Dehalococcoides ethenogenes
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Dehalococcoides ethenogenes
Classification
Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Chloroflexi; Class: Dehalococcoidetes; Order: Dehalococcoides
Species
Dehalococcoides sp.
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
This species reduces chlorinated hydrocarbons in contaminated subsurface environments. It is the only representative of its genus. This organism was isolated from environments contaminated with organic chlorinated chemicals such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethane (TCE), common contaminants in the anaerobic subsurface. There are at least 15 organisms from different metabolic groups, halorespirators, acetogens, methanogens and facultative anaerobes, that are able to metabolize PCE. Some of these organisms couple dehalogenation to energy conservation and utilize PCE as the only source of energy while others dehalogenate tetrachloroethene fortuitously. Dehalococcoides ethenogenes is the only known bacterium which completely dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to ethylene. This non-methanogenic, non-acetogenic culture is able to grow with hydrogen as the electron donor, indicating that hydrogen/PCE serves as an electron donor/acceptor for energy conservation and growth. This organism can only grow anaerobically in the presence of hydrogen as an electron donor and chlorinated compounds as electron acceptors. Dehalococcoides ethenogenes is typically found at sites contaminated with chlorinated solvents, and have been independently isolated in dozens of sites across the United States.
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
1) http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/65/7/3108.pdf
2) http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/bacteria/Dehalococcoides.html
3)
References
[Real reference] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=genomeprj&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=214; http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/bacteria/Dehalococcoides.html;
Edited by Tim Hou of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
