Filifactor alocis

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family; genus, species [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Bacteria; Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Peptostreptococcaceae, Filifactor, alocis

Species

Filifactor alocis

Genus species

Description and significance

Filifactor alocis, formally named Fusobacterium alocis 1, is a bacterium that is best known for being associated with periodontal and gingivitis disease. After much review of the literature the year 1985 is considered the year of discovery 2, however, the individual who discovered it is unknown. The classification of F. alocis was determined by genus similarity and species function. The meaning behind alocis is furrow, named from the common habitat of this species in the sulcus of the gums1.

. F. alocis is characterized as rod shaped, gram negative, and grouped alone, in pairs, or in chains1. F. alocis is a none spore forming bacteria. The optimal temperature of the bacteria is 37℃ and is an obligate anaerobe1. F alocis is also characterized as being nonmotile due to the lack of a flagella1. Although they are characterized as nonmotile, they have been observed as having twitching and end over end movement1. F. alocis forms small, circular, entire, and low to convex colonies1.

Genome and genetics

According to Bergey’s Manuel F. alocis belongs to the prokaryotic branch bacteria. F. alocis shares the genus Filifactor with one other species, F. villosus. F. alocis is also very similar to Fusobacterium. For a long time F alocis was confused as belonging to the genus Fusobacterium for many years because of the similar characteristics.

F. alocis has been completely sequenced. 16s rRNA has been a common means of classifying and comparing bacteria like F. alocis. In resent research probes such as EUB338 have been used in combination with species-specific probes to identify bacteria2. EUB338 is such a domain specific probe that is characteristic of bacteria5 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is commonly used with EUB338 analysis, both of which have been used to identify important characteristics of F. alocis, specifically biofilm formation2. FISH is used to target specific aspects of DNA or RNA that 16s rRNA sequence satisfies2,3

The complete genome of F. alocis has been sequenced. The exact strain number is ATCC 358964. The genome was last updated 01/27/20114. Characteristics of the sequence show the chromosome length being 1,931,012 base pairs long4. 35.4% of the base pairs are G+C while 64.6% are A+C base pairs. Within the genome of F. alocis are 1,729 differing genes and 25 pseudogenes4. F. alocis has a proteome consisting of 1644 different proteins that have been identified4.

Nutrition and metabolism

Resent studies on F. alocis have used rich non selective media in an anaerobic condition for incubation5. As of right now there is not a lot of research on nutrition and metabolism on the F. alocis.

Pathology

F. alocis is most commonly known for its suggested influence on periodontitis. The microbe is suggested to be involved in a numerous number of functions such as biofilm formation, immune invasion, oxidative stress resistance and triggering epithelial cell death6. Although the exact function Filifactor alocis contributes to the microbiota is unknown, it is thought of as being a great identifier for being associated with the presence of other pathogens, such as Pseudomonas gingavalis6

Current Research

Current research has shown that F. alocis is a marker for periodontitis and influences the microbiota6. Research has also shown that F. alocis colonization is reliant on a tecendent inhabitant of microbial communities7.