Query: NC_000868:196015 Pyrococcus abyssi GE5, complete genome
Lineage: Pyrococcus abyssi; Pyrococcus; Thermococcaceae; Thermococcales; Euryarchaeota; Archaea
General Information: This organism was isolated from an active chimney in the North Fiji Basin of the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 3500 meters. This organism is an obligate anaerobic, hyperthermophilic archaeon. Growth occurs at a temperature of 67-103 degrees C with optimal growth at 103 degrees C at 200 atmospheres of pressure. Increased hydrostatic pressure has been found to extend the upper growth temperature and stimulate growth.
Subject: NC_009012:3653111 Clostridium thermocellum ATCC 27405, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium thermocellum; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is a well studied producer of endoglucanase and several restriction endonucleases. Thermophilic cellulose degrading bacterium. This genus comprises about 150 metabolically diverse species of anaerobes that are ubiquitous in virtually all anoxic habitats where organic compounds are present, including soils, aquatic sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. This shape is attributed to the presence of endospores that develop under conditions unfavorable for vegetative growth and distend single cells terminally or sub-terminally. Spores germinate under conditions favorable for vegetative growth, such as anaerobiosis and presence of organic substrates. It is believed that present day Mollicutes (Eubacteria) have evolved regressively (i.e., by genome reduction) from gram-positive clostridia-like ancestors with a low GC content in DNA. Some species are capable of producing organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, etc,), molecular hydrogen and other useful compounds. This organism is a thermophilic anaerobe that produces an extracellular enzyme system capable of degrading crystalline cellulose to soluble sugars that are further utilized as the carbon source for growth.