A xylanase-coding gene, xynGR40, was cloned directly from the environmental DNA of goat rumen contents and expressed in Escherichia coil BL21 (DE3). The 1446-bp full-length gene encodes a 481-residue polypeptide (XynGR40) containing a catalytic domain belonging to glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 10. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that XynGR40 was closely related with microbial xylanases of gastrointestinal source. Purified recombinant XynGR40 exhibited high activity at low temperatures, and remained active (similar to 10% of the activity) even at 0 degrees C. The optimal temperature of XynGR40 was 30 degrees C, much lower than other xylanases from rumen. Compared with mesophilic and thermophilic counterparts, XynGR40 had fewer hydrogen bonds and salt bridges, and lengthened loops in the catalytic domain. The enzyme also had relatively better stability at mesophilic temperatures and a higher catalytic efficiency than other known GH 10 cold active xylanases. These properties suggest that XynGR40 is a novel cold active xylanase and has great potential for basic research and industrial applications. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.