Rhodococcus: Difference between revisions
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==Description and Significance== | ==Description and Significance== | ||
Rhodococcus is a genus of non-motile, non-sporulating, aerobic gram-positive filamentous rod of the phylum Actinobacteria. These organisms reside in soil and water environments and are classified as one of the most industrial important organisms, containing both strains which are mesophilic and psychrophilic. A variety of strains of Rhodococcus, contain the ability to carry out biological applications such as biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, serving as biocatalysts, degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and utilization of a wide variety of other organic compounds as energy sources. The ability of Rhodococcus to carry out these functions, especially degradation of PCBs, may be essential to decontaminating polluted superfund sites throughout the United States. | Rhodococcus is a genus of non-motile, non-sporulating, aerobic gram-positive filamentous rod of the phylum Actinobacteria (1). These organisms reside in soil and water environments and are classified as one of the most industrial important organisms, containing both strains which are mesophilic (2) and psychrophilic (3). A variety of strains of Rhodococcus, contain the ability to carry out biological applications such as biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, serving as biocatalysts (1), degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and utilization of a wide variety of other organic compounds as energy sources (2). The ability of Rhodococcus to carry out these functions, especially degradation of PCBs, may be essential to decontaminating polluted superfund sites throughout the United States. | ||
==Genome Structure== | ==Genome Structure== | ||
Revision as of 03:36, 24 March 2008
Classification
Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteria (class); Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Corynebacterineae; Nocardiaceae; Rhodococcus
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Genus species
Description and Significance
Rhodococcus is a genus of non-motile, non-sporulating, aerobic gram-positive filamentous rod of the phylum Actinobacteria (1). These organisms reside in soil and water environments and are classified as one of the most industrial important organisms, containing both strains which are mesophilic (2) and psychrophilic (3). A variety of strains of Rhodococcus, contain the ability to carry out biological applications such as biodesulfurization of fossil fuels, serving as biocatalysts (1), degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and utilization of a wide variety of other organic compounds as energy sources (2). The ability of Rhodococcus to carry out these functions, especially degradation of PCBs, may be essential to decontaminating polluted superfund sites throughout 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?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
1. McLeod, M. et. al. "The complete genome of Rhodococcus sp. RHA1 provides insights into a catabolic powerhouse". Preceeding of the National Academy of Sciences. 2006. Volume 103. p. 15582-15587.
2. Warren, R. et. al. "Functional Characterization of a Catabolic Plasmid from Polychlorinated Biphenyl Degrading Rhodococcus sp. Strain RHA1". Journal of Bacteriology. 2004. Volume 186. p. 7783-7795.
3. Whyte, L. et. al. "Biodegradation of Variable-Chain-Length Alkanes at Low Temperatures by a Psychrotrophic Rhodococcus sp.". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 1998. Volume 64. p. 2578-2584.
Author
Page authored by Bruce Fraser & Hermes Fernandez, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
