Pelobacter carbinolicus is a gram-negative delta-proteobacterium within the family Geobacteraceae .   Although Pelobacter species are phylogenetically intertwined with Geobacter and Desulfuromonas species in this family, the Pelobacter species lack several of the hallmark physiological characteristics of the Geobacter and Desulfuromonas species.   For example, Pelobacter species are unable to completely oxidize organic electron donors to carbon dioxide.   Furthermore, they lack the abundant c-type cytochromes found in other Geobacteraceae .   Pelobacter species were initially recognized for their ability to grow fermentatively with novel substrates and as syntrophic organisms, generating hydrogen for consumption by methanogens.   However, subsequent studies revealed that, like other members of the Geobacteraceae , these organisms can grow via respiration with S° or Fe(III) serving as the sole electron acceptor. Functional analysis of the genome of P. carbinolicus is expected to provide important insights into the evolution of the Geobacteraceae , the predominant dissimilatory metal-reducing microorganisms in a diversity of sedimentary environments, as well as aid in elucidating the mechanisms for electron transfer to metals in Geobacteraceae and their syntrophic interactions.

References:

Schink, B. "The Genus Pelobacter ", in M. Dworkin et al., eds., The Prokaryotes: An Evolving Electronic Resource for the Microbiological Community, 3rd edition, release 3.7, November 2, 2001, Springer-Verlag, New York, http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/books/10125/.

Lovley, DR, Phillips, EJP, Lonergan, DJ, Widman, PK. (1995)   Fe(III) and So reduction by Pelobacter carbinolicus .   Appl Envir Microbiol. 61(6):2132-2138.

Lonergan DJ, Jenter HL, Coates JD, Phillips EJP, Schmidt TM, Lovley DR. (1996) Phylogenetic analysis of dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria. J Bacteriol. 178:2402-2408.  

Lonergan DJ, Coates JD, Lovley DR. (1997) Diversity of Electron Donors and Acceptors Utilized by Phylogenetically Diverse Iron-Reducing Bacteria.   Progress in Microbial Ecology. 1997:49-54.