Molecular cloning of genes for cellobiose utilization and their expression in Escherichia coli

The genes for cellobiose utilization in Escherichia adecarboxylata were cloned by using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid techniques and transferred to Escherichia coli. Preliminary analysis of the beta-glucosidase activity expressed in these host cells indicated that the enzyme is membrane bound and required magnesium ions, phosphate ions, and heat-stable, non-dialyzable factors from the bacterial cytoplasm.