Characterization of the first cultured free-living representative of Candidatus Izemoplasma uncovers its unique biology.

ABSTRACT: Candidatus Izemoplasma, an intermediate in the reductive evolution from Firmicutes to Mollicutes, was proposed to represent a novel class of free-living wall-less bacteria within the phylum Tenericutes. Unfortunately, the paucity of pure cultures has limited further insights into their physiological and metabolic features as well as ecological roles. Here, we report the first successful isolation of an Izemoplasma representative from the deep-sea methane seep, strain zrk13, using a DNA degradation-driven method given Izemoplasma's prominent DNA-degradation potentials. We further present a detailed description of the physiological, genomic and metabolic traits of the novel strain, which allows for the first time the reconstruction of the metabolic potential and lifestyle of a member of the

SUBMITTER: Zheng R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8397711 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature