Draft genome sequence of Meiothermus ruber H328, which degrades chicken feathers, and identification of proteases and peptidases responsible for degradation

Abstract

Meiothermus ruber H328 was isolated from Arima Hot Springs, Kobe, Japan, as a moderate thermophile. It has a strong ability to degrade intact chicken feathers. The enzymatic mechanism of the strain for feather degradation is unclear. The draft genome suggests potent enzyme candidates for degradation of keratin, a hard-to-degrade protein found in feathers.