Multiply Aligned Sequences), AMPS (Protein Multiple Sequence Alignment), ASSET (Aligned Segment Statistical Evaluation Tool), BANDS, BESTSCOR, BIOSCAN (Biological Sequence Comparative Analysis Node), BUMPS (BLocks IMProved Searcher), FASTA Intervals & Points, BMB, CLUSTAL V, CLUSTAL W, CONSENSUS, LCONSENSUS, WCONSENSUS, Smith-Waterman algorithm, DARWIN, Las Vegas algorithm, FNAT (Forced Nucleotide Alignment Tool), Framealign, Framesearch, DYNAMIC, FILTER, FSAP (Fristensky Sequence Analysis Package), GAP (Global Alignment Program), GENAL, GIBBS, GenQuest, ISSC (Sensitive Sequence Comparison), LALIGN (Local Sequence Alignment), LCP (Local Content Program), MACAW (Multiple Alignment Construclion & Analysis Workbench), MAP (Multiple Alignment Program), MBLKP, MBLKN, PIMA (Pattern-Induced Multi-sequence Alignment), SAGA (Sequence Alignment by Genetic Algorithm) and WHAT-EF. Such alignment programs can also be used to screen genome databases to identify polynucleotide sequences having substantially identical sequences. A number of genome databases are available, for example, a substantial portion of the human genome is available as part of the Human Genome Sequencing Project (J. Roach, http^Avebex.mWashingtomedu/"ioacb/h.iiman_ genome progress 2-html) (Gibbs, 1995). At least twenty-one other genomes have already been sequenced, including, for example, M. gemtalnan (Fraser et al, 1995), M-jannaschii (Buitetal, 1996), H. influenzae (Fleischmanu et al, 1995), E. coli (Blattner etal, 1997) and yeast (S', cerevisiae) (Mewes et aL, 1997) and D. melanogaster (Adams et al, 2000). Significant progress has also been made in sequencing the genomes of model organism, such as mouse, G elegans and Arabadopsis sp. Several databases containing genomic information annotated with some functional information are maintained by different organization aad are accessible via the internet

One example of a useful algorithm is BLAST and BLAST 2.0 algorithms, which are described in Altschul et al., Nuc. Acids Res. 25:3389-3402.1977 and Altschul et al, J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410.1990, respectively. Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information. This algorithm involves first identifying high scoring sequence pairs (HSPs) by identifying short words of length Win the query sequence, which either match or satisfy some positive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the same length in a database sequence. T is referred to as file neighborhood word score threshold (Altschul et al, supra). These initial neighborhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to find longer HSPs containing them. The word hits are extended in both directions along each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can be increased. Cumulative scores are calculated using, for nucleotide sequences, the parameters M (reward score for a pair of matching residues; always >0). For amino acid sequences, a scoring matrix is used to calculate the cumulative score. Extension of the word hits in each direction are halted when: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X firm its maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below, due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residue alignments; or the end of either sequence is reached. The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T and X determine the sensitivity and speed of the alignment. The BLASTN program (for nucleotide sequences) uses as defaults a wordlength (W) of 11, an expectation (B) of 10, M=5, N=^4 and a comparison of both strands. For amino add sequences, the BLASTP program uses as defaults a wordlength of 3 and expectations (E) of 10 and the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Hemkoff &. Herdkofi; Proc. Nad. Acad. Sci. USA 89:10915,1989) alignments (B) of 50, expectation (E) of 10, M=5, N= -4 and a comparison of both strands.

The BLAST algorithm also performs a statistical analysis of the similarity between two sequences (see, eg., Karlin & Altscbul, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sd. USA 90:5873, 1993). One measure of similarity provided by BLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which provides an indication of the probability by which a match between two nucleotide or amino add sequences would occur by chance. For example, a nucleic acid is considered similar to a references sequence if the smallest sum probability in a comparison of the test nucleic add to the reference nucleic add is less than about 0.2, more preferably less than about 0.01 and most preferably less than about 0.001.

In one aspect, protein and nucleic acid sequence homologies are evaluated using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool ("BLAST") In particular, five specific BLAST programs are used to perform the following task: (1) BLASTP and BLAST3 compare an ammo acid query sequence against . a protein sequence database; i (2) BLASTN compares a nucleotide query sequence against a nucleotide sequence database; (3) BLASTX compares the six-frame conceptual translation products of a query nucleotide sequence (both strands) against a protein sequence database; (4) TBLASTN compares a query protein sequence against a nucleotide sequence database translated in all six reading frames (both strands); and (5) TBLASTX compares the six-frame translations of a nucleotide query sequence against the six-frame translations of a nucleotide sequence database.

The BLAST programs identify homologous sequences by identifying similar segments, which, are referred to herein as “high-scoring segment pahs,” between a query amino or nucleic arid sequence and a test sequence which is preferably obtained from a protein or nucleic acid sequence database. High-scoring segment pairs are preferably identified (fa, aligned! by means of a scoring matrix, many of which are known in the art. Preferably, the scoring matrix used is the BLOSUM62 matrix (Goirnet et al, Science 256:1443-1445.1992; Hemkoff and Henikorf Proteins 17:49-61,1993). Less preferably, the PAM or PAM250 matrices may also be used (see, e.g., Schwartz and Dayhofij eds., 1978, Matrices far Detecting Distance Relationships: Atlas of Protein Sequence and Structure, Washington; National Biomedical Research Foundation). BLAST programs are accessible through the U.S. National library of Medicine. pie parameters used with the above algorithms may be adapted depending on tire sequence length and degree of homology studied. In some aspects, the parameters may be the default parameters used by the algorithms in the absence of instructions from the user.

Computer systems and computer program products

To determine and identify sequence identities, structural homologies, motifs and the like in silico, a nucleic acid or polypeptide sequence of the invention can be stored, recorded, and manipulated on any medium which can be read and accessed by a computer.

Accordingly, the invention provides computers, computer systems, computer readable mediums, computer programs products and the like recorded or stored thereon the nudedc acid and polypeptide sequences of the invention. As used herein, the words “recorded” and “stored” refer to a process for staring information on a computer medium. A skilled artisan can readily adopt any known methods for recording information on a computer readable medium to generate manufactures comprising one or more ofthe nucleic acid and/or polypeptide sequences of the invention.

The polypeptides of the invention include the polypeptide sequences of Group B amino acid sequences, the exemplary sequences of 1he invention, and sequences substantially identical thereto, and fragments of any of the preceding sequences.

Substantially identical, or homologous, polypeptide sequences refer to a polypeptide sequence having at least 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%, 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity to an exemplary sequence ofthe invention, rig., a polypeptide sequences of the Group B amino acid sequences.

Homology may be determined using any of the computer programs and parameters described herein, including FASTA version 3.0t78 with fee default parameters or wife any modified parameters. The homologous sequences maybe obtained using any of the procedures described herein or may result from the correction of a sequencing error. The polypeptide fragments comprise at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,75,100,150,' 200» 250,300,350,400,450,500 or more consecutive amino acids of the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. It will be appreciated that the polypeptide codes as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, can be represented in the traditional single character format or three letter format (See the inside back cover of Shyer, Lubert Biochemistry. 3rd Ed.. W. H Freeman & Co., New York.) or in any other format which relates the identity of the polypeptides in a sequence. A nucleic add or polypeptide sequence of the invention can be stored, recorded and manipulated on any medium which can be read and accessed by a computer. As used herein, the words “recorded” and “stored” refer to a process for storing information on a computermedium. A skilled artisan can readily adopt any of the presently known methods for recording information on a computer readable medium to generate manufactures comprising one or more of the nucleic acid sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, one or more of the polypeptide sequences as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. Another aspect of foe invention is a computer readable medium having recorded thereon at least 2,5,10, . 15, or 20 or more nucleic add sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is a computer readable medium having recorded thereon one or more of the nucleic acid sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. Another aspect of the invention is a computer readable medium having recorded thereon one or more of the polypeptide sequences as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. Another aspect of the invention is a computer readable medium having recorded thereon at least 2,5,10,15, or 20 or more of the sequences as set forth above.

Computer readable media include magnetically readable media, optically readable media, electronically readable media and magnetic/optical media. For example;, the computer readable media may be a hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), Random Access Memory (RAM), or Read Only Memory (ROM) as well as other types of other media known to those skilled in the art.·

Aspects of file invention include systems (e.g.} internet based systems), particularly computer systems which store and manipulate the sequence information described herein. One example of a computer system 100 is illustrated in block diagram form in Figure 1.

As used herein, “a computer system” refers to foe hardware components, software components and data storage components used to analyze a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto» or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in the Group B amino acid sequences. The computer system 100 typically includes a processor for processing, accessing and manipulating the sequence data. The processor 105 can be any well-known type of central processing unit, such as» for example, the Pentium HI from Intel Corporation, or sforilar processor firm Sun,

Motorola, Compaq, AMD or fotemational Business Machines.

Typically the computer system 100 is a general purpose system that comprises the processor 105 and one or more internal data storage components 110 for storing data and one or more data retrieving devices for retrieving the data stored on the data storage components. A drilled artisan can readily appreciate that any core of the currently available computer systems are suitable.

In one particular aspect, the computer system 100 includes a processor 105 connected to a bus which is connected to a main memory 115 (preferably implemented as RAM) and one or more internal data storage devices 110, such as a hard drive and/or other computer readable media haying data recorded thereon. Ια some aspects, the computer system 100 further indudes one or more data retrieving device 118 fox reading the data stored on the internal data storage devices 110.

The data retrieving device 118 may represent, for eixample, a floppy dish drive, a ,-compact disk drive, amagnetic tape drive, or a modem capable of connection to a remote data > storage system (eg., via the internet) etc. hi some aspects, the internal data storage device 110 is a removable computer readable medium such as a floppy disk, a compact disk, a magnetic tape, etc. containing control logic and/or data recorded thereon. The computer system 100 may advantageously include or be programmed by appropriate software for reading the control logic and/or the data from the data storage component once inserted in the data retrieving device.

The computer system 100 includes a display 120 which is used to display output to a computer user, ft should also be noted that the computer system 100 can be linked to other computer systems 125a-c in a network or wide area network to provide centralized access to the computer system 100.

Software for accessing and processing the nucleotide sequences of a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, (such as search took, compare tools and modeling tools etc.) may reside in main memory 115 during execution. - Ια some aspects, the computer system 100 may further comprise a sequence comparison algorithm for comparing a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino and sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, stored on a computer readable medium to a reference nucleotide or polypeptide sequenee(s) stored on a computer readable medium. A “sequence comparison algorithm.” refers to one or more programs which are implemented (locally or remotely) on the computer system 100 to compare a nucleotide sequence with other nucleotide sequences and/or compounds stored within a data storage means. For example, foe sequence comparison algorithm may compare the nucleotide sequences of a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, stored on a computer readable medium to reference sequences stored on a computer readable medium to identify homologies or structural motifs.

Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of a process 200 for comparing a new nucleotide or protein sequence with a database of sequences in order to determine foe homology levels between foe new sequence and foe sequences in foe database. The database of sequences can be a private database stored within the computer system 100, or a public database such as GENBANK that is available through foe Internet I Tile process 200 begins at a start state 201 and then moves to a state 202 wherein the new sequence to be compared is stored to a memory in a computer system 100. As discussed above, foe memory could he any type of memory, including RAM or an internal storage device.

The process 200 then moves to a state204wherein a database of sequences is opened for analysis and comparison. The process 200 then moves to a state 206 wherein foe first sequence stared in foe database is read into a memory on foe computer. A comparison is then performed at a state 210 to determine if foe first sequence is the same as foe second sequence. It is important to note that this step is not limited to performing an exact comparison between the new sequence and the first sequence in the database. Well-known methods are known to those ofsMU in the art for comparing two nucleotide or protein sequences, even if they are not identical. For example, gaps can be introduced into one sequence in order to raise the homology level between foe two tested sequences. The parameters that control whether gaps or other features are introduced into a sequence during comparison are normally entered by foe. user of foe computer system.

Once a cxmoparisoii of the two sequeoces lias been performed at the state 210, a ietennination is made at a decision state 210 whether the two sequences are the same. Of bourse, the term “same” is'not limited to sequences that are absolutely identical. Sequences that are within the homology parameters entered by the user will be marked as “same” in the process 200.

If a determination is made that the two sequences are the same, the process 200 moves to a state 214 wherein the name of the sequence from the database is displayed to the user. This state notifies the user that the sequence with the displayed name fulfills fire homology constraints that were entered. Once the name of the stored sequence is displayed to the user, the process200moves to a decision state 218 wherein a determination is made whether more sequences exist in the database. If no more sequences exist in the database, then the process 200 terminates at an end state 220. However, if more sequences do exist in the database, then toe process 200 moves to a state 224 wherein apointer is moved to toe next sequence in toe database so that it can be compared to the new sequence, to this maimer, the new sequence is aligned and compared with every sequence in the database.

It should be noted that if a determination had been made at toe derision state 212 that toe sequences were not homologous, then the process 200would move immediately to the decision state 218 in order to determine if any other sequences were available in the database for comparison.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is a computer system comprising a processor, a data storage device having stored thereon a nucleic arid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic arid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino arid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, a data storage device having retrievably stored thereon reference nucleotide sequences or polypeptide sequences to be compared to a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic arid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino arid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto and a sequence comparer for conducting toe comparison. The sequence comparer may indicate a homology level between the sequences compared or identify structural motifs in toe above described nucleic arid code of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino arid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or it may identify structural motifs in sequences which are compared to these nucleic arid codes and polypeptide codes. In some aspects, toe data storage device may have stored thereon toe sequences of at feast 2,5,10,15,20,25> 30 or 40 or more of the nucleic add sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or the polypeptide sequences as set forth in Group B ammo add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for determining the level of homology between a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto and a reference nucleotide sequence. The method including reading the nucleic add code or the polypqptide code and the reference nucleotide or polypqptide sequence through the use of a computer program which determines homology levels and determining homology between the nucleic add code or polypeptide code and the reference nucleotide or polypeptide sequence with the computer program. The computer program may be any of a number of computer programs for determining homology Jewels, including those specifically enumerated herein, (e.g., BLAST2N with the default parameters or with any modified parameters). The method may be implemented using the computer systems described above. The method may also he performed by reading at least 2,5,10,15,20,25,30 or 40 or more of the above described nucleic add sequences as set forth in the Group A nucleic acid sequences, or the polypeptide sequences as set forth in the Group B amino add sequences through use of the computer program and determining homology between the nucleic acid codes or polypqptide codes and reference nucleotide sequences or polypeptide sequences.

Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of a process 250 in a computer fin detennining whether two sequences are homologous. The process 250 begins at a start state 252 and then moves to a state254 wherein a first sequence to be compared is stored to a memory. The second sequence to be compared is then stored to a memory at a state 256. The process 250 then moves to a state 260 wherein the first character in the first sequence is read and then to a state 262 wherein the first character of the second sequence is read. It should be understood that if the sequence is a nucleotide sequence, then foe character would normally be after A, T, C, G or U. Ifthe sequence is aprotein sequence, then it is preferably in foe single letter amino acid code so that foe first and sequence sequences can be easily compared A determination is then made at a decision state 264 whether the two characters are foe same. If they are foe same, then foe process 250 moves to a state 268 wherein the next characters in the first and second sequences are read A determination is then made whether the next characters are file same. If they are, then the process 250 contraries this loop until two characters are not the same. If a determination is made that the next two characters are not the same, the process 250 moves to a decision state 274 to determine whether there are anymore characters either sequence to read.

If there are not any more characters to read, then the process 250 moves to a state 276 wherein the level of homology between the first and second sequences is displayed to the user. The level of homology is determined by calculating the proportion of characters between the sequences that were the same out of the total number of sequences in the first sequence. Thus, if every character in a first 100 nucleotide sequence aligned with a every character in a second sequence, the homology level would be 100%.

Alternatively, the computer program may be a computer program which compares the nucleotide sequences of a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in the invention, to one or more reference nucleotide sequences in order to determine whether the nucleic acid code of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, differs from a reference nucleic add sequence at one or more positions. Optionally such a program records the length and identity of inserted, deleted or substituted nucleotides with respect to the sequence of either the reference polynucleotide or a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, fit one aspect, the computer •program maybe a program which determines whether a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, contains a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with respect to a reference nucleotide sequence.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention is a method for determining whether a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, differs at one or more nucleotides from a reference nucleotide sequence comprising foe steps of reading foe nucleic add code and foe reference nucleotide sequence through use of a computer program which identifies differences between nucleic add sequences and identifying differences between foe nucleic add code and the reference nucleotide sequence with the computer program. In some aspects, the computer program is a program which identifies single nucleotide polymorphisms. The method may be implemented by the computer systems described above and the method illustrated in Figure 3. The method may also be performed by reading at least 2, S, 10,15,20,25,30, or 40 or more of the nucleic add sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto and the reference nucleotide sequences through foe use of the computer program and identifying differences between the nucleic acid codes and the reference nucleotide sequences with the computer program.

In other aspects the computer based system may further comprise an identifier for identifying features within a nucleic add sequence as set forth in the Group A nucleic add sequences or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

An “identifier” refers to one or more programs which identifies certain features within a nucleic add sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. In one aspect, the identifier may comprise a program which identifies an open reading frame in a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating one aspect of an identifier process 3 00 for detecting the presence of a feature in a sequence. The process 300 begins at a start state 302 and then moves to a state 304 wherein a first sequence that is to be checked for features is stored to a memory 115 in the computer system 100. The process 300 then moves to a state 306 wherein a database of sequence features is opened. Such a database would include a list of each feature’s attributes along with the name of the feature. For example, a feature name could be ‘initiation Codon” and the attribute would be “ATG” Another example would be the feature name “TAA.TAA Box” and the feature attribute would be “TAATAA”. An example of such a database is produced by the University of Wisconsin Genetics' Computer Group. Alternatively, the features may be structural polypeptide motifs such, as alpha helices, beta sheets, or functional polypeptide motifs such as enzymatic active sites, helix-tum-helix motifs or other motifs known to those skilled in the art

Once the database of features is opened at the state 306, the process 300 moves to a state 308 wherein the first feature is read from the database. A comparison of the attribute of the first feature with the first sequence is then made at a state 310. A determination is then made at a decision state 316 whether the attribute of the feature was found in the first sequence. If the attribute was found, then the process 300 moves to a state 318 wherein the name of the found feature is displayed to the user.

The process 300 then moves to a decision state 320 wherein a determination is made whether move features exist in the database. If no more features do exist, then the process 300 terminates at an end state 324. However, if more features do exist in the database, then fee process 300 reads the next sequence feature at a state 326 and loops back to the state 310 wherein the attribute of the next feature is compared against the first sequence. K should be noted, that if the feature attribute is not found in the first sequence at the decision state 316, the process 300 moves directly to the decision state 320 in order to determine if any more features exist in die database.

Accordingly, another aspect of the invention is a method of identifying a feature within a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, comprising reading the nucleic add code(s) or polypeptide code(s) through the use of a computer program which identifies features therein and identifying features within the nucleic acid code(s) with the computer program. In one aspect, computer program comprises a computer program which identifies open reading frames. The method may be performed by reading a single sequence or at least 2,5,10,15,20,25,30, or 40 of the nucleic acid sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or the polypeptide sequences as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, through the use of the computer program and identifying features within the nucleic acid codes or polypeptide codes with the computer program. A nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, may be stored and manipulated in a variety of data processor programs in a variety of formats. For example, a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, ox a polypeptide sequence as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, maybe stored as text in a word processing file, such as Microsoft WORD™ or WOKOPEEIFBCT™ or as anASCHfileina variety of database programs familiar to those of skQl in the art, such as DB2™, SYBASE™, or ORACLE™. In addition, many computer programs and databases maybe used as sequence comparison algorithms, identifiers, or sources of reference nucleotide sequences or polypeptide sequences to be compared to a nucleic acid sequence as set forth in Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or apolypeptide sequeace as set forth in Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. The following list is intended not to limit the invention but to provide guidance to programs and databases which are useful with fee nucleic acid sequences as set forth in Group A nucleic acid · sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or the polypeptide sequences as set forth in Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto.

The programs and databases which may be used include, but are not limited to: MacPattem (EMBL), DiscoveryBase (Molecular Applications Group), GeneMine (Molecular Applications Group), Look (Molecular Applications Group), MacLook (Molecular Applications Group), BLAST and BLAST2 (NCBI), BLASTN and BLASTX (Altsciml et al, J. Mol. Biol 215:403,1990), PASTA (Pearson and Iipman, Pioc. NatL Acad. Sd. USA, 85:2444,1988), FASTDB (Bratlag et al. Comp. App. Biosci 6:237-245,1990), Catalyst (Molecular Simulations Inc.), Catalyst/SHAPE (Molecular Simulations foe.), Cerius^DBAccess (Molecular Simulations foe.), HypoGen (Molecular Simulations foe.), insight Π, (Molecular Simulations foe.), Discover (Molecular Simulations foe.), CHARMm (Molecular Simulations Inc.), Felix (Molecular Simulations foe.), Delphi, (Molecular Simulations foe.), QuanteMM, (Molecular Simulations Inc.), Homology (Molecular Simulations foe.), Modeler (Molecular Simulations foe.), ISIS (Molecular Simulations Inc.), Quanla/Protdn Design (Molecular Simulations foe.), WebLab (Molecular Simulations foe.), WebLab Diversity Explorer (Molecular Simulations foe.), Gene Explorer (Molecular Simulations foe.), SeqFold (Molecular Simulations foe.), theMDL Available Chemicals Directory database, the MDL Drug Data Report data base, the Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry database, Derwents’s World Drug Index database, foe BioByteMastarFile database, the Genbank database and fire Genseqn database. Many other programs and data bases would be apparent to one of skill in the art given the present disclosure.

Motifs which maybe detected using the above programs include sequences encoding leucine zippers, helix-tnm-helix motifs, glycosylation sites, ubiquitination sites, alpha helices and beta sheets, signal sequences encoding signal peptides which, direct the secretion of the encoded proteins, sequences implicated in transcription regulation such as homeoboxes, acidic stretches, enzymatic active sites, substrate binding sites and enzymatic cleavage sites.

Hybridization of nucleic acids . The invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids that hybridize under stringent conditions to an exemplary sequence of the invention (e.g^ SEQ ID NO:l, SEQ ID HO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, SEQ ID NO:ll, SEQ ID NO:13, SEQ ID NO:15, SEQ ID NO:17, SEQ ID NO:19, SEQ ID NO:21, SEQ ID NO:23, SEQ ID NO:25, SEQ ID N027, SEQ ID NO:29, SEQ ID HO:31, SEQ ID NO:33, SEQ ID N035, SEQ ID NO-.37, SEQ ID NO:39, SEQ ID NO:41, SEQ ID NO:43, SEQ ID NO:45, SEQ 13130:47, SEQ S3 NO:49, SEQ ID N0:51, SEQ ID N0:53, SEQ ID NO:55, SEQ ID N0:S7, SEQ ID N0:59, SEQ ID NO:61, SEQ ID NO:63, SEQ ID NO:65, SEQ ID N0.67, SEQ ID NO:69, SEQ ID NO:72, SEQ ID NO:73, SEQ ID NO:75, SEQ ID NO:77, SEQ ID NO:79, SEQ ID NO:81, SEQ ID NO:83, SEQ ID NO:85, SEQ B>NO:87, SEQ ID NO:89, SEQ ID N0:91, SEQ ID NO:93, SEQ ID N0:95, SEQ ID NO:97, SEQ ID NO:99, SEQ ID NO: 101, SEQ IDNO-.103, SEQ ID NO:105, SEQ ID NO:107, SEQ ID NO:109, SEQ ID N0:111, SEQ ID N0:113, SEQ ID N0:115, SEQ ID NO:117, SEQ ID N0:119, SEQ ID NO: 121, SEQIDNO:123, SEQIDNO;125, SEQ ID NO:127, SEQ ID NO: 129, SEQ ID N0:131, SEQ ID NO:133, SEQ ID N0:135, SEQ ID NO:137, SEQ ID NO:139, SEQ ID N0:141, SEQ ID NO:143, SEQ ID NO:145, SEQ ID NO:147, SEQ ID NO:149, SEQ ID NO: 151, SEQ ID NO:153, SEQ ID NO:155, SEQ ID NO:157, SEQ Π> NO:159, SEQ ID N0:161, SEQ ID NO:163, SEQ ID NO:I65, SEQ ID NO:167, SEQ ID NO:169, SEQ ID N0:171, SEQ ID NO:173, SEQ ID NO:175, SEQ ID NO:177, SEQ ID NO:179, SEQ ID N0:181, SEQ3DNO:183, SEQ3D NO:185, SEQ ID NO:187, SEQ ID NO:189, SEQ ID N0:191, SEQ ID NO:193, SEQ ID N0:195, SEQ ID NO:197, SEQ ID NO:199, SEQ ID N0:2G1, SEQ ID NO:203, SEQ ID NO:205, SEQ ID NO207, SEQ ID N0209, SEQ ID N0211, SEQ ID NO:213, SEQ ID NO:215, SEQ ID NO:217, SEQ ID N0219, SEQ ID NO:221, SEQ ID N0223, SEQ ID ΝΟώ25, SEQ ID NO:227, SEQ ID NO:229, SEQ ID N0:231, SEQ ID N0233, SEQ ID N0235, SEQ ID N0237, SEQ ID NO:239, SEQ ID NO:241, SEQ IDN0243, SEQ ID NO:245, SEQ ID N0247, SEQ ID N0249, SEQ ID N0251, SEQ ID N0253, SEQ ID NO:255, SEQ ID NO:257, SEQ ID NO:259, SEQ ID N0:261, SEQ ID N0263, SEQ Π> N0265, SEQ ID NO:267, SEQ ID N0269, SEQ ID N0271, SEQ ID NO-273, SEQ ID N0:275, SEQ ID NO:277, SEQ ID N0:279, SEQ ID N0:281, SEQ ID NO:283, SEQ ID NO:285, SEQ ID NO:287, SEQ ID NO:289, SEQ ID ! N029I, SEQ ID NO:293, SEQ ID NO:295, SEQ ID NO:297, SEQ ID N0299, SEQ ID NO-301, SEQ ID NO:303, SEQ ID NO:305, SEQ ID NO:307, SEQ ID NO:309, SEQ ID N0:311, SEQ ID NO:313, SEQ ID N0315, SEQ ID N0317, SEQ Π) N0319, SEQ ID NO:321, SEQ ID NO:323, SEQ ID N0325, SEQ ID NO:327, SEQ ID NO:329, SEQ ID NO:331, SEQ ID NO:333, SEQ ID NO:335, SEQ ID NO:337, SEQ ID NO:339, SEQ ID NO:34i; SEQ ID N0343, SEQ ID NO-345, SEQ ID NO:347, SEQIDNO:349ISEQID N0351, SEQ iD'NO:353, SEQ Π> NO:355, SEQ ID NO:357, SEQ ID NO:359, SEQ ID NO-361, SEQ ID NO:363, SEQIDN0365, SEQ ID NO:367, SEQ ID NO:369, SEQ ID NO:371, SEQ ID NO:373, SEQ ED N0375, SEQ ID NO:377 or SEQ ID NO:379). The stringent conditions can he highly stringent conditions, medium stringent conditions and/or low stringent conditions, including the high and reduced stringency conditions described herein. In one aspect, it is the stringency of the wash conditions that set forth the conditions which determine whether a nucleic add is within the scope of the invention, as discussed below.

In alternative aspects, nucleic acids of the invention as defined by their ability to hybridize under stringent conditions can be between about five residues and the full length of nucleic add of the invention; e.g., they can. he at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50, 55, 60,65,70,75,80,90,100,150,200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700,750, 800,850,900,950,1000, or mote, residues in length. Nucleic acids shorter than foil length are also included. These nucleic adds can be useful as, e.g., hybridization probes, labeling probes, PCR. oligonucleotide probes, iRNA (single or double stranded), antisense or sequences encoding antibody binding peptides (epitopes), motifs, active sites and the like.

In one aspect, nucleic acids of the invention are defined by their ability to hybridize under high stringency comprises conditions of about 50% fottmamide at about 37“C to 42°C. In one aspect, nucleic acids of the invention are defined by their ability to hybridize under reduced stringency comprising conditions in about 35% to 25% formamide at about 30°C to 35°C.

Alternatively, nucleic adds of the invention are defined by their ability to hybridize under high stringency comprising conditions at 42°C in 50% formamide, 5X SSPE, 0.3% SDS, and a repetitive sequence blocking nucleic acid, such as cot-1 or salmon spam DNA (e.g., 200 n/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA). In one aspect, nucleic adds of the invention are defined by their ability to hybridize under reduced stringency conditions comprising 35% formamide at areduced temperature of 35°C.

In nucleic acid hybridization reactions, the conditions used to achieve a * particular level of stringency will vary, depending on the nature of the nucleic adds being hybridized. For example, the length, degree of complementarity, nucleotide sequence composition (eg., GC v. AT content) and nucleic add type (e.g., RNA v. DNA) of the hybridizing regions of the nucleic adds can be considered in selecting hybridization conditions. An additional consideration is whether one of the nucleic adds is immobilized, for example, on a filter.

Hybridization may be carried out under conditions of low stringency, moderate stringency or high stringency. As an example, of nucleic acid hybridization, apolymer membrane containing immobilized denatured nucleic adds is first prehybridized for 30

wmvfes at 45°C in a solution consisting of 0.9 M NaCl, 50 mM NaHiPO^ pH 7.0,5.0 mM Na2EDTA, 0.5% SDS, lOXDenhardt's and 0.5 mg/ml polyriboadenyEc acid. Approximately 2 X107 cpm (specific activity 4-9 X108 cpm/ug) of 32P end-labeled oligonucleotide probe are then added to the solution. After 12-16 hours of incubation, the membrane is washed for 30 minutes at room temperature in IX SET (150 mMNaCl, 20 miM Tris hydrochloride, pH 7.8,1 mM Na2EDTA) containing 0.5% SDS, followed by a 30 minute wash in fresh IX SET at Tm-10°C for the oligonucleotide probe. The membrane is then exposed to autoradiographic film for detection of hybridization signals.

All of foe foregoing hybridizations would be considered to be under conditions ofhigh stringency.

Following hybridization, a filter can be washed to remove any non-specifically bound detectable probe. The stringency used to wash the filters can also be varied depending on foe nature of foe nucleic acids being hybridized^ foe length of foe nucleic acids being hybridized, the degree of complementarity, foe nucleotide sequence composition (e.g., GC v. AT content) and foe nucleic acid type (e.g., ENA v. DNA). Examples of progressively higher stringency condition washes are as follows: 2X SSC, 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes (low stringency); 0.1X SSC, 05% SDS at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 ·· hour (moderate stringency); 0.1X SSC, 0.5% SDS for 15 to 30 minutes at between the hybridization temperature and 68°C (high stringency); and 0.15M NaCl for 15 minutes at 72°C (very high stringency). A final low stringency wash can be conducted in 0.1X SSC at room temperature. The examples above are merely illustrative of one set of conditions that can be used to wash filters. One of skill in the art would know that there are numerous recipes for different stringency washes. Some other examples are given below.

Nucleic acids which have hybridized to foe probe are identified by autoradiography or other conventional techniques.

The above procedure may be modified to identify nucleic adds having decreasing levels ofhomoiogy to the probe sequence. For example, to obtain nucleic adds of decreasing homology to foe detectable probe, less stringent conditions maybe used. For example, foe hybridization temperature may be decreased in increments of 5°C from 68°C to 42°C in a hybridization buffer having a Nad- concentration of approximately 1M. Following hybridization, foe filter may be washed wifo 2X SSC, 0.5% SDS at the temperature of hybridization. These conditions are considered to be "moderate” conditions above 50°C and "low” conditions below 50°C. A specific example of "moderate” hybridization conditions is when the above hybridization is conducted at 55°C. A specific example of “low stringency” hybridization conditions is when the above hybridization is conducted at 45°C.

Alternatively, the hybridization may be earned out in buffers, such as 6X SSC, containmgforrnaTnide at a temperature of 42°C. In this case, the concentration of formamide in the hybridization buffer may be reduced in 5% increments from 50% to 0% to identify clones having decreasing levels of homology to the probe. Following hybridization, the filter may be washed with 6X SSC, 0.5% SDS at 50°C. These conditions are considered to be “moderate” conditions above 25% formamide and “low”· conditions below 25% formamide. A specific example of “moderate” hybridization conditions is when the above hybridization is conducted at 30% formatnide. A specific example of‘low stringency” hybridization conditions is when the above hybridization is conducted at 10% formamide.

However, the selection of a hybridization format is not critical - it is the stringency of the wash conditions that set forth the conditions which determine whether a nucleic acid is within the scope of the invention. Wash conditions used to identify nucleic adds within the scope of the invention include, e.g.: a salt concentration of about 0.02 molar at pH 7 and a temperature of at least about 50°C or about 55°C to about 60°C; or, a salt concentration of about 0.15 M NaCl at 72°C for about 15 minutes; or, a salt concentration'of^ about 0.2X SSC at a temperature of at least about 50°C or about 55°C to about 60°C for about 15 to about 20 minutes; or, the hybridization complex is washed twice with a solution with a salt concentration of about 2X SSC containing 0.1% SDS at room temperature for 15 minutes and then washed twice by 0.1X SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 68oC for 15 minutes; or, equivalent conditions. See Sambrook, Tijssen and Ausubel for a description of SSC buffer and equivalent conditions.

These methods may be used to isolate nucleic acids of the invention. For example, the preceding methods may be used to isolate nucleic adds having a sequence with at least about 97%, at least 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 65%, at least 60%, at least 55%, or at least 50% homology to a nucleic add sequence selected from the group consisting of one of the sequences of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least about 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or500 consecutive bases thereof and the sequences complementary thereto. Homology may be measured using the alignment algorithm. For example, the homologous polynucleotides may have a coding sequence which is a naturally occurring allelic variant of one of the coding sequences described herein. Such aJle&c variants may have a substitution, deletion or addition of one or more nucleotides when compared to the nucleic adds of Group A nucleic acid sequences or the sequences complementary thereto.

Additionally, the above procedures may be used to isolate nucleic adds which encode polypeptides having at least about 99%, 95%, at least 90%, at least 85%, at least 80%, at least 75%, at least 70%, at least 65%, at least 60%, at least 55%, or at least 50% homology to a polypeptide having the sequence of one of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40, 50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds thereof as deteoarined using a sequence alignment algorithm (e.g., such as theFASTA version 3.0t78 algorithm with tire default parameters).

Oligonucleotides probes and methods for using them

The invention also provides nucleic add probes that can be used, e.g., for identifying nucleic adds encoding a polypeptide with a xylanase activity or fragments thereof or for identifying xylanase genes, hi one aspect, the probe comprises at least 10 consecutive bases of a nucleic acid of the invention. Alternatively, aprobe of the invention can be at least about 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,30,35,40,45, 50,60,70,80,90,100,110,120,130,150 or about 10 to 50, about 20 to 60 about 30 to 70, consecutive bases of a sequence as set forth in a nucleic add of the invention. The probes identify a nucleic acid by binding and/or hybridization. The probes can he used in arrays of the invention, see discussion below, including, e.g, capillary arrays. The probes of the invention can also he used to isolate other nucleic adds or polypeptides.

The isolated nucleic acids of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, the sequences complementary thereto, or a fragment comprising at least 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or 500 consecutive bases of one of the sequences of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or the sequences complementary thereto may also be used as probes to determine whether a biological sample, such as a soil sample, contains an organism having a nncleic add sequence of the invention or an organism from which the nucleic add was obtained. In such procedures, a biological sample potentially harboring the organism from which the nucleic acid was isolated is obtained and nucleic adds are obtained from the sample. The nucleic adds are contacted with the probe under conditions which permit the probe to spedfically hybridize to any complementary sequences from which are present therein.

Whereneeessary, conditions which permit the probe to specifically hybridize to complementary sequences may be determined by placing the probe in contact with complementary sequences from samples known to contain the complementary sequence as well as control sequences which do not contain the complementary sequence. Hybridization conditions, such, as the salt concentration of the hybridization buffer, the foimamide concentration of the hybridization buffer, or the hybridization temperature, may be varied to identify conditions which allow the probe to hybridize specifically to complementary nucleic adds.

If the sample contains the organism from which the nucleic add was isolated, specific hybridization of the probe is then detected. Hybridization maybe detected by labeling the probe with a detectable agent such as a radioactive isotope, a fluorescent dye or an enzyme capable of catalyzing the formation of a detectable product

Many methods for using the labeled probes to detect the presence of complementary nucleic acids in a sample are familiar to those skilled in the art. These include Southern Blots, Northern Blots, colony hybridization procedures and dot blots. Protocols for each of these procedures are provided in Ausubel et al. Current Protocols in Molecular Biology. John Wiley503 Sons, Inc. (1997) and Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd Bd.. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989.

