Sphingomonas sp., agents

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Introduction

The Genus Sphingomonas includes a range of bacterium that are remarkable for their ability to break down polycyclic hydrocarbons. Bacteria in this genus have been detected in a variety of environments, both marine and terrestrial. In recent years, these bacteria have been a focus of study because of their possible applications for bioremediation (one of the major components of oil being stable aromatic hydrocarbons). [CITATION]

Sphingomonas sp., Agents of Bioremediation and Pathogenic Infection (PICTURE[colonies]: http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/jose.deondarza/MicroWorld/Prokaryotes.htm)

Characterization of Sphingomonas

Figure 2. Phylogenetic tree showing the four clusters of Sphingomonas species.

The Genus Sphingomonas includes many bacteria with varied morphological traits. Though initially only a few were none and mostly in a clinical setting, further studies started to reveal many morphologically similar strains. For this reason, in 2001 they were separated into four distinct clusters within the Genus. These clusters, collectively known as the Sphingomonads, are individually known as Sphingomonas, Sphingobium, Novosphingobium, and Sphingopyxis. There are more than 20 known species that are distributed amongst these strains according to their chemotaxonomic and phenotypic traits, as well as their 16S rRNA gene sequences. (http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/51/4/1405)

Some shared traits among all strains of Sphingomonas are that they are Gram-negative and possess a bacillus (rod) shape. The bacteria are also strictly aerobic chemoheterophs. Whereas other bacteria utilize lipopolysaccharides in their cell envelopes, Sphingomonas integrate glycosphingolipids. This is the primary distinguishing characteristic separating them from other species in the α-subclass of Proteobacteria. In cultures Sphingomonas colonies typically appear yellow. Finally, Sphingomonas species’ major quinone is characteristically ubiquinone 10. (http://www.springerlink.com/content/v3654176x2651434/)

Ideal Habitats of Sphingomonas Species

Figure 3. Structure of microcystin, an aromatic compound that sometimes contaminates marine environments. Studies have shown that microcystin can be broken down by some aquatic species of Sphingomonas.

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Hydrogen Production

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Nanoparticle synthesis

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Conclusion

R.palustris is truly a versatile bacterium and its different metabolic capabilities have very important applications in this present day and age with problems of environmental contamination and non-renewable energy sources. It provides us a way for dealing with these problems by just optimizing some of these metabolic capabilites. It has a lot of potential in bio-remediation, hydrogen fuel production and nanoparticle synthesis and thus more research in these areas would of immense value.

References

Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2010, Kenyon College.