Expression of a bacterial endoglucanase gene in tobacco increases digestibility of its cell wall fibers

Transgenic tobacco plants exhibiting exogenous cellulase activity were prod uced by introduction of a truncated cellulase (t-EgI) gene from Ruminococcu s albus. They accumulated about 0.1-0.5% t-EgI of the total soluble protein s in the cytoplasm. They were normal in morphology and growth. t-EgI expres sed in the transgenic plants degraded their own cell wall materials after t he cells were disrupted. The plants expressing the t-egI gene could be used as "cellulase-encapsulating plants" for livestock and food industries.