Fusobacterium polymorphum strain KCOM 1232 (= ChDC F37)

Fusobacterium polymorphum strain KCOM 1232 (= ChDC F37) is a nonsporulating, Gram-negative bacterium characterized by its rod shape and the tendency to arrange in pairs. This strain thrives optimally at 37.0°C, indicating its adaptation to warm-blooded hosts, where it likely resides in the gut environment. As a chemoheterotroph, F. polymorphum strain KCOM 1232 utilizes organic compounds for energy, aligning with its anaerobic oxygen requirement which suggests a specialized metabolic capacity suited for the oxygen-depleted conditions of the host gut. The habitat of F. polymorphum strain KCOM 1232 in the gut underscores its potential role in the complex microbial ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract. While specific interactions with host metabolism or health are not detailed in the provided traits, its presence in the gut microbiome is indicative of its involvement in the breakdown of dietary components or in maintaining microbial community stability. Furthermore, the paired arrangement of cells may reflect a specific strategy for colonization or interaction with other gut microbes, potentially influencing the dynamics of gut microbiota composition. The ecological role of this strain in the gut highlights the intricate relationships between host and microbial life, emphasizing the importance of anaerobic bacteria in digestive processes.