Alternatively, more than one probe (at least one of which is capable of specifically hybridizing to any complementary sequences which are present in the nucleic add sample), may be used in an amplification reaction to determine whether the sample contains an organism containing a nucleic acid sequence of the invention (e.g., an organism from which the nucleic add was isolated). Typically, the probes comprise oligonucleotides. In one aspect, the amplification reaction may comprise a PCR reaction. PCR protocols are described in Ausubel and Sambrook, supra. Alternatively, the amplification may comprise a ligase chain reaction, 3SR, or strand displacement reaction. (See Barany, F., “The ligase Chain Reaction in a PCRWoiid”, PCR Methods and Applications 1:5-16,1991; E. Fahy et al., “Self-sustained Sequence Replication (3SR): An Isothermal Transcription-based Amplification System Alternative to PCR”, PCR Methods and Applications1:25-33,1991; and Walker G.T. et al., “Strand Displacement Amplification-an Isothermal in vitro DNA Amplification Technique”, Nucleic Acid Research 20:1691-1696,1992). hi such procedures, the nucleic adds in the sample are contacted with the probes, the amplification reaction is performed and any resulting amplification product is detected. The amplification product may be detected by performing gel electrophoresis on the reaction products and staining the gel with an intercalator such as eftidhnn bromide. Alternatively, one or more of the probes may be labeled with a radioactive isotope and the presence of a radioactive amplification product may be detected by autoradiography after gel electrophoresis.

Probes derived from sequences near the ends of the sequences of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, may also be used in chromosome walking procedures to identify clones containing genomic sequences located adjacent to the sequences of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. Such methods allow the isolation of genes which encode additional proteins from the host organism.

The isolated nucleic acids of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, the sequences complementary thereto, or a fragment comprising at least 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100,150,200,300,400, or 500 consecutive bases of one of the sequences of Group A nucleic add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or the sequences complementary thereto may be used as probes to identify and isolate related nucleic adds. In some aspects, the related nucleic adds may be cDNAs or genomic DNAs from organisms other than the one from which the nucldc add was' isolated. For example, the other organisms may be related organisms, in such procedures, a nucleic add sample is contacted with the probe under conditions which permit the probe to specifically hybridize to related sequences. Hybridization of the probe to nucldc adds from the related organism is then detected using any of the methods described above.

By varying the stringency of the hybridization conditions used to identify nucleic adds, such as cDNAs or genomic DNAs, which hybridize to the detectable probes, nucleic adds having different levels of homology to the probe can he identified and isolated. Stringency may he varied by conducting the hybridization at varying temperatures below the melting temperatures of the probes. The melting temperature, Tm, is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH} at winch 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly complementary probe. Very stringent conditions are selected to be equal to or about 5°C lower than the T^for a particular probe. The melting temperature of the probe maybe calculated using the following formulas:

For probes between 14 and 70 nucleotides in length the melting temperature (Tm) is calculated using the formula: Tm=81.5+16.6(log [Na+])+0.41(fraction G+CH600/1SI) where N is the length of the probe.

If the hybridization is carried out in a solution containing formatnide, the melting temperature may be calculated using the equation: Tnf=8 1.5H6.6(log |Nhrf3)+0.41 (fraction G+C)-(0.63% foxmamide)“(600/Nf) where N is the length of the probe.

Prehybridization maybe carried out in 6X SSC, 5X Denhandfs reagent, 0.5% SDS, 100pg denatured fragmented salmon sperm DNA or 6X SSC, 5X Denhardfs reagent, 03% SDS, 100pg denatured fragmented salmon qrerm DNA, 50% fbnnamide. The formulas for SSC and Denhardt's solutions am listed in Sambrooh et al, supra.

Hybridization is conducted by adding the detectable probe to die prehybridization solutions listed above. Where the probe comprises double stranded DNA, it is denatured before addition to the hybridization solution. The filter is contacted with the hybridization solution far a sufficient period of time to allow the probe to hybridize to cDNAs or genomic DNAs containing sequences complementary thereto or homologous thereto. For probes over200nucleotides in length, the hybridization may be carried out at 15-25°C below theTm- For shorter probes, such as oligonucleotide probes, the hybridization may be conducted at 5-10°C below the Tm. Typically, fee: hybridizations in 6X SSC, the hybridization is conducted · at approximately 6S°C. Usually, for hybridizations in 50% foimamide containing solutions, the hybridization is conducted at approximately 42°C.

Inhibiting Expression of Xvlanases

The invention provides nucleic acids complementary to (e.g, antisense sequences to) the nucleic adds of the invention, e.g., xylanase-encoding nucleic acids.

Antisense sequences are capable of inhibiting the transport, splicing or transcription of xylanase-encoding genes. The inhibition can be effected through the targeting of genomic DNA or messenger SNA- The transcription or function of targeted nucleic acid can be inhibited, for example, by hybridization and/or cleavage. One particularly useful set of inhibitors provided by the present invention includes oligonucleotides which are able to either bind xylanase gene or message, in dither case preventing or inhibiting the production or function of xylanase. The association can be through sequence specific hybridization.

Another useful class of inhibitors includes oligonucleotides which cause inactivation or cleavage of xylanase message. The oligonucleotide can have enzyme activity which causes such cleavage, such as ribozymes. The oligonucleotide can be chemically modified or conjugated to an enzyme or composition capable of cleaving the complementary nucleic acid. A pool of many different such oligonucleotides can be screened for those with the desired activity. Thus, the invention provides various compositions for the inhibition of xylanase expression on. a nucleic acid and/or proton level, e.g., antisense, iRNA and ribozymes compriaiixg xylanase sequences of the invention and the anti-xylanase antibodies of the invention.

Inhibition of xylanase expression can have a variety of industrial applications. For example, inhibition of xylanase expression can slow or prevent spoilage. Spoilage can occur when polysaccharides, e.g., structural polysaccharides, are enzymatically degraded.

This can lead to the deterioration, or rot, of fruits and vegetables. In one aspect, use of compositions of the invention that inhibit the expression and/or activity of xylanases, e.g., antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes arid KNAi, are used to slow or prevent spoilage. Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides methods and compositions comprising application onto a plant or plant product (e.g., a cereal, a grain, a fruit, seed, root, leaf, etc.) antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, ribozymes and KNAi of the invention to slow or prevent spoilage. These compositions also can be expressed by the plant (e.g., a transgenic plant) or another organism (e.g., a bacterium or other microorganism, transformed with a xylanase gene of fee invention).

The compositions of the invention for fee inhibition of xylanase expression (e.g, antisense, iRNA, ribozymes, antibodies) can be used as pharmaceutical compositions, e.g, as anti-pathogen agents or in other therapies, e.g., as anti-microbials for, e.g,

Salmonella.

Antisense Oligonucleotides

The invention provides antisense oligonucleotides capable ofbinding xylanase message which can inhibit xylan hydrolase activity (e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal β-1,4-xylosidic linkages) by targeting inRNA. Strategies for designing antisense oligonucleotides are well described in the scientific and patent literature, and the skilled artisan can design such xylanase oligonucleotides using fee novel reagents of the invention. Fox example, gene walking/ ENA mapping protocols to screen for effective antisense oligonucleotides are well known in fee art, see, e.g~, Ho (2000) Methods Erizymol. 314:168-183, describing an KNA mapping assay, which is based ou.standard molecular techniques to provide an easy and reliable method for potent antisense sequence selection. See also Smith (2000) Bur. J. Phann. Sci. 11:191-198.

Naturally occurring nucleic adds are used as antisense oligonucleotides. The antisense oligonucleotides can be of any length; for example, in alternative aspects, fee antisense oligonucleotides are between about 5 to 100, about 10 to 80, about 15 to 60, about 18 ίο 40. 1¾.¾ optimal length can bs determined by routine screening. The antisense oligonucleotides can be present at any concentration. The optimal concentration can be determined by routine screening. A wide variety of synthetic, non-naturally occurring nucleotide and nucleic acid analogues are Mown which can address this potential problem. For example, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) containing non-ionic backbones, such as N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine units can be used. Antisense oligonucleotides having phosphorotbioate linkages can also be used, as described in WO 97/03211; WO 96/39154; Mata (1997) Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 144:189-197; Antisense Therapeutics, ed. Agrawal (Humana Press, Totowa, HJ., 1996). Antisense oligonucleotides having synthetic ΠΝΑ backbone analogues provided by the invention can also include phosphoro-ditbioate, methylphosphonate, phosphoramidate, alkyl phosphotriester, sulfamate, 3-tbioacetal, methylme(methylimmo), 3-N-carbamate, and morpholino carbamate nucleic adds, as described above.

Combinatorial chemistry methodology can be used to create vast numbers of oligonucleotides that can be rapidly screened for specific oligonucleotides that have appropriate binding affinities and specificities toward any target, such as the sense and antisense xylanase sequences of the invention (see, e.g., Gold (1995) J. of Biol. Chem. 270:13581-13584).

Inhibitory Ribozymes

The invention provides ribozymes capable of binding xylanase message.

These ribozymes can inhibit xylanase activity by, e.g., targeting mRNA. Strategies for designing ribozymes and selecting the xylanas e-specific antisense sequence for targeting are well described in the scientific and patent literature, and the skilled artisan can design such ribozymes using the novel reagents of the invention. Ribozymes act by binding to a target SKA through the target SNA binding portion of a ribozyme which is held in close proximity to an enzymatic portion of the KNA that cleaves the target RNA. Thus, the ribozyme recognizes and binds a target FNA through complementary base-pairing, and once hound to the correct site, acts enzymatically to cleave and inactivate the target RNA. Cleavage of a target KNA-in such a manner will destroy its ability to direct synthesis of an encoded protein if the cleavage occurs in the coding sequence. After a ribozyme has bound and cleaved its KNA target, it can be released from that SNA to bind and cleave new targets repeatedly.

In some circumstances, the enzymatic nature of a ribozyme can be advantageous over other technologies, such as antisense technology (where a nucleic acid molecule simply binds to a nucleic add target to block its transcription, translation or assertion with another molecule) as the effective concentration of ribozyme necessary to effect a therapeutic treatment can be lower than that of an antisense oligonucleotide. This potential advantage reflects die ability of die ribozyme to act enzymatically. Thus, a single ribozyme molecule is able to cleave many molecules of target ENA. In addition, a ribozyme is typically a highly specific inhibitor, with the specificity of inhibition depending not only on the base pairing mechanism of binding, but also on the mechanism by which the molecule inhibits the expression of the ENA to which it binds. That is, the inhibition is caused by cleavage of the ENA target and so specificity is defined as the ratio of the rate of cleavage of the targeted ENA over die rate of cleavage ofnon-targeted ENA This cleavage mechanism is dependent upon factors additional to those involved in base pairing. Thus, the specificity of action of a ribozyme can be greater than that of antisense oligonucleotide binding the same ENA site.

The ribozyme of the invention, e.g., an enzymatic ribozyme ENA molecule, can be formed in a hammerhead motif a hairpin motif as a hepatitis delta virus motif a group I intron motif and/or an KNaseP-fike ENA in association with an ENA guide sequence. Examples of hammerhead motifs are described by, e.g., Rossi (1992) Aids Eeseardh and Human Retroviruses 8:183; hairpin motifs by Hampel (1989) Biochemistry 28:4929, and Hampel (1990) Nuc. Acids Res. 18:299; the hepatitis delta virus motif by Penotta (1992) Biochemistry 31:16; the ENaseP motif by Guerrier-Takada (1983) Cell 35:849; and the group I intron by Cech U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,071. The recitation of these specific motifs is not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art will recognize that a ribozyme of tire invention, e.g., an enzymatic ENA molecule of this invention, can have a specific substrate binding site complementary to one or more of the target gene ENA regions. A ribozyme of the invention can have a nucleotide sequence within or surrounding that substrate binding rite which imparts an ENA cleaving activity to the molecule. RNA interference (RNAi)

In one aspect, the invention provides an RNA inhibitory molecule, a so-called “RNAi” molecule, comprising a xylanase sequence of the invention. The RNAi molecule comprises a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecule. The RNAi can inhibit expression of a xylanase gene. In one aspect, the RNAi is about 15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25 or more duplex nucleotides in length. While the invention is not limited by any particular mechanism of action, the RNAi can enter a cell and cause the degradation of a single-stranded ENA (ssKNA) of similar or identical sequences, including endogenous mKNAs.

When a celt is exposed to doable-stranded RNA (dsRNA), nxRNA from the homologous gene is selectively degraded by a process called RNA interference (RNAi). A possible basic mechanism behind RNAi is the breaking of a double-stranded SNA (dsENA) matching a specific gene sequence into short pieces called short interfering RNA, which trigger the degradation of nxRNA that matches its sequence. In one aspect, the RNAi’s of the invention are used in gene-silencing therapeutics, see, e.g., Shuey (2002) Drug Discov. Today 7:1040-1046. In one aspect, 1he invention provides methods to selectively degrade RNA using the RNAi’s of the invention. The process maybe practiced in vitro, ex vivo or in vivo. In one aspect, the RNAi molecules of the invention can be used to generate a loss-of-ftmction mutation in a cell, an organ or an animal. Methods for making and using RNAi molecules ibr selectively degrade RNA are well known in the art, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,506,559; 6,511,824; 6,515,109; 6,489,127.

Modification of Nucleic Acids

The invention provides methods of generating variants of the nucleic acids of the invention, e.g., those encoding a xylanase. These methods can be repeated or used in various combinations to generate xylanases having an altered or different activity or an altered or different stability from that of a xylanase encoded by the template nucleic add. These methods also can be repeated or used in various combinations, e.g, to generate variations in gene/ message expression, message translation or message stability. In another aspect, the genetic composition of a cell is altered by, e.g., modification of a homologous gene ex vivo, followed by its reinsertion into the cell. A nucleic add of the invention can be altered by any means. For example, random or stochastic methods, or, non-stochastic, ox “directed evolution,” methods, see, e.g, U.S. Patent No. 6,361,974. Methods for random mutation of genes are well known in the art, see, e.g, U.S. Patent No. 5,830,696. For example, mutagens can be used to randoinly mutate a gene. Mutagens include, e.g., ultraviolet light or gamma irradiation, or a chemical mutagen, e.g., mitomycin, nitrous add, photoactivated psoralens, alone or in combination, to induce DNA breaks amenable to repair by recombination Other chemical mutagens include, for example, sodium bisulfite, nitrous acid, hydroxyianune, hydrazine or formic add. Other mutagens are analogues of nucleotide precursors, e.g., nitrosoguanidine, 5-bromouracdl, 2-annnopurine, or acridine. These agents can be added to a PCR reaction in place of the nucleotide precursor thereby mutating the sequence. Intercalating agents such as proflavine, acriflavine, quinacrine and the like can also be used.

Any technique in. molecular biology can be used, e.g., random PCR mutagenesis, see, e.g., Rice (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sex. USA 89:5467-5471; or, combinatorial multiple cassette mutagenesis, see, e.g., Crameri (1995) Biotechniques 18:194-196. Alternatively, nucleic acids, e.g., genes, can be reassembled, after random, or “stochastic,” fragmentation, see, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,291,242; 6287,862; 6287,861; 5,955,358; 5,830,721; 5,824,514; 5,811238; 5,605,793. In alternative aspects, modifications, additions or deletions are introduced by error-prone PCR, shuffling, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, assembly PCR, sexual PCR mutagenesis, in vivo mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis, recursive ensemble mutagenesis, exponential ensemble mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis, gene reassembly (e.g., GeneReassembly™, see, e.g., U-S. Patent No. 6,537,776), gene site saturated mutagenesis (GSSM™), synthetic ligation reassembly (SLR.), recombination, recursive sequence recombination, phosphothioate-modified DNA mutagenesis, xrradl-coixtaiTn'ng template mutagenesis, gapped duplex mutagenesis, point mismatch repair mutagenesis, repair-deficient host strain mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis, radiogenic mutagenesis, deletion mutagenesis, restriction-selection mutagenesis, restriction-purification mutagenesis, artificial gene synthesis, ensemble mutagenesis, chimeric nucleic acid multimer creation, and/οχ a combination of these and other methods.

The following publications describe a variety of recursive recombination procedures and/or methods which can be incorporated into the methods of the invention: Stemmer (1999) "Molecular breeding of viruses for targeting and other clinical properties” Tumor Targeting 4:1-4; Ness (1999) Nature Biotechnology 17:893-896; Chang (1999) "Evolution of a cytokine using DNA family shuffling" Nature Biotechnology 17:793-797; Mmsbull (1999) "Protein evolution by molecular breeding" Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 3 284-290; Christians (1999) "Directed evolution of thymidine kinase for AZT phosphorylation using DNA family shuffling" Nature Biotechnology 17259-264; Crameri (1998) 'DNA shuffling of a family of genes from diverse species accelerates directed evolution" Nature 391288-291; Crameri (1997) "Molecular evolution of an arsenate detoxification pathway hy DNA shuffling,” Nature Biotechnology 15:436-438; Zhang (1997) "Directed evolution of an effective fiicosadase from a galactosidase by DNA shuffling and screening" Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. USA 94:4504-4509; Patten et al. (1997) "Applications of DNA Shuffling to Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines" Current Opinion in Biotechnology 8:724-733; Crameri et al. (1996) "Construction and evolution of antibody-phage libraries by DNA shuffling" Nature Medicine 2:100-103; Gates etal. (1996) "Affinity selective isolation of ligands from peptide libraries through display on a lac repressor "headpiece dimer " Journal of Molecular Biology255:373-386; Steamier (1996) "Sexual PCR and Assembly PCR” In:

The Encyclopedia ofMolecular Biology. VCH Publishers, New York: pp.447-457; Crameri and Stemmer (1995) "Combinatorial multiple cassette mutagenesis creates all the permutations of mutant and wildtype cassettes" BioTecbniques 18:194-195; Stemmer et al. (1995) "Single-step assembly of a gene and entire plasmid form large numbers of otigodeoxyribonncleotides" Genes, 164:49-53; Stemmer (1995) "The Evolution ofMolecular Computation" Science 270:1510; Stemmer (1995) "Searching Sequence Space" Bio/Technology 13:549-553; Stemmer (1994) "Rapid evolution of a protein in vitro by DNA shuffling" Nature 370:389-391; and Stemmer (1994) "DNA shuffling by random fragmentation and reassembly: In vitro recombination for molecular evolution." Proc. Natl. Acad. ScLUSA 91:10747-10751.

Mutational methods of generating diversity include, for example, site-directed mutagenesis (ling et al, (1997) "Approaches to DNA mutagenesis: an overview" Anal Biochsm. 254(2): 157-178; Dale et al. (1996) "Oligonucleotide-directed random mutagenesis using the phosphorothioate method" Methods Mol. Biol. 57:369-374; Smith (1985) "In vitro mutagenesis" Arm. Rev. Genet 19:423-462; Botstdn & Shortle (1985) "Strategies and applications of in vitro mutagenesis" Science 229:1193-1201; Carter (1986) "Site-directed mutagenesis" Biochem. J. 237:1-7; and Kunkel (1987) "The efficiency of oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis" in Nucleic Acids & Molecular Biology (Eckstein, F. and Iilley, D. M. · J. eds., Springer Verlag, Berlin)); mutagenesis using uracil containing templates (Ktmkel (1985) "Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesis without phenotypic selection" Proc.

Nail. Acad. Sti. USA 82:488-492; Kunkel et aL (1987) "Rapid and efficient site-specific mutagenesis without phenotypic selection" Methods raBtizymoI. 154,367-382; and Bass et al. (1988) "Mutant Tip repressors with new DNA-binding specificities” Science 242:240-245); ofigormcleotide-direeted mutagenesis (Methods in Enzymol. 100:468-500 (1983); Methods in EnzymoL 154:329-350 (1987); Zoller (1982) "OKgomicleotide-directed mutagenesis using Ml 3-derived vectors: an efficient and general procedure for the production of point mutations in any DNA fragment" Nucleic Acids Res. 10:6487-6500;

Zoller & Smith (1983) "OKgomicleotide-directed mutagenesis of DNA fragments cloned into M13 vectors" Methods in Enzymol. 100:468-500; and Zoller (1987) OKgoimcleotide-directed mutagenesis: a simple method using two oligonucleotide primers and a single-stranded DNA template" Methods in Enzymol. 154:329-350); phosphorotbioate-modified DNA mutagenesis (Taylor (1985) "The use of phosphorotbioate-modified DNA in restriction enzyme reactions to prepare nicked DNA" NucL Adds Res. 13:8749-8764; Taylor (1985) "The rapid generation of oligonucleotide-directed mutations at high, frequency using phosphorothioate-modified DNA" Nucl. Adds Res. 13:8765-8787 (1985); Nakamaye (1986) "Inhibition of iestriction endonuclease Nci I cleavage by phosphorothioate groups and its application to oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis'' NucL Adds Res. 14:9679-9698; Sayers (1988) Ύ-Τ Exortucleases in phosphorothioate-based oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis” Nucl. Adds Res. 16:791-802; and Sayers et al. (1988) "Strand spedfic cleavage of phosphorothioate-containing DNA by reaction with restriction endonucleases in the presence of etbidrum bromide" Nucl. Acids Res. 16:803-814); mutagenesis using gapped duplex DNA (Kramer et al. (1984) The gapped duplex DNA approach to oligonucleotide-directed mutation construction” Nucl. Acids Res. 12:9441-9456; Kramer & Fritz (1987) Methods in Enzymol. "Oligonucleotide-directed construction of mutations via gapped duplex DNA" 154:350-367; Kramer (1988) "Improved enzymatic in vitro reactions in the gapped duplex DNA approach to oligonucleotide-directed construction, of mutations" Nucl. Adds Res. 16:7207; and Fritz (1988) "Oligonucleotide-directed construction of mutations: a gapped duplex DNA procedure without enzymatic reactions in vitro* Nucl. Adds Res. 16:6987-6999).

Additional protocols that can be used to practice the invention; include point mismatch repair (Kramer (1984) "Point Mismatch Repair” Cell 38:879-887), mutagenesis using repair-deficient host strains (Carter et al. (1985) "Improved oligonucleotide site-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors" Nucl. Adds Res. 13:4431-4443; and Carter (1987) - · "Improved oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis using M13 vectors" Methods in Enzymol. 154:382-403), deletion mutagenesis (Eghtedaizadeh (1986) "Use of oligonucleotides to generate large deletions" NucL Adds Res. 14:5115), restriction-selection and restriction-selection and restriction-purification (Wells et ah (1986) "Importance of hydrogen-bond formation in stabilizing the transition state of subtilisin'* Phil Trans. R. Soc. Land. A 317: 415-423), mutagenesis by total gene synthesis (Nambiar et ah ¢1984) Total synthesis and cloning of a gene coding for file ribonuclease S protein" Science 223:1299-1301; Sakamar and Khorana (1988) Total synthesis and expression of a gene for the a-suburdt of bovine rod outer segment guanine nucleotide-binding protein (transducin)" Nucl. Adds Res. 14:6361-6372; Wells et ah (1985) "Cassette mutagenesis: an effident method for generation of multiple mutations at defined sites" Gene 34:315-323; and Grundstrom et al. (1985) "Oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis by microscale ’shot-gun' gene synthesis" Nucl. Acids Res. 13:3305-3316), double-strand break repair'(Mandecki (1986); Arnold ¢1993) "Protein engineering for unusual environments" Current Opinion in Biotechnology 4:450455. "Oligonucleotide-directed double-strand break repair in plasmids of Escherichia coli: a method for site-specific mutagenesis" Proc. Nail. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:7177-7181). Additional details on many of die above methods can be found in Methods in Enzymology Volume 154, which also describes useful controls for trouble-shooting problems with various mutagenesis methods.

Protocols that can be used to practice the invention are described, e.g,, in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,605,793 to Stammer (Feb. 25,1997), "Methods for In Vitro Recombination;'’ U-S. Pat. No. 5,811,238 to Stemmer et al. (Sep. 22,1998) "Methods for Generating Polynucleotides having Desired Characteristics by Iterative Selection and Recombination;” U.S.PatNo. 5,830,721 to Stemmer et al. (Nov. 3,1998), “DNA Mutagenesis by Random Fragmentation and Reassembly;" U.S. Pal. No. 5,834,252 to Stemmer, et al. (Nov. 10,1998) "End-Complementary Polymerase Reaction;" U.S. Pat No. 5,837,458 to Minshull, et al. (Nov. 17,1998), "Methods and Compositions for Cellular and Metabolic Engineering;" WO 95/22625, Stemmer and Crameri, "Mutagenesis by Random Fragmentation and Reassembly;" WO 96/33207 by Stemmer and Lipschntz "End Complementary Polymerase Chain Reaction;" WO 97/20078 by Stemmer and Crameri "Methods for Generating Polynucleotides having Desired Characteristics by Iterative Selection and Recombination;" WO 97/35966 by Minshull and Stemmer, "Methods and Compositions for Cellular and Metabolic Engineering," WO 99/41402 by Punnonen et al. "Targeting of Genetic Vaccine Vectors;” WO 99/41383 by Pmmonen et al. "Antigen library Immunization;" WO 99/41369 by Pumonen et al. "Genetic Vaccine Vector Engineering;" WO 99/41368 by Punnonen et al. "Optimization of Immunomodulatory Properties of Genetic Vaccines;" EP 752008 by Stemmer and Crameri, "DNA Mutagenesis by Random Fragmentation and Reassembly,” EP 0932670 by Stemmer "Evolving Cellular DNA Uptake by Recursive Sequence Recombination;" WO 99/23107 by Stemmer et al., "Modification of Virus Dropism and Host Range by Viral Genome Shuffling;’1 WO 99/21979 by Apt et al., 'Human Papfflcanavirus Vectors;" WO 98/31837 by del Cardayre et ah "Evolution of Whole Cells and Organisms by Recursive Sequence Recombination;" WO 98/27230 by Patten and Stammer, "Methods and Compositions for Polypeptide Engineering;" WO 98/27230 by Stammer et al., "Methods for Optimization of Gene Therapy by Recursive Sequence Shuffling and Selection," WO 00/00632, "Methods for Generating Highly Diverse libraries," WO 00/09679, 'Methods for Obtaining in Vitro Recombined Polynucleotide Sequence Banks and Resulting Sequences," WO 98/42832 by Arnold et aL, "Recombination of Polynucleotide Sequences Using Random or Defined Primers," WO 99/29902 by Arnold et al., "Method for Creating Polynucleotide andPolypeptide Sequences," WO 98/41653 by Vind, "An in Vitro Method for Construction of a DNA Library," WO 98/41622 by Borchest et al., "Method for Constructing a library Using DNA Shuffling," and WO 98/42727 byPati and Zarling, ’'Sequence Alterations using Homologous Recombination.”

Protocols that can be used to practice the invention (providing details regarding various diversity generating methods) are described, e.g., inU.S. Patent application serial no. (USSN) 09/407,800, "SHUFFLING OF CODON ALTERED GENES" by Patten et aL filed Sep. 28,1999; "EVOLUTION OF WHOLE CELLS AND ORGANISMS BY RECURSIVE SEQUENCE RECOMBINATION" by del Cardayre et al., United States Patent No. 6,379,964; "OUGONUCLEOTTOE MEDIATED NUCLEIC ACID RECOMBINATION" by Crameri et al., United States Patent Nos. 6,319,714; 6,368,861; 6376246; 6,423342; 6,426224 and PCT/US0O/O12O3; "USE OF CODON-VARIED OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SYNTHESIS FOR SYNTHETIC SHUFFLING" by Welch et al., United States Patent No. 6,436,675; "METHODS FOR MAKING CHARACTER STRINGS, POLYNUCLEOTIDES & POLYPEPTIDES HAVING DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS" by Selifbnov et al., filed Jan. 18,2000, (PCT/USOO/012G2) and, e.g. "METHODS FOR MAKING CHARACTER STRINGS, POLYNUCLEOTIDES & POLYPEPTIDES HAVING DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS" by Selifonov et al., filed Jul. 18,2000 (U.S. Ser.No. 09/618,579); "METHODS OF POPULATING DATA STRUCTURES FOR USE IN EVOLUTIONARY SIMULATIONS" by Selifonov and Stemmer, filed Jan. 18,2000 (PCT/US00/01138); and "SINGLE-STRANDED NUCLEIC ACID TEMPLATE-MEDIATED RECOMBINATION AND NUCLEIC ACID FRAGMENT ISOLATION" by Afiholter, filed Sep. 6,2000 (U.S. Ser. No. 09/656,549); and United States Patent Nos. 6,177263; 6,153,410.

Non-stochastic, or “directed evolution,” methods include, e.g., saturation mutagenesis (GSSM™), synthetic ligation reassembly (SLR), or a combination thereof are used to modify the nucleic acids of the invention to generate xylanases with new or altered properties (e.g., activity under highly acidic or alkaline conditions, high ox low temperatures, and the like). Polypeptides encoded by the modified nucleic acids can be screened tor an activity before testing for xylan hydrolysis or other activity. Any testing modality or protocol ' can be used, e.g., using a capillary array platform. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6261374; 6280326; 5,939250.

Saturation mutagenesis, or, GSSM™ Ια one aspect, codon primers containing a degenerate N,N,G/T sequence axe used to introduce point mutations into a polynucleotide, e.g., a xyianase or an antibody of the -invention, so as to generate a set of progeny polypeptides in which a full range of single amino acid substitutions is represented at each amino acid position, e.g., an amino acid residue in an enzyme active site or ligand binding site targeted to be modified. These oligonucleotides can comprise a contiguous first homologous sequence, a degenerate N,N,G/T sequence, and, optionally, a second homologous sequence. The downstream progeny translational products from the use of such oligonucleotides include all possible . amino acid changes at each amino add site along the polypeptide, because the degeneracy of the NjNjG/T sequence includes codons for all 20 amino acids. In one aspect, one such degenerate oligonucleotide (comprised 0¾ e.g., one degenerate Nf^G/T cassette) is used for subjecting each original codon in a parental polynucleotide template to a full range of codon substitutions. In another aspect, at least two degenerate cassettes are used—either in the same oligonucleotide or not, for subjecting at least two original codons in a parental polynucleotide template to a fell range of codon substitutions. For example, more than (me Η,Ν,Θ/Τ sequence can be contained in one oligonucleotide to introduce amino add mutations at more than one site. This plurality ofNJSf,G/T sequences can be directly contiguous, or separated by one or more additional nucleotide sequence(s). In another aspect, oligonucleotides serviceable formtoducing additions and deletions can be used either alone or in combination with the codons containing an ί^Ν,Θ/Τ sequence, to introduce any combination or permutation of amino acid additions, deletions, and/or substitutions.

In one aspect, simultaneous mutagenesis of two or more contiguous amino . add positions is done using an oligonucleotide that contains contiguous Ν,Ν,ΘΓΓ triplets, i.e. a degenerate (N,N,G/T)n sequence. 3h another aspect, degenerate cassettes having less degeneracy than the Ν,Ν,Θ/Τ sequence are used. For example, it may be desirable in some instances to use (e.g. in an oligonucleotide) a degenerate triplet sequence comprised of only one N, where saidN can be in the first second or third position of the triplet. Any other bases including any combinations and permutations thereof can be used in the remaining two positions of the triplet Alternatively, it may be desirable in some instances to use (e.g. in an oligo) a degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν triplet sequence.

In one aspect, use of degenerate triplets (e.g., N,N,G/T triplets) allows for systematic and easy generation of a full range of possible natural amino acids (for a total of 20 amino adds) into each and every amino add position in a polypeptide (in alternative aspects, the methods also include generation of less than all possible substitutions per amino acid residue, or codon, position). For example, for a 100 amino add polypeptide, 2000 distinct species (i.e. 20 possible amino acids per position X100 amino add positions) can be generated. Through the use of an oligonucleotide or set of oligonucleotides containing a degenerate NN,G/T triplet, 32 individual sequences can code for all 20 possible natural amino acids. Thus, in a reaction vessel in which a parental polynucleotide sequence is subjected to saturation mutagenesis using at least one such oligonudeotide, there are generated 32 distinct progeny polynucleotides encoding 20 distinct polypeptides. In contrast, the use of a non-degenerate oligonucleotide in site-directed mutagenesis leads to only one progeny polypeptide product per reaction vessel. Nondegenerate oligonucleotides can optionally be used in combination with degenerate primers disclosed; feu example, nondegenerate oligonucleotides can be used to generate specific point mutations in a working polynucleotide. This provides one means to generate specific silent point mutations, point mutations leading to corresponding amino acid changes, and point mutations that cause the generation of stop codons and the corresponding expression of polypeptide fragments.

In one aspect, each saturation mutagenesis reaction vessel contains polynucleotides encoding at least 20 progeny polypeptide (e.g., xylanases) molecules such that all 20 natural amino acids are represented at the one specific amino acid position corresponding to the codon position mutagemzed in the parental polynucleotide (other aspects use less than all 20 natural combinations). The 32-fold degenerate progeny polypeptides generated from each saturation mutagenesis reaction vessel can be subjected to clonal amplification (e.g. cloned into a suitable host, e.g.,2?. colihast, using, e.g., an expression vector) and subjected to expression screening. When an individual progeny polypeptide is identified by screening to display a favorable change in property (when compared to the parental polypeptide, such as increased xylan hydrolysis activity under alkaline or acidic conditions), it can be sequenced to identify the correspondingly favorable amino acid substitution contained therein. Ια one aspect, upon mutagenizing each and every ammo acid position in a parental polypeptide using saturation mutagenesis as disclosed herein, favorable amino add changes may be identified at more than one amino add position. One or more new progeny molecules can be generated that contain a combination of all or part of these favorable amino acid substitutions. For example, if 2 specific favorable amino acid changes are identified in each of 3 amino add positions in a polypeptide, the permutations include 3 possibilities at each position (no change from the original amino acid, and each of two favorable changes) and 3 positions. Thus, fhere are 3 x 3 x 3 or 27 total possibilities, including 7 that were previously examined - 6 single point mutations (ie. 2 at each of three positions) and no change at any position.

In yet another aspect, site-saturation mutagenesis can he used together with shuffling, cMmerization, recombination and other mutagenizing processes, along with screening. This invention provides for the use of any mutagenizing processes), including saturation mutagenesis, in an iterative manner. In one exemplification, the iterative use of any mutagenizmg process(es) is used in combination with screening.

The invention also provides for the use of proprietary codon primers (containing a degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν sequence) to introduce point mutations into a polynucleotide, so as to generate a set of progeny polypeptides in which a Ml range of single amino acid substitutions is represented at each amino acid position (gene site saturated mutagenesis (GSSM1®*)). The otigos used are comprised contiguously of a first homologous sequence, a degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν sequence and preferably but not necessarily a second homologous sequence. The downstream progeny translational products from the use of such oligos include all possible amino add changes at each amino add site along the polypeptide, because the degeneracy of the Ν,Ν,Ν sequence includes codons for all 20 amino adds. hi one aspect, one such degenerate ofigo (comprised of one degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν cassette) is used for subjecting each original codon in a parental polynucleotide template to a full range of codon substitutions, hr another aspect, at least two degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν cassettes are used - cither in foe same oligo or not, for subjecting at least two original codons in a parental polynucleotide template to a full range of codon substitutions. Thus, more than one Ν,Ν,Ν sequence can be contained in one oligo to introduce amino add mutations at more than one site. This plurality οίΝ,Ν,Ν sequences cam be directly contiguous, or separated by one or more additional nucleotide sequence(s). In another aspect, oligos serviceable for introducing additions and deletions can be used either alone or in combination with the codons containing an Ν,Ν,Ν sequence, to introduce any combination or permutation of amino add additions, deletions and/or substitutions. 2h a particular exemplification, it is possible to simultaneously mutagemize two or more contiguous amino add positions using an oligo that contains contiguous Ν,Ν,Ν triplets, i.e. a degenerate (NNN)n sequence.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for the use of degenerate cassettes having less degeneracy than the Ν,Ν,Ν sequence. For example, it may be desirable in some instances to use (e.g. ia an oligo) a degenerate triplet sequence comprised of only one N, where the 3si can be in the first second or third position of the triplet Any other bases including any combinations and permutations thereof can be used in the remaining two positions of the triplet. Alternatively, it may be desirable in some instances to use (e.g., in an oligo) a degenerate Ν,Ν,Ν triplet sequence, HN,G/T, or an N,N, G/C triplet sequence.

