Genome Sequence of the Polysaccharide-Degrading, Thermophilic Anaerobe Spirochaeta thermophila DSM 6192

Abstract

Spirochaeta thermophila is a thermophilic, free-living anaerobe that is able to degrade various alpha- and beta-linked sugar polymers, including cellulose. We report here the complete genome sequence of S. thermophila DSM 6192, which is the first genome sequence of a thermophilic, free-living member of the Spirochaetes phylum. The genome data reveal a high density of genes encoding enzymes from more than 30 glycoside hydrolase families, a noncellulosomal enzyme system for (hemi) cellulose degradation, and indicate the presence of a novel carbohydrate-binding module.