Corynebacterium glutamicum

General Information

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its industrial significance in the production of amino acids, particularly L-glutamate and L-lysine. This bacterium has been extensively studied and utilized in biotechnology due to its ability to secrete large amounts of these amino acids, which are essential in various applications, including food additives, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals. One of the unique features of C. glutamicum is its robust metabolic network. Researchers have leveraged this characteristic to engineer the bacterium for the production of a wide range of biochemicals beyond amino acids, such as biofuels, organic acids, and vitamins. The organism's metabolic flexibility makes it a valuable model for metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. Another interesting aspect of C. glutamicum is its tolerance to high concentrations of substrates and products. This resilience is particularly advantageous in industrial fermentation processes, where high yields are crucial for economic viability. The bacterium's ability to thrive in such conditions has spurred numerous studies aimed at understanding and enhancing its stress response mechanisms. Moreover, C. glutamicum has a relatively simple and well-characterized genetic system, which facilitates genetic manipulation. The availability of various genetic tools and techniques, such as plasmids, promoters, and CRISPR-Cas systems, has made it easier for scientists to modify and optimize the bacterium for specific production goals. In summary, Corynebacterium glutamicum stands out due to its industrial relevance, metabolic versatility, and genetic tractability, making it a cornerstone organism in the field of industrial microbiology and biotechnology.

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a remarkable bacterium primarily known for its role in industrial biotechnology, particularly in the production of amino acids, such as L-glutamate and L-lysine. This organism is a non-pathogenic member of the genus Corynebacterium and is often utilized in fermentation processes due to its ability to efficiently convert carbohydrates into valuable metabolites. One of the most interesting aspects of C. glutamicum is its metabolic versatility. It can utilize a wide range of carbon sources, including sugars, organic acids, and even some alcohols, making it an attractive candidate for biotechnological applications. The bacterium's robustness in various environmental conditions allows it to thrive in industrial settings, where it can be engineered for enhanced production capabilities. From a research perspective, C. glutamicum serves as an important model organism for studying cellular metabolism and gene regulation. Its well-characterized genome and the availability of genetic tools facilitate the exploration of metabolic pathways and the development of metabolic engineering strategies. Researchers have successfully manipulated its metabolic pathways to increase the yield of desired products, showcasing its potential in synthetic biology. Additionally, C. glutamicum has been the subject of studies aimed at understanding stress responses and cellular adaptation mechanisms, which are crucial for improving its performance in industrial applications. The insights gained from these studies not only enhance our understanding of this bacterium but also contribute to broader applications in microbial biotechnology. In summary, Corynebacterium glutamicum stands out as a valuable organism in both industrial and research contexts due to its amino acid production capabilities, metabolic flexibility, and its role as a model for biotechnological advancements.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Mycobacteriales

Family: Corynebacteriaceae

Genus: Corynebacterium

Species: Corynebacterium glutamicum

NCBI ID

1718

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/847/405/GCF_002847405.1_ASM284740v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002847405.1_ASM284740v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The organism Corynebacterium glutamicum is primarily known for its role in industrial biotechnology, particularly in the production of amino acids such as glutamate and lysine. However, its clinical implications are noteworthy as well. While C. glutamicum is generally considered non-pathogenic, it can occasionally be associated with infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with underlying health conditions. Clinical cases have reported its isolation from various clinical specimens, including blood and respiratory samples, indicating a potential role as an opportunistic pathogen. In terms of pathogenicity, C. glutamicum possesses several features that may contribute to its ability to evade the immune response, including the production of a polysaccharide capsule that can inhibit phagocytosis. This characteristic may allow it to persist in the human body under certain conditions, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Moreover, there is growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance associated with C. glutamicum. Although it is not commonly resistant to first-line antibiotics, there have been reports of resistance to certain classes of antibiotics, which complicates treatment options in cases of infection. Interestingly, C. glutamicum has also been explored for its potential as a probiotic due to its ability to produce beneficial metabolites. Research is ongoing to determine its efficacy and safety in this context. Overall, while C. glutamicum is not a primary pathogen, its presence in clinical settings and potential for opportunistic infections warrant further investigation into its clinical relevance.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

Corynebacterium glutamicum is a versatile bacterium primarily associated with terrestrial environments, particularly in soil and plant-associated habitats. This microorganism thrives in nutrient-rich soil ecosystems, where it plays a significant role in the nitrogen cycle and organic matter decomposition. Its ability to metabolize a variety of substrates allows it to adapt to different soil types, including loamy and sandy soils, often found in agricultural settings. Symbiotic relationships are notable for _Corynebacterium glutamicum, especially in association with plants. It can enhance plant growth by promoting nutrient availability, particularly through the production of plant growth-promoting substances. This interaction is crucial in agricultural biomes, where it contributes to sustainable farming practices by improving soil health and fertility. In addition to its ecological roles, _Corynebacterium glutamicum is also significant in industrial biomes, where it is utilized in the fermentation processes for the production of amino acids, particularly L-glutamate and L-lysine. This industrial application highlights its adaptability and importance in both natural and anthropogenic environments. Overall, _Corynebacterium glutamicum exemplifies a microorganism that not only thrives in diverse terrestrial biomes but also contributes significantly to ecological balance and human industry.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Corynebacterium glutamicum is widely recognized for its significant contributions to various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is primarily utilized in the fermentation process for the production of amino acids, notably L-glutamate and L-lysine, which are essential for animal feed and human nutrition. The ability of Corynebacterium glutamicum to efficiently convert sugars into these amino acids makes it a valuable asset in the food industry. In addition to amino acid production, Corynebacterium glutamicum has been engineered for the biosynthesis of other valuable compounds, including bioplastics and biofuels. Its metabolic pathways can be modified to enhance the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are biodegradable plastics, showcasing its potential in sustainable materials development. Furthermore, this microorganism plays a role in waste management through its ability to degrade various organic compounds, making it useful in biodegradation processes. Its enzymatic activity can be harnessed to break down pollutants in wastewater treatment, contributing to environmental sustainability. Overall, Corynebacterium glutamicum stands out as a versatile microorganism with applications spanning from biotechnology to environmental management, demonstrating its importance in modern industrial processes.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	aerobic ✓	N/A	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false
Host association	N/A	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	gamma	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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