It is appreciated, however, that the use of a degenerate triplet (such as N,N,G/T or an N^ST, G/C triplet sequence) as disclosed in the instant invention is advantageous for several reasons. In one aspect, this invention provides a means to systematically and fairly easily generate the substitution of the full range of possible amino acids (for a total of 20 amino acids) into each and every amino add position in a polypeptide. Thus, for a 100 amino acid polypeptide, the invention provides a way to systematically and fairly easily generate 2000 distinct species 20 possible amino acids per position times 100 amino add positions). E is appreciated that there is provided, through the use of an oligo . containing a degenerate Ν,Ν,β/Τ or anN,N, G/C triplet sequence, 32 individual sequences that code for 20 possible amino adds. Thus, in a reaction vessel in which a parental polynucleotide sequence is subjected to saturation mutagenesis using one such oligo, there are generated 32 distinct progeny polynucleotides encoding 20. distinct polypeptides, hi contrast, the use of a non-degenerate oligo in site-directed mutagenesis leads to only one progeny polypeptide product per reaction vessel.

This invention also provides for the use of nondegenerate oligos, which can optionally be used in combination with degenerate primers disclosed. It is appreciated that in some situations, it is advantageous to use nondegenerate oligos to generate specific point mutations in a working polynucleotide. This provides a means to generate specific silent point mutations, point mutations leading to corresponding amino acid changes and point mutations that cause the generation of stop codons and the corresponding expression of polypeptide fragmenfs.

Thns, in erne aspect of tins invention, each saturation mutagenesis reaction vessel contains polynucleotides encoding at least 20 progeny polypeptide molecules such that all 20 amino acids are represented at the one specific ammo acid position corresponding to the codon position mutagenized in the parental polynucleotide. The 32-fold degenerate progeny polypeptides generated from each saturation mutagenesis reaction vessel can be subjected to clonal amplification (ag., cloned into a suitable E. coli host using an expression vector) and subjected to expression screening. 'When an individual progeny polypeptide is identified by screening to display a favorable change in property (when compared to the parental polypeptide), it can be sequenced to identify the correspondingly favorable amino acid substitution contained therein.

It is appreciated that upon mutagenizing each and every amino acid position in a parental polypeptide using saturation mutagenesis as disclosed herein, favorable amino add changes maybe identified at more than one amino acid position. One or mare new progeny molecules can be generated that contain a combination of all or part of these favorable armnn add substitutions. For example, if 2 specific favorable amino add changes are identified in each of 3 amino add positions in a polypeptide, the permutations include 3 possibilities at each position (no change from the original amino add and each of two favorable changes) and 3 positions. Thus, there are 3 x 3 x 3 or 27 total possibilities, including 7 that were previously examined - 6 single point mutations (z.e., 2 at each of three positions) and no change at any position.

Thus, in anon-limiting exemplification, tins invention provides for the use of saturation mutagenesis in combination with additional mutagenization processes, such as process where two or more related polynudeotides are introduced into a suitable host cell such that a hybrid polynucleotide is generated by recombination and reductive reassortment. ·

In addition to performing mutagenesis along the entire sequence of a gene, the instant invention provides that mutagenesis can be use to replace each of arty number of bases in a polynucleotide sequence, wherein the number ofbases to he mutagenized is preferably every integer from 15 to 100,000. Thus, instead of mutagenizing every position along a molecule, one can subject every or a discrete number ofbases (preferably a subset totaling from 15 to 100,000) to mutagenesis. Preferably, a separate nucleotide is used for mutagenizing each position car group of positions along a polynucleotide sequence. A group of 3 positions to be mutagenized may be a codon. The mutations are preferably introduced using a mutagenic primer, containing a heterologous cassette, also referred to as a mutagenic cassette. Exemplary cassettes can have from 1 to 500 bases. Each nucleotide position in such heterologous cassettes be N, A, C, G, T, AJC, A/G, A/Γ, C/G, C/T, G/T, C/G/T, A/G/T, A/C/T, A/C/G, or E, where E is any base that is not A, C, G, or T (E can be referred to as a designer oligo). hr a general sense, saturation mutagenesis is comprised of mutagenizing a • complete set of mutagenic cassettes (wherein each cassette is preferably about 1-500 bases in length) in defined polynucleotide sequence to be mutagenized (wherein the sequence to be mutagenized is preferably from about 15 to 100,000 bases in length). Thus, a group of mutations (ranging Sum 1 to 100 mutations) is introduced into each cassette to be mutagenizedL A grouping of mutations to be introduced into one cassette can be different or the same from a second grouping of mutations to be introduced into a second cassette during the application of one round of saturation mutagenesis. Such groupings are exemplified by deletions, additions, groupings of particular codons and groupings of particular nucleotide cassettes.

Defined sequences to be mutagenized include a whole gene, pathway, cDNA, an entire open reading frame (QRF) and entire promoter, enhancer, repressor/transactivator, origin of replication, intron, operator, or any polynucleotide functional group. Generally, a “defined sequences” for this purpose may be any polynucleotide (hat a 15 base-polynucleotide sequence and polynucleotide sequences of lengths between 15 bases and 15,000 bases (this invention specifically names every integer in between). Considerations in choosing groupings of codons include types of amino acids encoded by a degenerate mutagenic cassette.

In one exemplification a grouping of mutations that can be introduced into a mutagenic cassette, this invention specifically provides for degenerate codon substitutions (using degenerate oligos) that code for 2,3,4,5,6,7, 8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18, 19 and 20 amino adds at each position and a library of polypeptides encoded thereby.

Synthetic Ligation Reassembly (SLR)

The invention provides a non-stochastic gene modification system termed “synthetic ligation reassembly,” or simply “SLR,” a “directed evolution process,” to generate polypeptides, e.g., xylanases or antibodies of the invention, with new or altered properties. SLR is a method of ligating oligonucleotide fragments together non-stochastically. This method differs from stochastic oligonucleotide shuffling in that the nucleic acid building blocks are not shuffled, concatenated or chimerized randomly, but rather are assembled non-stochasticaSy. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. (USSN) 09/332,835 entitled “Synthetic Ligation Reassembly in Directed Evolution” and filed on June 14,1999 (“USSN 09/332,835”). ha one aspect, SLR comprises the following steps: (a) providihg a template polynucleotide, wherein the template polynucleotide comprises sequence encoding a homologous gene; (b) providing a plurality ofbuildmg block polynucleotides, wherein the building block polynucleotides are designed to cross-over reassemble with the template polynucleotide at a predetermined sequence, and a building block polynucleotide comprises a sequence that is a variant of the homologous gene and a sequence homologous to the template polynucleotide flanking the variant sequence; (c) combining a building Mock polynucleotide with a template polynucleotide such that the budding block polynucleotide cross-over reassembles with the template polynucleotide to generate polynucleotides comprising homologous gene sequence variations. SLR docs not depend on the presence of high levels of homology between polynucleotides to be rearranged. Thus, this method can be used to non-stochastically generate libraries (or sets) of progeny molecules comprised of over 10100 different chimeras. SLR can be used to generate libraries comprised of over 10im different progeny chimeras. Thus, aspects of the present invention include non-stochastic methods of producing a set of finalized chimeric nucleic add molecule shaving an overall assembly order that is chosen by design. This method includes the steps of generating by design a plurality of specific nucleic acid building blocks having serviceable mutually compatible ligatable ends, and assembling these nucleic add building blocks, such that a designed overall assembly order is achieved.

The mutually compatible ligatable ends of the nucleic add building blocks to be assembled are considered to be “serviceable” for this type of ordered assembly if they enable the budding blocks to be coupled in predetermined orders. Thus, the overall assembly order in which the nucleic add building blocks can be coupled is specified by the design of the ligatable ends. If more than one assembly step is to be used, then the overall assembly order in which the nucldc add building blocks can be coupled is also specified by the sequential order of fiie assembly step(s). In one aspect, the annealed building pieces are treated with an enzyme, such as a figase (e.g. T4 DNA figase), to achieve covalent bonding of the buildiiig pieces.

In one aspect, the design of the oligonucleotide building blocks is obtained by analyzing a set of progenitor nucleic acid sequence templates that serve as a basis for producing a progeny set of finalized chimeric polynucleotides. These parental oligonucleotide templates thus serve as a source of sequence mfoimation that aids in the design of the nucleic add building blocks that are to be mutagenized, e.g., cfaimerized or shuffled. In one aspect of this method, the sequences of a plurality of parental nucldc acid templates are aligned in order to select one or more demarcation points. The demarcation points can be located at an area of homology, and are comprised of one or more nucleotides. These demarcation points are preferably shared by at least two of the progenitor templates. The demarcation points can thereby be used to delineate the boundaries of oligonucleotide building blocks to be generated in order to rearrange the parental polynucleotides. The demarcation points identified and selected in the progenitor molecules serve as potential chimeri2ation points in die assembly of the final chimeric progeny molecules. A demarcation point can be an area of homology (comprised of at least one homologous nucleotide base) shared by at least two parental polynucleotide sequences. Alternatively, a demarcation point can be an area of homology that is shared by at least half of the parental polynucleotide sequences, or, it can be an area of homology that is shared by at least two thirds of the parental polynucleotide sequences. Even more preferably a serviceable demarcation points is an area of homology that is shared by at least three fourths of the parental polynucleotide sequences, or, it can be shared by at almost all of the parental polynucleotide sequences. In one aspect, a demarcation point is an area of homology that is shared by all of the parental polynucleotide sequences. hi one aspect, a ligation reassembly process is performed exhaustively in order to generate an exhaustive library of progeny chimeric polynucleotides. In other words, all possible ordered combinations of the nucleic acid building blocks are represented in the set of finalized chimeric nucleic add molecules. At the same time, in another aspect, foe assembly order (l.e. foe order of assembly of each building block in foe 5’ to 3 sequence of each finalized chimeric nucleic acid) in each combination is by design (or non-stochastic) as described above. Because of the non-stochastic nature of this invention, the possibility of . .. unwanted side products is greatly reduced.

In another aspect, foe ligation reassembly method is performed systematically.

For example, the method is performed in order to generate a systematically compartmentalized library of progeny molecules, with compartments that can be screened systematically, e.g. one by one. In other words this invention provides that, through foe selective and judidous use of specific nucldc add building blocks, coupled with foe selective andjndidous use of sequentially stepped assembly reactions, a design can be achieved where specific sets of progeny products are made in each of several reaction vessels. This allows a systematic examination and screening procedure to be performed. Thus, these methods allow a potentially very large number of progeny molecules to be examined systematically in smaller groups. Because of its ability to perform chumerizations in a manner feat is highly flexible yet exhaustive and systematic as well, particularly when there is a low level of homology among the progenitor molecules, these methods provide for foe generation of a library (or set) comprised of a large number of progeny molecules. Because of the non-stochastic nature of the instant ligation reassembly invention, foe progeny molecules generated preferably comprise a library of finalized chimeric nucleic acid molecules having an overall assembly order that is chosen by design. The saturation mutagenesis and optimized directed evolution methods also can be used to generate different progeny molecular species. It is appreciated that the invention provides freedom of choice and control regarding tbs selection of demarcation points, the size and number of the nucleic acid building blocks, and the size and design of the couplings. It is appreciated, furthermore, that the requirement for inteimolecnlar homology is highly relaxed for the operability of this invention. In fact, demarcation points can even be chosen in areas of little or no intermolecular homology. For example, because of codon wobble;, i.e. the degeneracy of codons, nucleotide substitutions can be introduced into nucleic acid building blocks without altering the amino add originally encoded in the corresponding progenitor template. Alternatively, a codon can be altered such that the coding for an originally ammo acid is altered. This invention provides that such substitutions can be introduced into the nucleic add building block in order to increase the incidence of intermolecular homologous demarcation points and thus to allow an increased number of couplings to be achieved among the building blocks, which in turn allows a greater number of progeny chimeric molecules to be generated.

Synthetic gene reassembly hi one aspect, the present invention provides a non-stochastic method termed synthetic gene reassembly (e.g^, GeneReassembly™, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,537,776), which differs from stochastic shuffling in that the nucleic add building blocks are not shuffled or concatenated or cbnnerized randomly, but rather are assembled noh-stochastically.

The synthetic gene reassembly method does not depend on the presence of a high level of homology between polynucleotides to be shuffled. The invention can be used to non-stochastically generate libraries (or sets) of progeny molecules comprised of over lO100 different chimeras. Conceivably, synthetic gene reassembly can even be used to generate libraries comprised of over 101CO° different progeny chimeras.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention provides a non-stochastic method of producing a set of finalized chimeric nucldc add molecules having an overall assembly order that is chosen by design, which method is comprised of the steps of generating by design a plurality of specific nucldc add budding blocks having serviceable mutually compatible ligatable ends and assembling'these nucleic add building blocks, such that a designed overall assembly order is achieved.

In one aspect, synthetic gene reassembly comprises a method of: 1) preparing a progeny generation of molecule(s) (including a molecule comprising a polynucleotide sequence, e.g., a molecule comprising a polypeptide coding sequence), that is mutagenized to achieve at least one point mutation, addition, deletion, &/or chimerization, from one or more ancestral or parental generation template(s); 2) screening the progeny generation molecule(s), e.g., using a high throughput method, for at least one property of interest (such as an improvement in an enzyme activity); 3) optionally obtaining &Jot cataloguing structural &/or and functional information regarding the parental &/or progeny generation molecules; and 4) optionally repeating any of steps 1) to 3). In one aspect, there is generated (e.g., from a parent polynucleotide template), in what is termed “codon site-saturation mutagenesis,” a progeny generation of polynucleotides, each having at least one set of up to three contiguous point mutations (i.e. different bases comprising a new codon), such that every codon (or every family of degenerate codons encoding the same amino acid) is represented at each codon position. Corresponding to, and encoded by, this progeny generation of polynucleotides, there is also generated a set of progeny polypeptides, each having at least one single amino add point mutation. In a one aspect, there is generated, in what is termed “amino acid site-saturation mutagenesis”, one such mutant polypeptide for each of the 19 naturally encoded polypeptide-forming alpha-amino acid substitutions at each and every amino add position along the polypeptide. This yields, for each and every amino acid ' position along the parental polypeptide, a total of 20 distinct progeny polypeptides including . the original amino add, or potentially more than 21 distinct progeny polypeptides if additional amino adds are used either instead of or in addition to the 20 naturally encoded amino adds

Thus, in another aspect, this approach is also serviceable for generating mutants containing, in addition to &/or ha combination with the 20 naturally encoded polypeptide-forming alpha-amino adds, other rare ScJor not naturally-encoded amino adds and amino, acid derivatives. In yet another aspect, this approach is also serviceable for generating mutants by the use of, in addition to &Jor in combination with natural or unaltered - i codon recognition systems of suitable hosts, altered, mutagenized, &/or designer codon recognition systems (such as in a host cell with one or more altered tRNA molecules.

In yet another aspect, this invention relates to recombination and more specifically to a method for preparing polynucleotides encoding a polypeptide by a method of in vivo re-assortment of polynucleotide sequences containing regions of partial homology, assembling die polynucleotides to form at least one polynucleotide and screening the polynucleotides for tee production of polypeptides) having a useful property. ia yet another aspect, this invention is serviceable for analyzing and cataloguing, with respect to any molecular property (e.g. an enzymatic activity) or combination of properties allowed by current technology, the effects of any mutational change achieved (including particularly saturation mutagenesis). Thus, a comprehensive method is provided for determining die effect of changing each amino acid in a parental polypeptide into each of at least 19 possible substitutions. This allows each amino acid in a parental polypeptide to be characterized and catalogued according to its spectrum of potential effects on a measurable property of the polypeptide.

In one aspect, an intron may he introduced into a chimeric progeny molecule by way of a nucleic add braiding block. batons often have consensus sequences at both termini in order to render them operational. In addition to enabling gene splicing, rations may serve an additional purpose by providing sites of homology to other nucleic adds to enable homologous recombination. Par this purpose, and potentially others, it may be sometimes desirable to generate a large nucleic acid building block for introducing an intron. If the size is overly large easily generating by direct chemical synthesis of two single stranded oligos, such a specialized nucleic add budding block may also be generated by direct chemical synthesis of more than two single stranded oligos or by using a polymerase-based amplification reaction

The mutually compatible ligatable ends of the nucleic add building blocks to be assembled are considered to be “serviceable5* for this type of ordered assembly if they enable the building blocks to be coupled in predetermined orders. Thus, in one aspect, the overall assembly order in which the nucleic acid building blocks can be coupled is specified by the design of the ligatable ends and, if more than one assembly step is to be used, then the overall assembly order in which the nucleic add building blocks can be coupled is also specified by the sequential order of the assembly step(s). In a one aspect of the invention, the annealed building pieces are treated with an enzyme, such as a ligase (e.g., T4 DNA ligase) to achieve covalent bonding of fixe building pieces.

Coupling can occur in a manner that does not make use of every nucleotide in a participating overhang The coupling is particularly lively to survive (e.g. in a transformed host) if the coupling reinforced by treatment with a ligase enzyme to form what may be referred to as a “gap ligation5* or a “gapped ligation”. This type of coupling can contribute to generation of unwanted background produces), but it can also be used adyantageously increase the diversity of the progeny library generated by the designed ligation reassembly. Certain overhangs are able to undergo self-coupling to form a palindromic coupling. A coupling is strengthened substantially if it is reinforced by treatment with a ligase enzyme. Lack: of 5* phosphates on these overhangs can be used advantageously to prevent this type of palindromic self-ligation. Accordingly, this invention provides that nucleic add building blocks can be chemically made (or ordered) that lack a 5’ phosphate group. Alternatively, they can be removed, e.g. by treatment with a phosphatase enzyme, such, as a calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CLAP), in order to prevent palindromic self-ligations in ligation reassembly processes.

In a another aspect, the design of nucleic add building blocks is obtained upon analysis of the sequences of a set of progenitor nucleic acid templates that serve as a basis for producing a progeny set of finalized chimeric nucleic and molecules. These progenitor nucleic add templates thus serve as a source of sequence information that aids in the design ) of the nucleic acid building blocks that are to be mutagenized, i.e. chixnerized or shuffled.

In one exemplification, the invention provides for the cMmerization of a family of related genes and their encoded family of related products. In a particular exemplification, the encoded products are enzymes. The xylanases of the present invention can be mutagenized in accordance with the methods described herein.

Thus according to one aspect of the invention, die sequences of a plurality of progenitor nucleic acid templates (e.g., polynucleotides of Group' A nucleic acid sequences) are aligned in order to select one or more demarcation points, which demarcation points can be located at an area of homology. The demarcation points can be used to delineate the boundaries of nucleic acid building blocks to be generated. Thus, the demarcation points identified and selected in the progenitor molecules serve as potential chimerization points in ) the assembly of the progeny molecules.

Typically a serviceable demarcation point is an area of homology (comprised of at least one homologous nucleotide base) shared by at least two progenitor templates, but the demarcation point can be an area of homology that is shared by at least half of the progenitor templates, at least two thirds of the progenitor templates, at least three fourths of the progenitor templates and preferably at almost all of the progenitor templates. Even more preferably still a serviceable demarcation point is an area of homology that is shared by all of the progenitor templates.

In a one aspect, the gene reassembly process is performed exhaustively in order to generate an exhaustive library, hi other words, all possible ordered combinations of the nucleic acid building blocks are represented in the set of finalized chimeric nucleic acid molecules. At the same time, the assembly order (Le. the order of assembly of each building block in the 5’ to 3 sequence of each finalized chimeric nucleic add) in each combination is by design (or non-stochastic). Because of the ηση-stochastic nature of the method, the possibility of unwanted side products is greatly reduced. Ια another aspect, the method provides that the gene reassembly process is performed systematically, for example to generate a systematically compartmentalized library, with compartments that can be screened systematically, e.g.} one by one. hi other words the invention provides that, through the selective and judicious use of specific nucleic acid building blocks, coupled with the selective and judicious use of sequentially stepped assembly reach ons, an experimental design can be achieved where specific sets of progeny products are made in each of several reaction vessels. This allows a systematic examination and screening procedure to be performed. Thus, it allows a potentially very large number of progeny molecules to be examined systematically in smaller groups.

Because of its ability to perform chimerizations in a manner that is highly flexible yet exhaustive and systematic as well, particularly when there is a low level of homology among the progenitor molecules, the instant invention provides for the generation of a library (or set) comprised of a large number of progeny molecules. Because of the non-stochastic nature of the instant gene reassembly invention, the progeny molecules generated preferably comprise a library of finalized chimeric nucleic acid molecules having an overall assembly order that is chosen by design. In a particularly aspect, such a generated library is comprised of greater than tO3 to greater than lO1000 different progeny molecular species.

In one aspect, a set of finalized chimeric nucleic acid molecules, produced as described is comprised of a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide. According to one aspect, this polynucleotide is a gene, which may be a man-made gene. According to another aspect, this polynucleotide is a gene pathway, which may be a man-made gene pathway. The « invention provides that one or more man-made genes generated by the invention may be incorporated into a man-made gene pathway, such as pathway operable in a eukaryotic organism (including a plant).

In another exemplification, the synthetic nature of the step in which the building blocks are generated allows the design and introduction of nucleotides (eg., one or more nucleotides, which may be, for example, codons or introns or regulatory sequences) that • can later be optionally removed in an in vitro process (eg., by mutagenesis) or in an in vivo process (eg., by utilizing the gene splicing ability of a host organism). It is appreciated that in many instances tire introduction of these nucleotides may also be desirable for many other reasons in addition to the potential benefit of creating a serviceable demarcation point

Ulus, according to another aspect, the invention provides that a nucleic acid building block can be used to introduce an intern. Thus, the invention provides that functional interns may be introduced into a man-made gene of the invention. The invention also provides that functional interns may be introduced into a man-made gene pathway of the invention. Accordingly, the invention provides for the generation of a chimeric polynucleotide that is a man-made gene containing one (or more) artificially introduced irrtrcm(s).

Accordingly, the invention also provides for the generation of a chimeric polynucleotide that is a man-made gene pathway containing one (or more) artificially introduced intron(s). Preferably, the artificially introduced intron(s) are functional in one or more host cells for gene splicing much in the way that naturally-occinting interns serve functionally in gene splicing. The invention provides a process of producing man-made introD-contaiuiug polynucleotides to be introduced into host organisms for recombination and/or splicing. A man-made gene produced using the invention can also serve as a substrate for recombination with another nucleic acid, likewise, a man-made gene pathway produced ;, using the invention can also serve as a substrate for recombination with another nucleic acid.

In a one aspect, the recombination is facilitated by, or occurs at, areas of homology between file man-made, intern-containing gene and a nucleic acid, which serves as a recombination partner. In one aspect, tile recombination partner may also be a nucleic acid generated by the . invention, including a man-made gene or a man-made gene pathway. Recombination may be facilitated by or may occur at areas of homology that exist at the one (or more) artificially introduced intom(s) in the man-made gene.

The synthetic gene reassembly method of the invention utilizes a plurality of nucleic add building blocks, each of which preferably has two ligatable ends. The two ligatable ends on each nucleic add butiding block may be two blunt ends (ie. each having an overhang of zero nucleotides), or preferably one blunt end and one overhang, or more preferably still two overhangs. A useful overhang for this purpose may be a 3* overhang or a 5' overhang.

Thus, a nucleic add building block may have a 3’ overhang or alternatively a 5’ overhang or alternatively two 3’ overhangs or alternatively two 53 overhangs. The overall order in which the nucleic acid building blocks are assembled to form a finalized chimeric nucleic add molecule is determined by purposeful experimental design and is not random. la one aspect, a nucleic acid building block is generated by chemical synthesis of two single-stranded nucleic adds (also referred to as single-stranded oligos) and contacting them so as to allow them to anneal to form a double-stranded nucleic add building block. A double-stranded nucleic add building block can be of variable size. The sizes of these building blocks can be small or large. Exemplary sizes for building block Tange from 1 base pair (not including any overhangs) to 100,000 base pairs (not including any overhangs). Other exemplary size ranges are also provided, which have lower limits of from 1 bp to 10,000 bp (including every integer value in between) and upper limits of from 2 bp to 100,000 bp (including every integer value in between).

Many methods exist by which a double-stranded nucleic add building block can be generated that is serviceable for the invention; and these are known in the art and can b e readily performed by the skilled artisan.

According to one aspect, a double-stranded nucleic add building block is generated by first generating two single stranded nucleic acids and allowing them to anneal to form a double-stranded nucleic add building block. The two strands of a double-stranded nucleic add building block may be complementary at every nucleotide apart from any that form an overhang; tons containing no mismatches, apart from any ovefhang(s). According to another aspect, the two strands of a double-stranded nucleic acid building block are complementary at fewer than every nucleotide apart from any that form an overhang. Thus, according to this aspect, a double-stranded nucleic acid building block can be used to introduce codon degeneracy. Preferably toe codon degeneracy is introduced using the site-saturation mutagenesis described herein, using one or more N,N,G/T cassettes or alternatively using one or more Ν,Ν,Ν cassettes.

The in vivo recombination method of the invention can be performed blindly on a pool of unknown hybrids or alleles of a specific polynucleotide or sequence. However, it is not necessary to know toe actual DMA. or KNA sequence of the specific polynucleotide.

The approach of using recombination within a mixed population of genes can be useful for the generation of any useful proteins, for example, interleukin X, antibodies, tPA and growth hormone. This approach may be used to generate proteins having altered specificity or activity. The approachmay also be useful for the generation of hybrid nucleic acid sequences, for example, promoter regions, inirons, exons, enhancer sequences, 31 untranslated regions or 51 untranslated regions of genes. Thus this approach maybe used to generate genes having increased rates of expression. This approach may also be useful in the stady of repetitive DNA sequences. Finally, this approach, may be useful to mutate ribozymes or aptamers. ϊα one aspect the invention described herein is directed to the use of repeated cycles of reductive «assortment, recombination and selection which allow for the directed molecular evolution of highly complex linear sequences, such as DNA, ENA or proteins thorough recombination.

Optimized Directed Evolution System

The invention provides a non-stochastic gene modification system teemed “optimized directed evolution system'1’ to generate polypeptides, e.g,, xylanases or antibodies of the invention, with new or altered properties. Optimized directed evolution is directed to the use of repeated cycles of reductive reassortment, recombination, and selection that allow for the directed molecular evolution of nucleic acids through recombination. Optimized directed evolution allows generation of a large population of evolved chimeric sequences, wherein the generated population is sxgmficantly enriched for sequences that have a predetermined number of crossover events. A crossover event is a point in a chimeric sequence where a shift in sequence occurs from one parental variant to another parental variant Snch a point is normally at the juncture of where oligonucleotides from two parents are ligated together to form a angle sequence. This method allows calculation of the correct concentrations of oligonucleotide sequences so that the final chimeric population of sequences is enriched for the chosen number of crossover events. This provides more control over choosing chimeric variants having a predetermined number of crossover events. 1 In addition, this method provides a convenient means for exploring a • tremendous amount of the possible protein variant space in comparison to other systems. Previously, if one generated, for example, 1013 chimeric molecules during a reaction, it would be extremely difficult to test such a high number of chimeric variants for a particular activity. Moreover, a significant portion of the progeny population would have a very high number of crossover events which resulted in proteins that were less Hkely to have increased levels of a particular activity. By using these methods, tire population of chimerics molecules can be enriched for those variants that have a particular number of crossover events. Thus, although one can still generate 1013 chimeric molecules during a reaction, each of the molecules chosen for further analysis most likely has, for example:, only three crossover events.

Because the resulting progeny population can be skewed to have a predetermined number of crossover events, the boundaries on the functional variety between the chimeric molecules is reduced. This provides a more manageable number of variables when calculating which oligonucleotide torn the original parental polynucleotides might be responsible for affecting a particular trait

One method for creating a chimeric progeny polynucleotide sequence is to create oligonucleotides ccuresponding to fragments or portions of each parental sequence. Each, oligonucleotide preferably includes a unique region of overlap so that mixing the oligonucleotides together results in a new variant that has each oligonucleotide fragment assembled in the correct order. Additional information can also be found, e.g., in USSN 09/332,835; U.S. Patent No. 6,361,974.

The number of oligonucleotides generated for each parental variant bears a relationship to the total number of resulting crossovers in the chimeric molecule that is ultimately created. Eor example, three parental nucleotide sequence variants might be provided to undergo a ligation reaction in order to find a chimeric variant having, for example, greater activity at high temperature. As care example, a set of 50 oligonucleotide sequences can be generated corresponding to each portions of each parental variant Accordingly, during foe ligation reassembly process there could be up to 50 crossover events within each of the chimeric sequences. The probability that each of foe generated chimeric polynucleotides will contain oligonucleotides from each parental variant in alternating order is very low. If each oligonucleotide fragment is present‘in the ligation reaction in foe same molar quantity it is likely that in some positions oligonucleotides from foe same parental polynucleotide will ligate next to one another and thus not result in a crossover event If foe concentration of each oligonucleotide from each parent is kept constant during any ligation step in this example, there is a 1/3 chance (assuming 3 parents) that an oligonucleotide from foe same parental variant will ligate within the chimeric sequence and produce no crossover.

Accordingly, a probability density function (PDF) can be determined to predict foe population of crossover events that are likely to occur during each step in a ligation reaction given a set number of parental variants, a number of oligonucleotides corresponding to each variant, and foe concentrations of each variant during each step in foe ligation reaction. The statistics and mathematics behind determining foe PDF is described below. By utilizing these methods, one can calculate such aprobability density function, and thus enrich foe chimeric progeny population for a predetermined number of crossover events resulting from a particular ligation reaction. Moreover, a target number of crossover events can be predetermined, and the system then programmed to calculate foe starting quantities of each parental oligonucleotide during each step in the ligation reaction to result in a probability density function that centers on the predetermined number of crossover events. These methods are directed to the use of repeated cycles of reductive reasSortment, recombination and selection that allow for the directed molecular evolution of a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide thorough recombination. This system allows generation of a large population of evolved chimeric sequences, wherein the generated population is significantly enriched for sequences that have a predetermined number of crossover events. A crossover event is a point in a chimeric sequence where a shift in sequence occurs from one parental variant to another parental variant Such a point is normally at the juncture of where oligonucleotides from two parents are ligated together to form a single sequence. The method allows calculation of the correct concentrations of oligonucleotide sequences so that the final chimeric population of sequences is enriched for the chosen number of crossover events. This provides more control over choosing chimeric variants having a predetermined number of crossover events.

In addition, these methods provide a convenient means for exploring a tremendous amount of the possible protein variant space in comparison to other systems. By using the methods described herein, the population of chimerics molecules can be enriched for those variants that have a particular number of crossover events. Thus, although one can still generate 1013 chimeric molecules during a reaction, each of the molecules chosen for further analysis most likely has, for example, only three crossover events. Because the resulting progeny population can be skewed to have a predetermined number of crossover events, the boundaries on the functional variety between the chimeric molecules is reduced. ' This provides a more manageable number of variables when calculating which oligonucleotide from the original parental polynucleotides might be responsible for affecting a particular trait

In one aspect, the method creates a chimeric progeny polynucleotide sequence by creating oligonucleotides corresponding to fragments or portions of each parental sequence.. Each oligonucleotide preferably includes a unique region of overlap so that mixing the oligonucleotides together results in a new variant that has each oligonucleotide fragment assembled in the correct order. See also IJSSN 09/332,835.

Determining Crossover Events

Aspects of the invention include a system and software that receive a desired crossover probability density function (PDF), the number of parent genes to he reassembled, and the number of fragments in the reassembly as inputs. The output of this program is a “fragment PDF* that can be used to determine a recipe for producing reassembled genes, and the estimated crossover PDF of those genes. The processing described herein is preferably performed in MATLAB™ (The Matfrworks, Natick, Massachusetts) a programming language and development environment for technical computing.

Iterative Processes bx practicing the invention, these processes can be iteratively repeated. For example, a nucleic acid (or, the nucleic add) responsible for an altered or new xylanase phenotype is identified, re-isolated, again modified, re-tested for activity. This process can be iteratively repeated until a desired phenotype is engineered. For example, an entire biochemical anabolic or catabolic pathway can be engineered into a cell, including, e.g., xylanase activity.

Similarly, if it is detennined that a particular oligonucleotide has no affect at all on the desired trait (e.g, a new xylanase phenotype), it can be removed as a variable by synthesizing larger parental oligonucleotides that include the sequence to be removed. Since incorporating the sequence within a larger sequence prevents any crossover events, there will no longer be any variation of this sequence in the progeny polynucleotides. This iterative practice of determining which oligonucleotides are most related to the desired trait, and which axe unrelated, allows more efficient exploration all of the possible protein variants that might be provide a particular trait or activity.

In vivo shuffling

In vivo shuffling of molecules is use in methods of the invention that provide variants of polypeptides of the invention, e.g., antibodies, xylanases, and the like. In vivo ’ shuffling can be performed utilizing the natural property of cells to recombine muitimers. While recombination in vivo has provided the major natural route to molecular diversity, genetic recombination remains a relatively complex process that involves 1) the recognition of homologies; 2) strand cleavage, strand invasion, and metabolic steps leading to the production of recombinant chiasma; and finally 3) the resolution of cbiasma into discrete recombined molecules. The formation of the chiasma requires the recognition of homologous sequences.

In another aspect, the invention includes a method for producing a hybrid polynucleotide from at least a first polynucleotide and a second polynucleotide. The invention can be used to produce a hybrid polynucleotide by introducing at least a first polynucleotide and a second polynucleotide which share at least one region of partial sequence homology (e.g., SEQ ID NOS: 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19,21,23,25,27,29, 31,33,35,37,39,41,43,45,47,49,51,53,55,57,59,61,63,65,67,69,71,73,75,77,79, 81,83,85,87, 89,91,93,95,97,99,101,103,105,107,109, 111, 113,115,117,119,121, 123,125,127,129,131,133,135,137,139,141,143,145,147,149,151,153,155,157, 159,161,163,165,167,169,171,173,175,177,179,181,183,185,187,189,191,193, 195,197,199,201,203,205,207,209,211,213,215,217,219,221,223,225,227,229, 231,233,235,237,239,241,243,245,247,249,251,253,255,257 and combinations thereof) into a suitable host cell. The regions of partial sequence homology promote processes which result in sequence reorganization producing a hybrid polynucleotide. The term “hybrid polynucleotide”, as used herein, is any nucleotide sequence which results from the method of the present invention and contains sequence from at least two original polynucleotide sequences. Such hybrid polynucleotides can result from intermolecular recombination events which promote sequence integration between DNA molecules. In addition, such hybrid polynucleotides can result from intramolecular reductive reassortment processes which utilise repeated sequences to alter a nucleotide sequence within a DNA molecule. 3h vivo reassortment is focused on ‘%ter-molecular” processes collectively referred to as ‘Recombination” which in bacteria, is generally viewed as a “RecA-dependent” phenomenon. The invention can xely on recombination processes of a host cell to recombine and re-assort sequences, or the cells’ ability to mediate reductive processes to decrease the complexity of quasi-repeated sequences in the cell by deletion. This process of “reductive reassortmeuf” occurs by an “inira-moleculax”, RecA-independent process.

Therefore, in another aspect of the invention, novel polynucleotides can be generated by the process of reductive reassortment The method involves the generation of constructs containing consecutive sequences (original encoding sequences), their insertion into an appropriate vector and their subsequent introduction into an appropriate host cell.

The reassortment of the individual molecular identities occurs by combinatorial processes between the consecutive sequences in the construct possessing regions of homology, or between quasi-repeated units. The reassortment process recombines and/or reduces the complexity and extent of the repeated sequences and results in the production of novel molecular species. Various treatments may he applied to enhance the rate of reassortment These could include treatment with ultra-violet light, or DNA damaging chemicals and/or the use of host cell lines displaying enhanced levels of “genetic instability”. Thus the reassortment process may involve homologous recombination, or the natural property of quasi-repeated sequences to direct their own evolution.

Repeated or “quasi-repeated” sequences play a role in genetiG instability. In the present invention» “quasi-repeats” are repeats that are not restricted to their original unit structure. Quasi-repeated units can be presented as an array of sequences in a construct; consecutive units of similar sequences. Once ligated, the junctions between the consecutive sequences become essentially invisible and die quasi-repetitive nature of the resulting construct is now continuous at the molecular level. The deletion process the cell performs to reduce the complexity of the resulting construct operates between the quasi-repeated sequences. The quasi-repeated units provide a practically limitless repertoire of templates upon which slippage events can occur. The constructs containing the quasi-repeats thus effectively provide sufficient molecular elasticity that deletion (and potentially insertion) events can occur virtually anywhere within the quad-repetitive units.

