Genomic characterization of candidate division LCP-89 reveals an atypical cell wall structure, microcompartment production, and dual respiratory and fermentative capacities.

This study provides a genomics-based analysis highlighting the structural features and metabolic capacities of a yet-uncultured bacterial phylum (LCP-89) previously identified in 16S rRNA surveys for which no prior genomes have been described. Our analysis identifies several interesting structural features for members of this phylum e.g. lack of peptidoglycan biosynthetic machinery and ability to form bacterial microcompartments. Predicted metabolic capabilities include degradation of a wide range of sugars, anaerobic respiratory capacity, as well as fermentative capacities. In addition to the detailed structural and metabolic analysis provided for candidate division LCP-89, this effort represents an additional step towards a unified scheme for microbial taxonomy by reconciling 16S rRNA gene-based and genomics-based taxonomic outlines.
PMID: 30902854 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology - March 21, 2019 Category: Microbiology Authors: Youssef NH, Farag IF, Hahn CR, Jarett J, Becraft E, Eloe-Fadrosh E, Lightfoot J, Bourgeois A, Cole T, Ferrante S, Truelock M, Marsh W, Jamaleddine M, Ricketts S, Simpson R, McFadden A, Hoff W, Ravin NV, Sievert S, Stepanauskas R, Woyke T, Elshahed M Tags: Appl Environ Microbiol Source Type: research