Fibrobacter succinogenes subsp. succinogenes S85

Fibrobacter succinogenes (strain ATCC 19169 / S85) is an anaerobic, cellulolytic Gram-negative bacterium. It is one of the three most predominant cellulolytic organisms in the rumen. F. succinogenes is highly specialized for cellulose degradation, and is only capable of utilizing cellulose and cellulolytic degradation products as carbon sources. Access to cellulose is a rate-liming step in degradation, and F. succinogenes has devised a number of mechanisms for improving access to this insoluble substrate, one of which is the production of surface-localized cellulases. The active enzymes are cell wall associated, but the presence of cellulosomes, large multiprotein cellulase complexes, has not been detected in this organism. Adherence is another method used to promote cellulose degradation, and this organism produces an extracellular matrix of glycoprotein glycocalyx which allows attachment to insoluble cellulose. In addition, the glycocalyx protects against protozoan attack of the bacterium as well as protease attack of the cellulase enzymes. Increasing cellulose degradation is an important goal in industrial processes. (Adaptated from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=genomeprj&cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=32617). (EBI Integr8)