When the quasi-repeated sequences are all ligated in the same orientation, for instance head to tail or vice versa, the cell cannot distinguish individual units. Consequently, the reductive process can occur throughout the sequences, hi contrast, when for example, the units are presented head to head, rather than head to tail, the inversion delineates the endpoints of the adjacent unit so that deletion, formation will favor the loss of discrete units. Thus, it is preferable with the present method that the sequences are in the same orientation. Random orientation of quasi-repeated sequences will result in tile loss of reassortment ..¾ efficiency, while consistent orientation of the sequences will offer the highest efficiency. However, while having fewer of the contiguous sequences in the same orientation decreases the efficiency, it may still provide sufficient elasticity for the effective recovery of novel molecules. Constructs can be made with the quasi-repeated sequences in the same orientation to allow higher efficiency.

Sequences can be assembled in a head to tail orientation using any of a variety of methods, including the following: a) Primers that include a poly-A heal and poly-T tail which when made single-stranded would provide orientation can be utilized. This is accomplished by having the first few bases of the primers made from KNA and hence easily removed KNAseH. b) Primers that include unique restriction cleavage sites can be utilized. Multiple sites, a battery of unique sequences and repeated synthesis and ligation steps would be required. c) The inner few bases of the primer could be thiolated and an exonuclease used to produce properly'tailed molecules.

The recovery of Hie re-assorted sequences relies on die identification of cloning vectors with a reduced repetitive index: (RI). The re-assorted encoding sequences can then be recovered by amplification. The products are re-cloned and expressed. The recovery of cloning vectors with reduced RI can be affected by: 1) The use of vectors only stably maintained when the construct is reduced in complexity. 2) The physical recovery of shortened vectors by physical procedures. In this case, the cloning vector would be recovered using standard plasmid isolation procedures and size fractionated on either an agarose gel, or column with a low molecular weight cut off utilizing standard procedures. 3) The recovery of vectors containing interrupted genes which can be selected when insert size decreases. 4) The use of direct selection techniques with an expression vector and the appropriate selection.

Encoding sequences (for example, genes) from related organisms may demonstrate a high degree of homology and encode quite diverse protein products. These types of sequences are particularly useful in the present invention as quasi-repeats. However, while the examples illustrated below demonstrate the reassortment of nearly identical original encoding sequences (quasi-repeats), this process is not limited to such nearly identical repeats.

The following example demonstrates a method of the invention. Encoding nucleic add sequences (quasi-repeats) derived from three (3) unique species are described. Each sequence encodes a protein with a distinct set of properties. Each of the sequences differs by a single or a few base pairs at a unique position in the sequence. The quasi-repeated sequences are separately or collectively amplified and ligated into random assemblies such that all possible permutations and combinations axe available in the population of ligated molecules. The number of quasi-repeat units can be controlled by the assembly conditions. The average number of quasi-repeated units in a construct is defined as tire repetitive index (RI).

Once formed, the constructs may, or may not be size fractionated on an agarose gel according to published protocols, inserted into a cloning vector and transfected into an appropriate host cell. The cells are then propagated and “reductive reassortment” is effected. The rate of the reductive reassortment process may he stimulated by the introduction ofDNA damage if desired. Whether the reduction in El is mediated by deletion formation between repeated sequences by an “intra-molecular” mechanism, or mediated by recombination-like events through “inter-molecular” mechanisms is immaterial. The end result is a reassortment of the molecules into all possible combinations.

Optionally, the method comprises the additional step of screening the library members of the shuffled pool to identify individual shuffled library members having the ability to bind or otherwise interact, or catalyze a particular reaction (e.gv, such as catalytic domain of an enzyme) with a predetermined macromolecule, such as for example a proteinaceous receptor, an oligosaccharide, virion, or other predetermined compound or structure.

The polypeptides that are identified from such libraries can be used for therapeutic, diagnostic, research and related purposes (e.g., catalysts, solutes for increasing osmolarity of an aqueous solution and the like) and/or can be subjected to one or more additional cycles of shuffling and/or selection. hr another aspect, it is envisioned that prior to or during recombination or reassortment, polynucleotides generated by the method of the invention can be subjected to agents or processes which promote the introduction of mutations into the original polynucleotides. The introduction of such mutations would increase the diversity of resulting hybrid polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded therefrom. The agents or processes which promote mutagenesis can include, but are not limited to: (+)-CC-1065, or a synthetic analog such as (+)-CC-1065-(N3-Adenme (See Sun and Hurley, (1992); an N-acetylsted or deacetylated 4'-fluro-4-aminobiphenyl adduct capable of inhibiting DNA synthesis (See, for example, van de Poll et al. (1992)); or a N-acetylated or deacetylated 4-aminobiphenyl adduct capable of inhibiting DNA synthesis (See also, van de Poll et aL (1992), pp. 751-758); trivalent chromium, a trmlent chromium salt, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) DNA adduct capable of inhibiting DNA replication, such as 7-bromomethyl-benz[a]anthracene (“BMA”), tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phospbate (“Tris-BP”), l^-dibromo-3-cbjoropropane (“DBCP”), 2-bromoacrolem (2BA), benzo[u]pyrene>-7,8-dihydrodioi-9-l 0-epoxide (“BPDE”), a platinum(Q) halogen salt, N-hycfroxy-2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5·/]-quinoline (“N-hydroxy-IQ”) andN-hydroxy^2-amino-l-me&yl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5:/3-pyridine (“N-hydroxy-PMP”). Exemplary means for slowing or halting PCR amplification consist ofUV light (+)-CC-1065 and (+)-CC-1065-(NB-Adeaune). Particularly encompassed means are DNA adducts or polynucleotides comprising the DNA adducts from the polynucleotides ox polynucleotides pool, which can he released or removed by a process including heating the solution comprising the polynucleotides prior to further processing.

In another aspect the invention is directed to a method of producing recombinant proteins having biological activity by treating a sample comprising double-stranded template polynucleotides encoding a wild-type protein under conditions according to the invention which provide for the production of hybrid dr re-assorted, polynucleotides.

Producing sequence variants

The invention also provides additional methods for making sequence variants of the nucleic acid (e.g^, xylanase) sequences of the invention- The invention also provides additional methods for isolating xylanases using the nucleic adds and polypeptides of the invention. In one aspect, the invention provides for variants of a xylanase coding sequence (e.g., a gene, cDNA or message) of the invention, which can be altered by any means, inchidittg, e.g., random or stochastic methods, or, non-stochastic, or “directed evolution,” methods, as described above.

The isolated variants may he naturally occurring. Variant can also be created in vitro. Variants may be created using genetic engineering techniques such as site directed mutagenesis, random chemical mutagenesis, Exonuclease ΠΙ deletion procedures, and standard cloning techniques. Alternatively, such variants, fragments, analogs, or derivatives maybe created using chemical synthesis or modification procedures. Other methods of making variants are also familiar to those skilled in the art These include procedures in which nucleic acid sequences obtained from natural isolates are modified to generate nucleic acids which encode polypeptides having characteristics which enhance their value in industrial or laboratory applications, hi such procedures, a large number of variant sequences having one or more nucleotide differences with respect to the sequence obtained from the natural isolate are generated and characterized. These nucleotide differences can result in amino add changes with respect to the polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids from the natural isolates.

For example, variants may be created using error prone PCR. In error prone PCR, PCR is performed under conditions where the copying fidelity of the DNA polymerase is low, such that a high rate of point mutations is obtained along the entire length of the PCR product. Error prone PCR is described, e.g., in Leung, D.W., et al., Technique, 1:11-15, 1989) and Caldwell, R. C. & Joyce GJ?., PCR Methods Applic., 2:28-33,1992. Briefly, in such procedures, nucleic adds to be mutagenized are mixed with PCR primers, reaction buffer, MgCk MnCk, Taq polymerase and an appropriate concentration of dNTPs for achieving a high rate of point mutation along die entire length of the PCJR product. For example, the reaction may be performed using 20 fmoles of nucleic add to he mutagenized, 30 pinole of each PCS. primer, a reaction buffer comprising 5QmM KC3, lOmMTris HC1 (pH 8.3) and 0.01% gelatin, 7xnMMgC12,0.SmMMnCk» 5 units of Taq polymerase, 0.2mM dGTP, 0.2mM dATP, lmM dCTP, and ImM dTTP. PCR may be performed for 30 cycles of 94°C for 1 min, 45°C for 1 min, and 72°C for X min. However, it will be appretiated that these parameters may be varied as appropriate. The mutagenized nucleic acids are cloned into an appropriate vector and the activities of the polypeptides encoded by the mutagenized nucleic adds are evaluated.

Variants may also be created using oligonucleotide directed mutagenesis to generate site-specific mutations in any cloned DNA of interest Oligonucleotide mutagenesis is described, e.g., in Reidhaar-Olson (1988) Science 241:53-57. Briefly, in such procedures a plurality of double stranded oligonucleotides bearing one or more mutations to be introduced into the cloned DNA are synthesized and inserted into the cloned DNA to be mutagemzecL Clones containing the mutagenized DNA are recovered and the activities of foe polypeptides they encode are assessed.

Another method for generating variants is assembly PCR. Assembly PCR involves foe assembly of a PCR product from a mixture of small DNA fragments. A large number of different PCR reactions occur in parallel in foe same vial, with the products of one reaction priming foe products of another reaction. Assembly PCR is described in, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,965,408.

Still another method of generating variants is sexual PCR mutagenesis, ha sexual PCR mutagenesis, forced homologous recombination occurs between DNA molecules of different but highly related DNA sequence in vitro, as a result of random fragmentation of foe DNA molecule based on sequence homology, followed by fixation of foe crossover by primer extension in a PCR reaction. Sexual PCR mutagenesis is described, e.g., in Stemmer (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci.USA 91:10747-10751. Briefly, in such procedures aplurality of nucleic acids to be recombined are digested with DNase to generate fragments having an average size of50-200 nucleotides. Fragments of foe desired average size are purified and resuspended in a PCR mixture. PCR is conducted under conditions which facilitate recombination between foe nucleic acid fragments. For example, PCR may be performed by resuspending foe purified fragments at a concentration of 10-3Qng/pl in a solution of 0-2mM of each dNTP, 22mM MgQ^ SGmM KCL, lQmM Tris HC1, pH 9-0, and 0.1% Triton X-100. 2.5 units ofTaq polymerase per 100:1 of reaction mixture is added and PCR is performed Using the following regime: 94°C for 60 seconds, 94°C for 30 seconds, 50-55°C for 30 seconds, 72°C for 30 seconds (30*45 times) and 72°C for 5 minutes. However, it will he appreciated that these parameters may be varied as appropriate. In some aspects, oligonucleotides may be included in file PCR reactions. In other aspects, the Klenow fragment ofDNA polymerase I maybe used in a first set of PCR reactions and Taq polymerase may be used in a subsequent set of PCR reactions. Recombinant sequences are isolated and the activities of the polypeptides they encode are assessed.

Variants may also be created by in vivo mutagenesis. In some aspects, random mutations in a sequence of interest are generated by propagating the sequence of interest in a bacterial strain, such as anB. coli strain, which carries mutations in one or more of the DNA repair pathways. Such “mutator” strains have a higher random mutation rate than that of a wild-type parent Propagating the DNA in one of these strains will eventually generate random mutations within the DNA. Mutator strains suitable for use for in vivo mutagenesis are described in PCT Publication No. WO 91/16427, published October 31,1991, entitled “Methods for Phenotype Creation from Multiple Gene Populations”

Variants may also be generated using cassette mutagenesis. In cassette mutagenesis a small region of a double stranded DNA molecule is replaced with a synthetic oligonucleotide “cassette” that differs from the native sequence. The oligonucleotide often contains completely and/or partially randomized native sequence.

Recursive ensemble mutagenesis may also be used to generate variants. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis is an algorithm for protein engineering (protein mutagenesis) developed to produce diverse populations of phenotypically related mutants whose members differ in amino acid sequence. This method uses a feedback mechanism to control successive rounds of combinatorial cassette mutagenesis. Recursive ensemble mutagenesis is described in AiMn, AJP. and Youvan, D.C., PNAS, USA, 89:7811-7815, 1992. hi some aspects, variants are created using exponential ensemble mutagenesis. Exponential ensemble mutagenesis is a process for generating combinatorial libraries with a high percentage of unique and functional mutants, wherein small groups of residues are randomized in parallel to identify, at each altered position, amino acids which lead to functional proteins. Exponential ensemble mutagenesis is described in Delegrave, S. and Youvan, D.C., Biotechnology Research, 11:1548-1552,1993. Random and site-directed mutagenesis are described in Arnold, F.EL, Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 4:450-455, 1993.

In some aspects, the variants are created using shuffling procedures wherein portions of a plurality of nucleic adds which encode distinct polypeptides are fused together to create chimeric nucleic add sequences which encode chimeric polypeptides as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,965,408, filed July 9,1996, .entitled, “Method ofDNA Reassembly by interrupting Synthesis” and U.S. Patent No. 5,939,250, filed May 22,1996, entitled, “Production of Enzymes Having Desired Activities by Mutagenesis.

The variants of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences may be variants in which one or more of the amino add residues of the polypeptides of the Group B amino add sequences are substituted with, a conserved or non-conserved amino acid residue (preferably a conserved amino add residue) and such substituted amino add residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code.

Conservative substitutions are those that substitute a given, amino add in a polypeptide by another ammo acid of like characteristics. Typically seen as conservative . substitutions are the following replacements: replacements of an aliphatic amino add such as Alanine, Valine, Leudne and Isolencme with another aliphatic amino add; replacement of a Serine with a Threonine or vice versa; replacement of an addjc residue such as Aspartic acid and Glutamic add with another addle residue; replacement of a residue bearing an amide group, such as Asparagine and Glutamine, with another residue beering an amide group; exchange of a basic residue such as Lysine and Arginine with another basic residue; and replacement of an aromatic residue such as Phenylalanine, Tyrosine with another aromatic residue.

Other variants are those in which one or more of the amino acid residues of the polypeptides of the Group B amino add sequences includes a substituent group.

Still other variants are those in which the polypeptide is assodated with another compound, such as a compound to increase the half-life of the polypeptide (for example, polyethylene glycol).

Additional variants are those in which additional amino adds are fused to the polypeptide, such as a leader sequence, a secretory sequence, a proprotein sequence or a sequence which facilitates purification, enrichment, or stabilization of the polypeptide.

In some aspects, the fragments, derivatives and analogs retain the same -biological function or activity as the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. In other aspects, the fragment, derivative, or analog includes apropmtehx, such, feat fee fragment, derivative, or analog can be activated by cleavage of the proprotem portion to produce an active polypeptide.

Optimizing codons to achieve Mgk levels of protein expression in host cells

The invention provides methods for modifying xylanase-encoding nucleic adds to modify codon usage. In one aspect, fee invention provides methods for modifying codons in a nucleic add encoding a xylanase to increase or decrease its expression in a host cell The invention also provides nucleic acids encoding a xylanase modified to increase its expression in a host cell, xylanase so modified, and methods of making fee modified xylanases. The method comprises identifying a “non-preferred” or a “less preferred” codon in xylanase-encoding nucleic add and replacing one or more of these non-preferred or less preferred codons wife a “preferred codon” encoding fee same amino acid as the replaced codon and at least one non-preferred or less preferred codon in fee nucleic add has been replaced by a preferred codon encoding fee same amino acid. A preferred codon is a codon over-represented in coding sequences in genes in the host cell and a non-preferred or less preferred codon is a codon under-represented in coding sequences in genes in fee host cell.

Host cells for expressing fee nucleic adds, expression cassettes and vectors of fee invention include bacteria, yeast, fungi, plant cells, insect cells and mammalian cells.

Thus, fee invention provides methods for optimizing codon usage in all of these cells, codon- -, altered nucleic adds and polypeptides made by fee codon-aKered nucleic acids. Exemplary host cells include gram negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coU and Pseudomonas fluorescens; gram positive bacteria, such as Streptomyces diversa, Lactobacillus gasserl, Lactococcus feeds, Lactococcus cremoris, Bacillus subtilis. Exemplary host cells also include eukaryotic organisms, e.g., various yeast, such as Saccharomyces sp., including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomycespombe, Pichia pastoris, and Kluyveromyces feeds’, Hansemda polymorpha, Aspergillus niger, and mammalian cells and cell lines and insect cells and cell lines. Thus, fee invention also includes nucleic acids and polypeptides optimized for expression in these organisms and species.

For example, fee codons of a nucleic acid encoding a xylanase isolated from a bacterial cell are modified such that fee nucleic acid is optimally expressed in abacterial cell different from.the bacteria from which fee xylanase was derived, a yeast, a fungi, a plant cell, an insect cell or a mammalian cell. Methods for optimizing codons are well known in the art, see, e.g., U.S. Talent No. 5,795,737; Baca (2000) M. J.ParaitoI. 30:113-115; Hale (1998) Protein Expr. Purff. 12:185-188; Narum (2001) infect Tmmun. 69:7250-7253. See also

Narum (2001) Infect. Tirontm. 69:2250-7253, describing optimizing codons in mouse systems; Outcbfcourov (2002) Protein Expr. Purif. 24:18-24, describing optimizing codons in yeast; Feng (2000) Biochemistry 39:15399-15409, describing optimizing codons in E. coli; Humphreys (2000) Protean Expr. Purif. 20:252-264, describing optimizing codon usage that affects secretion in K colL

Transgenic non-human animals

The invention provides transgenic non-human animals comprising a nucleic acid, a polypeptide (e.g., a xylanase)» an expression cassette or vector or a transfected or transformed cell of the invention. The invention also provides methods of making and using these transgenic non-human animals.

The transgenic non-human animals can be, e.g., goats, rabbits, sheep, pigs, cows, rats and mice, comprising the nucleic acids of the invention. These animals can be used, e.g., as in vivo models to study xylanase activity, or, as models to screen for agents that change the xylanase activity in vivo. The coding sequences for the polypeptides to be expressed in the transgenic non-human animals can be designed to be constitutive, or, under, the control of tissue-specific, developmental-specific or inducible transcriptional regulatory factors. Transgenic non-human animals can be designed and generated using any method known in the art; see, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,211,428; 6,187,992; 6,156,952; 6,118,044; 6,111,166; 6,107,541; 5,959,171; 5,922,854; 5,892,070; 5,880,327; 5,891,698; 5,639,940; , 5,573,933; 5,387,742; 5,087,571, describing making and using transformed cedis and eggs and transgenic mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, pigs and cows. See also, e.g., Pollock (1999) J. Immunol. Methods 231:147-157, describing the production of recombinant proteins in the milk of transgenic dairy animals; Baguisi (1999) Nat. Biotechnol 17:456-461, demonstrating the production of transgenic goats. TJ.S. Patent No. 6,211,428, describes making and using transgenic non-human mammals which express in their brains a nucleic add construct comprising a DNA sequence. U.S. Patent No. 5,387,742, describes injecting cloned recombinant or synthetic DNA. sequences into fertilized mouse eggs, implanting the injected eggs in pseudo-pregnant females, and growing to term transgenic mice whose cells express proteins related to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. U.S. Patent No. 6,187,992, describes malting and using a transgenic mouse whose genome comprises a disruption of the gene encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP). “Knockout animals” can also be used to practice the methods of foe-invention. For example, in one aspect, the transgenic or modified animals of the invention comprise a ‘knockout animal,” e.g., a “knockout mouse,” engineered not to express an endogenous gene, which is replaced with a gene expressing a xylanase of the invention, or, a fusion protein comprising a xylanase of the invention.

Transgenic Plants and Seeds

The invention provides transgenic plants and seeds comprising a nucleic acid, a polypeptide (e.g., a xylanase), an expression cassette or vector or a transfected or transformed cell of the invention. The invention also provides plant products, e.g., oils, seeds, leaves, extracts and file 1¾¾ comprising a nucleic add and/or a polypeptide (e.g., a xylanase) of the invention. The transgenic plant can be dicotyledonous (a dicot) or monocotyledonous (a monocot). The invention also provides methods of making and using these transgenic plants and seeds. The transgenic plant or plant cell expressing a polypeptide of the present invention may be constructed in accordance with any method known in fee art See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 6,309,872.

Nucleic acids and expression constructs of the invention can he introduced into a plant cell by any means. For example, nucleic acids or expression constructs can be introduced into fee genome of a desired plant host, or, the nucleic acids or expression constructs can be episomes. Introduction into fee genome of a desired plant can be such that the host’s xylanase production is regulated by endogenous transcriptional or translational control elements. The invention also provides “knockout plants” where insertion of gene sequence by, e.g., homologous recombination, has disrupted fee expression of the endogenous gene. Means to generate “knockout” plants are well-known in the art, see, e.g., Strepp (1998) Proc NatL Acad. Set. USA 95:4368-4373; Miao (1995) Plant J 7:359-365. See discussion on transgenic plants, below.

The nucleic adds of the invention can be used to confer desired traits on essentially any plant, e.g., on starch-producing plants, such as potato, wheat, rice, barley, and the like. Nucleic adds of the invention can be used to manipulate metabolic pathways of a plant in order to optimize or alter host’s expression of xylanase. The can change xylanase activity in a plant Alternatively, a xylanase of the invention can be used in production of a transgenic plant to produce a compound not naturally produced by that plant. This can lower production costs or create a novel product.

In one aspect, the first step in production of a transgenic plant involves making an expression construct for expression in a plant cell. These techniques are well known in the art. They can include selecting and cloning a promoter, a coding sequence for facilitating efficient binding of ribosomes to mRNA and selecting the appropriate gene terminator sequences. One exemplary constitutive promoter is CaMV35S, from the cauliflower mosaic virus, which generally results in ahigh degree of expression in plants. Other promoters are more specific and respond to cues in tile plant's internal or external environment. An exemplary light-indncible promoter is the promoter from die cab gene, encoding the major chlorophyll a/b binding protein.

In one aspect» the nucleic add is modified to achieve greater expression in a plant cell For example, a sequence of the invention is likely to have a higher percentage of A-T nucleotide pairs compared to that seen in a plant, some of which prefer G-C nucleotide pahs. Therefore, A-T nucleotides in the coding sequence can be substituted with G-C nucleotides without significantly changing the amino acid sequence to enhance production of the gene product in plant cells.

Selectable marker gene can be added to the gene construct in order to identify plant cells or tissues that have successfully integrated the transgene. This may be necessary because achieving incorporation and expression of genes in plant cells is a rare event, occurring in just a few percent of the targeted tissues or cells. Selectable marker genes encode proteins that provide resistance to agents that are normally toxic to plants, such as antibiotics or herbicides. Only plant cells that have integrated the selectable marker gene will survive when grown on a medium containing the appropriate antibiotic or herbicide. As for other inserted genes, marker genes also require promoter and termination sequences for proper function.

In one aspect, making transgenic plants or seeds comprises incorporating sequences of the invention and, optionally, marker genes into a target expression construct (e.g., a plasmid), along with positioning of the promoter and the terminator sequences. This can involve transferring the modified gene into the plant through a suitable method. For example, a construct may be introduced directly into die genomic DNA of the plant cell using techniques such as electroporation and microinjection of plant cell protoplasts, or the constructs can be introduced directly to plant tissue using ballistic methods, such as DNA particle bombardment For example, see, e.g., Christen (1997) Plant Mot BioL 35:197-203; Pawlowsfci (1996) Mol. Bioledmol. 6:17-30; Klein (1987) Nature 327:70-73; Takumi (1997) Genes Genet Systi 72:63-69, discussing use of particle bombardment to introduce transgenes into wheat; and Adam (1997) supra, for use of particle bombardment to introduce YACs into plant cells. For example, Rinehart (1997) supra, used particle bombardment to generate transgenic cotton plants. Apparatus for accelerating particles is described U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,580; and, the commercially available BioRad (Biolistics) PDS-2000 particle acceleration instrument; see also, John, U.S. Patent No. 5,608,148; and Ellis, U.S. Patent No. 5,681,730, describing particle-mediated transformation of gytnnosperms.

In one aspect, protoplasts can be immobilized and injected with a nucleic adds, e.g.3 an expression construct Although plant regeneration from protoplasts is not easy with cereals, plant regeneration is possible in legumes using somatic embiyogenesis from protoplast derived callus. Organized tissues can be transformed with naked DNA using gene gun technique, where DNA is coated on tungsten microprojectiles, shot 1/100th the size of cells, which carry the DNA deep into cells and organelles. Transformed tissue is then induced to regenerate, usually by somatic embryogenesis. This technique has been successful in several cereal species including maize and rice.

Nucleic adds, e.g., expression constructs, can also be introduced in to plant cells using reconfbirmnt viruses. Plant cells can be transformed using viral vectors, such as, e.g., tobacco mosaic virus derived vectors (Rouwendal (1997) Plant MoL Biol. 33:989-999), see Porta (1996) “Use of viral replicons for the expression of genes in plants ” Mol. Biotechnol. 5:209-221.

Alternatively, nucleic adds, e.g., an expression construct, can be combined with suitable T-DNA flanking regions and introduced into a conventional Agrobacterium tumefadens host vector. The virulence fractions of ih&Agrobactermm tumefadens host will direct the insertion of the construct and adjacent marker into the plant cell DNA when the cell is infected by the bacteria. Agrobacterium iume/heienj-mediated transformation techniques, including disarming and use of binary vectors, are well described in the scientific literature. See, e.g., Hqrsch (1984) Science 233:496-498* Fraley (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sd: USA 80:4803 (1983); Gene Transfer to Plants, Potrykus, ed. (Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1995). The DNA in an A tumefaciens cell is contained in the bacterial chromosome as well as in another structure known as a Ti (tumor-iruhicing) plasmid. The Ti plasmid contains a stretch of DNA tamed T-DNA (-20 kb long) that is transferred to the plant cell in the infection process and a series of vir (virulence) genes that direct the infection process. A. tumefaciens can only infect a plant through wounds: when a plant root or stem is wounded it gives off certain chemical signals, in. response to which, the vir genes ofzL tumefaciens become activated and direct a series of events necessary for the transfer of the T-DNA from the Ti plasmid to the plants chromosome. The T-DNA then enters the plant cell through the wound. One speculation is that the T-DNA waits until the plant DNA is being replicated or transcribed, then inserts itself into the exposed plant DNA In order to use A. tumefaciens as a transgene vector, the tumor-inducing section of T-DNA have to be removed, while retaining the T-DNA border regions and the vir genes. The transgene is then inserted between the T-BNA border regions, where it is transferred to the plant ceH and becomes integrated into the plant's chromosomes.

The invention provides for the transformation of monocotyledonous plants using file nucleic adds of the invention, including important cereals, see Hiei (1997) Plant Mol. Biol. 35:205*218. See also, e.g., Horsch, Sdence (1984) 233:496; Fraley (1983) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 80:4803; Thykjaer (1997) supra; Park (1996) Plant Mol. Biol. 32:1135-1148, discussing T-DNA integration into genomic UNA. See also DHallnin, U.S. Patent No. 5,712,135, describing a process for the stable integration of a DNA comprising a gene that is functional in a cell of a cereal, or other monocotyledonous plant.

Xu one aspect, the third step can involve selection and regeneration of whole plants capable of transmitting the incorporated target gene to the next generation. Such regeneration techniques rely on manipulation of certain phytohoimones in a tissue culture growth medium, typically relying on a biocide and/or herbicide marker that has been introduced together with the desired nucleotide sequences. Plant regeneration from cultured protoplasts is described in Evans et aL, Protoplasts Isolation and Culture, Handbook of Plant Cell Culture, pp. 124-176, MacMillilan Publishing Company, New York, 1983; andBmding, . Regeneration of Plants» Plant Protoplasts,pp. 21-73, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1985. Regeneration can also he obtained from plant callus, explants, organs, or parts thereof Such . regeneration techniques are described generally in Klee (1987) Ann. Rev. of Plant Phys. 38:467-486. To obtain whole plants from transgenic tissues such as immature embryos, they * can be grown under controlled environmental conditions in a series of media containing nutrients and hormones, a process known as tissue culture. Once whole plants are generated and produce seed, evaluation of the progeny begins.

After the expression cassette is stably incorporated in transgenic plants, it cam be introduced into other plants by sexual crossing. Any of a number of standard breeding techniques can be used, depending upon the species to be crossed. Since transgenic expression of the nucleic adds of the invention leads to phenotypic changes, plants comprising the recombinant nucleic adds of the invention can be sexually crossed with a second plant to obtain a final product. Thus, the seed of the invention can be derived from a cross between two transgenic plants of the invention, or a cross between a plant of the invention and another plant The desired effects'(e.g., expression of the polypeptides of the . invention to produce a plant in which flowering behavior is altered) can be enhanced when both parental plants express the polypeptides (e.g., a xylanase) of the invention. The desired effects can be passed to fixture plant generations by standard propagation means.

Hie nucleic acids and polypeptides of the invention are expressed in or inserted in any plant or seed. Transgenic plants of the invention can be dicotyledonous or monocotyledonons. Examples of monocot transgenic plants of the invention are grasses, such as meadow grass (bine grass, Poa), forage grass such as festnca, lolium, temperate grass, such as Agrostis, and cereals, e.g., wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, sorghum, and maize (com). Examples of dicot transgenic plants of the invention are tobacco, legumes, such as lupins, potato, sugar beet, pea, bean and soybean, and cruciferous plants (family Brassicaceae), such as cauliflower, rape seed, and the closely related model organism Arabidcpsis thalima. Thus, the transgenic plants and seeds of the invention include abroad range of plants, including, but not limited to, species from the genera Anacardium, Arachis, Asparagus, Airopa, Avena, Brassica, Citrus, Citrullus, Capsicum, Cartharrms, Cocos, Coffea, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Daucus, Elaeis, Fragaria, Glycine, Gossypium, Helianthus,

HeterocaJlis, Hordeum, Ilyoscyamus, Lactuca, Liman, Lolium, Lupinus, Lycopersicon,

Modus, Manihot, Majorana, Medicago, Nicotiana, Olea, Oryza, Panieum, Pannisetum,

Persea, Phaseolus, Pistachio, Pisum, Pyrus, Primus, Raphanus, Ricinus, Secale, Senecio, Sinapis, Solomon, Sorghum, Theobromus, Trigondla, Triticum, Vida, Vitis, Figna, and Zen. hi alternative embodiments, die nucleic adds of the invention are expressed in · plants which contain fiber cells, including, e.g., cotton, silk cotton tree (Kapok, Ceiba pentandra), desert willow, creosote bush, winterfat, balsa, ramie, kenaf hemp, roselle, jute, , sisal abaca and flax. In alternative embodiments, the transgenic plants of the invention can be members of the genus Gossypium, including members of any Gossypium species, such as , G. arboreumG. herbaceum, G. barbadense, and G. hirsutum.

The invention also provides for transgenic plants to be used for producing large amounts of the polypeptides (e.g., a xylanase or antibody) of the invention. Fear example, see Pahngren (1997) Trends Genet 13:348; Chong (1997) Transgenic Res. 6:289-296 (producing human milk protein beta-casein in transgenic potato plants using an auxin-inducible, bidirectional marmopine synthase (masl'^1) promoter with Agrobacterium irnne/flde7js-mediated leaf disc transformation, methods).

Using known procedures, one of skill can screen for plants of Ore invention by detecting the increase or decrease of transgeoe mSNA or protein, in transgenic plants. Means for detecting and quantitation of mRNAs or proteins are well known in the art

Polypeptides and peptides la one aspect, the invention provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides having a sequence identity (e.g., at least about 50%, 51%, 52%, 53%, 54%, 55%, 56%, 57%, 58%, 59%, 60%, 61%, 62%¾ 63%, 64%, 65%, 66%, 67%, 68%, 69%, 70%, 71%, 72%, 73%, 74%, 75%, 76%, 77%, 78%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or complete (100%) sequence identity) to an exemplary sequence of the invention, e,g., proteins having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ © NO:4, SEQ © NO:6, SEQ © NO:8, SEQ © NO:10, SEQ ©NO:12, SEQ © NO:14, SEQ ©NO:l6, SEQ © NO: 18, SEQ © NO20, SEQ © N022, SEQ © N024, SEQ © NO:26, SEQ © NO:28, SEQ © NO:30, SEQ © NO-32, SEQ © NO:34, SEQ © N036, SEQ © N038, SEQ © NO:40, SEQ © NO:42, SEQ © NO:44, SEQ © NO:46, SEQ © NO:48, SEQ © NO:50, SEQ © NO:52, SEQ © NO:54, SEQ ©NO:56, SEQ © NO:58, SEQ © NO:60, SEQ © NO:62, SEQ © NO:64, SEQ © NO:66, SEQ © NO:68, SEQ © NO:70, SEQ © NO:72, SEQ © NO:74, SEQ © NO:76, SEQ © NO:78, SEQ © NO:80, SEQ © NO:82, SEQ © NO:84, SEQ © NO:86, SEQ © NO:88, SEQ © NO:90, SEQ © NO:92, SEQ © NO:94, SEQ © NO:96, SEQ © NO:98, SEQ © NO:l 00, SEQ © NO:102, SEQ © NO:104, SEQ © NO:106, SEQ © NO:l 08, SEQ © NO:l 10, SEQ © NO:l 12, SEQ © NO:114, SEQ © NO:116, SEQ © NO:l 18, SEQ © NO:120, SEQ © NO:122, SEQ © NO:124, SEQ © NO:126, SEQ © NO: 128, SEQ © NO:130, SEQ © NO:132; SEQ © NO:134; SEQ © NO:136; SEQ © NO:138; SEQ © NO:140; SEQ © NO:t42; SEQ © NO:144; N0:146, SEQ © NO:148, SEQ © NO:150, SEQ © NO:152, SEQ © NO:154, SEQ © NO:156, SEQ © NO:158, SEQ © NO:160, SEQ © NO:162, SEQ © NO:164, SEQ © NO:166, SEQ © NO:168, SEQ © NO:170, SEQ © NO:172, SEQ © NO:174, SEQ © NO:176, SEQ © NO:178, SEQ © NO:180, SEQ © NO:182, SEQ © NO:184, SEQ © NO:186, SEQ © NO:188, SEQ © NO:190, SEQ © NO:192, SEQ © NO:194, SEQ © NO:196, SEQ © NO:198, SEQ © NO:200, SEQ © NO202, SEQ © NO304, SEQ © NO306, SEQ © NO308, SEQ © NO:210, SEQ © NO:212, SEQ © NO:214, SEQ © N0316, SEQ © N0318, SEQ © NQ:220, SEQ © N0:222, SEQ © N0:224, SEQ © N0226, SEQ © NO:228, SEQ © NO:230, SEQ © NO:232, SEQ © N0:234, SEQ © NO:236, SEQ © NO:238, SEQ © NO:240, SEQ © NO:242, SEQ © NO:244, SEQ © NO:246, SEQ © NO:248, SEQ © NO-250, SEQ © NO:252, SEQ © NO:254, SEQ © N0:256,. SEQ © NO:258, SEQ © NO'260, SEQ © NO:262, SEQ © NO:264, SEQ © NO:266, SEQ © NO:268, SEQ © NO-270, SEQ© N0272, SEQ © NO:274, SEQ © NO:276, SEQ © NO:278, SEQ Ip NO:2SO, SEQIDNO:282, SBQIDNO:284, SEQIDNO:286, SEQD>NO:288, SEQ ID NO:290, SEQ ID NO:292, SEQ ID NO:294, SEQ ID NO:296, SEQ ID NO:298, SEQ ID N0:300, SEQ ID N0:302, SEQ ID NO:304, SEQ ID NO:306, SEQ ID >10:308, SEQ1D NO:310, SEQ 30D NO:312, SEQ ID NO:314, SEQIDNO:316, SEQIDN0:318, SEQ ID NO:320, SEQ Π> NO:322, SEQ ID NO:324, SEQ ID NO:326, SBQ Π) NO:32S, SEQ ID NO:330, SEQ ID NO-.332, SEQ ID NO:334, SEQ ID NO:336, SEQ ID NO:338, SEQ ID NO-.340, SEQ ID NO:342, SEQ ID N0:344, SEQ ID NO:346, SEQ ID NO:348, SEQ ID NO:350, SEQ ID NO:352, SEQ Π> N0:354, SEQ ID NO:356, SEQ ID NO:358, SEQ ID NO:360, SEQ Π> NO:362, SEQ ID NO:364, SEQ ID N0:366, SEQ ID NO:368, SEQ ID NO:370, SEQ ED NO:372, SEQ ID NO:374, SEQ ID N0376, SEQ ID NO:378 or SEQ ID NO:380. In one aspect, the polypeptide has a xylanase activity, e.g., can hydrolyze a glycosidic bond in a polysaccharide, e.g>, a xylan. In one aspect, fee polypeptide has a xylanase activity comprising catalyzing hydrolysis of internal )3-1,4-xyloridic linkages. In one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises an endo~ 1,4-beta-xylanase activity, lri one aspect, the xylanase activity comprises hydrolyzing a xylan. to produce a smaller molecular weight xylose and xylo-oligomer. In one aspect, the xylan comprises an axabinoxylan, such as a water soluble arabinoxylan.

