Propionibacterium ruminifibrarum

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Propionibacterium ruminifibrarum. Image credit: Science Photo Library

Classification

Bacteria; Actinomycetota; Actinomycetes; Propionibacteriales; Propionibacteriaceae

Species

NCBI: [1]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi/Propionibacterium%20ruminifibrarum/wwwtax.cgi

Propionibacterium ruminifibrarum

Description and Significance

P. ruminifibrarum is rod-shaped and found in the skin of animals and humans. P. ruminifibrarum is specifically found in the rumen of a Holstein Friesian dairy cow. P. ruminifibrarum is important because it is a novel species found within Propionibacterium, that metabolizes differently than other Propionibacterium species.

Genome Structure

The DNA G+C content of the type strain is 68.9 mol%. Cells are present in single cells and in clusters. Against P. australiense, the average genome wide nucleotide identity was 88.3% and 35.5% digital DNA-DNA hybridization.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

P. ruminifibrarum can convert D-adonitol, galactose, glucose, inositol, DL-lactate, mannose, meso-erythritol, ribose, and sorbitol, to propionate and acetate, and succinate and/or formate. This strain, JV5T, could not directly degrade plant carbon sources, but could use the compounds made by the primary degraders.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

P. ruminifibrarum mainly produces propionate as the end product of fermentation, which is a very important energy source for gluconeogenesis in dairy cows. It is the greatest contributor and only major volatile fatty acid involved in gluconeogenesis. When absorbed by ruminal epithelial cells within the dairy cows, it can correct their metabolic disease. These high functioning dairy cows suffer from nutritional deficiencies and therefore rampant disease, when left without the hydrolization of propionate to make propionic acid and calcium ions.

References

Vaisya, J., "Assessing rumen microbial composition and fibre attachment in dairy cows". "Wageningen University & Research Staff Publications". 2018

Zhang, F., Wang, Y., Wang, H., Nan, X., Gut, Y., and Xiong, B., "Calcium Propionate Supplementation Has Minor Effects on Major Ruminal Bacterial Community Composition of Early Lactation Dairy Cows". "Frontiers in Microbiology". 2022. Volume 13.

Vaidya, J., Hornung, B., Smidt, H., Edwards, J., and Plugge, C., "Propionibacterium ruminifibrarum sp. nov., isolated from cow rumen fibrous content". "International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology". 2019. Volume 69. p. 2584-2590.

Kennedy, K. M., Donkin, S. S., and Allen, M. S. "Effects of propionate concentration on short-term metabolism in liver explants from dairy cows in the postpartum period". "J. Dairy Sci." 2020.

Bi, Y. L., Zeng, S. Q., Zhang, R., Diao, Q. Y., and Tu, Y. Effects of dietary energy levels on rumen bacterial community composition in Holstein heifers under the same forage to concentrate ratio condition". "BMC Microbiol". 2018.

Dieho, K., van Baal, J., Kruijt, L., Bannink, A., Schonewille, J. T., Carreno, D., et al. "Effect of supplemental concentrate during the dry period or early lactation on rumen epithelium gene and protein expression in dairy cattle during the transition period". "J. Dairy Sci". 2017.

Author

Page authored by Joanna Rose Bologna, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.