TRANSFORMED CELLS THAT FERMENT PENTOSE SUGARS AND METHODS OF THEIR USE

摘要

The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolized by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.

主权项

1. A eukaryotic host cell transformed with a nucleic acid construct comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a xylose isomerase (XI) enzyme, wherein, expression of the nucleic acid construct in the host cell confers on the host cell the ability to isomerize xylose to xylulose.