# Patent

## Title
Endo-.beta.-1,4-glucanase and a DNA sequence

## Abstract

The present invention discloses a DNA sequence encoding the exo-polygalacturonase gene form Aspergillus. Specifically the Aspergillus tubigensis exo-polygalacturonase gene is cloned and expressed. The invention relates to vectors comprising the exo-polygalacturonase coding sequence and to host cells transformed with such vectors. The invention further relates to the production of recombinant exo-polygalacturonase and the use of this protein.

## Background
The present invention is in the field of molecular biology. Specifically, a DNA sequence encoding the exo-polygalacturonase gene from Aspergillus is cloned and expressed. The invention relates to vectors comprising the exo-polygalacturonase coding sequence and to host cells transformed with such vectors. The invention further relates to the production of recombinant exo-polygalacturonase. Furthermore, as an example of the application of this enzyme partial pectin degradation is demonstrated.

Pectins are major constituents of the cell walls of edible parts of fruits and vegetables. The middle lamella which are situated between the cell walls are mainly built up from protopectin which is the insoluble form of pectin. Pectins are considered as intercellular adhesives and due to their colloid nature they also have an important function in the water-regulation of plants. Water-binding capacity is greatly increased by the amount of hydrophylic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The amount of pectin can be very high. For example, lemon peels are reported to contain pectin up to 30% of their dry weight, orange peels contain from 15-20% and apple peels about 10% (Norz, K., 1985. Zucker und Susswaren Wirtschaft 38 5-6).

Pectins are composed of a rhamno-galacturonan backbone in which 1,4-1-linked .alpha.-D-galacturonan chains are interrupted at intervals by the insertion of 1,2linked .alpha.-L-rhamnopyranosyl residues (Pilnik, W. and A. Voragen 1970. In `The Biochemistry of fruits and their products`, Vol. 1, Chapter 3, p.53. Acad. Press). Other sugars, such as D-galactose, L-arabinose and D-xylose, are present as side chains. A large part of the galacturonan residues is esterified with methyl groups at the C2 and C3 position.

Pectin-degrading enzymes are important tools in the food industry. Traditionally these enzymes are used as mixtures. Aspergillus niger and other fungi produce a whole spectrum of enzymes which can advantageously be used in the degradation of pectin. Examples of such enzymes are pectin esterase, pectin lyase (also called pectin transeliminase), endo- and exo-polygalacturonases. In A. niger the pectin degrading proteins are not expressed constitutively. Induction of these enzymes is achieved by growing the strains when carbon sources such as glucose or sucrose are limiting and in the presence of pectin or breakdown products thereof.

In order to avoid the problem of induction and also to avoid obtaining not well-defined enzyme mixtures there is a growing tendency to clone the genes encoding these enzymes and to express them in other more suitable host cells.

The cloning and expression of several of these enzymes obtained from Aspergillus niger has been reported. EP 0 278 355 describes the cloning of the pectin lyase gene, the sequence thereof and the expression. EP 0 353 188 adds some other pectin lyases.

As mentioned above pectin contains a backbone comprising a high amount of 1,4-linked .alpha.-D-galacturonan molecules. This backbone can be digested by the action of depolymerases. Two such depolymerases are known, endo- and exo-polygalacturonase. Examples of the cloning and expression of especially the former one of these depolymerases have been reported.

EP 0 421 919 discloses two polygalacturonases which can be classified as endo-polygalacturonases. Another endo-polygalacturonase has been disclosed in EP 0 388 593. Both of these patent application used Aspergilli the source of the gene.

Exo-polygalacturonases are not so abundant as the endo- form as evidenced by the reports about this enzyme published so far.

Mill (Biochem. J. 99: 557-561 and 562-565 (1966)) reported the isolation and characterization of two distinct exo-polygalacturonases. One of these was found to be mercury activated. This was confirmed by Hara et al. (Nippon Shokuhim Kogyo Gakkashi 31: 581-586 (1984)). Kester and Visser (Biotechn. Appl. Biochem, 12: 150-160 (1990)) report the presence of only one exo-polygalacturonase and 5 endo-polygalacturonases in A. niger culture filtrates. Finally, the cloning of exo-polygalacturonase from Erwinia chrysanthemi EC16 has been reported (He and Collmer J. Bacteriol. 172: 4988-4995 (1990)).

Exo-polygalacturonase is capable of converting polygalacturonides to galacturonic acid. To enhance this process it is advantageous to use pure exo-polygalacturonase. Galacturonic acid can be used as a source for different synthetic reactions it has for example been found to be useful in the production of ascorbic acid.

The present invention provides an isolated recombinant DNA sequence encoding exo-polygalacturonase. Preferably the exo-polygalacturonase is obtained from Aspergilli, more preferably it is obtained from Aspergillus tubigensis or from Aspergillus niger.

The invention also provides an expression cassette containing a DNA sequence encoding the exo-polygalacturonase. Such an expression cassette contains appropriate regulatory regions i.e. a promoter, optionally an enhancer, a terminator. The cassette may also contain a selection marker encoding gene.

In a further aspect of the invention the expression cassette forms part of a vector.

The invention also provides recombinant host cells transformed with the vector containing the exo-polygalacturonase encoding DNA.

The invention further provides isolated recombinant exo-polygalacturonase.

The invention also discloses a method for the production of exo-polygalacturonases. The invention shows how the exo-polygalacturonase can be purified.

The invention further discloses a method for obtaining galacturonic acid comprising the use of exo-polygalacturonase.

Finally, the invention describes the use of exo-polygalacturonase in the treatment of pectin.

FIG. 1 (SEQ ID No:10 through SEQ ID No:15) shows the oligonucleotide mixtures derived from N-terminal amino acid sequences from cyanogen bromide fragments of A tubigensis exo-polygalacturonase PGX. These DNA probes have been used in hybridization experiments to detect the pgaX gene.

FIG. 2 shows the restriction map of the A. tubigensis pgaX gene. The open arrow indicates the location and orientation of the gene.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the results of the use of exo-PG versus Rohament PL for reducing the calcium sensitivity of pectin. X-axis shows molecular weight change (in kD) and Y-axis shows viscosity (in centipoise). The dosages of enzyme in mg per g pectin are printed next to the data points.

The present invention discloses purified and isolated DNA sequences which encode a polypeptide having the activity of the Aspergillus tubigensis PGX enzyme the sequence is characterized in that it comprises the sequence of SEQ ID No.4, genetic variants of the sequence of SEQ ID NO 4 are likewise considered to be part of the invention as are DNA sequences encoding for the same amino acid sequence but altered making use of the degeneracy of the genetic code. Further included in the present invention are DNA sequences capable of hybridizing with the sequence of SEQ ID No. 4 or with parts thereof.

The invention also discloses DNA constructs containing a DNA sequence encoding PGX wherein the protein encoding sequence is operably linked to regulatory regions capable of directing the expression of said DNA sequence in a suitable host organism.

The invention further discloses DNA vectors containing the DNA constructs encoding PGX.

Transformed microbial host cells containing the vectors are disclosed and the host cells are shown to produce exo-polygalacturonase under suitable growth conditions.

The present invention discloses a method for obtaining expression of exo-polygalacturonase comprising, culturing the microbial host under conditions wherein the cloned gene is expressed. A method is also disclosed for obtaining exo-polygalacturonase comprising the steps of culturing the transformed microbial host under conditions giving rise to the expression of the DNA sequence of and recovering the polypeptide.

The invention also discloses the use of a polypeptide obtained through the expression of the cloned pgaX gene to degrade pectin. It is shown in the present invention that the pectin can be specifically treated using the exo-polygalacturonase. It is disclosed that this enzyme reduces the calcium sensitivity without at the same time reducing the molecular weight of pectin.

Furthermore, the invention provides purified and isolated expression and transcription regulatory regions as found in the 5'non-coding sequences of the Aspergillus tubigensis pgaX gene.

The present invention describes a method for obtaining a gene encoding an Aspergillus exo-polygalacturonase. The is method can be summarized as follows.

An Aspergillus strain, which may be selected from the group comprising A. niger, A. awamori and A. tubigensis is grown under conditions wherein the carbon source is limited and wherein pectin or fragments thereof are offered as substrate. These growth conditions give rise to the production of pectin degrading enzymes.

