Design of a fungal cellulose-binding domain for PCR amplification and expression in E-coli

A new fungal cellulose binding domain (CBD) from Stachybotris sp. has been cloned. Multiple sequence alignment of the CBD from 34 fungi shows highest sequence identity at the ends of the domains. The two primers from these re gions were amplified by PCR giving a 120-bp product. Two of these, from Tri choderma sp. and Stachybotris sp. were subsequently cloned, sequenced and c onfirmed to be of the CBD family. The CBD from Stachybotris sp. was express ed in E. coli fused to g3p of the M13 phage and with a c-myc tag. The secre ted fusion protein adsorbed on acid-swollen cellulose thereby confirming it s functionality.