The gene encoding a family 5 endoglucanase, cel5A, was cloned from the moderate thermophile Bacillus licheniformis strain B-41361. The primary structure of the translated cel5A gene predicts a 49 amino acid putative secretion signal and a 485 residue endoglucanase consisting of an N-terminal family 5 catalytic domain and C-terminal family 3 cellulose binding domain. The endoglucanase portion of the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, but soluble activity in cell lysates was due to a truncated enzyme with an apparent mass of 42 kDa, the equivalent of the predicted catalytic domain. Insoluble protein renatured from inclusion bodies was protected against truncation, yielding an active holoenzyme (rCel5A) with apparent mass of 62 kDa. The recombinant rCel5A was optimally active at 65 degrees C and PH 6.0, but retained only 10% activity after 1 h incubation at this temperature. At 55 degrees C, rCel5A had a broad pH range for activity and stability, with greater than 75% relative activity from PH 4.5-7.0, and retaining greater than 80% relativity activity across the range PH 4.5-8.0 following 1 h incubation at 55 degrees C. It readily hydrolyzed pNPC, carboxymethylcellulose, barley beta-glucan, and lichenan, but despite binding to cellulose, had only weak activity against avicel. Hydrolysis products from soluble polysaccharides included glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, and cellotetraose. The catalytic properties, broad PH range and thermostability of the recombinant B. licheniformis endoglucanase may prove suitable for industrial applications. Published by Elsevier Ltd.