biostudies-literatureKunath BJNorges ForskningsrådEuropean Research Council603-617https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6461833biostudies-literatureUnknown13(3)Microbial communities that degrade lignocellulosic biomass are typified by high levels of species- and strain-level complexity, as well as synergistic interactions between both cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic microorganisms. Coprothermobacter proteolyticus frequently dominates thermophilic, lignocellulose-degrading communities with wide geographical distribution, which is in contrast to reports that it ferments proteinaceous substrates and is incapable of polysaccharide hydrolysis. Here we deconvolute a highly efficient cellulose-degrading consortium (SEM1b) that is co-dominated by Clostridium (Ruminiclostridium) thermocellum and multiple heterogenic strains affiliated to C. proteolyticus. Metagenomic analysis of SEM1b recovered metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for each constituent poThe ISME journalFrom proteins to polysaccharides: lifestyle and genetic evolution of Coprothermobacter proteolyticus.PMC6461833336355250479221568Arntzen MODelogu FEijsink VGHNaas AEHenrissat BPope PBKunath BJHvidsten TRfalseFrom proteins to polysaccharides: lifestyle and genetic evolution of Coprothermobacter proteolyticus.Microbial communities that degrade lignocellulosic biomass are typified by high levels of species- and strain-level complexity, as well as synergistic interactions between both cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic microorganisms. Coprothermobacter proteolyticus frequently dominates thermophilic, lignocellulose-degrading communities with wide geographical distribution, which is in contrast to reports that it ferments proteinaceous substrates and is incapable of polysaccharide hydrolysis. Here we deconvolute a highly efficient cellulose-degrading consortium (SEM1b) that is co-dominated by Clostridium (Ruminiclostridium) thermocellum and multiple heterogenic strains affiliated to C. proteolyticus. Metagenomic analysis of SEM1b recovered metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for each constituent po2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Mar2026-04-15T21:34:34.147Z2019-10-11T07:01:30ZS-EPMC64618333031531710.1038/s41396-018-0290-y