Following sufficient growth time allowing for the accumulation of the different enzymes the cells are harvested and the enzymes are isolated from the medium. After suitable identification the exo-polygalacturonase is purified and sequenced. This sequencing may be performed on the complete protein molecule it may however also be performed on fragments obtained after separation of the peptides following peptidase digestion of the complete protein.

Once the amine acid sequence or parts thereof are determined, suitable sequences are selected for choosing DNA probes. The probes are used against a genomic library of the desired Aspergillus strain. The hybridizing clones are selected and the DNA fragments contained therein are sequenced. The sequence is further completed by adding the rest of the sequence.

Suitable expression regulating sequences are then cloned upstream from the coding region. This depends on the preferred expression host cell. Expression is thus made constitutive.

The cloned gene is expressed and the medium can be used as such in the degradation of pectin. Preferably, the protein is isolated and used in the desired process.

Alternative ways for cloning, detecting, screening and expressing the gene are known and are expected to give similar results. Among these methods are methods using expression cloning combined with immunological detection, another method would be the use of PCR to amplify the DNA encoding the exo-polygalacturonase gene, this presupposes however that at least a part of the gene sequence is known.

Reaction of the exo-polygalacturonase of the present invention with pectin or pectin-like substrates gives rise to the production of galacturonic acids in monomeric or dimeric form. Galacturonic acid can for example be used in the synthesis of ascorbic acid. Unlike known processes the use of exo-polygalacturonase in pure form gives rise to less by-product formation.

Furthermore, the exo-polygalacturonase of the present invention can be used in combination with pectinesterase, pectinase and other pectin degrading enzymes. It is further shown in the examples that exo-polygalacturonase can be used to treat pectin during this treatment the viscosity of the pectin is reduced without reducing the molecular weight of this polymer.

Throughout this description the following strains and vectors are employed:

Strains:

E. coli JM101 (Yanisch-Perron et al., 1985): thi, (lac-supE, pro AB), [F', traD36, pro AB, lacI.sup.q ZM15]

E. coli LE 392 (Murray, 1977): F.' hsdR574 (r.sub.k.sup.+, m.sub.k.sup.+), sup44, supF58, lacY1, or (lac1ZY)6, galK2, galT22, metB1, trpR55, .lambda..sup.-.

Aspergillus niger N402: cspA1

Aspergillus niger N593: cspA1, pyrA6

Aspergillus tubigensis NW756

Aspergillus tubigensis NW218: pyrA22

Aspergillus nidulans G191: pabaA1, pyrG89, fwA1, uaY9

Vectors:

pEMBL18/pEMBL19 (Dente et al., 1983)

Purification and characterization of Aspergillus tubigensis exo-polygalacturonase PGX

Purification of Aspergillus tubigensis exo-polygalacturonase PGX

A culture filtrate (3000 ml) was obtained by the culturing of Aspergillus niger strain NW756 (later reclassified as more likely belonging to the species A. tubigensis (Kusters-van Someren et al. (1991)) in a medium containing (per liter) 7.5 g NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3, 1.5 g KH.sub.2 PO4, 0.5 g KCl, 0.5 g MgSO.sub.4.7H.sub.2 O, 2 g yeast extract, trace elements according to Vishniac and Santer (1957) and 10 g degraded polygalacturonic acid as carbon source, pH 6.0.

Polygalacturonic acid was degraded as follows: 40 g polygalacturonic acid (United States Biochemical Corp.) was dissolved in two liters 20 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 4.8 and incubated with 4000 Units of purified A. niger endopolygalacturonase II, of which the purification is described by Kester and Visser (1990), for 24 hours at 30.degree. C.

The pH of the medium was adjusted to 6.0 following inoculation at 10.sup.6 spores/ml and incubation at 30.degree. C. in an orbital shaker at 250 rpm for 55 hours. The culture fluid was passed through cheese cloth and the filtrate was brought to 10 mM sodium acetate, adjusted to pH 4.0 and loaded on a crosslinked alginate column (100 ml) in 20 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 4.0.

The non-bound fraction which contained a mixture of residual endo-PG activity and exo-polygalacturonase activity was concentrated by batch wise adsorption on DEAE Sephadex A-50 (200 g wet weight) at pH 6.0 followed by pulse elution with 1M NaCl in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0 and dialysis against the same buffer without the salt. The dialysate was loaded on a DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column (2.5.times.10 cm) equilibrated in 10 mM bisTris/HCl buffer pH 5.5.

After elution with a 800 ml linear sodium chloride gradient (0-0.5M), fractions were assayed for polygalacturonase activity and screened for exo-polygalacturonase activity by a TLC method. This method consists of incubation of samples of the column fractions with 1% (w/v) polygalacturonic acid in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer pH 4.2 at 30.degree. C. followed by analysis of the reaction products by thin layer chromatography as described by Kester and Visser (1990).

Exo-polygalacturonase positive fractions were pooled, dialyzed against 20 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 4.0 and loaded on a S-Sepharose Fast Flow column (2.5.times.7 cm) equilibrated in the same buffer. Elution was done with a 600 ml linear sodium chloride gradient (0-0.5M).

Final purification was accomplished by repeated chromatography on a MONO Q column (Pharmacia, Uppsala, Sweden) in 20 mM piperazine/HCl buffer pH 6.0. Exo-polygalacturonase containing fractions were diluted five times with water loaded on the column and eluted with a 40 ml linear sodium chloride gradient (0-0.2M) at a flow rate of 2 ml/minute. A summary of the specific activity and recovery of the enzyme during purification is given in Table I. ______________________________________ Purification of exo-polygalacturonase PGX from A. tubigensis NW756 Total    Total   Pro- Specific Volume   activity tein Activity Yield Step       (ml)     (units) (mg) (units/mg) (%) ______________________________________ Culture fluid 3000     5230    300  17.4    100 Crosslinked 210      3100    212  14.6    59 alginate DEAE-Sepharose 90       846     98   8.6     16 S-Sepharose 72       188     8.8  21.4    3.6 MONO Q     10.8     121     3.1  39.0    2.3 ______________________________________

Polygalacturonase activity was determined by measuring the release of reducing sugars in a reaction mixture containing 0.25% (w/v) polygalacturonic acid in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer pH 4.2 at 30.degree. C. Reducing end groups were determined by the neocuproine method described by Stephens et al. (1974). One activity unit was defined as the amount of enzyme which produces one .mu.mole of reducing sugars per minute.

The apparent molecular mass of exo-polygalacturonase PGX, as determined by SDS-PAGE on a 10% gel, was 78 kDa. After deglycosylation of the enzyme with N-glycanase (Genzyme, Cambridge, Mass.) according to the supplier instructions the molecular weight was reduced to 52 kDa.

Isoelectric focussing resulted in five distinct bands, all showing exo-polygalacturonase activity, in the pH range 3.7-4.4.

Amino acid sequence determination of the N-termini of cyanogen bromide released peptides of exo-polygalacturonase PGX

Approximately 150 .mu.g of exo-polygalacturonase PGX, purified as described in Example 1.1, was extensively dialysed against distilled water, lyophylized and dissolved in 100 .mu.l 70% (v/v) formic acid-water mixture. To this protein solution 500 .mu.g cyanogen bromide (2500 molar excess), dissolved in the formic acid-water mixture, was added. The reaction was performed for 24 hours at room temperature after which the reaction mixture was diluted 10 fold with water following lyophylization.

Approximately one half of the reaction mixture was subjected to electrophoresis on a 15% polyacrylamide gel, followed by blotting onto Immobilon-P membrane (Millipore) according to the method described by Matsudaira (1987). Membrane slices containing fragments with a molecular mass of 30 kD (CB 1), 27.5 kD (CB 2) and 23.5 kD (CB 3) respectively were used in gas-phase sequencing (Applied Biosystems model 470A protein sequencing, SON, Leiden) according to the program described by Amons (1987).

The following N-terminal amino acid sequences were determined: ##STR1##

Screening of the genomic library of Aspergillus niger DS16813 (CBS 323.90; later classified as A. tubigensis) for the exo-polygalacturonase gene (pgaX) and isolation of the gene

Synthesis of a pgaX specific PCR fragment using oligonucleotide mixes derived from PGX amino acid sequences.

The amino acid sequences determined in Example 1.2 (Formulas 1, 2 and 3) were used to synthesize oligonucleotide mixes corresponding to the coding and the non-coding DNA strands. The oligonucleotides are synthesized by the phosphoramidite method, using an Applied Biosystems oligonucleotide synthesizer.

