title: The complete genome sequence of the rumen methanogen Methanosarcina barkeri CM1.
abstract: Methanosarcina species are the most metabolically versatile of the methanogenic Archaea and can obtain energy for growth by producing methane via the hydrogenotrophic, acetoclastic or methylotrophic pathways. Methanosarcina barkeri CM1 was isolated from the rumen of a New Zealand Friesian cow grazing a ryegrass/clover pasture, and its genome has been sequenced to provide information on the phylogenetic diversity of rumen methanogens with a view to developing technologies for methane mitigation. The 4.5 Mb chromosome has an average G + C content of 39 %, and encodes 3523 protein-coding genes, but has no plasmid or prophage sequences. The gene content is very similar to that of M. barkeri Fusaro which was isolated from freshwater sediment. CM1 has a full complement of genes for all three methanogenesis pathways, but its genome shows many differences from those of other sequenced rumen methanogens. Consequently strategies to mitigate ruminant methane need to include information on the different methanogens that occur in the rumen.
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Suzanne C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lambie
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand ; New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sinead C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Leahy
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1 Canada.
authors.forename: Tim A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McAllister
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4B1 Canada.
authors.forename: Edith R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Valle
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand ; New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, Grasslands Research Centre, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Graeme T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Attwood
authors.affiliation: Rumen Microbiology, Animal Nutrition and Health, AgResearch Limited, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand ; Riddet Institute, Massey University, Palmerston North, 4442 New Zealand.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altermann
keywords: Methane; Methanogen; Methanosarcina barkeri; Ruminant