Construction and characterization of chimeric cellulases with enhanced catalytic activity towards insoluble cellulosic substrates

► Thermostable chimeric proteins were constructed for cellulose degradation by overlap PCR. ► Chimeric proteins were successfully expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity. ► Avicel and filter paper hydrolysis rate was 7.7-12 folds higher than wild type. ► Computational simulation and modeling were used to study the structural changes. ► TLC analysis suggests the processive cleavage of cellulose substrates.