The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase)activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for makingand using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of theinvention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination orhydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabricsor any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or morepectate lyases of the invention.
