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The curdlan-type exopolysaccharide produced by Cellulomonas flavigena KU forms part of an extracellular glycocalyx involved in cellulose degradation

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Abstract

The genus Cellulomonas is comprised of a group of Gram-positive, soil bacteria capable of utilizing cellulose as their sole source of carbon and energy. Cellulomonas flavigena KU was originally isolated from leaf litter and subsequently shown to produce large quantities of a curdlan-type (β-1,3-glucan) exopolysaccharide (EPS) when provided with an excess of glucose or other soluble carbon-source. We report here that curdlan EPS is also produced by Cellulomonas flavigena KU when growing on microcrystalline cellulose in mineral salts-yeast extract media. Microscopic examination of such cultures shows an adherent biofilm matrix composed of cells, curdlan EPS, and numerous surface structures resembling cellulosome complexes. Those Cellulomonas species that produce curdlan EPS are all non-motile and adhere to cellulose as it is broken down into soluble sugars. These observations suggest two very different approaches towards the complex process of cellulose degradation within the genus Cellulomonas.

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Abbreviations

CMCase:

carboxymethyl cellulase

EPS:

exopolysaccharide

PTYE:

peptone-tryptone-yeast extract medium

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Kansas, 66045, Lawrence, KS, USA

    Stephen W. Esch & Clarence S. Buller

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Alabama, 36688, Mobile, AL, USA

    William J. Kenyon

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  1. William J. Kenyon
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  2. Stephen W. Esch
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  3. Clarence S. Buller
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Correspondence to William J. Kenyon.

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Kenyon, W.J., Esch, S.W. & Buller, C.S. The curdlan-type exopolysaccharide produced by Cellulomonas flavigena KU forms part of an extracellular glycocalyx involved in cellulose degradation. Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 87, 143–148 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-004-2346-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-004-2346-4

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