The polypeptides of die invention include xylanases in an active or inactive form. For example, the polypeptides of the invention include pxoproteras before “maturation” or processing of prepro sequences, e.g., by a proprotein-processmg enzyme, such as aproprotem convertase to generate an “active” mature protein. The polypeptides of the invention include xylanases inactive for other reasons, e.g., before “activation” by a post-translaticmal processing event, e.g., an endo- or exo-peptidase or proteinase action, a phosphorylation event, an amidation, a glycosylation or a sulfation, a dimerization event, and the like. The polypeptides of the invention include all active forms, including active subsequences, e.g., catalytic domains or active rites, of the xylanase.

Methods for identifying "prepro" domain sequences and signal sequences are well known in the art, see, e.g., Van de Ven (1993) Crit. Rev. Oncog. 4(2):115-136. For example, to identify a prepro sequence, the protein is purified from the extracellular space and the N-terminal protein sequence is determined and compared to the unprocessed form.

The invention includes polypeptides with or without a signal sequence and/or a prepro sequence. The invention includes polypeptides with heterologous signal sequences and/or prepro sequences. The prepro sequence (including a sequence of the invention used as a heterologous prepro domain) can be located on the amino terminal or the caiboxy terminal endof the protein. The invention also includes isolated or recombinant signal sequences, prepro sequences and catalytic domains (e.g., “active sites”) comprising sequences of the invention.

The percent sequence identity can be over the full length of the polypeptide, or, the identity can be over aregion of at least about 50,60,70,80,90,100,150,200,250, 300,350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700 or more residues. Polypeptides of the invention can also be shorter than the full length of exemplary polypeptides. In alternative aspects, the invention provides polypeptides (peptides, fragments) ranging in size between about 5 and the full length of a polypeptide, e.g., an enzyme;, such as a xylanase; exemplary sizes being of about 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,45,50,55,60,65,70,75,80,85,90,100,125,150,175, 200,250,300,350,400,450,500,550,600,650,700, or more residues, e.g., contiguous residues of an exemplary xylanase of the invention.

Peptides of tire invention (e.g., a subsequence of an exemplary polypeptide of the invention) can be useful as, e.g., labeling probes, antigens, toleragens, motifs, xylanase active sites (e.g., “catalytic domains”), signal sequences and/or prepro domains.

Polypeptides and peptides of the invention can be isolated from natural sources, be synthetic, or be recombinantiy generated polypeptides. Peptides and proteins can be recombinantiy expressed in vitro or in vivo. The peptides and polypeptides of the · invention can be made and isolated using any method known in the art. Polypeptide and peptides of the invention can also be synthesized, whole or in part using chemical methods well known in the art. See e.g^ Carnthers (1980) Nucleic Adds Res. Symp. Ser. 215-223; Horn (1980) Nucleic Adds Res. Symp. Ser. 225-232; Banga, A.K., Therapeutic Peptides and Proteins, Formulation, Processing and Delivery Systems (1995) Technomic Publishing Co., Lancaster, PA. For example, peptide synthesis can be performed using various solid-phase techniques (see e.g., Roberge (1995) Science269:202; Memfield (1997) Methods Enzymol. 289:3-13) and automated synthesis maybe achieved, e.g., using the ABI431A Peptide Synthesizer {Peritin Elmer) in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

The peptides and polypeptides of the invention can also be glycosylated. The glycosylation can be added post-translationally either chemically or by cellular biosynthetic mechanisms, wherein the later incorporates the use ofknown glycosylation motifs, which can be native to the sequence or can be added as a peptide or added in tire nucleic add coding sequence. The glycosylation can be O-lihked orN-linked.

The peptides and polypeptides of the invention, as defined above, include all “mimetic” and “peptidomimetic” forms. The terms “mimetic” and ‘"peptidomimctic” refer to a· synthetic chemical compound which has substantially the same structural and/or functional characteristics of the polypeptides of the invention. The mimetic can be either entirely composed of synthetic, non-natural analogues of amino acids, or, is a chimeric molecule of partly natural peptide amino acids and partly non-natural analogs of amino acids. The mimetic can also incorporate any amount of natural amino acid conservative substitutions as long as such substitutions also do not substantially alter the mimetic’s structure and/or activity. As with polypeptides of the invention which are conservative variants, routine experimentation will determine whether a mimetic is within the scope of the invention, Le., that its structure and/or function is not substantially altered. Thus, in one aspect, a mimetic composition is within the scope of the invention if it has a xylanase activity.

Polypeptide mimetic compositions of the invention can contain any combination of non-natural structural components, hr alternative aspect, mimetic compositions of the invention include one or all of die following three structural groups: a) residue linkage groups other than the natural amide bond ("peptide bond”) linkages; b) non-natural residues in place of naturally occurring amino acid residues; or c) residues which induce secondary structural mimicry, i.e., to induce or stabilize a secondary structure, e.g.. a beta turn, gamma turn, beta sheet, alpha helix conformation, and the like. For example, a polypeptide of the invention can be characterized as a mimetic when all or some of its residues are joined by chemical means other than natural peptide bonds. Individual peptidomimetic residues can be joined by peptide bonds, other chemical bonds or coupling means, such as, e.g., gtataraldehyde, N-hydroxysucdimnide esters, bifunctional maleimides, N^’-dicyclohexylcarijodiiinide (DCC) or N^’-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC). Linking groups that can be an alternative to the traditional amide bond (“peptide bond”) linkages include, e.g., ketomethylene (e.g., -C(=0)-CH2- for -C(=0)-NH-), aminomethylene (CHa-NEQ, ethylene, olefin (CH=CH), ether (CEfe-O)» thioether (CEfe-S), tetrazole (CN4-), thiazole, retxoamide, thioamide, or ester (see, e.g., Spatola (1983) in Chemistry and Biochemistry of Ammo Adds, Peptides and Proteins, V6I. 7, pp 267-357, ‘Peptide Backbone Modifications,” Maxcell Dekker, NY). A polypeptide of the invention can also be characterized as a mimetic by containing all or some non-natural residues in place of naturally occurring amino acid residues. Non-natural residues are well described in the scientific and patent literature; a few exemplary non-natural compositions useful as mimetics of natural amino acid residues and guidelines are described below. Mimetics of aromatic amino acids can be generated by replacing by, e.g.» D- or L- naphylalanine; D-orL~ phearylglycme; D- or L-2 thieneylalamne; D- or L-l, -2,3-, or 4- pyreneylrianine; D- or L-3 thieneylalanine; D- or L-{2-pyridinyl)-alanme; D- or L-(3-pyridiityl)-riamne; D- or I^(2-pyta2inyI)-alamne; D- or L^(4-isopropyl)-phenylgtycine; I>^trifluoromethyl)-p]ienylgi5^aiie; D-(trifiuoromethyI)-phenylrianine; D-p-ftuoro-phenylalamne; D- or L·p-biphenyIphe^yHamne; D- or L-p-methoxy-biphenylphenylalanme; D- or L-2-indole(aIkyl)alai±ies; and, D- or L-alkylainines, where alkyl can be substituted or unsubstituted methyl, ethyl, propyl, hexyl, butyl, pentyl, isopropyl, iso-butyl, sec-isotyl, iso-pentyl, or a non-acidic amino adds. Aromatic rings of a non-natural amino add include, e.g., thiazolyh thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, benzimidazolyl, naphthyl, furanyl, pyrxolyl, and pyridyl aromatic rings.

Mimetics of addic amino acids can be generated by substitution by, e.g., non-carboxylate amino adds while maintaining a negative charge; (phosphono)alanine; sulfated threonine. Carboxyl side groups (e.g., aspartyl or glutamyl) can also be selectively modified by reaction with carbodiimides (R’-N-C-N-R5) such as, e.g., 1 -cyclohexyl-3(2-morpholinyl-(4-ethyl) carbodiimide or l-ethyl-3(4-azonia- 4,4- dimetholpejityl) caibodiimide. Aspartyl or glutamyl can also be converted to asparaginyl and glutaxninyl residues by reaction with ammonium ions. Mimetics of basic amino adds can be generated by substitution with, e.g., (in addition to lysine and arginine) the amino acids ornithine, citrulline, or (guamdino)-aeetic add, or (guamdmo)aIkyl-acetic add, where alkyl is defined above. Nitrile derivative (e.g., containing the CN-moiety in place of COOH) can be substituted for asparagine or glutamine. Asparaginyl and ghitaminyl residues can be deaminated to the corresponding aspartyl or glutamyl residues. Arginine residue mimetics can be generated by reacting argmyl with, e.g., one or more conventional reagents, including, e.g., phenylglyoxal, 2,3-butanedione, 1,2-cyclo-hexanedione, or ninhydrin, preferably under alkaline conditions. Tyrosine residue mimetics can be generated by reacting tyrosyl with, e.g., aromatic diazomum compounds or tetramtromethane. N'-acetylimidizol and tetramtromethane can be used to form O-acetyl tyrosyl species and 3-nitro derivatives, respectively. Cysteine residue mimetics can be generated by reacting cystdnyl residues with, e.g., alpha-halo acetates such as 2-chloroacetic acid or chloroacetamide and corresponding amines; to give carboxymethyl or carboxyamidomethyl derivatives. Cysteine residue mimetics can also be generated by reacting cysteinyl residues with, e.g., bromo-trifluoroacetone, alpha-bromo-beta-(5-imidozoyl) propiomc arid; chloroacetyl phosphate, N-alkylmaleimides, 3-m1r0-2-pyridyl disulfide; methyl 2-pyridyI disulfide; p-chloromercuribenzoate; 2-cWaromercuri-4 nitropheuol; or, chloro-7-nitrobaazo-oxa-l,3-diazole. Lysine mimetics can be generated (and amino terminal residues can be altered) by reacting lysinyl with, e.g., succinic or other carboxylic acid arfoydiides. Lysine and other alpha-amino-coirtaimiig residue mimetics can also be generated by reaction with imidoesters, such as methyl picolimmidate, pyxidoxal phosphate» pyridoxal, cHoroborobydride, trimitro-bemzenesulfaiiic add, O-mefoylisourea, 2,4, pentanedione, and transarmdase-catalyzed reactions with glyoxylate. Mimetics of methionine .can be generated by reaction with, e.g,, methionine sulfoxide. Mimetics of proline include, e.g., pipecolic acid, thiazoMne carboxylic add, 3- or 4- hydroxy proline, dehydroproline, 3-or 4-methylprolme, or 3,3,-tiimefoylproline. Histidine residue mimetics can be generated by reacting histidyl with, e.g., defoyiprocarbonate or para-bromophenacyl bromide. Other mimetics include, e.g., those generated by hydroxylatikm of piolins and lysine; phosphorylation, of the hydroxyl groups of seryl or tbreonyl residues; methylation of the alpha-amino groups of lysine, arginine and histidine; acetylation of the N-terminal amine; mefoylation of main chain amide residues or substitution with N-mefoyl amino adds; or amidation of (^terminal carboxyl groups. A residue, e.g., an amino add, of a polypeptide of foe invention can also be replaced by an amino add (or peptidomimetic residue) of foe opposite chirality. Thus, any amino add naturally occurring in foe L-configuration (which can also be referred to as the R or S, depending upon foe structure of the chemical entity) can be replaced with the amino add of the same chemical structural type or a peptidomimetic, but of the opposite chirality, referred to as the D- amino acid, but also can be referred to as foe R- or S- form.

The invention also provides methods for modifying foe polypeptides of the invention by either natural processes, such as post-translational processing (e.g., phosphorylation, acylation, etc), or by chemical modification techniques, and foe resulting modified polypeptides. Modifications can occur anywhere in foe polypeptide, including foe peptide backbone, the amino add side-chains and foe amino or carboxyl termini. It will be appredated that foe same type of modification may be present in foe same or varying degrees at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also a given polypeptide may have many types of modifications. Modifications include acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of a phosphatidylinositol, moss-linking cydization, disulfide bond formation, deroefoylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation ofpyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodmation, mefoylation, myristolyation, oxidation, pegylation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation* racemization, seleaoylation, sulfation, and transfer- RNA mediated addition of amino acids to protein such as arginylation. See, e.g., Creighton, T.E., Proteins — Structure and Molecular Properties 2nd Ed., W.H. Freeman and Company, New York (1993); Posttranslational Covalent Modification of Proteins, B.C. Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 142 (1983).

SoKd-iphase chemical peptide synthesis methods can also be used to synthesize the polypeptide or fragments of the invention. Such method have been known in the art since the early 1960's (Merrifield, R. B., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 85:2149-2154,1963) (See also Stewart, J. M. and Young, J. D., Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, 2nd Ed., Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, 111., pp. 1142)) and have recently been employed in commercially available laboratory peptide design and synthesis kits (Cambridge Research Biochemicals). Such commercially available laboratory kits have generally utilized the teachings of Η. M. Geysen etal,Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci,USA, 83:3998 (1984) and provide for synthesizing peptides upon thetips of a multitude of “rods” or '^phns” all of which are connected to a single plate. When such a system is utilized, aplate of rods orpins is inverted and inserted hrto a second plate of corresponding wells or reservoirs, which contain solutions for attaching or anchoring an appropriate amino acid to foe pin's orrod’s tips. By repeating such a process step, i.e., inverting and inserting the rod's and pin's tips into appropriate solutions, amino adds are built into desired peptides. In addition, a number of available EMOC peptide synthesis systems are available. For example, assembly of a polypeptide or fragment can be earned out on a solid support using an Applied Biosystems, Inc. Model 431A™ automated peptide synthesizer. Such equipment provides ready access to foe peptides of the invention, either by direct synthesis or by synthesis of a series of fragments that can be coupled using other known techniques. , The invention includes xylanases of the invention with and without signal.

The polypeptide comprising a signal sequence of the invention can be a xylanase of the invention or another xylanase or another enzyme or other polypeptide.

The invention includes immobilized xylanases, anti-xylanase antibodies and fragments thereof. The invention provides methods for ixdribiting xylanase activity, e.g., using dominant negative mutants or anti-xylanase antibodies of foe invention. The invention includes heterocomplexes, e.g., fusion proteins, heterodimers, etc., comprising foe xylanases of foe invention.

Polypeptides of the invention can have a xylanase activity under various conditions, e.g., extremes in pH and/or temperature, oxidizing agents, and the like. The invention provides methods leading to alternative xylanase preparations with different catalytic efficiencies and stabilities, e.g, towards temperature, oxidizing agents and changing Wash conditions. In one aspect, xylanase variants can be produced using techniques of site-directed mutagenesis and/or random mutagenesis. In one aspect, directed evolution can be used to produce a great variety of xylanase variants with alternative specificities and stability.

The proteins of the invention are also useful as research, reagents to identify xylanase modulators, e.g., activators or inhibitors of xylanase activity. Briefly, test samples (compounds, broths, extracts, and the like) are added to xylanase assays to determine their ability to inhibit substrate cleavage. Inhibitors identified in this way can be used in industry and research to reduce or prevent undesired proteolysis. As with xylanases, inhibitors can be combined to increase the spectrum of activity.

The enzymes of the invention are also useful as research reagents to digest proteins or in protein sequencing. For example, the xylanases may be used to break polypeptides into smaller fragments for sequencing using, e.g. an automated sequencer.

The invention also provides methods of discovering new xylanases using the nucleic acids, polypeptides and antibodies of the invention, hi one aspect, phagemid libraries · are screened for expression-based discovery of xylanases. In another aspect, lambda phage libraries are screened for expression-based discovery of xylanases. Screening of the phage or phagemid libraries can allow the detection of toxic clones; improved access to substrate; reduced need for engineering a host, by-passing Ihe potential for any bias resulting from mass „ excision of the library; and, fester growth at low clone densities. Screening ofphage or phagemid libraries can be in liquid phase or in solid phase. In one aspect, the invention provides screening in liquid phase. This gives a-greater flexibility in assay conditions; additional substrate flexibility; higher sensitivity for weak clones; and ease of automation over solid phase screening.

The invention provides screening methods using the proteins and nucleic adds of the invention and robotic automation to enable the execution of many thousands of -biocatalytic reactions and screening assays in a short period of time, e.g, per day, as well as ensuring a high level of accuracy and reprodudbility (see discussion of arrays, below). As a result, a library of derivative compounds can be produced in a matter of weeks. For further teachings on modification of molecules, including small molecules, see PCT/US94/09174.

Another aspect of the invention, is an isolated or purified polypeptide comprising the sequence of one of Group A nucleic acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least about 5,10,15,20,25,30,35, 40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof As discussed above, such polypeptides may be obtained by inserting a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide into a vector such that the coding sequence is operably linked to a sequence capable of driving the expression of the encoded polypeptide in a suitable host cell. For example, the expression vector may comprise a promoter, a ribosome binding site for translation initiation and a transcription terminator. The vector may also include appropriate sequences for ampHfying expression.

Another aspect of the invention is polypeptides or fragments thereof which have at least about 50%, at least about 55%, at least about 60%, at least about 65%, at least about 70%, at least about 75%, at least about 80%, at least about 85%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or more than about 95% homology to one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a fragment comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof Homology may be determined using any of the programs described above which aligns the polypeptides or fragments being compared and determines the extent of amino add identity or similarity between them. It will be appredated that amino add "homology” includes conservative amino acid substitutions such as those described above.

The polypeptides or fragments having homology to one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a fragment comprising at least about 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino 1 adds thereof may be obtained by isolating the nucleic adds encoding them using the techniques described above.

Alternatively, the homologous polypeptides or fragments may be obtained through biochemical enrichment or purification procedures. The sequence of potentially , homologous polypeptides or fragments may be determined by xylan hydrolase digestion, gel electrophoresis and/or microsequencmg. The sequence of the prospective homologous polypeptide or fragment can be compared to one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or a fragment comprising at least about 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof using any of the programs described above.

Another aspect of the invention is an assay for identifying fragments or variants of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, which retain the enzymatic function of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto. For example the fragments or variants of said polypeptides, may be used to catalyze biochemical reactions, which indicate that the fragment or variant retains the enzymatic activity of the polypeptides in the Group B amino acid sequences.

The assay for determining if fragments of variants retain the enzymatic activity of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto includes the steps of: contacting the polypeptide fragment or variant with a substrate molecule under conditions which allow file .polypeptide fragment osr variant to function and detecting either a decrease in the level of substrate or an increase in the level of the specific reaction product of the reaction between the polypeptide and substrate.

The polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50, 75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds thereof may be used in a variety of applications. For example, the polypeptides or fragments thereof may be used to catalyze biochemical reactions. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for utilizing the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto or polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides for hydrolyzing glycosidic linkages. In such procedures, a substance containing a glycosidic linkage (&g.5 a starch) is contacted with one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences, or sequences substantially identical thereto under conditions which facilitate the hydrolysis of the glycosidic linkage.

The present invention exploits fire unique catalytic properties of enzymes. Whereas the use of biocatalysts (i.e., purified or crude enzymes, non-living or living cells) in chemical transformations normally requires the identification of a particular biocatalyst that reacts with a specific starting compound, the present invention uses selected biocatalysts and reaction conditions that are specific for functional groups that are present in many starting compounds, such as small molecules. Each biocatalyst is specific for one functional group, or several related functional groups and can react with many starting compounds containing this functional group.

The biocafalytic reactions produce a population of derivatives from a single stating compound. These derivatives can be subjected to another round of biocatalytic reactions to produce a second population of derivative compounds. Thousands of variations of the original small molecule or compound can be produced with each iteration of biocatalytic derivafization.

Enzymes react at specific sites of a starting compound without affecting the rest of the molecule, a process which is very difficult to achieve using traditional chemical methods. This high degree ofbiocatalytic specificity provides the means to identify a single active compound within the library. The library is characterized by the series ofbiocatalytic reactions used to produce it, a so called "biosynthetic history". Screening die library for biological activities and tracing the biosynthetic history identifies the specific reaction, sequence producing the active compound. The reaction sequence is repeated and the structure of fte synthesized compound determined. This mode of identification, unlike other synthesis and screening approaches, does not require immobilization technologies and compounds can be synthesized and tested free in solution using virtually any type of screening assay. It is important to note, that the high degree of specificity of enzyme reactions on functional groups allows for the '’tracking" of specific enzymatic reactions that main up the hiocatalytically produced library.

Many of the procedural steps are performed using robotic automation enabling the execution of many thousands ofbiocatalytic reactions and screening assays pea: day as well as ensuring a high level of accuracy and reproducibility. As a result, a library of derivative compounds can be produced in a matter of weeks which would take years to produce using current chemical methods. hi a particular aspect, the invention provides a method for modifying small molecules, comprising contacting a polypeptide encoded by a polynucleotide described herein or enzymatically active fragments thereof with a small molecule to produce a modified small molecule. A library of modified small molecules is tested to determine if a modified small molecule is present within file library which exhibits a desired activity. A specific biocatalytic reaction which produces the modified small molecule of desired activity is identified by systematically eliminating each of the biocatalytic reactions used to produce a portion of the library and then testing file small molecules produced in the portion of the library for the presence or absence of the modified small molecule with the desired activity. The specific biocatalytic reactions which produce the modified small molecule of desired activity is optionally repeated. The biocatalytic reactions are conducted with a group of biocatalysts that react with distinct structural moieties found within the structure of a small molecule, each biocatalyst is specific for one structural moiety or a group of related structural moieties; and each biocatalyst reacts with many different small molecules which contain the distinct structural moiety.

Xylcamse signal sequences; prepro and catalytic domains

The invention provides xylanase signal sequences (e.g., signal peptides (SPs)), prepro domains and catalytic domains (CDs). The SPs, prepro domains and/or CDs of the invention can be isolated or recombinant peptides or can be part of a fusion protein, e.g’, as a heterologous domain in a chimeric protein. The invention provides nucleic acids encoding fcese catalytic domains (CDs), prepro· domains and signal sequences (SPs, e.g, a peptide having a sequence comprising/ consisting of amino terminal residues of a polypeptide of the invention). In one aspect, the invention provides a signal sequence comprising a peptide comprising/ consisting of a sequence as set forth in residues 1 to 15,1 to 16,1 to 17,1 to 18, 1 to 19,1 to 20,1 to 21,1 to 22,1 to 23,1 to 24,1 to25,1 to 26,1 to27,1 to 28,1 to 28,1 to 30,1 to 31,1 to 32,1 to 33,1 to 34,1 to 35,1 to 36,1 to 37,1 to 3 8,1 to 39,1 to 40,1 to 41, 1 to 42,1 to 43,1 to 44 of a polypeptide of the invention.

In one aspect, the invention provides a signal sequence comprising a peptide comprising/ consisting of a sequence as set forth in Table 4 below. For example, in reading Table 4, tire invention provides a signal sequence comprising/ consisting of residues 1 to 23 of SBQIDNO:102 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 101), a signal sequence comprising/ consisting of residues 1 to 41 of SEQ ID NO:104 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:103), etc.

Table 4: exemplary signal sequences of the invention

Signal sequence (amino add SEQ ID NO: positions) 101,102 1-23 103,104 1-41 105,106 1-22 109,110 1-26 11,12 1-28 113,114 1-28 119,120 1-33 121,122 1-20 123,124 1-20 131,132 1-26 135,136 1-25 139,140 1-24 141,142 1-25 143,144 1-32 147,148 1-28 149,150 1-18 15,16 1-20 151,152 1-21 153,154 1-16 155,156 1-21 157,158 1-29 . 159,160 1-23 161,162 1-32 163,164 1-26 165,166 1-23 167,168 1-36 169,170 1-24 17,18 1-31 . 171,172 1-29 173,174 1-22 - 175,176 1-27 177,178 1-26 179,180 1-19 181,182 1-25 183,184 1-32 . 185,186 1-27 187,188 1-28 19,20 1-29 191,192 1-27 193,194 1-21 195,196 1-23 197,198 1-28 199,200 1-30 203,204 1-30 205,206 1-29 207,208 1-27 209,210 1-25 21,22 1-28 211,212 1-29 215,216 1-31 217,218 1-29 219,220 1-23 221,222 1-24 . 223,224 1-28 ' 225,226 1-25 227,228 1-39 229,230 1-28 23,24 1-29 231,232 1-41 233,234 1-26 235,236 1-28 237,238 1-32 239,240 1-30 241,242'1-28 243,244 1-33 245,246 1-32 . ’ 249,250 1-33 .. 253,254 1-24 255,256 1-51 . 259,260 1-24 ' 261,262 1-26 263,264 1-29 267,268 1-30 27,28 1-27 271,272 1-22 273,274 1-74 * 277,278 1-19 279,280 1-22 283,284 1-28 . 287/288 1-23 ' 289,290 1-22 295,296 1-26 299,300 1-24 301,302 1-28 303,304 1-74 305,306 1-32 309,310 1-20 311,312 1-33 · 313,314 1-22 315,316 1-28 319,320 1-27 325,326 1-27 . 327,328 1-29 329,330 1-35 - 33,34 1-23 331,332 1-28 333,334 1-30 335,336 1-50 339,340 1-23 ' 341,342 1-45 347,348 1-20 349,350 1-20 ' 351,352 1-73 353,354 1-18 ‘ 355,356 1*21 . - 357,358 1-25 . ‘ 359,360 1-31 ‘ 361,362 1-26 365,366 1-55 367,368 1-23 369,370 1-27 39,40 1-24 . 41,42 1-37 45,46 1-25 47,48 1-26 5,6 1-47 51,52 1-30 · 53,54 1-37 . 55,56 1-24 57,58 1-22 " ’ 59,60 1-21 · . . 63,64 1-20 ‘ · 65,66 1-22 67,68 1-28 69,70 1-25 7,8 1-57 73,74 1-21 75,76 1-22 77,78 1-27 79,80 1-36 83,84 1-30 87,88 1-29 89,90 1-40 9,10 1-36 95,96 1-24 99,100 1-33

The xylanase signal sequences (SPs) and/or prepro sequences of the invention can be isolated peptides, or, sequences joined to another xylanase or a non-xyianase polypeptide, e.g, as a fusion (chimeric) protein. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides comprising xylanase signal sequences of the invention- la one aspect, polypeptides comprising xylanase signal sequences SPs and/or prepro of the invention comprise sequences heterologous to a xylanase of the invention (e.g., a fusion protein comprising an SP and/or prepro of the invention and sequences from another xylanase or a non-xylanase protein). In one aspect, the invention provides xylanases of the invention with heterologous SPs and/or prepro sequences, e.g., sequences with a yeast signal sequence. A xylanase of the invention can comprise a heterologous SP and/or prepro in a vector, e.g., a pPIC series vector (tnvitrogen, Carlsbad, CA).

In one aspect, SPs and/or prepro sequences of the invention are identified following identification of novel xylanase polypeptides. The pathways by which proteins are sorted and transported to their proper cellular location are often referred to as protein targeting pathways. One of the most important elements in all of these targeting systems is a short amino acid sequence at the amino terminus of a newly synthesized polypeptide called the signal sequence. This signal sequence directs a protein to its appropriate location in the cell and is removed during transport or when the protein reaches its final destination. Most lysosomal, membrane, or secreted proteins have an ammo-terminal signal sequence that marks them fbr translocation into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. More than 100 signal sequences for proteins in this group have been determined. The signal sequences can vary in length from 13 to 36 amino add residues. Various methods of recognition of signal sequences are known to those of skill in the art. For example, in one aspect, novel xylanase signal peptides are identified by a method referred to as SignalP. SignalP uses a combined neural network which recognizes both signal peptides and their cleavage sites. (Nielsen, et aL„ "Identification of prokaryotic and eukaryotic signal peptides and prediction of then-cleavage sites." Protein Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 1-6 (1997).

It should be understood that in some aspects xylanases of the invention may not have SPs and/or prepro sequences, or “domains.” hi one aspect, the invention provides the xylanases of the invention lacking all or part of an SP and/or a prepro domain. In one • aspect, the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a signal sequence (SP) and/or prepxo from one xylanase operably linked to a nucleic acid sequence of a different xylanase or, optionally, a signal sequence (SPs) and/or prepro domain fiom a non-xylanase protein may be desired.

The invention also provides isolated or recombinant polypeptides comprising signal sequences (SPs), prepro domain and/or catalytic domains (CDs) of the invention and ) heterologous sequences. The heterologous sequences are sequences not naturally associated (e.g, to a xylanase) -with an SP, prepro domain and/or CD. The sequence to which the SP, prepro domain and/or CD are not naturally associated can be on the SP’s, prepro domain and/or CD’s amino terminal end, carboxy terminal end, and/or on both ends of the SP and/or CD. hi one aspect, the invention provides an isolated or recombinant polypeptide comprising (or consisting of)'a polypeptide comprising asignal sequence (SP), prepro domain and/or catalytic domain (CD) of the invention with the proviso that it is not associated with any sequence to which it is naturally associated (e.g., a xylanase sequence). Similarly in one aspect, the invention provides isolated or recombinant nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides. Thus, in one aspect, the isolated or recombinant nucleic acid of the invention comprises coding sequence for a signal sequence (SP), prepro domain and/or catalytic domain (CD) of the invention and a heterologous sequence (ie., a sequence not naturally associated with the a signal sequence (SP), prepro domain and/or catalytic domain (CD) of the invention). The heterologous sequence can be on the 3* terminal end, 5* terminal end, and/or on both ends of the SP, prepro domain and/or CD coding sequence.

Hybrid ichimericl xylanases andneotide libraries - In one aspect, the invention provides hybrid xylanases and fusion proteins, including peptide libraries, comprising sequences of the invention. The peptide libraries of the invention can be used to isolate peptide modulators (e,g., activators or inhibitors) of targets j such as xylanase substrates, receptors, enzymes. The peptide libraries of the invention can be used to identify formal binding partners of targets, such as ligands, e.g., cytokines, hormones and the like. In one aspect, the invention provides chimeric proteins comprising a signal sequence (SP), prepro domain and/or catalytic domain (CD) of the invention or a combination thereof and a heterologous sequence (see above).

In one aspect, the fusion proteins of the invention (e.g., the peptide moiety) are confomationafly stabilized (relative to linear peptides) to allow a higher binding affinity for targets. The invention provides fusions of xylanases of the invention and other peptides, including known and random peptides. They can be fused in such a manner that the structure of the xylanases is not significantly perturbed and the peptide is metabolically or structarally confoimationaJly stabilized. This allows the creation of a peptide library that is easily monitored both for its presence within cells and its quantity.

Amino acid sequence variants of the invention can be characterized by a predetermined nature of the variation, a feature that sets them apart from a naturally occurring form, e.g., an allelic or interspecies variation of a xylanase sequence. 3h one aspect, the variants of the invention exhibit the same qualitative biological activity as the naturally occurring analogue. Alternatively, the variants can be selected for having modified characteristics. In one aspect, while the site or region for introducing an amino add sequence variation is predetermined, the mutation pea* se need not be predetennined. For example, in order to optimize the performance of a mutation at a given site, random mutagenesis may be conducted at the target codon or region and the expressed xylanase variants screened for the optimal cambination of desired activity. Techniques for making substitution mutations at predetermined sites in DNA having a known sequence are well known, as discussed herein for example, M13 primer mutagenesis and PCR mutagenesis. Screening of the mutants can be done using, e.g., assays of xylan hydrolysis, hi alternative aspects, amino add substitutions can be single residues; insertions can be on the order of from about 1 to 20 amino adds, although considerably larger insertions can be done. Deletions can range from about 1 to about 20,30,40,50,60,70 residues or more. To obtain a final derivative with the optimal properties, substitutions, deletions, insertions or any combination thereof may be used. Generally, these changes are done on a few amino adds to minimize the alteration of the molecule. However, larger changes may be tolerated in certain circumstances.

The invention provides xylanases where the structure of the polypeptide backbone, the secondary or the tertiary structure, e.g., an alpha-heKcal or beta-sheet structure, has been modified. In one aspect, the charge or hydrophobicity has been modified. In. one aspect, the bulk of a side chain has been modified. Substantial changes in function or immunological identity axe made by selecting substitutions that are less conservative. For example, substitutions can be made which more significantly affect the structure of the polypeptide backbone ία the area of the alteration* for example a alpha-helical or a beta-sheet structure; a charge or a hydrophobic site of the molecule, which can be at an active site; or a side chain. The invention provides substitutions in polypeptide of the invention where (a) a hydrophilic residues, e.g. seryl or thieonyl, is substituted for (or by) a hydrophobic residue, e.g. leucyl, isoleucyl, phenylalanyl, valyl or alanyl; (b) a cysteine orproline is substituted for (or by) any other residue; (c) a residue having an electropositive side chain, e.g. lysyi, argmyl, or bistidyl, is substituted for (or by) an electronegative residue, e.g. glutamyl or asparfyl; or (d) a residue having a bulky side chain, e.g. phenylalanine, is substituted for (or by) one not having a side chain, e.g. glycine. The variants can exhibit the same qualitative biological activity (i.e. xylanase activity) although variants can be selected to modify the characteristics of the xylanases as needed. hi one aspect, xylanases of the invention comprise epitopes or purification tags, signal sequences or other fusion sequences, etc. In one aspect, the xylanases of the invention can be fused to a random peptide to form a fusion polypeptide. By ''fused" or "operably linked" herein is meant that the random peptide and the xylanase are linked together, in such a maimer as to minimize the disruption to the stability of the xylanase structure, e.g., it retains xylanase activity. The fusion polypeptide (or fusion polynucleotide encoding the fusion polypeptide) can comprise further components as well, including multiple peptides at multiple loops.

In one aspect, the peptides and nucleic acids encoding diem are randomized, either folly randomized or they are biased in their randomization, e.g. in nucleotidefresidue frequency generally or per position. "Randomized" means that eachnucleic add and peptide consists of essentially random nucleotides and amino adds, respectively. In one aspect, the nucleic adds which give rise to the peptides can be chemically synthesized, and thus may incorporate any nucleotide at any position. Thus, when the nucleic adds are expressed to form peptides, any amino add residue may be incorporated at any position. The synthetic process can be designed to generate randomized nucleic adds, to allow the formation of all or most of the possible combinations over the length of the nucleic acid, thus forming a library of randomized nucleic adds. The library can provide a sufficiently structurally diverse population of randomized expression products to affect a probabilistically suffirient range of cellular responses to provide one or more cells exhibiting a desired response. Thus, the invention provides an interaction library large enough so that at least one of its members will have a structure that gives it affinity for some molecule, protein, or other factor.

Xylanases are multidomain enzymes that consist optionally of a signal peptide, a carbohydrate binding module, a xylanase catalytic domain, a linker and/or another catalytic domain.

The invention provides a means for generating chimeric polypeptides which may encode biologically active hybrid polypeptides (e.g., hybrid xylanases). In one aspect, the original polynucleotides encode biologically active polypeptides. The method of the invention produces new hybrid polypeptides by utilizing cellular processes which integrate the sequence of the original polynucleotides such that the resulting hybrid polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide demonstrating activities derived from the anginal biologically active polypeptides. For example, the original polynucleotides may encode a particular enzyme from different microorganisms. An enzyme encoded by a first polynucleotide from one organism, or variant may, for example, function effectively under a particular environmental condition, e.g. high salinity. An enzyme encoded by a second polynucleotide from a different organism or variant may function effectively under a different environmental condition, such as extremely high temperatures. A hybrid polynucleotide containing sequences from the first and second original polynucleotides may encode an enzyme which exhibits characteristics of ( both enzymes encoded by the original polynucleotides. Thus, the enzyme encoded by the hybrid polynucleotide may function effectively under environmental conditions shared by each of the enzymes encoded by foe first and second polynucleotides, e.g., high salinity and extreme temperatures.

Enzymes encoded by foe polynucleotides of foe invention include, but are not limited to, hydrolases, such as xylanases. Glycosidase hydrolases were first classified into families in 1991, see, e.g., Henrissai (1991) Biochem. J. 280:309-316. Since then, the classifications have been continually updated, see, e.g., Henrissai (1993) Biochem. J. 293:781-788; Henrissat (1996) Biochem. 1.316:695-696; Hearissat (2000) Plant Physiology 124:1515-1519. There are 87 identified families of glycosidase hydrolases, hi one aspect, the xylanases ofthe invention may be categorized in families 8,10,11,26 and 30. hi one aspect, the invention also provides xylanase-cncoding nucleic adds with a common novelty in that they are derived from a common family, e.g., family 5,6,8,10,11,26 or 30, as set forth in Table 5, below.

