Query: NC_014614:2359046 Clostridium sticklandii, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium sticklandii; Clostridium; unclassified Peptostreptococcaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This Clostridium (HF strain, ATCC 12662) was initially found associated with Methanococcus vannieli in formate-enriched cultures. After its isolation in pure culture, it was shown that this organism is capable of fermenting amino acids. Biochemical studies have shown that C. sticklandii obtains energy for growth from oxidation-reduction reactions between specific amino acid pairs. Clostridium sticklandii is a Gram-positive bacterium with low (G +C) content that is capable of fermenting amino acids.
Subject: NC_012808:594000 Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, complete genome
Lineage: Methylobacterium extorquens; Methylobacterium; Methylobacteriaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: First isolated in 1960 in Oxford, England, as an airborne contaminant growing on methylamine. This strain can grow on methylamine or methanol, but not methane. This organism is capable of growth on one-carbon compounds such as methanol. Methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde which is then used metabolically to generate either energy or biomass. These bacteria are commonly found in the environment, especially associated with plants which produce methanol when metabolizing pectin during cell wall synthesis. At least 25 genes are required for this complex process of converting methanol to formaldehyde and this specialized metabolic pathway is of great interest.