PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jacoline Gerritsen
AU  - Bastian Hornung
AU  - Jarmo Ritari
AU  - Lars Paulin
AU  - Ger T. Rijkers
AU  - Peter J. Schaap
AU  - Willem M. de Vos
AU  - Hauke Smidt
TI  - A comparative and functional genomics analysis of the genus <em>Romboutsia</em> provides insight into adaptation to an intestinal lifestyle
AID  - 10.1101/845511
DP  - 2019 Jan 01
TA  - bioRxiv
PG  - 845511
4099  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/11/17/845511.short
4100  - http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2019/11/17/845511.full
AB  - Cultivation-independent surveys have shown that the recently described genus Romboutsia within the family Peptostreptococcaceae is more diverse than previously acknowledged. The majority of Romboutsia-associated 16S rRNA gene sequences have an intestinal origin, but the specific roles that Romboutsia species play in the digestive tract are largely unknown. The complete genomes of the human intestinal isolate Romboutsia hominis FRIFIT (DSM 28814) and the soil isolate Romboutsia lituseburensis A25KT (DSM 797) were sequenced. An evaluation of the common traits of this recently defined genus was done based on comparative genome analysis of the two strains together with the previously elucidated genome of the type species Romboutsia ilealis CRIBT. These analyses showed that the genus Romboutsia covers a broad range of metabolic capabilities with respect to carbohydrate utilization, fermentation of single amino acids, anaerobic respiration and metabolic end products. Main differences between strains were found in their abilities to utilize specific carbohydrates, to synthesize vitamins and other cofactors, and their nitrogen assimilation capabilities. In addition, differences were found with respect to bile metabolism and motility-related gene clusters.