The oligonucleotide mixes (FIG. 1) were used in PCR with chromosomal DNA of A. tubigensis NW756 as template. All possible combinations of two oligonucleotide mixtures (100 pmole each) were used in reactions also containing 0.5 .mu.g chromosomal A. tubigensis NW756 DNA, 200 .mu.M dNTPs, Taq buffer (Sphaero-Q) and 0.5 U Taq polymerase (SuperTaq, Sphaero-Q). Conditions for PCR were 25 cycles of melting at 94.degree. C. (1 minute), annealing at 40.degree. C. (1 minute) and polymerization at 72.degree. C. (2 minutes).

The reaction products were analyzed by electrophoresis using a 2% TAE-agarose gel. Only the combination of oligonucleotide mixture 3059 and 3062 resulted in a reaction product, which was approximately 600 bp in length. This PCR fragment was purified using a the Magic PCR Preps DNA purification system (Promega) following the instructions of the manufacturer.

.sup.32 P labelling of DNA fragments

After purification, the DNA concentration of the PCR fragment described in Example 2.1 was determined. 50 ng was labelled by random priming using the Prime-a-Gone kit from Promega. To remove the unincorporated .alpha.-32P-dATP from the mixture, the volume was increased to 100 .mu.l with TE buffer, after which the unincorporated .alpha.-32P-dATP was removed by fractionation on a Sephadex G50 column. Fractions containing the radioactively labelled DNA were denatured by incubation for three minutes at 100.degree. C., and kept single stranded by rapidly chilling on ice, before addition to a hybridization buffer containing 6.times.SSC, 5.times.Denhardt's solution, 0.1% sodium pyrophosphate and 100 .mu.g/ml heat-denatured herring sperm DNA.

This probe was used in the screening of the genomic library (Example 2.3) and in Southern blot analysis (Examples 2.4, 2.5 and 5.1).

Screening of the Aspergillus tubigensis genomic library for the pgaX gene

To screen for the pgaX gene in an Aspergillus tubigensis genomic library, constructed as described in case EP 0 463 706 A1, Example 2, 5.10.sup.3 pfu per plate were plated in LM top agarose containing 0.7% agarose on 8 85 mm diameter LM (1.2% agar) plates as described (Maniatis et al., 1982, pp. 64). E. coli LE392 were used as plating bacteria.

After incubation of the plates overnight at 37.degree. C., two replicas of each plate were made on nitrocellulose filters (Schleicher and Schull BA85) as described in Maniatis et al. (1982, pp. 320-321).

After baking the filters for 2 hours at 80.degree. C., the filters were prehybridized at 65.degree. C. for two hours in a prehybridization buffer containing 6.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS, 10.times.Denhardt's solution and 100 .mu.g/ml heat denatured herring sperm DNA (Boehringer). The heat-denatured probe was added and the filters were hybridized for 18 hours at 65.degree. C.

After hybridization, the filters were first washed in 2.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS, and then in 0.2.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS at 65.degree. C. The air dried filters were taped onto a sheet of Whatman 3MM paper, keying marks were made with radioactive ink and the Whatman paper and filters were covered with Saran Wrap.TM.. Hybridizing plaques were identified by exposure of Kodak XAR X-ray film for 18 hours at -70.degree. C. using an intensifying screen.

Twelve plaques hybridizing with the PCR probe, appearing in duplicate on the replica filters, were identified: .lambda. .sub.pga 1 to .lambda. .sub.pga 12. Each positive plaque was removed from the plate using a Pasteur pipette and the phages were eluted from the agar plug in 1 ml of SM buffer containing 20 .mu.l chloroform, as described in Maniatis et al. (1982, pp. 64). The phages obtained were purified by repeating the procedure described above using filter replicas from plates containing 50-100 plaques of the isolated phages.

After purification, the phages were propagated by plating 5.times.10.sup.3 phages on LM medium. After incubation overnight at 37.degree. C., confluent plates were obtained, from which the phages were eluted by adding 5 ml SM buffer and storing the plate for 4 hours at 4.degree. C. with intermittent shaking. After collection of the supernatant, the bacteria are removed from the solution by centrifugation at 4,000.times.g for 10 minutes at 4.degree. C. Chloroform (0.3%) was added to the supernatant and the number of pfu was determined. These phage stocks contained approximately 10.sup.10 pfu/ml.

Isolation of DNA from bacteriophage lambda

Eight of the isolated phages .lambda..sub.pgaX 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 were propagated as described in Example 2.2 using five plates for each of the phages. The phages were precipitated from the thus-obtained supernatant (25 ml) by addition of an equal volume of a solution containing 20% PEG-6000 (w/v) and 2M NaCl, followed by thorough mixing and incubation on ice for 60 minutes.

The precipitated phages were collected by centrifugation at 14,000.times.g at 4.degree. C. for 20 minutes. The supernatant was removed by aspiration. The phages were carefully resuspended in 4 ml SM buffer and extracted once with chloroform.

Prior to extracting the DNA from the phage particles, DNA and RNA originating from the lysed bacteria were removed by incubation of the phage suspension with DNase I and RNase A (both 100 .mu.g/ml) for 30 minutes at 37.degree. C. The phage DNA was subsequently released from the phages by extraction with an equal volume of phenol/chloroform (1:1). After separation of the phases by centrifugation using a Sorvall centrifuge (14,000.times.g, 10 minutes), the aqueous phase was extracted once with an equal volume chloroform. The phases were separated by centrifugation (Sorvall centrifuge, 14,000.times.g, 10 minutes) after which the DNA was precipitated from the aqueous phase by the addition of 0.1 volume 3M sodiumacetate and 2 volumes ethanol. After mixing, the DNA was recovered by centrifugation in a Sorvall centrifuge for 10 minutes at 4.degree. C. (14,000.times.g).

The supernatant was removed by aspiration after which the DNA was resuspended in 400 .mu.l TE buffer. The DNA was precipitated once again from this solution by the addition of 0.1 volume 3M sodium acetate and 2 volumes ethanol. The DNA was collected by centrifugation for 10 minutes at 4.degree. C. (14,000 .times.g). The supernatant was removed by aspiration, the remaining pellet was briefly dried under vacuum, after which the DNA was resuspended in 125 .mu.l TE buffer containing 0.1 .mu.g/ml RNase A. This purification procedure resulted in the isolation of approximately 10-50 .mu.g DNA from each phage.

Restriction analysis of pgaX containing phages

The isolated DNA of phages .lambda..sub.pgaX 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 was analyzed by Southern analysis using the following restriction enzymes: PvuII and HincII. The DNA was digested for 3 hours at 37.degree. C. in a reaction mixture composed of the following solutions; 3 .mu.l (.apprxeq.1 .mu.g) DNA solution; 10 .mu.l of the appropriate 10.times.React buffer (BRL); 20 U restriction enzyme (BRL) and sterile distilled water to give a final volume of 100 .mu.l.

After digestion the DNA was precipitated by the addition of 0.1 volume 3M NaAc and 2 volumes ethanol. The DNA was collected by centrifugation for 10 minutes at room temperature (14,000.times.g). The supernatant was removed by aspiration, the remaining pellet was briefly dried under vacuum and resuspended in sterile distilled water.

After addition of 4 .mu.l DNA loading buffer the samples were incubated for 10 minutes at 65.degree. C. and rapidly cooled on ice. Samples were loaded on a 0.6% agarose gel in TAE buffer. The DNA fragments were separated by electrophoresis at 25 V for 15-18 hours.

After electrophoresis the DNA was transferred to nylon membrane (Gene Bind 45, Pharmacia LKB) by Southern blotting as described in Maniatis et al. (1982) and subsequently prehybridized and hybridized using the labeled PCR fragment as described in Example 2.1 and hybridization conditions as described in Example 2.2. The hybridization pattern was obtained by exposure of Kodak XAR-5 X-ray film for 18 hours at -70.degree. C. using an intensifying screen.

From the results obtained it was concluded that the DNA of all isolated clones hybridize with the PCR fragment. Two clones appeared to be identical and contained a very large hybridizing PvuII fragment. No hybridizing HincII fragment was detected, suggesting that this fragment was too small and had run off the gel. In six clones fragments originating from the same genomic region were found. In a more extensive Southern analysis, using the enzymes XhoI, PvuII, PstI, BglII, SalI, EcoRI and BamHI a partial restriction map of this genomic region was constructed. From this experiment it was concluded that a 5.8 kb XhoI fragment contains the A. tubigensis pgaX gene.