Table 5 SEQ1D FAMILY 9,10 8 1,2 8 5,6 8 7,8 8 99,100 10 11,12 10 127,128 10 . 27,28 10 - 97,98 10 . 45,46 10 141,142 10 107,108 10 129,130 10 93,94 10 63,64 10 25,26 10 49,50 10 67,68 10 . 85,86 10 } 29,30 10 51,52 10 35,36 10 147,14a 10 119,120 10 123,124 10 ' 249,250 10 - 149, 150 10 83,84 10 43,44 10 133,134 10 113,114 10 105, 106 10 75,76. 10 ‘ 111,112 10 . 117,118 10 115,116 10 125,126 10 137,138 10 * 135,136 10 69,70 10 89,90 10 31,32 10 13,14 10 ' 65,66 10 57,58 ‘10 77,78 10 73,74 10 . 109,110 10 59,60 10 71,72 10 . 139,140 10 · 55,56 10 15,16 10 131,132 10 95,95 10 101,102 10 39,40 10 143,144 10 103, 104 10 17,18 10 53,54 10 21,22 10 ' 151,152 10 23,24 10 121,122 10 41,42 10 ' 47,48 10 247,248 10 33,34 10 19,20 10 87,88 10 81,82 10 91,92 10 61,62 10 37,38 10 79,80 10 231,232 11 157,158 11 189,190 11 167,168 11 ' 207,208 11 251,252 11 213,214 11 177,178 11 187,188 11 205,205 11 211,212 11 197,198 11 209,210 11 185,186 11 229,230 11 223,224 11 179,180 11 ‘ 193,194 11 173,174 11 217,218 ·11 153,154 11 219,220 11 183,184 11 253,254 11 . . 199,200 11 255,256 11 . 155,156 11 169,170 11 ' 195,196 11 215,216 11 191,192 11 ' 175,176 11 · 161,162 11 ’ 221,222 11 225,226 11 163,164 11 159,160 11 233,234 11 . 171,172 11 203,204 11 181,182 11 227,228 11 165,166 11 257,258 26 237,238 30 241,242 30 239,240 30 245,246 30 235,236 30 313,314 30 345,346 10 ‘ 321,322 10 323,324 10 315,316 10 201,202 10 265,266 10 145,146 10 287,268 10 293,294 10 . 351,352 10 311,312 10 279,280 10 ' 289,290 10 283,284 10 ' 373,374 10 337,338 10 . 371,372 10 291,292 10 3,4 10 307,308 10 343,344 ΊΟ 349,350 10 329,330 10 - 355,356 ΐό . 339,340 10 ' 295,296 10 333,334 10 ' 281,282 10 . . ' 361,362 10 ’

I 347,348 10 319,320 10 357,358 10 365,366 10 273,274 10 277,278 10 271,272 10 285,286 10 259,260 10 325,326 10 331,332 10 359,360 10 303,304 10 363,364 10 305,306 10 341,342 10 375,376 11 377,378 11 379,380 11 301,302 11 309,310 11 263,264 11 269,270 11 353,354 11 299,300 11 367,368 11 261,262 11 369,370 11 267,268 11 317,318 11 297,298 11 327,328 5 275,276 6 A hybrid polypeptide resulting from the method of the invention may exhibit ‘ specialized enzyme activity not displayed in the original enzymes. For example, following recombination and/or reductive reassortment of polynucleotides encoding hydrolase activities, the resulting hybrid polypeptide encoded by a hybrid polynucleotide can be screened for specialized hydrolase activities obtained from each of the original enzymes, Le. the type of bond on which the hydrolase acts and the temperature at which the hydrolase functions. Thus, for example, the hydrolase may be screened to ascertain those chemical functionalities which distinguish foe hybrid hydrolase fiom the original hydrolases, such as: (a) amide (peptide bonds), i.e., xylanases* (b) ester bonds, i.e., esterases and lipases; (c) acetals, i.e., glycosidases and, for example, the temperature, pH or salt concentration at which the hybrid polypeptide functions.

Sources of the original polynucleotides may be isolated from individual organisms (‘isolates”), collections of organisms that have been grown in defined media (“enrichment cultures”), or, uncultivated organisms (“environmental samples”). The use of a cultoe-independent approach to derive polynucleotides encoding novel bioaetivities from environmental samples .is most preferable since it allows one to access untapped resources of biodiversity. “Environmental libraries” are generated from environmental samples and represent the collective genomes of naturally occurring organisms archived in cloning vectors that can be propagated in suitable prokaryotic hosts. Because the cloned DNA is initially extracted directly from environmental samples, the libraries are not limited to the small fraction of prokaryotes that can be grown in pure culture. Additionally, a normalization of the environmental DNA present in these samples could allow more equal representation of the DNA from all of the species present in the original sample. This can dramatically increase the efficiency of finding interesting genes from minor constituents of the sample which maybe under-represented by several orders of magnitude compared to the dominant species.

For example, gene libraries generated from one or more uncultivated microorganisms are screened for an activity of interest. Potential pathways encoding bioactive molecules of interest are first captured in prokaryotic cells in the form of gene expression libraries. Polynucleotides encoding activities of interest are isolated from such libraries and introduced into a host cell. The host cell is grown under conditions which promote recombination and/or reductive reassortment creating potentially active . biomolecules with novel or enhanced activities.

Additionally, subcloning may be performed to further isolate sequences of interest in subcloning, a portion of DNA is amplified, digested, generally by restriction enzymes, to cut out the desired sequence, the desired sequence is ligated into a recipient vector and is amplified. At each step in subcloning, the portion is examined for the activity of interest, in order to ensure that DNA that encodes the structural protein has not been excluded. The insert may be purified at any step of the subcloning, for example, by gel electrophoresis prior to ligation into a vector or where cells containing the recipient vector and cells not containing the recipient vector are placed on selective media containing, for example, an antibiotic, which will kill the cells not containing the recipient vector. Specific methods of subcloning cDNA inserts into vectors are well-known in the art (Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual 2nd Ed.. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989)). In. another aspect, the enzymes of the invention are sribclones. Such subclones may differ from the parent clone by, for example, length, a mutation, a tag or a label.

In one aspect, the signal sequences of the invention are identified following identification of novel xylanase polypeptides. The pathways by which proteins are sorted and transported to their proper cellular location are often referred to as protein targeting pathways. One of the most important elements in all of these targeting systems is a short amino add sequence at the amino terminus of a newly synthesized polypeptide called the signal sequence. This signal sequence directs a protein to its appropriate location in the cell and is removed during transport or when the protein reaches its final destination. Most lysosomal, membrane, or secreted proteins have an amino-terminal signal sequence that marks them for translocation into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. More than 100 signal sequences for proteins in this group have been determined The sequences vary in length from 13 to 36 amino add residues. Various methods of recognition of signal sequences are known to those of skill in the art. In one aspect, the peptides are identified by a method referred to as SignalP. SignalP uses a combined neural network which recognizes both signal peptides and their cleavage sites. See, e.g., Melsen (1997) “Identification of prokaryotic and eukaryotic signal peptides and prediction of their cleavage sites.” Protein Engineering, vol. 10,no. l,p. 1-6. It should be understood that some of the xylanases ofthe invention may or may not contain signal sequences. It may be desirable to include a nucleic add sequence encoding a signal sequence from one xylanase operably linked to a nucleic add sequence of a different xylanase or, optionally, a signal sequence from a non-xylanase protein maybe desired.

The microorganisms from which the polynucleotide maybe prepared include prokaryotic microorganisms, such as Evbacteria and Archaebacteria and lower eukaryotic microorganisms such as fungi, same algae and protozoa. Polynucleotides maybe isolated from environmental samples in which case the nucleic acid may be recovered without culturing of an organism or recovered from one or more cultured organisms. In one aspect, such microorganisms may be extremophiles, such as hyperthennophiles, psychrophiles, psychrotrophs, halophiles, barophiles and addophiles. Polynucleotides encoding enzymes isolated from exfreanophilic microorganisms can be used Such enzymes may function at temperatures above 1G0°C in terrestrial hot springs and deep sea thermal vents, at temperatures below 0°C in arctic waters, in the saturated salt environment of the Dead Sea, at pH values around 0 in coal deposits and geothermal sulfur-rich springs, or at pH values greater than 11 in sewage sludge. For example, several esterases and lipases cloned and expressed from extremopbilic organisms show high activity throughout a wide range of temperatures and pHs.

Polynucleotides selected and isolated as hereinabove described are introduced into a suitable host cell. A suitable host cell is any cell which is capable of promoting recombination and/or reductive reassortment. The selected polynucleotides are preferably . already in a vector which includes appropriate control sequences. The host cell can be a higher eukaryotic cell, such as a mammalian cell, or a lower eukaryotic cell, such as a yeast cell, or preferably, the host cell can be a prokaryotic cell, such as a bacterial cell, introduction of the construct into the host cell can be effected by calcium phosphate transfection, DEAE-Dextran mediated transfection, or electroporation (Davis et ah, 1986).

As representative examples of appropriate hosts, there may be mentioned: bacterial cells; such as £?. coliy Streptomyces, Salmonella typkimuriumi fungal cells, such as yeast; insect cells such as Drosophila 82 and Spodoptera S/9; animal cells such as CHO, COS or Bowes melanoma; adenoviruses; and plant cells. The selection of an appropriate host is deemed to be within the scope of those skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

With particular references to various mammalian cell culture systems that can . be employed to express recombinant protan, examples of mammalian expression systems include the COS-7 lines of monkey kidney fibroblasts, described in “SV40-transformed simian cells support the replication of early SV40 mutants” (Gluzman, 1981) and other cell tines capable of expressing a compatible vector, for example, the C127,3T3, CHO, HeLa and · . BHK cell lines. Mammalian expression vectors will comprise an origin of replication, a suitable promoter and enhancer and also any necessary ribosome binding sites, polyadenylation site, splice donor and acceptor sites, transcriptional termination sequences and 5’ flanking nontranscribed sequences. DNA sequences derived from the SV40 splice and polyadenylation sites may be used to provide the required nontranscribed genetic elements. hi another aspect, it is envisioned the method of the present invention can he used to generate novel polynucleotides encoding biochemical pathways from one or more operons or gene clusters or portions thereof. For example, bacteria and many eukaryotes have a coordinated mechanism for regulating genes whose products are involved in related processes. The genes are clustered, in 'structures referred to as “gene clusters,” cm a single chromosome and are transcribed together under the control of a single regulatory sequence, including a single promoter which initiates transcription of the entire cluster; Thus, a gene cluster is a group of adj acent genes that are either identical or related, usually as to their function. An example of a biochemical pathway encoded by gene clusters are polyketides.

Gene chaster DNA can be isolated from different organisms and ligated into vectors, particularly vectors containing expression regulatory sequences which can control and regulate the production of a detectable protein or protein-related array activity from the ligated gene clusters. Use of vectors which have an exceptionally large capacity for exogenous DNA introduction are particularly appropriate for use with such gene clusters and are described byway of example herein to include the f-factor (or fertility factor) of jEL coli. This f-factor ofE. coli is a plasmid which affects high-frequency transfer of itself during conjugation and is ideal to achieve and stably propagate large DNA fragments, such as gene clusters from mixed microbial samples. One aspect of the invention is to use cloning vectors, referred to as "fosmids" or bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) vectors. These are derived from E. coli f-factor which is able to stably integrate large segments of genomic DNA “When integrated with DNA from a mixed uncultured environmental sample, this makes it possible to achieve large genomic fragments in the form of a stable “environmental DNA library.” Another type of vector for use in the present invention is a cosmid vector. Cosmid vectors were originally designed to clone and propagate large segments of genomic DNA Cloning into cosmid vectors is described in detail in Sambrook et al, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual. 2nd Ed.. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989). Once ligated into an appropriate vector, two or more vectors containing different polyketide synthase gene clusters can be introduced into a suitable host celL Regions of partial sequence homology shared by the gene clusters will promote processes which result in sequence reorganization resulting in a hybrid gene cluster. The novel hybrid gene cluster can then be screened for enhanced activities not found in the original gene clusters.

Therefore, in a one aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a biologically active hybrid polypeptide and screening such a polypeptide for enhanced activity by: 1) introducing at least a first polynucleotide in operable linkage and a second polynucleotide in operable linkage, the at least first polynucleotide and second , polynucleotide sharing at least one region of partial sequence homology, into a suitable host cell; 2) growing the host cell under conditions which promote sequence reorganization resulting in a hybrid polynucleotide in operable linkage; 3) expressing a hybrid polypeptide encoded by the hybrid polynucleotide; 4) screening the hybrid polypeptide under conditions which promote identification of enhanced biological activity; and 5) isolating the a polynucleotide encoding the hybrid polypeptide.

Methods for screening for various enzyme activities are known to those of skill in the art and are discussed throughout the present specification. Such methods may be employed when isolating the polypeptides and polynucleotides of the invention.

Screening Methodologies and “On-line” Monitoring Devices

In practicing the methods of the invention, a variety of apparatus and methodologies can be used to in conjunction with the polypeptides and nucleic acids of the invention, e.g., to screen polypeptides for xyianase activity (e.g., assays such as hydrolysis of casein in zymograms, the release of fluorescence from gelatin, or the release of p-mtroanalide from various small peptide substrates), to screen compounds as potential modulators, e.g„, activators or inhibitors, of a xyianase activity, for antibodies that bind to a polypeptide of the invention, for nucleic acids that hybridize to a nucleic acid of the invention, to screen for cells expressing a polypeptide of the invention and the like. Xn addition, to the array formats described in detail below for screening samples, alternative formats can also be used to practice the methods of toe invention. Such formats include, for example, mass spectrometers, chromatographs, e.g., high-throughput HPLC and other forms of liquid chromatography, and smaller formats, such as 1536-well plates, 384-well plates and so on. High throughput screening apparatus can be adapted and used to practice the methods of the invention, see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application No. 20020001809.

Capillary Arrays

Nucleic acids or polypeptides of the invention can be immobilized to or applied to an array. Arrays can be used to screen for or monitor libraries of compositions (e.g., small molecules, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc.) for their ability to bind to or modulate the activity of a nucleic acid or a polypeptide of the invention. Capillary arrays, such as toe GIGAMAIHHX™ Diversa Corporation, San Diego, CA; and arrays described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Application No. 20020080350 Al; WO 0231203 A; WO 0244336 A, provide an alternative apparatus for holding and screening samples. In one aspect, toe capillary array includes a plurality of capillaries formed into an array of adjacent capillaries, wherein each capillary comprises at least one wall defining a lumen for retaining a sample. The lumen may be cylindrical, square,hexagonal or any other geometric shape so long as toe walls form a lumen for retention of a liquid or sample. The capillaries of toe capillary array can be held together in close proximity to form aplanar structure. The capillaries can be bound together, by being fused (e.g., where the capillaries are made of glass), glued, bonded, or clamped side- by-side. Additionally, the capillary array can include interstitial material disposed between adjacent capillaries in fte array, thereby forming a solid planar device containing a plurality of through-holes. A capillary array can be formed of any number of individual capillaries, for example, a range from 100 to 4,000,000 capillaries. Further, a capillary array having about 100,000 or more individual capillaries can be formed into the standard size and shape of a Microtiter® plate for fitment into standard laboratory equipment. The lumens are filled manually or automatically using either capillary action or microinjection using a thin needle. Samples of interest may subsequently be removed from individual capillaries for further analysis or characterization. For example, a thin, needle-like probe is positioned in fluid communication with a selected capillary to either add or withdraw material from the lumen.

In a single-pot screening assay, the assay components are mixed yielding a solution of interest, prior to insertion into tire capillary array. The lumen is filled by capillary action when at least a portion of the array is immersed into a solution of interest Chemical or biological reactions and/or activity in each capillary are monitored for detectable events. , A detectable event is often referred to as a “hit”, which can usually be distinguished from “non-hit” producing capillaries by optical detection. Thus, capillary arrays allow for massively parallel detection of “hits”. hi a multi-pot screening assay, a polypeptide or nucleic acid, e.g., a ligand, can be introduced into a first component, which is introduced into at least a portion of a capillary of a capillary array. An air bubble can then be introduced into the capillary behind the first component. A second component can then be introduced into the capillary, wherein the second component is separated from the first component by the air bubble. The first and . second components can then be mixed by applying hydrostatic pressure to both sides of the capillary array to collapse the bubble. The capillary array is then monitored for a detectable event resulting from reaction or non-reaction of the two components.

In a binding screening assay, a sample of interest can be introduced as a first liquid labeled with a detectable particle into a capillary of a capillary array, wherein the lumen of the capillary is coated with a binding material for binding the detectable particle to the lumen. The first liquid may then be removed from the capillary tube, wherein the bound detectable particle is maintained within the capillary, and a second liquid maybe introduced into die capillary tube. The capillary is then monitored for a detectable event resulting from reaction or non-reaction of the particle with the second liquid.

Arrays, or "Biochips"

Nucleic acids or polypeptides of tie invention can be immobilized to or applied to an array. Arrays can be used to screen for or monitor libraries of compositions (e.g., small molecules, antibodies, nucleic acids, etc.) for their ability to bind to or modulate the activity of a nucldc acid or a polypeptide of the invention. For example, in one aspect of the invention, a monitored parameter is transcript expression of a xylanase gene. One or more, or, all the transcripts of a cell can be measured by hybridization of a sample comprising transcripts of the cell, or, nucleic acids representative of or complementary to transcripts of a cell, by hybridization to immobilized nucleic acids on an array, or “biochip.” By using an “array” of nucleic adds on a microchip, some or all of the transcripts of a cell can be simultaneously quantified. Alternatively, arrays comprising genomic nucleic add can also be used to determine the genotype of a newly engineered strain made by the methods of the invention. Polypeptide arrays” can also be used to simultaneously quantify a plurality of proteins. The present invention can be practiced with any known “array,” also referred to as a “micro array” or “nucleic add array” or “polypeptide array” or "antibody array" or ‘biochip,” or variation thereof. Arrays are genetically a plurality of “spots” or “target elements,” each target element comprising a defined amount of one or more biological molecules, e.g., oligonucleotides, immobilized onto a defined area of a substrate surface for specific binding to a sample molecule, e.g., mRNA transcripts.

In practicing the methods of the invention, any known array and/or method of : making and using arrays can be incorporated in whole or in part, or variations thereof, as described, for example, in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,277,628; 6,277,489; 6,261,776; 6,258,606; 6,054,270; 6,048,695; 6,045,996; 6,022,963; 6,013,440; 5,965,452; 5,959,098; 5,856,174; 5,830,645; 5,770,456; 5,632^57; 5,556,752; 5,143,854; 5,807,522; 5,800,992; 5,744,305; 5,700,637; 5,556,752; 5,434,049; see also, e.g., WO 99/51773; WO 99/09217; WO 97/46313; WO 96/17958; see also, e.g., Johnston (1998) Cmr. Biol. 8dU71-R174; Schnmmer (1997) Biotecbniques 23:1087-1092; Keen (1997) Biotedhniques 23:120-124; Solmas-Toldo (1997) Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer 20:399-407; Bowtell (1999) Nature Genetics Supp. 21:25-32. See also published U.S. patent applications Nos. 20010018642; 20010019827; 20010016322; 20010014449; 20010014448; 20010012537; 20010008765.

Antibodies and Antibody-based screenin g methods

The invention provides isolated or recombinant antibodies that specifically bind to a xylanase of the invention. These antibodies can be used to isolate, identify or quantify the xylanases of the invention or related polypeptides. These antibodies can be used to isolate other polypeptides within the scope the invention or other related xylanases. The antibodies can he designed to hind to an active site of a xylanase. Thus, the invention provides methods of inhibiting xylanases using the antibodies of the invention (see discussion above regarding applications for anti-xylanase compositions of file invention).

The invention provides fragments of the enzymes of the invention, including immunogenic fragments of a polypeptide of the invention. The invention provides compositions comprising a polypeptide or peptide of die invention and adjuvants or carnets and the like.

The antibodies can be used in immunopiecipitation, staining, immunoaffinity columns, and the like. If desired, nucleic acid sequences encoding for specific antigens can be generated by immunization followed by isolation of polypeptide or nucleic acid, amplification or cloning and immobilization of polypeptide onto an array of the invention. Alternatively, the methods of the invention can be used to modify the structure of an antibody produced by a cell to be modified, e.g., an antibody’s affinity can be increased or decreased. Furthermore, the ability to make or modify antibodies can be a phenotype engineered into a cell by the methods of the invention.

Methods of immunization, producing and isolating antibodies (polyclonal and monoclonal) are known to those of skill in the art and described in the scientific and patent literature, see, e.g., Cofigan, CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY, Wiley/Greene, NY (1991¾ Stites (eds.) BASIC AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY (7th e&) Lange Medical Publications, Los Altos, CA (“Stites”); Goding, MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE (2d ed.) Academic Press, New York, NY (1986); Kohler (1975) Nature 256:495; Harlow (1988) ANTIBODIES, ALABORATORY MANUAL, Cold Spring Harbor Publications, New York. Antibodies also can he generated in vitro, e.g., using recombinant antibody binding site expressing phage display libraries, in addition to fire traditional in vivo methods using animals. See, e.g., Hoogeriboom (1997) Trends Biotechnol. 15:62-70; Katz (1997) Annu. Rev. Biophys. Biomol. Struct 26:27-45.

The polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50, 75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof, may also be used to generate antibodies which bind specifically to the polypeptides or fragments. The resulting antibodies may be used in imnmnoaffinity chromatography procedures to isolate or purify the polypeptide or to determine whether the polypeptide is present in a biological sample. In such procedures, a protein preparations such as an extract, or a biological sample is contacted with an antibody capable of specifically binding to one of the polypeptides of Group B amino add sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20, 25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino adds thereof

In immunoafBmty procedures, the antibody is attached to a solid support, such as a bead or other column matrix. The protein preparation is placed in contact with the antibody under conditions in which the antibody specifically binds to one of the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragment thereof After awash to remove non-specifically bound proteins, die specifically bound polypeptides are eluted.

The ability of proteins in a biological sample to bind to the antibody may be determined using any of a variety of procedures familiar to those skilled in die art For example, binding may be determined by labeling the antibody with a detectable label such as a fluorescent agent, an enzymatic label, or a radioisotope. Alternatively, binding of the antibody to the sample may be detected using a secondary antibody having such a detectable label thereon. Particular assays include ELISA assays, sandwich assays, radioimmunoassays and Western Blots.

Polyclonal antibodies generated against the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof can be obtained by direct injection of the polypeptides into an animal or by administering the polypeptides to an animal, for example, anonhumau. The antibody so obtained will then bind the polypeptide itself In this manner, even a sequence encoding only a fragment of the polypeptide can be used to generate antibodies which may bind to the whole native polypeptide. Such antibodies can then be used to isolate the polypeptide from cells expressing that polypeptide.

For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique which provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures can be used. Examples include the hybridoma technique (Kohler and Milstem, Nature, 256:495-497.1975), the trioma technique, the human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kozbor et al, Immunology Today 4:72, 1983) and the EBV-hybridoma technique (Cole, ei al., 1985, in Monoclonal Antibodies and Cancer Therapy, Alan R. Liss, Inc., pp. 77-96).

Techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies ((J.S. Patent No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies to the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto* or fragments comprising at least 5,10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, or 150 consecutive amino acids thereof Alternatively, transgenic mice may be used to express humanized antibodies to these polypeptides or fragments thereof

Antibodies generated against the polypeptides of Group B amino acid sequences and sequences substantially identical thereto, or fragments comprising at least 5, 10,15,20,25,30,35,40,50,75,100, car 150 consecutive amino adds thereof may be used in screening for similar polypeptides from other organisms and samples. In such techniques, polypeptides from the organism are contacted with the antibody and those polypeptides which specifically bind the antibody are detected. Any of the procedures described above may be used to detect antibody binding. One such screening assay is described in “Methods for Measuring CeBulase Activities”, Methods in Bnzymology, Vol 160, pp. 87-116.

Kits

The mvention-pmvides Irits comprising the compositions, e.g., nucleic acids, expression cassettes, vectors, cells, transgenic seeds or plants or plant parts, polypeptides (e.g., xylanases) and/or antibodies of the invention. The kits also can contain instructional material teaching the methodologies and industrial uses of the invention, as described herein.

Whole cell engineering and measuring metabolic parameters

The methods of the invention provide whole cell evolution, or whole cell engineering, of a cell to develop a new cell strain having a new phenotype, e.g., a new or modified xylanase activity, by modifying the genetic composition of toe cell The genetic composition can be modified by addition to the cell of a nucleic acid of the invention, e.g., a coding sequence for an enzyme of the invention. See, e.g., WOQ229032; WO0196551.

To detect toe new phenotype, at least one metabolic parameter of a modified cell is monitored in the cell in a “real time” or “on-line” time frame. In one aspect, a plurality of cells, such as a cell culture, is monitored in “real time” or “on-line.” In one aspect, a plurality of metabolic parameters is monitored in “real time” or “on-line.” Metabolic parameters can be monitored using the xylanases of the invention.

Metabolic flux analysis (MFA) is based on a known biochemistry framework. A linearly independent metabolic matrix is constructed based on the law of mass . conservation and on the pseudo-steady state hypothesis (PSSH) on toe intracellular metabolites. In practicing toe methods of toe invention, metabolic networks are established, including toe: • identity of all pathway substrates, products and intermediary metabolites • identity of all tire chemical reactions interconverting the pathway metabolites, the stoichiometry of the pathway reactions, • identity of all the enzymes catalyzing the reactions, the enzyme reaction kinetics, • the regulatory interactions between pathway components, e.g. allosteric interactions, enzyme-enzyme interactions etc, • intracellular compartmcntalization of enzymes or any other snpramolecular organization of the enzymes, and, • the presence of any concentration gradients of metabolites, enzymes or effector molecules or diffusion barriers to their movement

Once the metabolic network for a given strain is built, mathematic presentation by matrix notion can be introduced to estimate the intracellular metabolic fluxes if the on-line metabolome data is available. Metabolic phenotype relies on the changes of the whole metabolic network within a cell. Metabolic phenotype relies on tire change of pathway utilization with respect to environmental conditions, genetic regulation, developmental state and the genotype, etc. In one aspect of the methods of the invention, after the on-line MFA calculation, the dynamic behavior of the cells, their phenotype and other properties are analyzed by investigating the pathway utilization. For example, if the glucose supply is increased and the oxygen decreased during the yeast fermentation, the utilization of respiratory pathways will be reduced and/or stopped, and the utilization of the fermentative pathways will dominate. Control of physiological state of cell cultures will become possible after the pathway analysis. The methods, of the invention can help determine howto manipulate the fermentation by determining how to change the substrate supply, temperature, use of inducers, etc. to control the physiological state of cells to move along desirable direction. In practicing the methods of the invention, the MFA results can also be compared with transcriptome and proteome data to design experiments and protocols for metabolic engineering or gene shuffling, etc. , In practicing the methods of tire invention, any modified or new phenotype can be conferred and detected, including new or improved characteristics in the cell. Any aspect of metabolism or growth can be monitored.

Monitoring expression of an mSNA transcript hi one aspect of the invention, the engineered phenotype comprises increasing or decreasing the expression of an mRNA transcript (e.g., a xylanase message) or generating new (e.g., xylanase) transcripts in a cell. This increased or decreased expression can be traced by testing for the presence of a xylanase of the invention or by xylanase activity assays. rnRNA transcripts, or messages, also can be detected and quantified by any method known in the art, including, e.g., Northern blots, quantitative amplification reactions, hybridization to arrays, and the like. Quantitative amplification reactions include, e.g., quantitative PCR, including, e.g., quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, or RT-PCR; quantitative real time RT-PCR, or "real-time kinetic RT-PCR” (see, e.g., Kreuzer (2001) Br. J. HaematoL 114*313-318; Xia (2001) Transplantation 72:907-914).

In one aspect of the invention, the engineered phenotype is generated by knocking out expression of a homologous gene. The gene’s coding sequence or one or more transcriptional control elements can be knocked out, e.g., promoters or enhancers. Thus, the expression of a transcript can be completely ablated or only decreased.

In one aspect of the invention, the engineered phenotype comprises increasing the expression of a homologous gene. This can be effected by knocking out of a negative control element, including a transcriptional regulatory element acting in cis- or trans-, or, nmtagenizmg a positive control element One or more, or, all the transcripts of a cell can be measured by hybridization of a sample comprising transcripts of the cell, or, nucleic acids representative of or complementary to transcripts of a cell, by hybridization to immobilized nucleic acids on an array.

Monitoring expression ofa polypeptides, peptides and amino adds in one aspect of the invention, the engineered phenotype comprises increasing or decreasing the expression of a polypeptide (e.g., a xylanase) or generating new polypeptides in a cell. This increased or decreased expression can be traced by determining . the amount of xylanase present or by xylanase activity assays. Polypeptides, peptides and amino adds also can be detected and quantified by any method known in the art, including, e.g., nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), spectrophotometry, radiography (protein radiolabeling), electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), thin layer chromatography (TLQ, hyperdifibsion chromatography, various immunological methods, e.g. inrmunoprecipitaticm, immunodiffusion, immuno-electrophotresis, radioimmunoassays (RIAs), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (BLISAs), immuno-fluorescent assays, gel electrophoresis (e.g., SDS-PAGB), staining with antibodies, fluorescent activated cell sorter (FACS), pyrolysis mass spectrometry, Fourier-Transfoim infrared Spectrometry, Raman spectrometry, GC-MS, and LC-Electrospray and c^j-LC-tandera-electrospray mass spectrometries, and die like. Novel bioactivities can also be screened using methods, or variations thereof, described in U.S. Patent No. 6,057,103-Purthennore, as discussed below in detail, one or more, or, ah the polypeptides of a cell can be measured using a protein array.

Industrial Applications

The xylanase enzymes of the invention can be highly selective catalysts. They can catalyze reactions with exquisite stereo-, regio- and chemo- selectivities that are unparalleled in conventional synthetic chemistry. Moreover, enzymes are remarkably versatile. The xylanase enzymes of the invention can be tailored to function in organic solvents, operate at extreme pHs (for example, high pHs and low pHs) extreme temperatures (for example, high temperatures and low temperatures), extreme salinity levels (for example, high salinity and low salinity) and catalyze reactions with compounds that are structurally unrelated to their natural, physiological substrates. jDetergent Compositions

The invention provides detergent compositions comprising one or more polypeptides (e.g., xylanases) of the invention, and methods of making and using these compositions. The invention incorporates all methods of making and using detergent compositions, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,413,92$; 6,399,561; 6,365,561; 6,380,147. The detergent compositions can he a one and two part aqueous composition, a non-aqueous liquid composition, a cast solid, a granular form, a particulate form, a compressed tablet, a gel • and/or a paste .and a slurry form. The xylanases of foe invention can also be used as a detergent additive product in a solid or a Eqmd form. Such additive products are intended to supplement or boost the performance of conventional detergent compositions and can be added at any stage of the cleaning process.

The actual active enzyme content depends upon the method of manufacture of a detergent composition and is not critical, assuming the detergent solution has the desired enzymatic activity. In one aspect, the amount of xylanase present in the final solution ranges from about 0.001 mg to 0.5 mg per gram of the detergent composition. The particular enzyme chosen for use in the process and products of this invention depends upon the conditions of final utility, including the physical product form, use pH, use temperature, and soil types to be degraded or altered. The enzyme can be chosen to provide optimum activity and stability for any given set of utility conditions. In one aspect, the xylanases of the present invention are active in the pH ranges of from about 4 to about 12 and in the temperature range of from about 20°C to about 95°C. The detergents of the invention can comprise cationic, semi-polar nomonic or zwitterionic surfactants; or, mixtures thereof.

Xylanases of the invention can be formulated into powdered and liquid detergents having pH between 4.0 and 12.0 at levels of about 0.01 to about 5% (preferably 0.1 % to 0.5%) by weight. These detergent compositions can also include other enzymes such as xylanases, cellulases, lipases or endoglycosidases, endb-beta.-l,4-glucanases, beta-gbicanases, endo-beta-1,3(4)-giucanases, cutinases, peroxidases, laccases, amylases, ghicoamylases, pectioases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lignmases, pullulanases, arabinanases, hemicellulases, maxmanases, xyloglucanases, xylanases, pectin acetyl esterases, rbamnogalacturonan acetyl esterases, polygalacturonases, fhamnogalacturonases, galactanases, pectin lyases, pectin methylesterases, ceUobiobydrolases and/or transglutaminases. These detergent compositions can also include builders and stabilizers.

The addition of xylanases of the invention to conventional cleaning compositions does not create any special use limitation, In other words, any temperature and pH suitable for the detergent is also suitable for the compositions of the invention as long as the enzyme is active at or tolerant of the pH and/or temperature of the intended use. In addition, the xylanases of the invention can be used in a cleaning composition without detergents, again either alone or in combination with builders and stabilizers.

The present invention provides cleaning compositions including detergent compositions for cleaning hard surfaces, detergent compositions for cleaning fabrics, dishwashing compositions, oral cleaning compositions, denture cleaning compositions, and contact lens cleaning solutions.

In one aspect, the invention provides a method for washing an object comprising contacting the object with a polypeptide of the invention under conditions sufficient for washing. A xylanase of the invention may be included as a detergent additive. The detergent composition of the invention may, for example,be formulated as a hand or machine laundry detergent composition comprising a polypeptide of the invention. A laundry additive suitable for pre-treatment of stained fabrics can comprise a polypeptide of the invention. A fabric softener composition can comprise a xylanase of the invention. Alternatively, a xylanase of the invention can he formulated as a detergent composition for use in general household hard surface cleaning operations, hi alternative aspects, detergent additives and detergent compositions of the invention may comprise one or more other enzymes such as a xylanase, a lipase, a cutmase, another xylanase, a cafbohydrase, a cellulase, a pectinase, amannanase, an arabinase, a galactanase, a xylanase, an oxidase, e.g„ a lactase, and/or a peroxidase (see also, above). The properties of the enzyme(s) of the invention are chosen to be compatible with the selected detergent (Le. pH-optimnm, compatibility with other enzymatic and non-enzymatic ingredients, etc.) aid the enzyme(s) is present in effective amounts. In one aspect, xylanase enzymes of the invention are used to remove malodorous materials from fabrics. Various detergent compositions and methods for making them that can he used in practicing the invention arc described in, e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. 6,333301; 6,329,333; 6326341; 6,297,038; 6309,871;6,204,232; 6,197,070; 5,856,164.

When formulated as compositions suitable for use in a laundry machine washing method, the xylanases of the invention can comprise both a surfactant and a builder compound. They can additionally comprise one or more detergent components, e.g., organic polymeric compounds, bleaching agents, additional enzymes, suds suppressors, dispersants, lime-soap dispersants, soil suspension and anti-Tedeposition agents and corrosion inhibitors. Laundry compositions of the invention can also contain softening agents, as additional detergent components. Such compositions containing carbohydrase can provide fabric cleaning, stain removal, whiteness maintenance, softening, color appearance, dye transfer inhibition and sanitization when formulated as laundry detergent compositions.

The density of the laundry detergent compositions of the invention can range from about 200 to 1500 g/Hter, or, about 400 to 1200 g/liter, or, about 500 to 950 g/liter, or, 600 to 800 g/liter, of composition; this can be measured at about 2Q°C.

The "compact'' form of laundry detergent compositions of the invention is best reflected by density and, in terms of composition, by the amount of "inorganic filler salt Inorganic filler salts are conventional ingredients of detergent compositions in powder form. In conventional detergent compositions, the filler salts are present in substantial amounts, typically 17% to 35% by weight of the total composition. In one aspect of the compact compositions, the filler salt is present in amounts not exceeding 15% of the total composition, or, not exceeding 10%, or, not exceeding 5% by weight of the composition. The inorganic filler salts .can be selected from the alkali and alkaline-earth-metal salts of sulphates and chlorides, e.g., sodium sulphate. liquid detergent compositions of the invention can also be in a "concentrated form." hi one aspect, flic liquid detergent compositions can contain a lower amount of water, compared to conventional liquid detergents. In alternative aspects, the water content of·the concentrated liquid detergent is less than 40%, or, less than 30%, or, less than 20% by weight of the detergent composition. Detergent compounds of the invention can comprise formulations as described in WO 97/01629.

Xylanases of the invention can be useful in formulating various cleaning compositions. A number of known compounds are suitable surfactants including nonionic, anionic, cationic, or zwitiesrionic detergents, can be used, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,404,128; 4,261,868; 5,204,015. In addition, xylanases can be used, for example, in bar or liquid soap applications, dish care formulations, contact lens cleaning solutions or products, peptide hydrolysis, waste treatment, textile applications, as fusion-cleavage enzymes in protein, production, and the like. Xylanases may provide enhanced performance in a detergent composition as compared to another detergent xyianase, that is, the enzyme group may increase cleaning of certain enzyme sensitive stains such as grass or blood, as determined by usual evaluation after a standard wash cycle. Xylanases can be formulated into known powdered and liquid detergents having pH between 6.5 and 12.0 at levels of about 0.01 to about 5% (for example, about 0.1% to 0.5%) by weight- These detergent cleaning compositions can also include other enzymes such as known xylanases, xylanases, amylases, cellulases, lipases or endoglycosidases, as well as builders and stabilizers.

