Complete Genome Sequences for the Anaerobic, Extremely Thermophilic Plant Biomass-Degrading Bacteria Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis , Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii , Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis , Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis , and Caldicellulosiruptor lactoaceticus

Abstract

ABSTRACT The genus Caldicellulosiruptor contains the most thermophilic, plant biomass-degrading bacteria isolated to date. Previously, genome sequences from three cellulolytic members of this genus were reported ( C. saccharolyticus , C. bescii , and C. obsidiansis ). To further explore the physiological and biochemical basis for polysaccharide degradation within this genus, five additional genomes were sequenced: C. hydrothermalis , C. kristjanssonii , C. kronotskyensis , C. lactoaceticus , and C. owensensis . Taken together, the seven completed and one draft-phase Caldicellulosiruptor genomes suggest that, while central metabolism is highly conserved, significant differences in glycoside hydrolase inventories and numbers of carbohydrate transporters exist, a finding which likely relates to variability observed in plant biomass degradation capacity.