Subcloning of the A. tubigensis pgaX gene

From phage .lambda..sub.pgaX 7 the 5.8 kb XhoI fragment was isolated by digesting the phage DNA with XhoI and separation of the fragments as described in Example 2.4. The fragment was cut from the agarose gel, after which it was recovered from the agarose using GeneClean (Bio101) as described by the manufacturer. The DNA was dissolved in 10 .mu.l sterile water and the concentration was determined by agarose electrophoresis, using lambda DNA with a known concentration as a reference and ethidiumbromide staining to detect the DNA.

The fragment obtained was ligated in the vector pEMBL19 digested with SalI and dephosphorylated with alkaline phosphatase prepared as follows; 1 .mu.l (1 .mu.g/.mu.l) pEMBL19 was mixed with 2 .mu.l 10.times.React 10 (BRL), 1 .mu.l (1 U/.mu.l) SalI and 16 .mu.l sterile distilled water. The DNA was digested for 1 hour at 37.degree. C., after which 0.5 .mu.l alkaline phosphatase (1 U/.mu.l) (Pharmacia LKB) was added followed by further incubation at 37.degree. C. for another 10 minutes.

The 5.8 kb XhoI fragment was ligated in the vector resulting in the plasmid pIM362, by the following procedure: 100 ng pEMBL19 fragment was mixed with 100 ng 5.8 kb XhoI fragment and 4 .mu.l 5* ligation buffer (BRL) and 1 .mu.l (1.2 U/.mu.l) DNA ligase (BRL) was added to this mixture in a final volume of 20 .mu.l. After incubation for 16 hours at 4.degree. C., 10 .mu.l of the mixture was used to transform E. coli JM101 competent cells, prepared by the CM1,CM2 method as described in the Pharmacia Manual for the M13 cloning/sequencing system. One of the resulting colonies was grown overnight in LB medium containing 100 .mu.g/ml ampicillin. From the culture plasmid DNA was isolated by the alkaline lysis method as described by Maniatis et al. (1982, pp. 368-369), which was used in restriction analysis, as described in Example 2.4 to check whether it harboured the desired plasmid. Plasmid DNA was isolated on a large scale from 500 ml cultures E. coli JM101 containing the plasmid pIM362 grown in LB medium containing 100 .mu.g/ml ampicillin (Maniatis et al., 1982, p.86) The plasmid was purified by CsCl density gradient centrifugation, phenolized, ethanol precipitated and dissolved in 400 .mu.l TE. The yield was approximately 500 .mu.g.

Similarly, a 4.0 kb PvuII fragment which is located within the 5.8 kb XhoI fragment, was isolated from phage 7, subcloned in pEMBL19 digested with SmaI, resulting in plasmid pIM361.

The plasmid pIM361 was further analyzed by restriction enzymes resulting in the restriction map shown in FIG. 2.

Plasmids pIM361 and pIM362 containing the exo-PG gene have been deposited in E. coli JM101 at the Centraal Bureau voor de Schimmelcultures in Baarn, The Netherlands and have received the deposition number CBS 101.93 and CBS 102.93, respectively.

Characterization of the Aspergillus tubigensis pgaX gene

Sequence determination of the A. Tubigensis pgaX gene

The sequence of the A. tubigensis pgaX gene was determined by subcloning fragments from pIM362 in pEMBL18/19, in combination with the use of specific oligonucleotides as primers in the sequencing reactions.

For nucleotide sequence analysis restriction fragments were isolated as described in Example 2.5 and then cloned in pEMBL18/19 vectors digested with the appropriate restriction enzymes, as described in Example 2.5. The nucleotide sequences were determined by the dideoxynucleotide chain-termination procedure (Sanger et al., 1977) using the Pharmacia T.sub.7 DNA polymerase sequencing kit. Computer analysis was done using the PC/GENE program (Intelligenetics, Inc.: Madison Wis.). The sequence was determined for 98% in both orientations Sequence Listing). The sequence includes about 640 bp of the 5' and 655 bp of the 3' sequence.

The A. tubigensis pgaX gene structure

There are probably 6 introns present in the gene. This is based on the appearance of in frame stopcodons in all of the introns and on the presence of intron consensus sequences (Table II). ______________________________________ Intron sequences of the pgaX gene. position    length  5' site   lariat   3' site ______________________________________ Intron 948-1004 57      GTGctT  ACTAAC   CAG Intron 1372-1423 52      GTGcGT  ACTGAC   TAG II Intron 1483-1540 58      GTAaGT  tCTAAC   CAG III Intron 1942-1991 50      GTtaGT  GCTAtC   TAG IV Intron 2094-2145 52      GTAaGT  gCTGAC   TAG V Intron 2221-2273 53      GTGaGT  ACTAAC   CAG VI con-                    GTPuNGT PuCTPuAC PyAG sensus ______________________________________

The pgaX gene encodes a secreted protein of 47.1 kD and an iso-electric point of 4.11. The calculated molecular weight is lower than the one determined by SDS-PAGE (78 kD), even after deglycosylation (52 kD) (there are 12 possible N-glycosylation sites in PGX). Discrepancies between calculated and determined molecular weights have also been found for other proteins. All three CNBr fragments are found in the sequence. L1743 appears to represent the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the mature exo-PG protein: no methionine is found immediately preceding the phenylalanine (F), which would have been expected if it were a true CNBr fragment. Instead a sequence with the characteristics of a signal sequence is found. According to the computer program PC-GENE the preferred signal sequence splice site is between serine (S 24) and arginine (R 26), however, since these amino acids are found in the mature protein, this is not the case. The splice site between the alanine (A 22) and phenylalanine (F 23) is second best.

Expression of the pgaX gene in Aspergillus niger N593, Aspergillus tubigensis NW218 and Aspergillus nidulans G191

Introduction of the pgaX gene into Aspergillus niger N593, Aspergillus tubigensis NW218 and Aspergillus nidulans G191 by cotransformation

The plasmids pIM361 and pIM362, obtained in Example 2.5, were introduced in A. niger, A. tubigensis and A. nidulans by cotransformation of A. niger N593, A. tubigensis NW218 and A. nidulans G191 using the A. niger pyrA gene as a selective marker on the plasmid pGW635 (Goosen et al., 1989) and the plasmids pIM361 and pIM362 as the cotransforming plasmids in separate experiments.

Protoplasts were prepared from mycelium by growing A. niger N593 and A. tubigensis NW218 on minimal medium supplemented with 0.5% yeast extract, 0.2% casamino acids, 50 mM glucose and 10 mM uridine for 20 hours at 30.degree. C. For the preparation of protoplasts A. nidulans G191 was grown at 37.degree. C. on the same medium supplemented with 1.35 mg/1 p-aminobenzoate. The preparation of protoplasts and the transformation procedures were performed as described by Goosen et al., 1987. The resulting pyr* transformants were then analyzed for the expression of the pgaX gene by Western blot analysis.

Screening of transformants for the expression of the pgaX gene

The transformants obtained in Example 4.1 were analyzed for the formation of the pgaX gene product, the PGX protein. 10 pIM361 and 10 pIM362 A. niger transformants, 5 pIM361 and 5 pIM362 A. tubigensis transformants and 10 pIM361 and 10 pIM362 A. nidulans transformants were selected and grown for 24 hours on medium containing per liter 10 g PGII-degraded polygalacturonic acid, 7.5 g NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3, 0.5 g KCl, 0.5 g MgSO4.7H.sub.2 O, 1.5 g KH2PO.sub.4, 0.2% yeast extract, 1 ml/l Vishniac solution and 1.35 mg/l p-aminobenzoate for A. nidulans only (pH 6.0).

After growth (24 hours after inoculation) the mycelium was removed by filtration and the proteins in the culture filtrates were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, using a gel containing 10% acrylamide.

