PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Asma M.A.M. Khan AU - Carl Mendoza AU - Valerie J. Hauk AU - Sara E. Blumer-Schuette TI - Genomic and physiological analyses reveal that extremely thermophilic <em>Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis</em> deploys unique cellulose attachment mechanisms AID - 10.1101/622977 DP - 2019 Jan 01 TA - bioRxiv PG - 622977 4099 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/05/03/622977.short 4100 - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/05/03/622977.full AB - The genus Caldicellulosiruptor are extremely thermophilic, heterotrophic anaerobes that degrade plant biomass using modular, multifunctional enzymes. Prior pangenome analyses determined that this genus is genetically diverse, with the current pangenome remaining open, meaning that new genes are expected with each additional genome sequence added. Given the high biodiversity observed among the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, we have sequenced and added a 14th species, Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis, to the pangenome. The pangenome now includes 3,791 ortholog clusters, 120 of which are unique to C. changbaiensis and may be involved in plant biomass degradation. Comparisons between C. changbaiensis and Caldicellulosiruptor bescii on the basis of growth kinetics, cellulose solubilization and cell attachment to polysaccharides highlighted physiological differences between the two species which are supported by their respective gene inventories. Most significantly, these comparisons indicated that C. changbaiensis possesses unique cellulose attachment mechanisms not observed among the other strongly cellulolytic members of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor.