Comparative genomics analysis of carbon metabolism of Lactobacillus casei 12A

Abstract:

[Objective] The aim of this study was to describe carbon metabolic characteristics and regulation mechanisms of Lactobacillus casei strain at the genome-level. [Methods] Pathway Tools, based on BioCyc and MetaCyc database, was used for genome-wide level of carbon metabolism comparative analysis of 12A and other 7 L. casei strains published complete genome sequences. [Results] Nine sugars could be transferred and metabolized by L. casei 12A inside cells. Various oligosaccharides and polysaccharides could be hydrolyzed into galactose and glucose by strain 12A outside cells. In particular, strain 12A could generate ethanol and its by-products through heterolactic fermentation and mixed acid fermentation pathways. [Conclusion] L. casei 12A can metabolize multiple types of carbohydrate, thus the choice of its fermentation substrates is broad. And strain 12A can be used as a specific strain for industrial ethanol production. In addition, it is reliable that comparative genomics is used for analyzing and establishing relationship between genetic structure and bacterial metabolic capability.

Key words:Lactobacillus casei, Comparative genomics, Metabolism of carbon source, Ethanol