The PGX protein was detected on nitrocellulose after electroblotting and incubation with polyclonal antibodies raised against the PGX protein purified as described in Example 1.1. The antibody bound, was detected after incubation with goat-anti-mouse antibody conjugated to alkaline phosphatase, according to the Biorad instruction manual. ______________________________________ Transformants which overproduce PGX. t = 24 ______________________________________ A. tubigensis   (pIM361)4    ++ (pIM361)6    +++ (pIM362)7    + A. nidulans     (pIM361)6    ++ (pIM361)9    +++ (pIM362)2    ++ ______________________________________ The amount of PGX produced as judged by Western analysis is indicated. +++: high overproduction as compared to the corresponding wild type strain. +: low overproduction as compared to the corresponding wild type strain.

Table III shows the results of the Western analysis. Only A. tubigensis and A. nidulans transformants readily overproduced the PGX protein as detected by this procedure. The protein was secreted into the medium. Of the A. tubigensis transformants analyzed one was selected for giving the highest yields of the PGX protein, transformant A. tubigensis NW218(pIM361)6.

In a second experiment A. tubigensis NW218 was transformed with 1 .mu.g of pGW613 which contains the A. niger pyrA gene and 40 .mu.g pIM361. The highest producer found in this experiment was NW218 (pIM361)22.

Overexpression of PGX in A. tubigensis transformants and purification and characterization of PGX

PGX was purified from A. tubigensis NW756. NW756 was grown for 48 h at 30.degree. C. in medium containing 7.5 g ammonium nitrate. 1.5 g KH.sub.2 PO.sub.4, 0.5 g KCl, 0.5 g MgSO.sub.4. 7H.sub.2 O, 2 g yeast extract, trace elements and 1% PGII-degraded polygalacturonic acid, pH 6.0. The culture fluid was harvested by filtration and the pH (initial value 6.8) was adjusted to 6.0. The culture filtrate was stirred for one hour with DEAE-Sephadex A50 (300 g, wet weight), equilibrated in 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0. The ion-exchanger was collected, poured into a column, and bound protein was eluted by a pulse of 1M NaCl in buffer. After dialysis against 20 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 4.2 the solution was loaded on a crosslinked alginate column (0=5 cm, h=8 cm) in the same buffer followed by elution with two pulses of respectively 0.3 and 1M NaCl in buffer. Part of the exo-PG activity did bind to the crosslinking alginate column and was eluted by the 0.3M NaCl pulse (pool I). The non-bound fraction was dialyzed against 20 mM sodium citrate buffer pH 3.5 and loaded on a S-Sepharose Fast Flow column (0=2.5 cm, h=25 cm) equilibrated in the same buffer followed by elution by a 600 ml NaCl gradient (0-0.6M) (pools I, II, III). These pools all contained exo-PG activity and all also contained endo-PG activity except pool I of the S-Sepharose column.

All four pools were concentrated up to 5 ml by adsorption on a small (0=1.5 cm, h=5 cm) DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow column at pH 6.0 followed by pulse elution with 1M NaCl in 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0. The final purification was done by GPC on a Sephacryl-S 200 column (0=2.5 cm, h=90 cm) in 0.1M sodium acetate buffer pH 4.8.

No endo-PG and PL activity could be detected in these final samples. volume U/ml    mg/ml    S.A. ______________________________________ crl. gen. pool I/GPC/conc. 9.8      19.4    0.54   36 S-Seph. pool II/GPC 22.7     1.28    0.017  75 S-Seph. pool III/GPC/conc. 6.5      14.4    0.31   46.5 ______________________________________ S.A. = specific activity

Purification of PGX from transformant NW218 (pIM361)22.

Cultivation was done for 50 h at 30.degree. C. in minimal medium with ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source and 1% PGII-degraded polygalacturonic acid as carbon source. After 24 and 50 h only one major protein could be detected in the culture fluid as judged by Coomassie Brilliant Blue-staining following SDS-polyacylamide gel electrophoresis. Total protein in the culture filtrate was concentrated by batch wise adsorption on DEAE A50 at pH 6.0 followed by pulse elution with 1M NaCl in 20 mM sodium phosphate buffer pH 6.0.

After extensive dialysis against 20 mM sodium acetate buffer pH 3.6 dialysate was loaded onto a S-Sepharose Fast Flow column (2.5 * 20 cm) equilibrated in the same buffer. Elution was done with a linear NaCl gradient (800 ml, 0-0.5M).

Fractions were screened by SDS-PAGE and based on these results two pools were formed which were used for further analysis. U/ml          mg/ml   U/mg      mg   total U ______________________________________ Pool I  39.5      0.87    45.4    61   2.765 Pool II 400       5.1     78      790  12.900 ______________________________________

Based on these results the production level of PGX in this transformant (approx. 180 mg/l) is 80 fold higher than for the wild type strain NW756.

After one purification step the preparation is not completely pure, but no pectin lyase and no endo-PG activity could be detected. Pool I contains a low level of pectinesterase activity.

Deregulated expression of the A. tubigensis pgaX gene

To make a gene fusion of the A. niger N400 pki promoter and the A. tubigensis DS16813 pgaX gene, first a PCR fragment was made using a primer which contains the pki SmaI site and another primer containing the A. niger pki ATG and the first 12 nucleotides of the pgaX gene (pgaX sequences are shown in small letters): ##STR2##

Similarly, a PCR fragment was made using an oligo complementary to the pki-pgaX primer described above and another primer containing a NcoI site 165 bp upstream in the pgaX coding region: ##STR3##

Subsequently, both PCR fragments were used in a third PCR experiment with only the pki SmaI primer and the pgaX NcoI primer. This resulted in a fragment of approx. 300 bp which was digested with SmaI and NcoI to obtain the desired sticky ends and the fragment was then further purified.

pIM361 was digested with BamHI which cuts in the pEMBL polylinker. A BamHI fragment containing the pki promoter and the A. niger pe1B gene was cloned into this plasmid. Digestion with NcoI and SmaI cut out the Pe1B gene as well as the 5' end of the pgaX gene and the 3' end of the pki promoter. Ligation of the SmaI-NcoI PCR fragment described above resulted in pIM365 which thus contains the A. niger pki promoter fused to the A. tubigensis pgaX gene. The construct was checked by sequencing, using the commercial universal and reverse primers as well as the pki-SmaI and pgaX-NcoI primers to sequence the PCR fragment.

A. tubigensis NW218 was transformed with the A. niger pyrA gene (pGW635, 1 .mu.g) and pIM365 (40 .mu.g) as cotransforming plasmid. Only two PGX overproducing transformants have been found, NW218 (pIM365) number 52 and 59, of which 59 has the highest production level. The copynumber of pgaX in this transformant has not yet been established.

Screening for genes related to the pgaX gene in Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus tubigensis and Aspergillus nidulans

Genomic hybridization of A. niger, A. tubigensis and A. nidulans DNA

High molecular weight DNA isolated from A. niger N400, A. tubigensis NW756 and A. nidulans WG312 as described in the published european patent application EP 0 463 706, Example 2.1, was digested with EcoRI, BamHI and HindIII. The resulting fragments were separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane as described by Maniatis et al. (1982, pp. 383-389).

The nitrocellulose membranes were prehybridized at 60.degree. C. for two hours in hybridization buffer (as described in Example 2.2, above). After prehybridization, the radioactively labelled fragment, described in Example 2.2, was added to the hybridization buffer and the hybridization was continued for 18 hours. After hybridization, the filters were washed for 60 minutes at 60.degree. C. in 4.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS followed by final washing using 2.times.SSC, 0.5% SDS at 60.degree. C.

After taping the membranes to Whatmann 3MM paper and properly marking with radioactively labelled ink, the filters were covered with Saran Wrap.TM. and autoradiographed for 72 hours at -70.degree. C. using Kodak XAR-5 X-Ray film and Kodak X-Omatic cassettes with regular intensifying screens.

The hybridization fragments found are summarized in Table IV.

Table IV. Hybridizing fragments and their lengths (kb) found in A. niger, A. tubigensis and A. nidulans genomic DNA using a fragment of the A. tubigensis pgaX gene as a probe. EcoRI    BamHI   HindIII ______________________________________ A. niger N400 13         9.0     2.5 6.0     1.9 4.4*    1.6* A. tubigensis NW756 5.5        23.sup.1 2.5 12.sup.1 9.0* A. nidulans WG312 4.4        1.3     3.4 ______________________________________ *strongest hybridizing fragment .sup.1 partially digested

Effect of exo-polygalacturonase on calcium sensitivity and molecular weight of pectin

Methods

Exo-PG and Rohament PL were used in these experiments.

