Cellulosimicrobium

Cellulosimicrobium is a genus of bacteria in the family Promicromonosporaceae. The genus was first described by Schumann and Stackebrandt in 2001. The bacteria are Gram-positive, rod-shaped, and aerobic. They are known for their ability to degrade cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is a major component of the cell walls of plants.

Taxonomy

The genus Cellulosimicrobium belongs to the family Promicromonosporaceae, in the order Actinomycetales, class Actinobacteria, phylum Actinobacteria, and domain Bacteria. The genus currently includes two species: Cellulosimicrobium cellulans and Cellulosimicrobium funkei.

Characteristics

Cellulosimicrobium species are Gram-positive bacteria, meaning they retain the violet crystal violet stain used in the Gram stain procedure. They are rod-shaped (bacilli) and are aerobic bacteria, meaning they require oxygen to grow.

Metabolism

Cellulosimicrobium species are known for their ability to degrade cellulose, a complex carbohydrate that is a major component of the cell walls of plants. This ability is significant because cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on Earth, and its degradation is a key step in the global carbon cycle.

Ecology

Cellulosimicrobium species are found in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and plant material. They play a role in the decomposition of plant material and the recycling of nutrients in the environment.

Clinical significance

While Cellulosimicrobium species are primarily environmental bacteria, they have occasionally been isolated from human clinical samples, suggesting they may be opportunistic pathogens. However, their role in human disease is not well understood.

See also

• List of bacterial genera
• Cellulose degradation