7-06: The complete genome sequence of the rumen bacterium Megasphaera elsdenii

Megasphaera elsdenii is an obligately anaerobic gram-negative coccus and is a common member of the intestinal flora of the rumen of cattle and sheep. This bacterium shows biotechnologically interesting fermentation characteristics. It produces a variety of useful organic acids, among them short chain fatty acids with a high potential for the chemical industry. On the other hand this organism withstands a quite stressful environment in the intestine and appears to have evolved efficient strategies to counteract the presence of inhibitory concentrations of weak organic acids at a reduced pH. However, the strict anaerobiosis is an obstacle for a wider use of this organism and hardly anything is known about its accessibility for genetic engineering.

Here, we present the full genome sequence of this microbe as a first step for the characterization of its metabolic peculiarities.  Furthermore, the sequence will permit the identification and isolation of genes, which allow metabolic engineering of more commonly used host organisms. Finally, analysis of stress networks and particularly transport proteins will give an interesting insight how this microorganism withstands the unfavorable conditions of the intestine. This knowledge will be useful for the construction of more robust microbial cell factories for industrial processes.