Exo-PG was isolated from the supernatant of an A. tubigensis culture. Exo-PG was stored frozen in 20 mM sodium citrate buffer pH 3.5. Exo-PG had an activity of 14.4 U/ml and a concentration of 0.31 mg/ml. No lyase and endo-polygalacturonase activities could be detected in the exo-PG solution. The activity was measured on polygalacturonic acid at a concentration of 0.25% (w/v) in 0.1M sodium acetate pH 4.2 at 30.degree. C.

Rohament PL was obtained from Rohm GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany). The activity was 2500 pgu/ml measured according to internal Rohm standards.

Pectin used for the test system has the following characteristics:

Molecular weight determination for pectin

Principle

Molecular weight is estimated by measuring the relative viscosity of a 0.1% pectin solution using Na-hexametaphosphate.

Apparatus

1. Ostwald capillary tube viscosimeters (no less than two) with 100 to 150 sec. outlet time for water (25.degree. C.). For instance Silber Brand #111.

2. Transparent thermostated water bath, 25.0.degree. C. .+-.0.3.degree. C.

Reagents

1. Na-hexametaphosphate solution: deaerated (boiled) water.

deaerated (boiled) water until 2000 ml.

Procedure

1. The viscosimeters must be cleaned appropriately.

2. Outlet time for hexametaphosphate solution is measured (section: Measuring of outlet time) on the viscosimeters used every time a new hexameta-phosphate solution is prepared and for every new working day where pectin solutions are being measured. Immediately before measuring the necessary quantity of hexametaphosphate solution is filtered through a glass filter #3.

3. The pectin sample system for molecular weight determination is made as follows: and DE (Food Chemicals Codex, 3rd Edition, Washington D.C., 1981). with magnet. stirring until the pectin is completely dissolved.

4. For every molecular weight determination the outlet time is measured (section: Measuring the outlet time) for the pectin/hexametaphosphate solution on two different viscosimeters.

5. Molecular weight is calculated (section: Calculation) separately for each viscosimeter using the latest measured outlet time for hexametaphosphate solution on the viscosimeter in question.

6. Should the difference between two calculated molecular weights be less than 3500 the mean value is calculated. Round off the value to the nearest multiple of 1000 and that will be the result of the method.

7. Should the difference between the two calculated molecular weights be 3500 or more the viscosimeters should be cleaned and a new measuring of outlet time for hexametaphosphate solution should be performed.

Measuring the outlet time

1. The viscosimeter is rinsed twice with the sample.

2. Pour 5.00 ml of the sample in the viscosimeter and place it in the thermostated water bath at 25.0.degree. C..+-.0.3.degree. C. at least 15 minutes prior to measuring.

3. Time is measured on two outlets. Should the difference between the times be more than x seconds the measuring is repeated until you have three outlet times which differ no more than x seconds.

4. The outlet time which is needed for further calculations is the mean value of the above mentioned two or three identical or almost identical measuring results.

Calculation

The relative viscosity is calculated, as follows: ##EQU1## Where t.sub.o and t.sub.h are outlet times for pectin solution and hexametaphosphate solution, respectively.

The parameter K can with sufficient accuracy be fixed at 75 s.sup.2 using Silber Brand No. 111 viscosimeter. Otherwise, K can be calculated as follows: ##EQU2## where Q=volume of viscosimeter bulb in cm.sup.3, L=length of capillary tube in cm and t.sub.v outlet time for water in seconds. The molecular weight of pectin is calculated as follows: ##EQU3## where P is fixed at 6 and k is fixed at 4.7.multidot.10.sup.-5 mol.multidot.g.sup.-1 ; C is the weight percentage of pectin in the sample system--i.e. 0.1% with the numerical values inserted you will obtain:

Literature

P. E Christensen (1954) and Smit and Bryant (1967)

Calcium sensitivity test

A calcium containing pectin solution is prepared under conditions avoiding the formation of local gels during the addition of the calcium salt to the pectin solution.

The calcium salt and pectin are mixed at low pH prohibiting the reaction between calcium and pectin. This reaction is initiated by increasing the pH by adding an acetate buffer to obtain the desired pH.

Reagents:

A pectin solution of the desired concentration is prepared in distilled water, and pH adjusted to 1.5 with 1M HCl.

145 g portions of this pectin solution are measured into viscosity glasses.

5 ml of the calcium chloride solution is added to the 145 g pectin solution to give a final concentration of 8.3 mM Ca.

With efficient stirring with a magnetic stirrer, 25 ml of the acetate buffer is added to the pectin solution to bring pH to 4.2.

The magnet is taken out, and the glass is left at room temperature (25.degree. C.) until the next day, when the viscosity is measured with a Brookfield viscosimeter. The pectin used in the present experiments had calcium sensitivity=213, according to this test.

Test for polygalacturonase activity

Two enzymes are tested in every experiment: exo-PG and Rohament PL.

A 1.6% pectin solution is prepared, and pH is adjusted to 3.8 with dilute NH.sub.3 solution or dilute HCl. The solution is kept at 38.degree. C.

(2) Three dilutions of each enzyme (in 20 mM sodium citrate buffer, pH 3.5) are prepared. The concentrations are chosen in accordance with the expected activity of the enzymes so a considerable (but not exhaustive) reduction of the calcium sensitivity of the pectin is achieved when the test system is incubated with the enzyme dilutions as will be detailed in the following text. Further, the concentrations of the three dilutions are in the relative proportions 1:2:4.

(3) The pectin solution is split in nine portions, 95 g each. Three of these are incubated with 5 ml of each dilution of the "unknown" enzyme. Three portions are incubated with the "standard" enzyme. The remaining three portions are incubated with 5 ml water, they are referred to as "blanks".

(4) All nine test systems are treated in the same way: experience so that the pH of the test system becomes 1.8.+-.0.2 time when 70.degree. C. was reached (this treatment should destroy the enzyme)

(5) Each of the so treated pectin solutions is split into two portions: one of these is made into--and measured as--a test system for pectin molecular weight, while the other is made into a test system for calcium sensitivity. The test system for molecular weight is 0.1% pectin in sodium hexametaphosphate solution, pH 4.5. The viscosity is measured in an Ostwald capillary and converted to (what is reported as) molecular weight by a numerical expression. Details are given above The test system for calcium sensitivity is 0.6% pectin in sodium acetate buffer with added Ca.sup.++, pH 4.4. The viscosity is measured by means of a Brookfield viscosimeter. Details may be found above.

Results

The results are reported in a diagram with MW-change (in kD, relative to the average of the blanks) as the x-axis and calcium sensitivity (in cp) as the y-axis. An enzyme showing desired performance, i.e. a low calcium sensitivity is achieved with almost no loss in molecular weight, will have data points in the lower right corner of the diagram.

Results of the two independent experiments are shown as FIGS. 3 and 4. The dosages of enzyme in mg per g pectin are printed next to the data points.

The Figures presented lead to the conclusion that: pectin that was used in the test system lower right side of the data points for the standard (Rohament PL) in the diagrams, FIGS. 3 and 4. This suggests that for this particular purpose an exo-PG is more desirable in its way of action than Rohament PL.