In one aspect, the invention provides detergent compositions having xyianase activity (a xyianase of the invention) for use with fruit, vegetables and/or mud and clay compounds (see, for example, U.S. Pat No. 5,786,316).

Treating fibers and textiles

The invention provides methods of treating fibers and fabrics using one or more xylanases of the invention. The xylanases can be used in any fiber- or fabric-treating method, which are well known in the art, see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,261,828; 6,077,316; 6,024,766; 6,021,536; 6,017,751; 5,980,581; US Patent Publication No. 20020142438 A1.

For example, xylanases of fheinvention can be used in fiber and/or fabric desizing. In one aspect, the feel and appearance of a fabric is improved by a method comprising contacting the fabric with a xyianase of the invention in a solution. 3h one aspect, the fabric is treated with the solution under pressure. For example, xylanases of the invention can be used in the removal of stains.

The xylanases of the invention can be used to treat any cellulosic material, including fibers (e.g, fibers from cotton, hemp, flax or linen), sewn and unsewn fabrics, e.g., knits, wovens, denims, yams, and toweling made from cotton, cotton blends or natural or manmade cellulosics (e.g. originating from xylan-containing cellulose fibers such as from wood pulp) or blends thereof Examples of blends are blends of cotton or rayon/viscose with one or more companion material such as wool, synthetic fibers (e.g. polyamide fibers, acrylic fibers, polyester fibers, polyvinyl alcohol fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers, polyvinylidene chloride fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyurea fibers, aramid fibers), and cellnlose-containing fibers (e.g, iayon/viscose, ramie, hemp, fiax/lineajute, cellulose acetate fibers, lyocell).

The textile treating processes of the invention (using xylanases of the invention) can be used in conjunction with other textile treatments, e.g., scouring and bleaching. Scouring is the removal of non-cellulosic material from the cotton fiber, e.g., the cuticle (mainly consisting of waxes) and primary cell wall (mainly consisting of pectin, protein and xyloghican). A proper wax removal is necessary for obtaining a high wettability. This is needed for dyeing. Removal of the primary cell walls by the processes of the invention improves wax removal and ensures a more even dyeing. Treating textiles with the processes of the invention can improve whiteness in the bleaching process. The main chemical used in scouring is sodium, hydroxide in high concentrations and at high temperatures. Bleaching comprises oxidizing the textile. Bleaching typically involves use of hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent in order to obtain either a folly bleached (white) fabric or to ensure a clean shade of the dye.

The invention also provides alkaline xylanases (xylanases active under alkaline conditions). These have wide-ranging applications in textile processing, degirmming , of plant fibers (e.g., plant bast fibers), treatment of pectic wastewaters, paper-making, and coffee and tea fermentations. See, e.g., Hoondal (2002) Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 59:409-418.

Treating foods and foodprocessing

The xylanases of the invention have numerous applications in food processing industry. For example, in one aspect, the xylanases of the invention are used to improve the extraction of oil from oil-rich plant material, e.g., oil-rich seeds, for example, soybean oil from soybeans, olive oil from olives, rapeseed oil from rapeseed and/or sunflower oil from sunflower seeds.

The xylanases of the invention can be used for separation of components of plant cell materials. For example, xylanases of the invention can be used in the separation of xylan-rich material (e.g., plant cells) into components. In one aspect, xylanases of the invention can be used to separate xylan-rich or oil-rich crops into valuable protein and oil and hn11 fractions. The separation process may be performed by use of methods known in the art

The xylanases of the invention can be used in the preparation of fruit or vegetable juices, syrups, extracts and the like to increase yield. The xylanases of the invention can be used in the enzymatic treatment (e.g., hydrolysis of xylan-comprising plant materials) of various plant cell wall-derived materials or waste materials, e.g. from cereals, grains, wine or juice production, or agricultural residnes such as vegetable hulls, bean hulls, sugar beet pulp, olive pulp, potato pulp, and the like. The xylanases of the invention can be used to modify the consistency and appearance of processed fruit or vegetables. The xylanases of the invention can be used to treat plant material to facilitate processing of plant material, including foods, facilitate purification or extraction of plant components. The xylanases of the invention can be used to improve feed value, decrease the water binding capacity, improve the degradability in waste water plants and/or improve the conversion of plant material to ensilage, and die like.

In one aspect, xylanases of the invention are used in baking applications, e.g>, cookies and crackers, to hydrolyze arabinoxylans and create non-sticky doughs feat are not difficult to machine and to reduce biscuit size. Use xylanases of the invention to hydrolyze arabinoxylans is used to prevent rapid rchydration of fee baked product resulting in loss of crispiness and reduced shelf-life. In one aspect, xylanases of fee invention are used as additives in dough processing. In one aspect, xylanases of the invention are used in dough conditioning, wherein in one aspect the xylanases possess high activity over a temperature range of about 25-35°C and at near neutral pH (7.0 - 7.5). In one aspect, dough conditioning * enzymes can be inactivated at the extreme temperatures of baking (>500°F).

In one aspect, xylanases of the invention are used as additives in dough processing to perform optimally under dough pH and temperature conditions, in one aspect, an enzyme of the invention is used fin dough conditioning. In one aspect, axylanase of fee invention possesses high activity over a temperature range of25-35°C and at near neutral pH (7.0—7.5). In one aspect, the enzyme is inactivated at the extreme temperatures ofbaking, for example, >500°F.

Paper or pulp treatment

The xylanases of the invention can be in paper or pulp treatment or paper drinking. For example, in one aspect, the invention provides a paper treatment process using a xylanase of fee invention. In one aspect, fee xylanase of the invention is applicable both in reduction of fee need for a chemical bleaching agent, such as chlorine dioxide, and in high alkaline and high temperature environments. In one aspect, the xylanase of fee invention is a thermostable alkaline endoxylaaase which can effect a greater than 25% reduction in the chlorine dioxide requirement ofixaft pulpwith a less than 0.5% pulp yield loss. In one aspect, boundary parameters are pH 10,65-85°C and treatment time of less than 60 minutes at an enzyme loading of less than 0.001 wt%. A pool of xylanases maybe tested for the ability to hydrolyze dye-labeled xylan at, for example, pH 10 and 60°C. The enzymes that test positive under these conditions may then be evaluated at, for example pH 10 and 70°C. Alternatively, enzymes may be tested at pH 8 and pH 10 at 70°C. 3h discovery of xylanases desirable in the pulp and paper industry libraries from high temperature or highly alkaline environments were targeted. Specifically, these libraries were screened for enzymes functioning at alkaline pH and a temperature of approximately 45°C. In another aspect, tire xylanases of the invention are useful in the pulp and paper industry in degradation of a ligrrin hemicellulose linkage, in order to release the lignin.

Animal feeds and food or feed additives

The invention provides methods for treating animal feeds and foods and food or feed additives using xylanases of the invention, animals including mammals (e.g., humans), birds, fish and the like. The invention provides animal feeds, foods, and additives comprising xylanases of the invention. In one aspect, treating animal feeds, foods and additives using xylanases of the invention can help in the availability of nutrients, e.g., starch, , protein, and the like, in the animal feed or additive. By breaking down difficult to digest proteins or indirectly or directly unmasking starch (or other nutrients), the xylanase makes nutrients more accessible to other endogenous or exogenous enzymes. The xylanase can also simply cause the release of readily digestible and easily absorbed nutrients and sugars.

When added to animal feed, xylanases of the invention improve the in vivo break-down of plant cell wall material partly due to a reduction of the intestinal viscosity (see, e.g., Bedford et aL, Proceedings of the 1st Symposium on Enzymes in Animal Nutrition, 1993,pp. 73-77), whereby abetter utilization of the plant nutrients by the animal is achieved. Thus,by using xylanases of the invention in feeds the growth rate and/or feed conversion ratio (Le. the weight of ingested feed relative to weight gain) of the animal is improved.

The animal feed additive of the invention maybe a granulated enzyme product which may readily be-mixedwSh feed components. Alternatively, feed additives of the invention can form a component of apre-mix. The granulated enzyme product of the invention may be coated or uncoated The particle size of the enzyme granulates can be compatible with that of feed and pre-mix components. This provides a safe and convenient mean of incorporating enzymes into feeds. Alternatively, the animal feed additive of the invention may be a stabilized liquid composition. This may be an aqueous or oil-based slurry. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,245,546.

Xylanases of the present invention, in the modification of animal feed or a food, can process the food or feed either in vitro (by modifying components of the feed or food) or in vivo. Xylanases can be added to animal feed or food compositions containing high amounts of xylans, e.g feed or food containing plant material from cereals, grains and the like. When added to the feed or food the xylanase significantly improves the in vivo break-down of xylan-containing material, e.g, plant cell walls, whereby a better utilization of the plant nutrients by foe animal (e.g., human) is achieved. In one aspect, the growth rate and/or feed conversion ratio (i.e. the weight of ingested feed relative to weight gain) of the animal is improved. Fear example a partially or indigestible xylan-comprising protein is fully or partially degraded by a xylanase of the invention, e.g. in combination with another enzyme, e.g., beta-galactosidase, to peptides and galactose and/or galactooligoraers. These enzyme digestion products are more digestible by the animal. Thus, xylanases of the invention can contribute to the available energy of the feed or food. Also, by contributing to , the degradation of xylan-comprising proteins, a xylanase of the invention can improve the digestibility and uptake of carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate feed or food constituents such as protein, fat and minerals. hi another aspect, xylanase of die invention can be suppEed by expressing the enzymes directly in transgenic feed crops (as, e.g., transgenic plants, seeds and the like), such as grains, cereals, com, soy bean, rape seed, lupin and the Eke. As discussed above, the invention provides transgenic plants, plant parts and plant cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of the invention. In one aspect, the nucleic arid is expressed such that the xylanase of the invention is produced in recoverable quantities. The xylanase can be recovered from any plant or plant part. Alternatively, die plant or plant part containing the recombinant polypeptide can be used as such for improving the quaEty of a food or feed, e,g., improving nutritional value, palatabitity, and rheological properties, or to destroy an antinutritive factor.

In one aspect, foe invention provides methods for removing oligosaccharides from feed prior to consumption by an animal subject using a xylanase of the invention. 3h this process a feed is formed having an increased metabolizable energy value. In addition to xylanases of the invention, galactosidases, ceEulases and combinations thereof can be used.

In one aspect, the enzyme is added in an amount equal to between about 0.1% and 1% by weight of the feed material- Ια me aspect, the feed is a cereal, a wheat, a grain, a soybean (e.g., a ground soybean) material. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6399,123.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for utilizing xylanase as a nutritional supplement in die diets of animals by preparing a nutritional supplement containing a recombinant xylanase enzyme comprising at least thirty contiguous amino acids of an amino acid of Group B amino add sequences, and administering the nutritional supplement to an animal to increase die utilization of xylan contained in food ingested by the animal.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides an edible pelletized enzyme delivery matrix and method of use for delivery of xylanase to an animal, for example as a nutritional supplement The enzyme delivery matrix readily releases a xylanase enzyme, 1 such as one having an amino add sequence of group B amino add sequences, or at least 30 contiguous amino adds thereof in aqueous media, such as, for example, the digestive fluid of an animal. The invention enzyme delivery matrix is prepared flom a granulate edible earner selected from such components as grain germ that is spent of oil, hay, alfalfa, timothy, soy hull, sunflower seed meal, wheat midd, and foe like, that readily disperse foe recombinant enzyme contained therein into aqueous media. In use, the edible pelletized enzyme delivery matrix is administered to an animal to delivery of xylanase to foe animal. Suitable grain-based substrates may comprise or he derived from any suitable edible grain, such as wheat, com, soy, sorghum, alfalfa, barley, and foe like. An exemplary grain-based substrate is a coin-based substrate. The substrate may be derived from any suitable part of foe grain, but is preferably a grain germ approved for animal feed use, such as com germ that is obtained in a ! wet or dry milling process. The grain germ preferably comprises spent germ, which is grain . germ from which oil has been expelled, such as by pressing or hexane or other solvent extraction. Alternatively, foe grain germ is expeller extracted, that is, foe oil has been removed by pressing.

The enzyme delivery matrix of foe invention is in foe form of discrete plural particles, pellets or granules. By "granules" is meant particles that are compressed or compacted, such as by a pelletizing, extrusion, or similar compacting to remove water from the matrix. Such compression or compacting of the particles also promotes intraparticle cohesion of foe particles. For example, foe granules can be prepared by pelletizing foe grain-based substrate in a pellet mill. The pellets prepared thereby are ground or crumbled to a granule size suitable for use as an adjuvant in animal feed. Since foe matrix is itself approved for use in animal feed, it can be used as a diluent for delivery of enzymes in animal feed.

Preferably, the enzyme delivery matrix Is in fee form of granules having a grannie size ranging torn about 4 to about400 mesh (USS); more preferably, about 8 to about 80 mesh; and most preferably about 14 to about 20 mesh. If the grain germ is spent via solvent extraction, use of a lubricity agent such as com oil maybe necessary in the pelletizer, but such a Ihhricity agent ordinarily is not necessary if the germ is expeller extracted. In other aspects of the invention, the matrix is prepared by other compacting or compressing processes such as, for example, by extrusion of the grain-based substrate through a die and grinding of the extxudate to a suitable granule size.

The enzyme delivery matrix may further include a polysaccharide component as a cohesiveness agent to enhance the cohesiveness of the matrix granules. The cohesiveness agent is believed to provide additional hydroxyl groups, which enhance the bonding between grain proteins within the matrix granule. It is further believed that the additional hydroxyl groups so function by enhancing the hydrogen bonding of proteins to starch and to other proteins. The cohesiveness agent may be present in any amount suitable to enhance the cohesiveness ofthe granules of the enzyme delivery matrix. Suitable cohesiveness agents include one or more of dextrins, maltodextrins, starches, such as com starch, flours, cellulosics, hemicellulosics, and the like. For example, the percentage of grain germ and cohesiveness agent in the matrix (not including the enzyme) is 78% com germ meal · and 20% by weight of com starch.

Because the enzyme-releasing matrix of the invention is made from biodegradable materials, fire matrix maybe subject to spoilage, such as by molding. To prevent or inhibit such molding, the matrix may include a mold inhibitor, such as a propionate sab, which may be present in any amount sufficient to inhibit the molding ofthe enzyme-releasing matrix, thus providing a delivery matrix in a stable formulation that does not require refrigeration.

The xylanase enzyme contained in the invention enzyme delivery matrix and methods is preferably a thermostable xylanase, as described herein, so as to resist inactivation of the xylanase daring manufectare where elevated temperatures and/or steam may be employed to prepare the palletized enzyme delivery matrix. During digestion of feed containing file invention enzyme delivery matrix, aqueous digestive fluids will cause release of the active enzyme. Other types of thermostable enzymes and nutritional supplements that are thermostable can also be incorporated in the delivery matrix for release under any type of aqueous conditions. A coating can be applied to the invention enzyme matrix particles for many different purposes, such as to add a flavor or nutrition supplement to animal feed, to delay release of animal feed supplements and enzymes in gastric conditions, and the like* Or, the coating may be applied to achieve a functional goal, for example, whenever it is desirable to slow release of the enzyme from, the matrix particles or to control the conditions under which the enzyme will be released. The composition of the coating material can be such that it is selectively broken down by an agent to which it is susceptible (such as heat, acid or base, enzymes or other chemicals). Alternatively, two or more coatings susceptible to different such breakdown agents may be consecutively applied to the matrix particles.

The invention is also directed towards a process for preparing an enzyme-releasing matrix. In accordance with the invention, the process comprises providing discrete plural particles of a grain-based substrate in a particle size suitable for use as an enzyme-releasing matrix, wherein the particles comprise a xyLanase enzyme encoded by an amino acid sequence of Group B amino acid sequences or at least 30 consecutive amino acids thereof. Preferably, the process includes compacting or compressing the particles of enzyme-releasing matrix into granules, which most preferably is accomplished by pelletizing. The mold inhibitor and cohesiveness agent, when used, can be added at any suitable time, and preferably are mixed with the grain-based substrate in the desired proportions prior to pelletizing of the grain-based substrate. Moisture content in the pellet mill feed preferably is in the ranges set forth above wife respect to fee moisture content in fee finished product, and preferably is about 14-15%. Preferably, moisture is added to fee feedstock in the form of an aqueous preparation of fee enzyme to bring the feedstock to this moisture content. The temperature in the pellet mill preferably is brought to about 82°C with steam. The pellet mill may be operated under any conditions feat impart sufficient work to fee feedstock to provide pellets. The pelleting process itself is a cost-effective process for removing water from the enzyme-containing composition.

In one aspect, the pellet mill is operated with a 1/8 in. by 2 in. die at 100 IbAnin. pressure at 82°C. to provide pellets, which then are crumbled in a pellet mill crumbier to provide discrete plural particles having a particle size capable of passing through an 8 mesh screen but being retained on a 20 mesh screen.

The thermostable xylanases of the invention can be used in fee pellets of fee invention. They can have high optimum temperatures and high heat resistance such that an enzyme reaction at a temperature not hitherto carried out can be achieved. The gene encoding the xylanase according to the present invention (e.g. as set forth in any of fee sequences in Group A nucleic acid sequences) can be used in preparation of xylanases (e.g. using GSSM™ as described herein) having characteristics different from those of the xylanases of Group B amino add sequences (in terms of optimum pH, optimum temperature, heat resistance, stability to solvents, specific activity, affinity to substrate, secretion ability, translation rate, transcription control and the like). Furthermore, a polynucleotide of Group A nucleic add sequences may be employed for screening of variant xylanases prepared by the methods described herein to determine those having a desired activity, such as improved or modified thermostability or thermotolerance. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,830,732, describes a screening assay for determining thermotolerance of a xylanase.

Waste treatment

The xylanases of the invention can be used in a variety of other industrial applications, e.g., in waste treatment. For example, in one aspect, the invention provides a solid waste digestion process using xylanases of the invention. The methods can comprise reducing the mass and volume of substantially untreated solid waste. Solid waste can be treated with an enzymatic digestive process in the presence of an enzymatic solution (including xylanases of the invention) at a controlled temperature. This results in a reaction without appreciable bacterial fermentation from added microorganisms. The solid waste is converted into a liquefied waste and any residual solid waste. The resulting liquefied waste can be separated, from said any residual solidified waste. See e.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,709,796.

Oral care products

The invention provides oral care product comprising xylanases of the invention. Exemplary oral care products include toothpastes, dental creams, gels or tooth powders, odontics, mouth washes, pre- or post brushing rinse formulations, chewing gums, lozenges, or candy. See, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,264,925.

Brewing and fermenting

The invention provides methods ofbrewing (e.g., fermenting) beer comprising xylanases of the invention. In one exemplary process, starch-containing raw materials are disintegrated and processed to form a malt. A xylanase of the invention is used at any point in the fermentation process. For example, xylanases of the invention can be used in the processing of barley malt. Hie major raw material of beer brewing is barley malt This can be a three stage process. First, the barley grain can be steeped to increase water content, e.g., to around about 40%. Second, the grain can be germinated by inenbation at 15 to 25ttC for 3 to 6 days when enzyme synthesis is stimulated under the control of gibbereOins. In one aspect* xylanases of the invention are added at this (or any other) stage of the process. Xylanases of the invention can be used in any beer or alcoholic beverage producing process, as described, e.g., in U.S. Patent No. 5,762,991; 5,536,650; 5,405,624; 5,021,246; 4,788,066. Ια one aspect, an enzyme of the invention is used to improve filterability and wort viscosity and to obtain a more complete hydrolysis of endosperm components. Use of an enzyme of the invention would also increase extract yield. The process of brewing involves germination of the barley grain (malting} followed by the extraction and the breakdown of toe stored carbohydrates to yield simple sugars that axe used by yeast for alcoholic fermentation. Efficient breakdown of toe carbohydrate reserves present in toe barley endosperm and brewing adjuncts requires the activity of several different enzymes.

In one aspect, an enzyme of toe invention has activity in slightly acidic pH (e.g., 5.5-6.0) in, e.g., toe 40°C to 70°C temperature range; and, in one aspect, with inactivation at 95°C. Activity under such conditions would be optimal, but are not an essential requirement for efficacy. In one aspect, an enzyme of toe invention has activity between 40-75° C, and pH 5.5-6.0; stable at 70° for at least 50 minutes, and, in one aspect, is inactivated at 96-100 °CL Enzymes of the invention can be used with other enzymes, e.g., beta-1,4-mdoglucanases and amylases.

Medical and research applications

Xylanases of toe invention can be used as antimicrobial agents due to their bacteriolytic properties. Xylanases of toe invention canbeusedto eliminating or protecting animals from salmoneflae, as described in e.g., PCT Application Nos. W00049890 and WO9903497.

Other industrial applications

Xylanases of toe invention can be used, including Group B ammo arid sequences are used in a wide variety of food, animal feed and beverage applications. New xylanases are discovered by screening existing libraries and DNA libraries constructed from diverse mesopMlic and moderately thermophilic locations as well as from targeted sources « including digestive flora, imcroorganisms in animal waste, soil bacteria and highly alkaline habitats. Biotrap and primary enrichment strategies using arabinoxylan substrates and/or non-soluble polysaccharide fractions of animal feed material are also useful.

Two screening formats (activity-based and sequence-based) are used in toe discovery of novel xylanases. The activity-based approach is direct screening for xylanase activity in agar plates using a substrate such as AZO-xylan (Megazyme). Alternatively a sequence-based approach may be used, which relies on bioinfoamatics and molecular biology to design probes for hybridization and biopanning. See, for example, U.S. Patents No. 6,054,267,6,030,779» 6,368,798,6,344,328. Hits firom the screening are purified, sequenced, characterized (for example, detennination of specificity, temperature and pH optima), analyzed using bioinformatics, subcloned and expressed for basic biochemical characterization. These methods maybe used in screening for xylanases useful in a myriad of applications, mdnding dough conctiticrang and as animal feed additive enzymes.

In characterizing enzymes obtained firom screening, the exemplary utility in dough processing and baking applications may be assessed. Characterization may include, for example, measurement of substrate specificity (xylan, arabinoxylan, CMC, BBG), temperature and pH stability and specific activity. A commercial enzyme may be used as a benchmark. In one aspect, the enzymes of the invention have significant activity atpH> 7 and 25-35° C, are inactive on insoluble xylan, are stable and active in 50-67% sucrose.

In another aspect, utility as feed additives may be assessed fiom characterization of candidate enzymes. Characterization may include, for example, measurement of substrate specificity (xylan, arabinoxylan, CMC, Ββθ), temperature and pH stability, specific activity and gastric stability, hr one aspect the feed is designed for a monogastric animal and in another aspect the feed is designed for a ruminant animal. In one aspect, the enzymes of the invention have significant activity at pH 2-4 and 35-40°C, a half-life greater than 30 minutes in gastric fluid, formulation (in buffer or cells) half-life greater than 5 minutes at 85°C and are used as a monogastric animal feed additive. In another aspect, the enzymes of the invention have one or more of the following characteristics: significant activity at pH 6.5-7.0 and 35-40°C, a half-life greater than 30 minutes in rumen • fluid, formulation stability as stable as dry powder and are used as a ruminant animal feed additive.

Enzymes are reactive toward, a wide range of natural and unnatural substrates, thus enabling the modification of virtually any organic lead compound. Moreover, unlike traditional chemical catalysts, enzymes are highly eaantio- and regio-selective. The high degree of functional group specificity exhibited by enzymes enables one to keep track of each reaction in a synthetic sequence leading to a new active compound. Enzymes are also capable of catalyzing many diverse reactions unrelated to their physiological function in nature. For example, peroxidases catalyze the oxidation of phenols by hydrogen peroxide. Peroxidases can also catalyze hydroxylation reactions that are not related to the native function of the enzyme. Other examples are xylanases which catalyze the breakdown of polypeptides, in organic solution some xylanases can also acylate sugars, a function unrelated to the native function of these enzymes.

The present invention exploits the unique catalytic properties of enzymes. "Whereas the use of biocatalysts (i.e., purified or crude enzymes, non-living or living cells) in chemical transformations normally requires the identification of a particular biocatalyst that reacts with a specific starting compound, the present invention uses selected biocatalysts and reaction conditions that are specific for functional groups that are present in many starting compounds. Each biocatalyst is specific for one functional group, or several related functional groups and can react with many starting compounds containing this functional group. The biocatalytic reactions produce a population of derivatives from a single starting compound. These derivatives can be subjected to another round of biocatalytic reactions to produce a second population of derivative compounds. Thousands of variations of the original compound can be produced with each iteration of biocatalytic detivatization.

Enzymes react at specific sites of a starting compound without affecting the rest of the molecule, a process which is very difficult to achieve using traditional chemical methods. This high degree of biocatalytic specificity provides the means to identify a single active compound within the library. The library is characterized by foe series of biocatalytic reactions used to produce it, a so-called "biosynthetic history". Screening foe library for biological activities and tracing foe biosynthetic history identifies foe specific reaction sequence producing foe active compound. The reaction sequence is repeated and foe structure of the synthesized compound determined. This mode of identification, unlike other synthesis and screening approaches, does not require immobilization technologies and compounds can be synthesized and tested free in solution using virtually any type of screening assay. It is important to note, that the high degree of specificity of enzyme reactions on functional groups allows for foe "tracking" of specific enzymatic reactions that make up the biocatalytically produced library.

Many of foe procedural steps are performed using robotic automation enabling foe execution of many thousands of biocatalytic reactions and screening assays per day as well as ensuring a high level of accuracy and reproducibility. As a result, a library of derivative compounds can be produced in a matter of weeks which would take years to produce using current chemical methods! (For further teachings on mofofication of molecules, including small molecules, see PCT/US94/09174).

The invention will be further described with reference to the following examples; however, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such examples.

EXAMPLES

EXAMPLE 1: PLATE BASED ENPOGLYCOSIDASE ENZYMB DISCOVERY: EXPRESSION SCREENING

Titer determination of Lambda library: Add 1.0 pL of Lambda Zap Express amplified library stock to 600pL E. coli MRF’ cells (ODsxH .0). Dilute MRE’ stock with IGmM MgS04. Incubate mixture at 37°C for 15 minutes, then transfer suspension to 5-6xnL of NZY top agar at 50 °C and gently mix. Immediately pour agar solution onto large (150mm) NZY media plate and allow top agar to solidify completely (approximately 30 minutes). Invert the plate. Incubate the plate at 39°G for 8-12 hours. (The number of plaques is approximated. Phage titer determined to give 50,000 pfu/plate. Dilute an aliquot of library phage with SM buffer if needed.)

Substrate screening Add Lambda Zap Express (50,000 pfu) from amplified library to 600pL of E. coli MRP’ cells (ODeoord .0) and incubate at 37°C for 15 minutes. While phage/cell suspension is incubating, add 1 .OmL of desired polysaccharide dye-labeled substrate (usually 1-2% w/v) to 5.0mL N2Y top agar at 50°C and mix thoroughly. (Solution kept at 50°C until > needed.) Transfer the cell suspension to substrate/top agar solution and gently mix.

Immediately pour solution onto large (150mm) NZY media plate. Allow top agar to solidify completely (approximately 30 minutes), then invert plate. Incubate plate at 39°C for 8-12 hours. Observe plate for clearing zones (halos) around plaques. Core plaques with halos out . of agar and transfer to a sterile micro tube. (A large bore 200pL pipette tip works well to remove (core) the agar plug containing the desired plaque.) Resuspend phage in 500pL SM buffer. Add 20pL chloroform to inhibit any further cell growth.

Isolation of pure clones: AddSfiL of resuspended phage suspension to 500pL of E. coli MRF cells (ODgotH -0). Incubate at 37°C for 15 minutes. While phage/cell suspension is incubating, add 600pL of desired polysaccharide dye-labeled substrate (usually 1-2% w/v) to 3.OmL NZY top agar at 50°C and mix thoroughly. (Solution kept at 50°C until needed) ' Transfer cell suspension to substrate/top agar solution and gently mix. Immediately pom-solution onto small (90mm) NZY media plate and allow top agar to solidify completely (approximately 30 inmates), then invert plate. Incubate plate at 39°C for 8-12 horns. Plate observed for a clearing zone (halo) around-a single plaque (pure clone). (If a angle plaque cannot be isolated, adjust titer and replate phage suspension.) Phage are resuspended m 500pL SM buffer and. 20μΙ> Chloroform is added to inhibit any further cell growth.

Excision of pure clone: Allow pure phage suspension to incubate at room temperature for 2 to 3 hours or overnight at 4°C. Add 100pL of pure phage suspension to 200pL E. coli MKF’ cells (OD6oo=1*0). Add l.OpL of ExAssist helper phage (>1 x 106 pfu/mL; Stratagene). Incubate suspension at 37°C for 15 minutes. Add 3.0 mL of 2 x YT media to cell suspension. Incubate at 37°C far 2-2.5 hours while shaking. Transfer tube to 70°C for 20 minutes.

Transfer 50-100 pL of pbagermd suspension to a micro tube containing 200pL of E. coli Exp 505 cells (ODewpl -O). Incubate suspension at 37°C for 45 minutes. Plate 100 pL of cell suspension on IBfc» 50 media (IB media with Kanamycin SOpgfruL). Incubate plate at 37°C for 8-12 hours. Observe plate for colonies. Any colonies that grow contain the pure phagemid. Pick a colony and grow a small (3-10mL) liquid culture for 8-12 hours. Culture media is liquid LB I,», 50.

Activity verification: Transfer l.OmL of liquid culture to a sterile micro tube. Centrifuge at 13200 rpm (16000 g’s) for 1 minute. Discard supernatant and add 200pL of phosphate buffer pH 6.2. Sonicate for 5 to 10 seconds on ice using a micro tip. AM 200 pL of appropriate substrate, mix gently and incubate at 37 °C for 1.5-2 hours. A negative control should also be run that contains only buffer and substrate. Add 1 .OmL absolute ethanol (200 proof) to suspension and mixed. Centrifoge at 13200 rpm for 10 minutes. Observe supernatant for color. Amount of coloration may vary, but any tubes with more coloration than control is considered positive for activity. A spectrophotometer can be used for this step if so desired or needed. (For Azo-xylan, Megazyme, read at 590nm). RFLP of pure clones from same libraries: Transfer 1 .OmL of liquid culture to a sterile micro tube. Centri&ge at 13200 rpm (16000 g’s) for 1 minute. Follow QIAprep spin mini kit (Qiagen) protocol forplasmid isolation and use 40 pL holy water as the elution buffer. Transfer 10 pL plasmid DNA to a sterile micro tube. Add 1.5pL Buffer 3 (New England Biolabs), 1.5pL 100X BSA solution (New England Biolabs) and 2.0pL holy water. To this add 1 .OpL Not 1 and 1 .OpL Pst l restriction endonucleases (New England Biolabs).

Incubate for 1.5 hours at 37°C. Add 3 .OpL 6X Loading buffer (krvitrogen). Run 15pL of digested sample on a 1.0% agarose gel for 1-13 hoars at 120 volts. View the gel with a gel imager. Perform sequence analysis on all clones with a different digest pattern.

Table 6 describes various properties of exemplary enzymes of die invention.

Table 6

* pH or temperature optima determined by initial rates using AZO-AZO-xylan as a substrate ** thermal stability, time that enzyme retained significant activity (approx. > 50 %) *** Dough candMcaaiiig **** GSSM™ parent for thermal tolerance evolution for animal feed applications ***** N35D mutation made to increase low pH activity- based on public knowledge- mutant enzyme's relative activity at pH 4 significantly increased ****** Dough conditioning

EXAMPLE 2: GSSM™ SCREEN FOR THERMAL TOLERANT MUTANTS

The following example describes an exemplary method for screening for thermally tolerant enzymes.

Master Plates: Prepare plates for a colony picker by labeling 96 well plates and aliquoting 200 pL LB Amp 100 into each well. (~20ml needed per 96 well plate). After the plates are returned from the picker, remove media from row 6 from plate A. Replace with an inoculation of SEQ ID NO: 189- Place in a humidified 37°C incubator overnight.

Assay Plates: Pin tool cultures into a fresh 96 well plate ¢200 pL /well LB AmplOO). Remove plastic cover and replace with Gas Permeable Seal. Place in a humidified incubator overnight Remove the seal and replace plastic lid. Spin cultures down in tabletop centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 min. Remove supernatant by inversion onto a paper towel. Aliquot 45 μΧ. Cit-Phos-KCl buffer pH 6 into each well. Replace the plastic lid with an aluminum plate seal. Use a roller to get a good seal. Resuspend cells in a plate shaker at level 6-7 for ~30 seconds.

Place the 96 well plate in 80°C incubator for 20 minutes. Do not stack. Thereafter, immediately remove plates to ice water to cool for a few minutes. Remove the aluminum seal and replace with a plastic lid. Add 30 pL of 2 % Azo-xylan. Mix as before on the plate shaker. Incubate 37°C in a humidified incubator overnight

Add 200 pL ethanol to each well and pipette up and down a couple of times to mix. As an alternative to changing tips each time, rinse in an ethanol wash and dry by expelling into a paper towel. Spin the plates at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. Remove 100 pL of supernatant to a fresh 96 well plate. Read the OD595.

EXAMPLE 3: GSSM™ ASSAY FOR ΗΓΓ VERIHCATION OF THERMAL TOLERANT MUTANTS

The following example describes an exemplary method for assaying for thermally tolerant en2ym.es.

Piu tool or pick clones into duplicate 96 well plates (200ul /well LB Ampl 00). Remove the plastic cover and replace with a Gas Permeable Seal. Place in a humidified incubator overnight Remove the Seal and replace with a plastic lid. Pintool the clones to solid agar. Spin cultures down in tabletop centrifuge at 3000 rpm for 10 min. Remove the supernatant by inversion onto a paper towel. Aliquot 25 μΐ BPER/Lysozyme/DNase solution (see below) into each welL Resuspend cells in a plate shaker on level 6-7 for ~30 seconds.

Incubate the plate on ice for 15 minutes. Add 20 pL of Cit-Phos-KCl buffer pH 6 into eachweLL Replace the plastic lid with an aluminum plate seal. Use a roller to get a good seal. Mix on a plate shaker at level 6-7 for ~30 seconds.

Place one 96 well plate in an 80°C incubator for 20 minutes and the other at 37°C. Do not stack Immediately remove the plates to watery ice to cool for a few minutes (use a large plastic tray if needed). Remove the aluminum seal. Add 30 μΐ of 2% Azo-xylan.

Seal with a plastic gas permeable seaL Mix as before on the plate shaker. Incubate a set of 37°C and 80°C plates in humidified incubator at 37°C for 2 hours and another set for 4 hours.

After incubation, let the plate sit for ~5 minutes at room temperature. Add 200 μΐ, ethanol to each well and pipette 1¾} and down a couple of times to mix. Instead of changing tips each time, rinse ha an ethanol wash and dry by expelling into a paper towel.

But, use anew set of tips for each clone. Spin plates at 3000 rpm 10 minutes. Remove 100 pL of supernatant to a fresh 96 well plate. Read OD590· BPER/Lysozyme/DNase solution (4.74 mL total):

4.5mLBPR 200 |iL 10 mg/mL Lysozyme (made fresh in pH 6 Cit-phos-buffer) 40 pL 5 mg/mL DNase I (made fresh in pH 6 Cit-phos buffer EXAMPLE 4: Xvlanase assay with wheat arabinoxvlan as substrate

The following example describes an exemplary xylanase assay that can be used, for example, to determine isan enzyme is within the scope of the invention. SEQIDNOS: 11,12,69,70,77,78,113,114,149,150,159,160,163,164, 167,168,181,182,197, and 198 were subjected to an assay at pH 8 (Na-phosphate buffer) and 70°C using wheat arabinoxylan as a substrate. The enzymes wore characterized as set forth in Table 7.

Table 7

*Baaed on addition of 1 mL of water to each sample.

