The invention relates to newly identified polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode novel amylases isolated from Aspergillus niger. The invention features the full length nucleotide sequences of the novel genes, the cDNA sequences comprising the full length coding sequence of the novel amylases as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional proteins and functional equivalents thereof. The invention also relates to methods of using these enzymes in industrial processes and methods of diagnosing fungal infections. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention and cells wherein an amylase according to the invention is genetically modified to enhance or reduce its activity and/or level of expression.