The above data suggest that a great part of the calcium sensitivity of pectin is due to blocks situated at the non-reducing ends of some of the pectin molecules. 1145-1655. W. J. and Swart, K. (1987), Curt. Genet. 11: 499-503. Broek, H. W. J. (1989) Mol. Gen. Genet. 219: 282-288. Genet. 19: 21-26. laboratory manual; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York. USA 74: 5463-5467. 46: 692-696. SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 15 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 12 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: L2278 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1: AlaXaaIleLysValXaaProGlyThrProSerAla 1510 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 19 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: L1742 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2: IleIleGlyLeuAsnGlyGlyThrIleGlyProLeuLysLeuXaaTyr 151015 SerProGln (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 18 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (v) FRAGMENT TYPE: internal (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: L1743 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3: PheSerXaaSerXaaGluAlaAlaXaaGlyProLysLysXaaPheXaa 151015 XaaLeu (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 2974 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: ORGANISM: Aspergillus tubigensis (B) STRAIN: NW756 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 640..945 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 946..1002 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 1003..1371 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 1372..1423 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 1424..1480 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 1481..1538 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 1539..1940 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 1941..1990 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 1991..2092 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 2093..2144 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 2145..2219 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: intron (B) LOCATION: 2220..2272 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon (B) LOCATION: 2273..2317 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: join(640..945, 1003..1371, 1424..1480, 1539..1940, 1991..2092, 2145..2219, 2273..2317) (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: 640 (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "codon start= 640; product= "exo-polygalacturonase precursor"; gene= "pgaX"" (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: sig.sub.-- peptide (B) LOCATION: 640..705 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: mat.sub.-- peptide (B) LOCATION: 706..2317 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: 706..2317 (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "IDENTIFICATION METHOD: experimental; product= "exo-polygalacturonase mature enzyme"; evidence= EXPERIMENTAL" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4: GACTCTAGAGGATCCCCCTGTCGGCCTTTTAAATGGCTTCCTAGTGGTGGTGTATTGTCC60 ACGAGGCTTGTACCACACGGAGTTTGCACTGACCTGCACTTACCGCAAGTTTCGGGAATT120 GACCTGCGCGACAATATGATCTAACGGGGATTAAAGAATAACCGGGTATTGCTCTCTCAA180 TTAAAATGAAATCATGATGCAGAAGATGGCTGGGGTAAGTTCCCTGCCAATTCCCCAGAA240 ACACGTTTTTCCCCCAATCGGATAATCGTCTCCGACAAGCCCTCCTATCACATCGTCTCT300 CGTTGCTCCTCCACGCAATCCCCCACCACCACATTCTCCAGCAGCTAACTGTCTCCAAGT360 GCCCCTGTTGATTACAGGAGCAAGCCACAAGCTTAGCATAGCTCCACAGCCGTGGTGTGC420 TCACTCCGTTTGGTCGATTTTGTTTCCCCGGATATGGAGTCCAGCGAACTCCCCAACTCG480 GAGACATGGGTGGTGTGGTCAGTGTGAGCAAGACTGCGGGGGAGCAATGTCGACTCAGTG540 CAATGGATATAAATGCCAGTGGCGATCGTCGTTGCTCTGCGGTAATCCTGCCCAAGCTCT600 GTCCGTGAACCCAGACTTGTCTCCTGCCAATTACACACAATGAGACTCACGCAC654 MetArgLeuThrHis 22-20 GTTCTCTCGCACACGCTTGGCCTTCTTGCGCTAGGGGCCACAGCAGAG702 ValLeuSerHisThrLeuGlyLeuLeuAlaLeuGlyAlaThrAlaGlu 15-10-5 GCCTTCTCCCGATCCAGAGAAGCTGCCTGCGGCCCAAAAAAGCCTTTC750 AlaPheSerArgSerArgGluAlaAlaCysGlyProLysLysProPhe 151015 CGGCCTCTACCTACAAGCCAGAGCAGGGACAAGACCTGCCATGTCCGC798 ArgProLeuProThrSerGlnSerArgAspLysThrCysHisValArg 202530 AGCCATGGAGATGGCACTGACGACTCTGATTACATTCTCTCCGCATTG846 SerHisGlyAspGlyThrAspAspSerAspTyrIleLeuSerAlaLeu 354045 AACCAATGTAACCACGGTGGAAAGGTAGTTTTTGATGAGGACAAGGAA894 AsnGlnCysAsnHisGlyGlyLysValValPheAspGluAspLysGlu 505560 TACATTATCGGGACGGCACTGAATATGACCTTCCTGAAGAACATTGAC942 TyrIleIleGlyThrAlaLeuAsnMetThrPheLeuLysAsnIleAsp 657075 CTAGGTGCTTATTCTGCAGACCCAATCAAGGTGACCATTGACTAACCTTATGGTTCAACA1002 Leu 80 GAGGTCCTCGGAACAATCTTATTCACTAACGATACAGACTACTGGCAA1050 GluValLeuGlyThrIleLeuPheThrAsnAspThrAspTyrTrpGln 859095 GCCAACTCCTTCAAACAGGGCTTCCAGAACGCTACGACCTTCTTCCAA1098 AlaAsnSerPheLysGlnGlyPheGlnAsnAlaThrThrPhePheGln 100105110 CTCGGTGGTGAAGATGTGAATATGTACGGTGGTGGTACAATCAATGGC1146 LeuGlyGlyGluAspValAsnMetTyrGlyGlyGlyThrIleAsnGly 115120125 AACGGACAGGTCTGGTATGATCTGTATGCCGAAGATGATCTCATTCTG1194 AsnGlyGlnValTrpTyrAspLeuTyrAlaGluAspAspLeuIleLeu 130135140 CGTCCCATCTTGATGGGCATCATTGGGCTGAATGGTGGCACAATTGGT1242 ArgProIleLeuMetGlyIleIleGlyLeuAsnGlyGlyThrIleGly 145150155160 CCGCTGAAGCTGCGGTACTCGCCGCAATACTACCATTTTGTGGCTAAC1290 ProLeuLysLeuArgTyrSerProGlnTyrTyrHisPheValAlaAsn 165170175 TCGTCGAATGTGCTCTTTGACGGGATTGACATTTCGGGTTATAGTAAG1338 SerSerAsnValLeuPheAspGlyIleAspIleSerGlyTyrSerLys 180185190 AGCGACAACGAAGCCAAAAACACTGATGGATGGTGCGTTTTATCCTGCTTTAC1391 SerAspAsnGluAlaLysAsnThrAspGlyTrp 195200 ACTGAGCGTTATACTGACCTTTTTCCCGTAGGGATACCTACCGCTCGAACAAT1444 AspThrTyrArgSerAsnAsn 205210 ATCGTTATCCAGAATTCGGTGATCAACAACGGTGATGGTAAGTTAA1490 IleValIleGlnAsnSerValIleAsnAsnGlyAsp 215220 ACCTAAGTAGCGTCATACTTCAACAATTCTAACCTGCAAACCTACACAGACTGTGTC1547 AspCysVal 225 TCTTTCAAGCCGAACAGCACCAATATCCTCGTTCAGAACCTTCACTGC1595 SerPheLysProAsnSerThrAsnIleLeuValGlnAsnLeuHisCys 230235240 AATGGCTCCCACGGCATTTCTGTTGGCTCTCTCGGCCAATACAAGGAT1643 AsnGlySerHisGlyIleSerValGlySerLeuGlyGlnTyrLysAsp 245250255 GAGGTTGACATCGTTGAGAATGTCTATGTGTACAACATCTCTATGTTT1691 GluValAspIleValGluAsnValTyrValTyrAsnIleSerMetPhe 260265270 AATGCTTCGGTATGTCTGAACTTTAACCATATAATAGACTTCTTACTA1739 AsnAlaSerValCysLeuAsnPheAsnHisIleIleAspPheLeuLeu 275280285 ACTTGGTTGCAGGATATGGCCCGCATCAAGGTTTGGCCTGGTACTCCC1787 ThrTrpLeuGlnAspMetAlaArgIleLysValTrpProGlyThrPro 290295300305 TCTGCGCTATCTGCCGATCTTCAAGGCGGCGGTGGCTCGGGTAGCGTA1835 SerAlaLeuSerAlaAspLeuGlnGlyGlyGlyGlySerGlySerVal 310315320 AAGAATATCACCTATGACACCGCACTCATTGATAATGTCGACTGGGCC1883 LysAsnIleThrTyrAspThrAlaLeuIleAspAsnValAspTrpAla 325330335 ATTGAAATCACGCAGTGCTATGGGCAGAAGAATACTACCTTGTGCAAC1931 IleGluIleThrGlnCysTyrGlyGlnLysAsnThrThrLeuCysAsn 340345350 GAGTACCCGGTTAGTAGACCTTCAGCCGCTTTCCCGAAGCTATCCTAAT1980 GluTyrPro 355 ACAATAATAGAGCTCTCTCACCATCTCGGACGTCCACATCAAGAACTTC2029 SerSerLeuThrIleSerAspValHisIleLysAsnPhe 360365 CGCGGTACGACGTCGGGATCGGAAGATCCCTATGTTGGGACAATTGTT2077 ArgGlyThrThrSerGlySerGluAspProTyrValGlyThrIleVal 370375380385 TGTTCCAGTCCTGATGTAAGTGCCCTCCAGGATATGCGTTTAGTGTGCAATGGCT2132 CysSerSerProAsp 390 GACACTCGATAGACTTGCTCGGATATCTATACTTCCAATATTAATGTA2180 ThrCysSerAspIleTyrThrSerAsnIleAsnVal 395400 ACAAGCCCGGATGGAACCAACGACTTTGTTTGCGATAATGTGAGTCGGC2229 ThrSerProAspGlyThrAsnAspPheValCysAspAsn 405410415 CAAGGCCAGGTGAAGATCTAAATCGGTGACTAACGCTGTCCAGGTCGATGAGAGT2284 ValAspGluSer CTTCTGAGTGTCAACTGCACCGCCACTTCTGATTAAGTTAGAATGCCTGTTAA2337 LeuLeuSerValAsnCysThrAlaThrSerAsp 420425430 CATGTACACTGGAGGTCAGGCCTTACTTAGACGGATGAAGGGTGTATATATTCACTTTGG2397 GTTCGGCTGTGTATATACGTGAGCAAATAATATCTGTATGCTTTTGACTTAGGGAAGGTC2457 AGGCGATCAAGTAACTTTCTGGTTCAAACCTTGATCATGGTTCTCAGTAGACGCTCCTTC2517 TGCTTTTTGCGTTGCGATACGTCACATGCCGAGGGAAGAATCATTGCTTCCAGGTGCTTG2577 CGCTCTCCTGAGTGATACTGCACTTGCTGTCCAGGATACTACATCTCTCTGCATTTACCT2637 GCTGTTCATCAAACAAGCAAGCAACCTGAAGAGCCACCTACCAAGTATAGTAGGATCTAG2697 AGCGCTCCGAGGAGATCGTGTAGACCATACTAGATCCTCGAAAATGTAAATTGCAAACCA2757 TATTTCAATTCTAATTCATCTGAAGTCTGGCAGCGAGATATATAACCGAAGTCTCTTGGA2817 ACACGAACCCTCGGCTGATGATCGTGACCTCCTGAGTAGCACCCAACCAGCGGACTACAA2877 GATGGACAACGAACCTTACCCACAACCCTTAAGTACTTTGGAACCAAGTGGCAATGATTT2937 GTATTCTTTATCGGTGTGCGTCATGCACCTCCTGCAG2974 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 452 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5: MetArgLeuThrHisValLeuSerHisThrLeuGlyLeuLeuAlaLeu 22-20-15-10 GlyAlaThrAlaGluAlaPheSerArgSerArgGluAlaAlaCysGly 51510 ProLysLysProPheArgProLeuProThrSerGlnSerArgAspLys 152025 ThrCysHisValArgSerHisGlyAspGlyThrAspAspSerAspTyr 303540 IleLeuSerAlaLeuAsnGlnCysAsnHisGlyGlyLysValValPhe 455055 AspGluAspLysGluTyrIleIleGlyThrAlaLeuAsnMetThrPhe 606570 LeuLysAsnIleAspLeuGluValLeuGlyThrIleLeuPheThrAsn 75808590 AspThrAspTyrTrpGlnAlaAsnSerPheLysGlnGlyPheGlnAsn 95100105 AlaThrThrPhePheGlnLeuGlyGlyGluAspValAsnMetTyrGly 110115120 GlyGlyThrIleAsnGlyAsnGlyGlnValTrpTyrAspLeuTyrAla 125130135 GluAspAspLeuIleLeuArgProIleLeuMetGlyIleIleGlyLeu 140145150 AsnGlyGlyThrIleGlyProLeuLysLeuArgTyrSerProGlnTyr 155160165170 TyrHisPheValAlaAsnSerSerAsnValLeuPheAspGlyIleAsp 175180185 IleSerGlyTyrSerLysSerAspAsnGluAlaLysAsnThrAspGly 190195200 TrpAspThrTyrArgSerAsnAsnIleValIleGlnAsnSerValIle 205210215 AsnAsnGlyAspAspCysValSerPheLysProAsnSerThrAsnIle 220225230 LeuValGlnAsnLeuHisCysAsnGlySerHisGlyIleSerValGly 235240245250 SerLeuGlyGlnTyrLysAspGluValAspIleValGluAsnValTyr 255260265 ValTyrAsnIleSerMetPheAsnAlaSerValCysLeuAsnPheAsn 270275280 HisIleIleAspPheLeuLeuThrTrpLeuGlnAspMetAlaArgIle 285290295 LysValTrpProGlyThrProSerAlaLeuSerAlaAspLeuGlnGly 300305310 GlyGlyGlySerGlySerValLysAsnIleThrTyrAspThrAlaLeu 315320325330 IleAspAsnValAspTrpAlaIleGluIleThrGlnCysTyrGlyGln 335340345 LysAsnThrThrLeuCysAsnGluTyrProSerSerLeuThrIleSer 350355360 AspValHisIleLysAsnPheArgGlyThrThrSerGlySerGluAsp 365370375 ProTyrValGlyThrIleValCysSerSerProAspThrCysSerAsp 380385390 IleTyrThrSerAsnIleAsnValThrSerProAspGlyThrAsnAsp 395400405410 PheValCysAspAsnValAspGluSerLeuLeuSerValAsnCysThr 415420425 AlaThrSerAsp 430 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 17 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: pki SmaI sense (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6: TTTTCCTTCCCGGGCAC17 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: YES (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: pki-pgaX antisense (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7: GTGCGTGAGTCTCATCTTGACGGATGATTG30 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 30 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: pki-pgaX sense (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8: CAATCATCCGTCAAGATGAGACTCACGCAC30 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 17 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: YES (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: pgaX NcoI antisense (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:9: AGTGCCATCTCCATGGC17 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: YES (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: 3062 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(3, 6, 9, 15) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 3, 6, 9, and 15 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:10: GGNGTNCCNGGVCANACYTTDAT23 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: 3063 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(9, 15, 18) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 9, 15, and 18 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:11: ATHAARGTNTGBCCNGGNACNCC23 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:12: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 32 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: YES (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: HR7734 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(3, 9, 12, 15, 21, 23) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 3, 9, 12, 15, 21, and 23 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:12: GGNCCDATNGTNCCNCCRTTNARNCCDATDAT32 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:13: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 32 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: 3059 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(9, 12, 18, 21, 24, 30) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 9, 12, 18, 21, 24, and 30 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:13: ATHATHGGNYTNAAYGGNGGNACNATHGGNCC32 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:14: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: NO (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: 3060 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(6, 9, 12, 15) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 6, 9, 12, and 15 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:14: GAGGCNGCNACNGGNCCNAAGAA23 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:15: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) HYPOTHETICAL: NO (iv) ANTI-SENSE: YES (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (C) INDIVIDUAL ISOLATE: 3061 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: misc.sub.-- feature (B) LOCATION: one-of(6, 9, 15) (D) OTHER INFORMATION: /note= "N at position 6, 9, and 15 is inosine" (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:15: TTYTTNGGNCCRTTNGCNGCYTC23 __________________________________________________________________________

