Polypeptides having phytase activity and polynucleotides encoding same

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having phytase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The polypeptides are related to Citrobacter phytases derived from Citrobacter amalonaticus and Citrobacter gillenii, the amino acid sequence of which are shown in the appended sequence listing as SEQ ID NOs: 4 and 6. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides, in particular within animal feed.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#Polypeptides Having Phytase Activity

#In a first aspect, the present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence which has a degree of identity to amino acids 1 to 409 of SEQ ID NO: 2, amino acids 1 to 410 of SEQ ID NO: 4, or amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 6 (i.e., the mature polypeptides) of at least 75%, and which have phytase activity (hereinafter “homologous polypeptides”). In particular embodiments, the degree of identity is at least 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or at least 99%.

#In other particular embodiments, the homologous polypeptides have an amino acid sequence which differs by twenty, eighteen, sixteen, fourteen, twelve, ten, eight, six, five, four, three, two, or by one amino acid from either of amino acids 1 to 409 of SEQ ID NO: 2, amino acids 1 to 410 of SEQ ID NO: 4, or amino acids 1 to 414 of SEQ ID NO: 6.