Units are modes xylose released per minute based on a reducing sugar assay. EXAMPLE 5: Generation of an exemplary xvlanase of the invention

The following example describes the generation of an exemplary xylanase of the invention using gene site-saturation mutagenesis (GSSM™) technology, designated the “9x” variant or mutant (the nucleic acid as set forth in SEQ ID NO:377, the polypeptide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:378). GSSM™ was used to create a comprehensive library of point mutations in the exemplary SEQ ID NO: 190, “wild-type” xylanase (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 189). The xylanase thennotolexance screen described above identified nine single site amino arid mutants (Figure 6A) (D8F, Q11H,N12L, G17I, G60H, P64V, S65V, G68A & S79P) that had improved thermal tolerance relative to the wild type enzyme (as measured following aheat challenge at 80°C for 20 minutes). Wild-type enzyme and all nine single site amino acid mutants were produced in E. coli and purified utilizing an N-terminal hexahistidine tag.

There was no noticeable difference in activity due to the tag.

Figure 6 illustrates the nine single site amino arid mutants of “variant 9x”, or, as set forth in SEQ ID NO:378 (encoded By SEQ ID NO:377), as generated by Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis (GSSM™) of the exemplary SEQ ID NO: 190 “wild-type” enzyme (encoded by SEQ ID NO:189). Figure 6Ais a schematic diagram illustrating position, numbering and the amino arid change feu: the thermal tolerant point mutants of the “wild-type” gene (SEQ ID NO:190, encoded by SEQ ID NO:189). A library of all 64 codons was generated for every amino arid position in the gene (-13,000 mutants) and screened for mutations that increased thermal tolerance. The “9X” variant was generated by combining all 9 single-site mutants into one enzyme. The corresponding melting temperature transition > midpoint (Tm) determined by DSC for each mutant enzyme and the “9X” (SEQ ID NO:378) variant is shown on the right Figure 6B illustrates the unfolding of the “wild-type” (SEQ ID NO:190) and “9X” (SEQ ID NO;378) “variant/mutant” enzymes was monitored by DSC at a scan rate of l°C/rain. Baseline subtracted DSC data were normalized for protein concentration, »

Xylanase activity assays

Enzymatic activities were determined using 400 °cL of 2% Azo-xylan as substrate in 550 ccL of CP (citrate-phosphate) buffer, pH 6.0 at the indicated temperatures. Activity measurements as a function of pH were determined using 50 mM Britton and Robinson buffer solutions (pH 3.0,5.0,6.0,7.0,8.0 and 9.0) prepared by mixing solutions of 0.1 M phosphoric add solution, 0.1 M boric acid and 0.1 M acetic add followed by pH adjustment with 1M sodium hydroxide. Reactions were initiated by adding 50 ccL of 0.1 mg/ml of purified enzyme. Time points were taken from 0 to 15 minutes where 50 <xL of reaction mixture was added to 200 ccL of predpitation solution (100% ethanol). When all time points had been taken, samples were mixed, incubated for 10 minutes and centrifuged at 3000 g for 10 minutes at 4'C. Supernatant (150 °cL) was afiquoted into a fresh 96 well plate and absorbance was measured at 590 am. A590 values were plotted against time and the initial rate was determined from the slope of the line.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).

Calorimetry was performed using a Model 6100 Nano HDSC apparatus (Calorimetry Sciences Corporation, American Fork, ΌΤ) using the DSCRim software package for data acquisition, CpCalc for analysis, CpConvert for conversion into molar heat capacity from microwatts and CpDeconvolute for deconvolution. Analysis was carried out with lmg/ml recombinant protein in 20 mM potassium phosphate (pH 7-0) and 10Q mM K.C1 at a scan rate ofloC/min. A constant pressure of 5 atm was maintained during all DSC experiments to prevent possible degassing of the solution on heating. The instrumental baseline was recorded routinely before the experiments with both cells filled with buffer. Reversibility of the thermally induced transitions was tested by reheating the solution in the calorimeter cell immediately after cooling the first run.

Thermal tolerance determination.

All enzymes were analyzed for thermal tolerance at 80°C in 20 mM potassium phosphate (pH 7.0) and 100 mM K.CL The enzymes were heated at 80°C for 0,5,10 or 30 minutes in thin-walled tubes and were cooled on ice. Residual activities were determined with Azo-xylaa as substrate using die assay described above for activity measurement.

Polysaccharide Fingerprinting.

Polysaccharide fingerprints were determined by polysaccharide analysis using carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE). Beechwood xylan (0.1 mg/ruL, 100 ocL, Sigma, Poole, Dorset, UK) or xylooligosaccharides (1 mM, 20 ocL, Megazyme, Wicklow, Ireland) were treated with enzyme (1-3 ccg) in a total volume of250 ccL for 16 hours. The reaction was buffered in 0.1 M ammonium acetate pH 5.5. Controls without substrates or enzymes were performed under file same conditions to identify any unspecific compounds in the enzymes, polysaccharides/oligosaccharides or labding reagents. The reactions were stopped by boiling for 20 min. Assays were independently performed at least 2 times for each · condition. Derivatization using ANTS (8-aminonaphttialene-1356-trisulfonic acid, Molecular Probes, Leiden, The Netherlands), electrophoresis and imaging were carried out as described (Gotibet, F., Jackson, P., Deery, M. and Dupree, P. (2002) Anal. Biochem. 300,53-68).

Fitness Calculation.

The fitness (Fn), for a given enzyme variant, n, was calculated by equally weighting increase in denaturation. temperature transition midpoint (Tm) and increase (or decrease) in enzymatic activity relative to the largest difference in each parameter across all variants: Fn 85 Fat+Fva, where Fn»=Tm fitness factor of the variant and Fvn=activity fitness factor of the variant. The fitness factors for each (Tm and activity) are relative to the largest difference in Tm or rate across all of file variants. Fin = (Tm - TmL) / (TmH - Tmt) where Tmn is the Tm for the given variant, n, and TmL is the lowest Tm across all variants and TmH the highest Tm across all variants and Fvn = (Va - Vl) / (Vh - Vl) where Vn is the relative rate for the given variant, n, and Vl is the lowest rate across all variants and Vh the highest rate across all variants.

Evolution by the GSSM™ method. GSSM™ technology was used to create a comprehensive library of point mutations in the exemplary xylanase of the invention SEQ ID NO:I90 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:189); including the exemplary xylanase of the invention SEQ ID NO:378 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:377). The xylanase themotolerance screen described above identified nine single she amino acid mutants (Figure 6A), D8F, Q11H, N12L, G17I, G60H, P64V, S65V, G68A & S79P, that had improved thermal tolerance relative to the exemplary “wild type” enzyme SEQ ID NO:190 (encodedby SEQ ED NO:189), as measured following aheat challenge at 80°C for 20 minutes. Wild-type enzyme and all nine single site amino acid mutants were produced in E. coti and purified utilizing an N-terminal hexafaistidine tag.

There was no noticeable difference in activity due tp the tag.

To determine the effect of the single amino add mutations on enzymatic activity, all nine mutants were purified and their xylanase activity (initial rates at the wild-type temperature optimum, 70°C) was compared to that of the exemplary SEQ ID NO:190 “wild-type” enzyme. Enzyme activities were comparable to wild type (initial rate normalized to 1.0) for D8F, N12L, G171, G60H, P64V, S65V G68A and S79P mutants (relative initial rates 0.65, '0.68,0.76,1.1,1.0,12,0.98 and 0.84 respectively) canfinnmg that these mutations do not significantly alter the enzymatic activity. Initial rates were measured 3 or more times and variance was typically less than 10 %. In contrast to these eight mutants, a notable reduction in enzymatic activity was observed for the best thermal tolerant, single site mutant, Q11H (relative initial rate 0.35).

Melting temperature (Τα) of ‘‘wild-type ” and thermal tolerant single site amino add mutant enzymes.

The purified SEQ ID NO: 190 “wild-type” xylanase and the nine thermal tolerant single site amino add mutants were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)- Aggregation was apparent for the wild-type enzyme as evidenced by a shoulder in the DSC trace for its thermal denaturation, see Figure 6B. The evolved mutant enzymes showed no indication of aggregation. For all enzymes, thermally induced denaturation was irreversible and no discernible transition was observed in a second scan of the sample. Due to the irreversibility of denaturation, only fire apparent Tm (melting temperature) could be calculated (as described, e.g., by Sanchez-Ruiz (1992) Biophys. J. 61:921-935; Beldaxrain (2000) Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 31:77-84). The Tm of the wild-type enzyme was 61 oC while the Tin’s of all point mutants were increased and ranged from 64*C to 70°C (Figure 6A). The Q11H mutation introduced the largest increase (Tm =3 70°0) ova: wild-type followed by P64V (69° C), G17I (67°C) andD8F (67°C).

The “9X” combined GSSM™ exemplary enzyme SEQ ID NO:378

The tc9X” enzyme (SEQ ID NO:378) was constructed by combining the single-site changes of the nine thermal tolerant up-mutants by rite-directed mutagenesis (Figure 6A). The “9X” (SEQ ID NO:378) enzyme was expressed in E. colt and purified to homogeneity. DSC was performed to determine the melting temperature. TheTmof “9X” enzyme was 34 degrees higher than SEQ ED NO: 190, the “wild-type” enzyme, demonstrating a dramatic shift in its thermal stability (Figure 6B).

To evaluate the effect of the combined mutations and elevated melting temperature on the enzyme’s biochemical properties, pH and temperature profiles were constructed and compared to SEQ ID NO:190, tee “wild-type” enzyme. Figure 7 illustrates the biochemical characterization of “wild type” and “evolved” 9X mutant enzymes. Figure 7A illustrates thepH-dependence of activity fin* the wild-type and evolved 9X mutant enzymes. Xylanase activity was measured at 37°C at each pH and the initial velocity was plotted against absorbance at 590 nm to determine initial rates. Figure 7B illustrates the temperature-dependence of activity for the wild-type and evolved 9X mutant enzymes. The optimum temperatures of the wild-type and 9X mutant enzymes were measured over a temperature range of25-100°CatpH 6.0 and are based on initial rates measured over 5 minutes. Figure 7C illustrates the thermal stability of wild-type and evolved 9X mutant enzymes. Thermal dependence of activity of the wild-type and evolved 9X mutant enzymes was measured by first heating the enzymes at each of the indicated temperatures for 5 minutes followed by cooling to room temperature and the measurement of residual activity (initial rate at 37°C, pH 6.0). For all experiments initial rates were measured 2 or more times and the variation was less than 10 %. SEQ ID NO:190 and SEQ ID NO:378 (the "9X” mutant) enzyme had comparable pH/activity profiles with the highest activity between pH 5 and 6 (Figure 7A). Both enzymes had similar initial rate/temperature optima at 70°C, however; SEQ ID NO:190, the “wild-type” enzyme had higher activity at lower temperatures (25-50°C) whereas SEQ ID NO:378 (the “9X” mutant) retained more than 60% of its activity up to 100°C (deteonined by initial rate) in the presence of substrate (Figure 7B). The activity of SEQ ID NO:190, the' “wild-type” enzyme was not detectable at temperatures above 70°C.

To determine the effect of the 9 combined mutations on enzyme thermal tolerance, residual activity was measured and compared to SEQ ID NO: 190, the “wild-type” enzyme. Residual activity was determined by a heat challenge for 5 minutes at each temperature (37,50,60,70,80 and 90°C) followed by activity measurements at 37°C. SEQ ID NO: 190 was completely inactivated above 70°C while foe evolved 9X mutant displayed significant activity after heating at 70,80 and even 90°C (Figure 7C). Furthermore, although. the activity of foe wild-type enzyme decreased with increasing temperature, foe 9X variant .· was somewhat activated by heating at temperatures up to 60°C. !

Generation of combinatorial GSSM™ variants using GeneReassembly™ technology.

To identify combinatorial variants of the 9 single site amino add mutants with', highest thermal tolerance and activity compared to foe additively constructed SEQ ID NO:378 (foe “9X” variant), a GeneReassembly™ library (U.S. Patent No. 6,537,776) of all possible mutant combinations (2s) was constructed and screened. Using thermal tolerance as the screening criterion, 33 unique combinations of foe nine mutations were identified as was the original 9X variant A secondary screen was performed to select for variants with higher activity/expression than foe evolved 9X. This screen yielded 10 variants with sequences possessing between 6 and 8 of foe original single mutations in various combinations, as illustrated in Figure 8A Figure 8 illustrates foe combinatorial variants identified using GeneReassembly™ technology. Figure 8A illustrates foe GeneReassembly™ library of all possible combinations of foe 9 GSSM™ point mutations that was constructed and screened for variants with improved thermal tolerance and activity. Eleven variants including foe 9X variant were obtained. As shown in the figure, foe variants possessed 6,'7,8, or 9 of foe point mutations in various combinations. The corresponding melting temperature transition nridpoidt (Tm) determined by DSC of each valiant Is shown on the right. Figure SB illustrates the relative activity (initial rate measured over a 5 mimite time period) of the 6X-2 and 9X variants compared to wild-type at the temperature optimum (70°C) and pH 6.0. Error bars show the range in the initial rate fear 3 measurements.

The melting temperature (Tm) of each of the combinatorial variants was at least 28°C higher than wild type (Figure 8A) and all of the reassembly variants displayed higher relative activity than the 9X enzyme. The activity of one variant in particular, 6X-2, was greater than the wild-type enzyme and rigmficantly better (1.7X) than the 9X enzyme (Figure 8B). Sequence comparison of the reassembly variants identified at least 6 mutations that were required for the enhanced thermostability (>20 degrees). All 33 unique variants found in the initial thennostabifity screen contained both Q11H and G171 mutations demonstrating their importance for thermal tolerance.

Analysis ofwild-type and variant polysaccharide product fingerprints.

The products generated by the “wild-type,” 6X-2 and 9X variants were compared by polysaccharide analysis using carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE). Different substrates (oligosaccharides and polysaccharides) were tested for hydrolysis by the xylanases. The digestion products of the 3 xylanases tested were very similar, as illustrated in Figure 9. All three enzymes hydrolyzed (Xyl)e and (Xyl)s, mainly into both (Xyl)a and (Xyl)2, and (Xyl)4 was hydrolyzed to (Xyi)2 (Figure 9A). Only a small amount of hydrolysis of (Xyl)3 into (Xyl)2 and Xyl was observed indicating that (Xyl)s is a relatively poor substrate for the enzyme. No activity was detected on (Xyl)2. Beechwood xylan, which contains glucuronosyl residues, was hydrolyzed by all three enzymes mainly into (Xyl)z and (XyJ)3, but other bands were detected that migrated between oligoxylan bands (Figure 9B). In PACE analysis, each oligosaccharide has a specific migration depending on the sugar composition and degree of polymerization (Goubet, F., Jackson, P., Deery, M. and Dupree, P. (2002)

Anal Biochem. 300,53-68), thus, these bands likely correspond to oKgoglucuronoxylans. Therefore, the evolved enzymes retained foe substrate specificity of foe “wild-type” enzyme.

As noted above, Figure 9 illustrates the product fingerprints of “wild-type” SEQ ID NO:190 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:189), 6X-2 (SEQ ID NO:380, encoded by SEQ ID NO:379) and SEQ ED NO:378 (foe “9X” mutant) enzyme variant, as determined by PACE. Figure 9A illustrates fingerprints obtained after hydrolysis of oligoxylans (Xyl)3, (XylK (Xyl)5 and (Xyl)6by “wild-type” and variant enzymes. Control lanes contain oligosaccharide incubated undo: foe assay conditions in the absence of enzyme. Figure 9B illustrates the fingerprints obtained after hydrolysis of Beechwood xylan by wild-type and variant enzymes. Standards contained (Xyl)2, (Xyl)3, (Xyl)4. All assays were performed at 37°C and pH 5.5. A combination of laboratory gene evolution strategies was used to rapidly generate a highly active, thermostable xylanase optimized for process compatibility in a number of industrial market applications. GSSM™ methodology was employed to scan the entire sequence of the exemplary “wild type” xylanase SEQ ID NO:190 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 189) and to identify 9 point mutations that improve its thermal tolerance. Although it had no discemable effect on the hydrolysis product profile of the enzyme, as illustrated in Figure 9, the addition of the 9 mutations to the protein sequence resulted in a moderate reduction in enzymatic specific activity at SEQ ID NO:190 (the "wild-type”)^ temperature optimum. 70°C, see Figure 9B. Using the GeneReassembly™ method to generate a combinatorial library of the 9 single site amino add mutants, this reduction in activity was overcome. Ten thermostable variants (Tot’s between 89°C and 94°C) with activity better than the “9X” variant were obtained from screening toe GeneReassembly™ Hhrary. With a Tm of 90°C, enzymatic specific activity surpassing wild-type and a product fingerprint unaltered and comparable to SEQ ID NO: 190 (the “wild-type”), toe 6X-2 variant (SEQ ID NO :380, encoded by SEQ ID NO:379) is particularly notable. To our knowledge toe shift in Tot obtained for these variants is the highest increase reported from toe application of directed evolution technologies. SEQ ID NO:380 (toe 6X-2 variant) includes toe following changes, as. compared to SEQ ID NO:190 (toe “wild-type”): D8F, Q11H, G17I, G60H, S65V and G68A. SEQ ID NO:379 includes toe following nucleotide changes, as compared to the “wild type” SEQ ED NO:189: toe nucleotides at positions 22 to 24 are TTC, toe nucleotides at positions 31 to 33 are CAC, the nucleotides at positions 49 to 51 are ATA, toe nucleotides at positions 178 to 180 are CAC, toe nucleotides at positions 193 to 195 are GTG, the nucleotides at positions 202 to 204 are GCT. . In order to gauge toe effectiveness of combinatorial mixing versus addition of the point mutants to toe desired phenotype, a fitness parameter combining contributions both from changes in enzyme activity and thermostability was calculated for each mutant The term fitness as described here is not an objective measure that can be compared to other enzymes, but rather a term that allows toe measurement of toe success of directed evolution of this particular xylanase. Since enzyme fitness, F, is calculated by equally weighting' changes in Tmand enzyme activity for this set of variants, the maximum allowable fitness value is2 (Ft<1 and Fv <1, see above). In other words, if the variant with fee best activity also had the highest Tm, its fitness value would be 2. With a fitness value near 2 (see Fig. 10B), the 6X-2 variant (SEQ ID NO380, encoded by SEQ ED NO :379) is the closest to possessing the best possible combination of thermal stability and enzyme activity. The single . site mutation that confers the highest value of fitness is S65V. Although the Tm of the S65 V mutant is lower than that of the Q11H mutant (66°C verses 70°C respectively), it has a higher fitness value since its specific activity is not reduced relative to wild-type.

Figure 1OA is a schematic diagram illustrating the level of thermal stability (represented by Tm) improvement over “wild-type” obtained by GSSM™ evolution. The single site amino acid mutant and the combinatorial variant with the highest thermal stability (Q11H and “9X” (SEQ ID N0378), respectively) are shown in comparison to wild-type. Figure 10B illustrates a “fitness diagram” of enzyme improvement obtained by combining GSSM™ and GeneReassembly™ technologies. Fitness was determined using the formula F =FT + FV where fitness (F) is calculated by equally weighting thermal tolerance fitness (FT) and relative activity fitness (FV) as described above. The point mutation that confers the greatest fitness (S65V) is shown. Combining ah 9 point mutations also improved fitness (SEQ ID NO:378, the “9X” variant). However, the largest improvement in fitness was obtained by combining GSSM™ and GeneReassembly™ methods to obtain the best variant, 6X-2 (SEQ ID N0:380).

The GeneReassembly™ method also allowed the identification of important residues that appear absolutely necessary for improved thermal stability. Two key residues, Q11H and G173, were present in every GeneReassembly™ variant identified based on thermal tolerance (see Figure 6A). The structural determinants for thermal stability of proteins have been studied and several theories have been documented, e.g., by Kinjo (2001) Eur. Biophys. J. 30378-384; Britton (1999) J. Mol. Biol 293:1121-1132; Ladenstein (1998) Adv. Biochem. Eng. Biotechnol. 61:37-85; Britton (1995) Eur. J. Biochem. 229:688-695; Tamer (1996) Biochemistry 353597-2609; Vetriani (1998) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:2300-2305. Hydrogen bonding patterns, ionic interactions, hydrophobic packing and decreased length of surface loops are among the key factors even though the contribution of each to protein stability is not My understood. Given that most of the beneficial point substitutions identified from testing all possible single amino acid substitutions involved the replacement of relatively polar, charged or small (glycine) residues for.much largo: hydrophobic residues, it can surmised that hydrophobic interactions play the most significant role in enhancing the thermostability of this protein. Even with a good understanding of the optimal interactions to enhance thermal tolerance, the prediction of where to make mutations that introduce such interactions is not straightforward. A nonrational approach using the GSSM™ method, however, allows rapid sampling of all sidechains at all positions within a proton structure. Such an approach leads to the discovery of amino acid substitutions that introduce functional interactions that could not have been foreseen. EXAMPLE 6: Pre-treating paper onto with xylanases of the invention

In one aspect, xylanases of the invention can be used to pretreat paper pulp. This example describes an exemplary routine screening protocol to determine whether a xylanase is useful in preheating paper pulp; e.g., in reducing the use of bleaching chemicals (e.g., chlorine dioxide, CIO2) when used to pretreat Kraft paper pulp.

The screening protocol has two alternative test parameters: Impact of xylanase treatment after an oxygen deKgnification step (post-Qzpulp); and, Impact of xylanase in a process that does not include oxygen dehgnification (pre-02 hrownstock).

For pulp treatment conditions that simulate process conditions in industrial situations, e.g., factories: pH 8.0; 70 °C; 60 min duration.

The process is schematically depicted in the Flow Diagram of Figure 11.

Twenty xylanases were identified by biochemical tests that were active under these conditions. Of the 20 xylanases, 6 were able to significantly reduce CIO2 demand when, they were used to pretreat Kraft pulp before it was chemically bleached. The six are: SEQ ID NO: 182 (encodedby SEQ H>NO:181); SEQ ID NO:160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:159); SEQ ID NO:198 (encodedby SEQ ID NO:197); SEQ IDNO:168 (encodedby SEQ ID NO:167); SEQ ID NO:216 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:215); SEQIDNO:260 (encodedby ' SEQ ID NO:259). Others showed some activity but were not as good. Xylanases SEQ ID NO;182 (encodedby SEQ ID NO:181) and SEQ IDNO:160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:159) are modular and contain a carbohydrate binding module in addition to the xylanase catalytic domain. It was demonstrated that truncated derivatives of these 2 xylanases containing just the catalytic domain are more effective in this application. The best xylanase, SEQ ID NO:160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 159) was studied more comprehensively. Results can be summarized as follows: - pretreaiment ofpost-02 spruce/pine/fir (SPF) pulp with 2 units/g of SEQ ID NO: 160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 159) reduces subsequent CR^use by 22% to reach 65%GE brightness; ' -pretreatment ofpre-Q* brownstock SPF with 0.5 units/g SEQ ID NO:160 . (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 159) reduces subsequent CIOz use by 13% to reach 65%GE brightness; -pretreatment ofpre-Oj Aspen pulp with 0.5 units/g SEQ ID NO :160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:159) reduces CIO2 use by at least 22%; - pretreatment ofpre-02 Douglas Fir/Hemlock pulp with 0.5 uuits/g SEQ ID NO:160 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:159) reduce QO2 use by at least 22%; - under the treatment conditions employed, the reduction in yield from the xyianase treatment did not exceed 0.5% when compared with pulp that had been bleached at the same kappa factor but not treated with xyianase; - optimal conditions for treating post-O^ SEE pulp with SEQ ED NOS:159,160 were: pH 6-7, enzyme dose 0.3 units/g, treatment time 20-25 min. Under these conditions, reduction in CIO2 use of 28% was possible to reach 69%GE brightness. hot further experiments: SEQ ID NO:160 (XYIA), encoded by SEQ ID NO: 159 = fall length wild type xyianase: • XYIA (Ex)=truncated variant of SEQ ID NOS:159,160 containing only xyianase catalytic domain expressed in E,coli • XYIA (P.f) = ditto but expressed in P. fluorescens SEQ ID NO: 182 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 181) = second full-length wild type xyianase: • XYLB (E.c) = truncated variant etc, etc expressed inE.coli • XYLB (Pi) = ditto but expressed in P. fluorescens

Dose Response Data for Lead Xvlanases on Pre-02 Brownstock Conditions for xvlanase stage (X-stage) as follows: pH 8

Temperature 70°C Time 60 min Kappa factor 0.24

For no-enzyme control, kappa factor was 0.30

Results showed a dose dependent increase in brightness forxylanase-treaied samples at a lower charge of chlorine dioxide (CIO2) (KfO.24 vs Kf 0.30).

In each case, the truncated derivative looked to be more effective that the fell-length xylanase. Optimal xylanase dose looked to be around 0.6 to 0.7 U/g pulp.

Pretreatment offotereontmental Pre-Q-> Brownstock with the best 4 Xvlanases Deternrination of CIO2 Dose Response in D0 Experimental outline • Pre-Ch Brownstock 0 Initial kappa 31.5 • X stage conditions 0 Xylanase charge 0.7 U/gm 0 Temperature 70°C 0 pH 8 0 Treatment time 1 hr 0 Pulp consistency 10% • Bleach sequence XDEp 0 Kappa factor 0122,0126 and 0.30 (%D on pulp: 2.63,3.12 and 3.60)

Final brightness after 3-stage bleach sequence versus Karma factor fC.IO> charge!: • XYLB - At 61.5 final brightness, X-stage enables reduction in CIO2 use of 3.89 kg/tonpulp. • XYLB (E.c) - At 61.5 final brightness, X-stage enables reduction in CIO2 charge of . · 4.07 kg/tonpulp. • XYLA - At 61.5 brightness, X-stage enables a reduction in CIO2 use of 4.07 kg/ton pulp. • XYLA(E.c) - At 61.5 final brightness, X-stage enables redaction in CIQ2 use of 4.90 kg/tonpulp.

Determination of CIO? Dose Response in D„:

Xylanase 0.7 U/g, pH 8.0,70 **C, 1 hr Pulp: Pre~C>2 Brownstock, initial kappa 31.5

Percentage saving of CIQ2 is of little significance to the industry. Their primary concern is lbs of CIO* required per ton OD pulp. This makes sense when one considers that a lower percentage saving seen with a high initial kappa brownstock can be more valuable in terms of lbs of CIO2 saved than a higher percentage reduction for a low initial kappa pulp which will require a lower total charge of CIO2 to reach target brightness.

Relationship between Brightness. Yield and Kappa Factor far Bleached Control Pulp:

The results showed that bleaching with increasing doses of CIO2 to achieve higher target brightness results in increased loss of pulp yield. This is an issue because pulp at * this stage of the process has a value of almost $400 per ton and loss of cellulose costs money. A benefit of xylanase (e.g., a xylanase of the invention) is that use of a lower CIO2 dose can reduce yield losses as long as the action of the xylanase itself doesn’t cancel out the gain.

Dose Response Data far Pretreatment ofPre-O? Brownstock with Xvlanase XYLB fP.fri Experimental outline • Northwood Pre-02 Brownstock -Initial kappa 28.0 1 -Initial consistency 32.46% -Initial brightness 28.37

• X stage conditions -Xylanase charge 0 to 2.70 U/gm -Temperature 58<>C to 61°C -pH 8.2 to 8.5 —Treatment time Ihr •Bleach sequence XDEp —Kappa factor 0.24 •C102 saving calculated for Kappa factors between 024 and 0.30

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the best of the 4 xylanases on unwashed SPF brownstock. Results showed dose-dependent increases in final brightness for pulp treated with XYLB (E.c), with brightness achieved in presence of xylanase at lower Kf of 0.24, approaching brightness achieved at higher Kf of 0.30 asymptotically.

Relationship between Dose ofXvlanaseXYLB (B.ct ar>d Chlorine Dioxide Saving fPre-Ov Brownstock):

Optimum Xylanase Dose is between 0.5 and 0.9 U/gm

Ihe optimum dose lies in the range 0.5 to 0.9 IJ/g. Above this dose there is a diminishing return per unit increment of xylanase. Reductions in chlorine dioxide dose per tan of pulp treated of this magnitude axe commercially significant

Three-stage biobleacMng procedure A three-stage hiobleaching procedure was developed that would closely simulate the actual bleaching operations in a pulp mill bleach plant (Fig, 1). This bleach sequence is designated by (XpoBp, in which X represents the xylanase treatment stage, D for chlorine dioxide bleaching stage, and Bg for alkaline peroxide extraction stage. The primary feedstock used in our application tests was Southern Softwood Kraft Brownstock (without oxygen delignification). The most effective xylanase candidates that showed high bleach chemical reduction potential in the biobleaching assays were also tested on two species of hardwood Kraft pulp (maple and aspen). Upon completion of each biobleaching round, the ensuing pulp was used to produce TAPPI (Technical Association of Pulp and Paper lndustries)-standard handsheets. The GE% brightness of each handsheet was measured, and the brightness values were used as the indication of how well each enzyme had performed on the pulp during the enzymatic pretreatment stage (X).

Results:

Out of approximately 110 xylanases that were screened using the (X)DoEp biobleaching sequence, 4 enzymes, i.e., XYXA (Pi); XYLB (Pi); SEQ ID N0216 (encoded by SEQ ID NO:215); SEQH>NO:176 (encoded by SEQ ID NO: 175); showed the greatest potential for reducing the use of bleaching chemicals. While XYIA (P.f) and XYLB (P.f) exhibited equally high performance (best among the four good performers), XYLA (P.i) showed abetter pH tolerance than XYLB (Pi). The results can be summarized as follows: • It is possible to achieve a handsheet brightness of 60 (GE%) using a three-stage bleach sequence [(XjDoEp] that involves pretreatment of Southern Softwood Kraft Brownstock with the fbEowing four enzymes at the loading levels listed below (pH=8,65 °C & 1 h): o XYLA (P.f) at 0.55 U/g pulp o XYLB (Pi) at 0.75 U/g pulp o SEQ ID NOS:215,216 at 1.80 U/g pulp o SEQ ID NOS:175,176 at 1.98 U/g pulp • Pretreatment of Southern Softwood Kraft Brownstock with 2 U/g pulp of XYLA (Pi) reduces ClQz use by 18.7% to reach a final GE% brightness of 61. • XYLA (P.f) exhibits good tolerance at higher pH and provides more than 14% chemical savings when the enzymatic pretreatment stage is run at pH=10. • Pretreatment of Southern Softwood Kraft; Brownstock with 2 U/g pulp of XYLB (Pi) reduces 01(¼ use by 16.3%to reach a final GE% brightness of 60.5. • Pretreatment of aspen Kraft pulp with 2 U/g pulp of XYLA (Pi) and XYLB (Pi) reduces 01(¾ use by about 35% to reach a final GE% brightness of 77. • Pretreatment of maple Kraft pulp with 2 U/g pulp of XYLA (Pi) and XYLB (Pi) reduces CIO2. use by about 38% to reach a final GE% brightness of 79. • The two best performing xylanases, namely XYLA(P.f) and XYLB (P.f), are truncated enzymes, containing just the catalytic domain, and were produced in Pseudomonas fluorescens.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred aspects thereof it will be understood that modifications and variations are within the spirit and scope of that which is described and claimed.

As used herein, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

It is to be understood that a reference herein to a prior art document does not constitute an admission that the document forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows: ί . An expression cassette, vector or cloning vehicle comprising a heterologous signal sequence, a heterologous carbohydrate binding module, a heterologous catalytic domain (CD), or a combination thereof, or a heterologous epitope, purification tag or label and an isolated, synthetic or recombinant nucleic acid selected from the group consisting of: a) a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having xylanase activity, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a sequence having at least 98%, 99% and 100% sequence identity to the sequence ofSEQ ID NO: 229; b) a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide that can be used to generate antibodies that bind specifically to a polypeptide comprising a sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 230, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a Sequence having at least 98%, 99% and 100% sequence identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 229; or c) a nucleic acid of a) or b), wherein the nucleic acid does not encode a signal sequence or does not encode a carbohydrate binding module.
2. An expression cassette, vector or cloning vehicle comprising: a heterologous signal sequence, a heterologous carbohydrate binding module, a heterologous catalytic domain (CD), or a combination thereof, or a heterologous epitope, purification tag or label; and a fragment of a nucleic acid according to claim 1, wherein the fragment encodes a polypeptide having a xylanase activity.
3. A transformed cell including a nucleic acid according to claim 1 or 2 or an expression cassette, vector or cloning vehicle according to claim 1.
4. A transgenic non-human organism, tissue, plant or seed including a nucleic acid according to claim 1 or 2 or a transformed cell according to claim 3.
5. A double stranded inhibitory RNA (RNAi) molecule comprising a fragment of a nucleic acid according to claim 1.
6. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant polypeptide: a) that has xylanase activity or b) that call be used to generate antibodies that bind specifically to the polypeptide SEQ ID NO: 230: ^________ ______.................................^ the polypeptide being encoded by a nucleic acid according to any one of claims 1 or 2.
7. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: a) a polypeptide that has xylanase activity, wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 230; b) a polypeptide of a), wherein the polypeptide has at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or more, or has 100% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 230; c) a polypeptide of a) or b) wherein the polypeptide does not encode a signal sequence or does not encode a carbohydrate binding module; d) a polypeptide of any of a) to c) further comprising a heterologous sequence; e) a polypeptide of d) wherein the heterologous sequence comprises a heterologous signal sequence, a heterologous carbohydrate binding module, a heterologous catalytic domain (CD), a heterologous epitope, a purification tag, a label, or a combination thereof; or f) a polypeptide of e) wherein the heterologous signal sequence, carbohydrate binding module or CD is derived from another xylanase or a non xylanase enzyme.
8. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant polypeptide consisting of a sequence as set forth in residues 1 to 14, 1 to 15, 1 to 16, 1 to 17,1 to 18,1 to 19,1 to 20, 1 to 21,1 to 22,1 to 23,1 to 24, 1 to 25, 1 to 26, 1 to 27, 1 to 28, 1 to 28, 1 to 30, 1 to 31, 1 to 32, 1 to 33, 1 to 34, 1 to 35,1 to 36, 1 to 37,1 to 38, 1 to 40, 1 to 41,1 to 42, 1 to 43 or 1 to 44, of a polypeptide having at least 95% identity to the equivalent sequence of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 230.
9. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant chimeric polypeptide comprising at least a first domain comprising a polypeptide having a sequence as set forth in claim 7 f), and at least a second domain comprising a heterologous polypeptide or peptide, wherein the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is not naturally associated with the signal peptide (SP).
10. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having xylanase activity made by the method comprising: (A) (i) providing a template nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid sequence of any one of claims 1 or 2; (ii) modifying, deleting or adding one or more nucleotides in the template sequence, or a combination thereof, to generate a variant of the template nucleic acid; and (iii) expressing the variant of the template nucleic acid to generate a recombinant polypeptide and testing the recombinant polypeptide for xylanase activity; or ______________ (B) (i) providing a template nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid sequence of any one of claims 1 or 2: and, (ii) modifying, deleting or adding one or more nucleotides in the template sequence, or a combination thereof, to generate a variant of the template nucleic acid, wherein the variant nucleic acid encodes a polypeptide that retains xylanase activity under conditions comprising a temperature of at least about 70°C, 80°C or 90°C or more, and a basic pH of at least about pH 8.0, pH 8.5, pH 9, pH 9.5, pH 10, pH 10.5, pH 11 or more.
11. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant nucleic acid according to claim 10, wherein the modifications, additions or deletions are introduced by a method comprising error-prone PGR, shuffling, oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis, assembly PGR, sexual PGR mutagenesis, in vivo mutagenesis, cassette mutagenesis, recursive ensemble mutagenesis, exponential ensemble mutagenesis, site-specific mutagenesis, gene reassembly, Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis (GSSM), synthetic ligation reassembly (SLR) and a combination thereof.
12. An isolated, synthetic or recombinant nucleic acid according to claim 10, wherein the modifications, additions or deletions are introduced by a method comprising recombination, recursive sequence recombination, phosphothioate-modi lied I)NA mutagenesis, uracil-containing template mutagenesis, gapped duplex mutagenesis, point mismatch repair mutagenesis, repair-deficient host strain mutagenesis, chemical mutagenesis, radiogenic mutagenesis, deletion mutagenesis, restriction-selection mutagenesis, restriction-purification mutagenesis, artificial gene synthesis, ensemble mutagenesis, chimeric nucleic acid multimer creation and a combination thereof.
13. A homodimer or a heterodimer comprising at least a first domain having: a polypeptide encoded by a nucleic acid sequence of any one of claims 1 or 2; or a polypeptide of any one of claims 6 to 9; and at least a second domain.
14. The isolated, synthetic or recombinant chimeric polypeptide according to claim 9, wherein the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is not a xylanase.
15. The isolated, synthetic or recombinant chimeric polypeptide according to claim 9, wherein the heterologous polypeptide or peptide is amino terminal to. carboxv terminal to. or on both ends of the signal peptide (SP) or a xylanase catalytic domain (CD),