A β-glucosidase gene (bglI) from Trichoderma reesei was cloned into the pPIC9 vector and integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris GS115. Under the control of the methanol-inducible alcohol oxidase (AOX) promoter and using Saccharomyces cerevisiae secretory signal peptide (α-factor), the recombinant β-glucosidase was expressed and secreted into the culture medium. The maximum recombinant β-glucosidase activity achieved was 60 U/ml, and β-glucosidase expression reached 0.3 mg/ml. The recombinant 76 kDa β-glucosidase was purified 1.8-fold with 26% yield and a specific activity of 197 U/mg. It was optimally active at 70 °C and pH 5.0.
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