## Claims

1. A purified and isolated polynucleotide molecule which encodes a polypeptide having the activity of the Aspergillus tubigensis exopolygalacturonase (PGX) enzyme, which comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:4, and sequence hybridizes to the sequences of a) in 6.times.SSC at 65.degree. C., or equivalent condition thereof.

2. The polynucleotide molecule of claim 1, wherein said polynucleotide molecule is operably linked to and expression regulatory sequence capable of directing the expression of said polynucleotide molecule in a suitable host organism.

3. The polynucleotide molecule of claim 1, wherein said polynucleotide molecule has the nucleic acid sequence depicted as the coding sequences of SEQ ID NO:4.

4. The polynucleotide molecule of claim 1 wherein said nucleotide sequence b) hybridizes to the sequences of a) in 6.times.SSC at 60.degree. C., or equivalent conditions thereof.

5. A vector containing the polynucleotide molecule of claim 2.

6. A microbial host cell capable of expressing a gene encoding a protein having exo-polygalacturonase activity wherein said host cell has been altered to contain a polynucleotide molecule of claim 2.

7. A method for obtaining expression of exo-polygalacturonase comprising, culturing the microbial host cell of claim 6 under conditions wherein the cloned gene is expressed.

8. A method for obtaining exo-polygalacturonase comprising the steps of rise to the expression of the DNA sequence of claim 1,

9. The plasmid designated pIM362, deposited at the Central Bureau voor de Schimmelcultures as CBS 102.93.