Genes from Sulfolobus solfataricus P2 involved in polysaccharide degradation

On the basis of the complete genome of S. solfataricus P2 recently publishe, three putative extracellular cellulases (Sso1354, Sso1949, Sso2534) were identified. In particular, Sso2534 is a carboxy-methyl cellulose induced cellulase gene and its enzyme activity was well characterized. Moreover, the S. solfataricus P2 genome analysis revealed ORFs addressed to hydrolyse oligosaccharides to di- and monosaccharides. We have cloned and expressed three open reading frames (ORFs) involved in the sugar metabolism.