Pendulisporaceae
Classification
Domain: Bacteria Phylum: Myxococcota Class: Myxococci Order: Myxococcales Suborder: Sorangiineae
Species
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NCBI: [1] |
Myxobacteria Pendulisporaceae
Description and Significance
The Pendulisporaceae family represents a significant advancement in the study of Myxococcota, particularly for its unique biological and biosynthetic characteristics. This family includes four strains belonging to three newly identified species: Pendulispora rubella, P. albinea, and P. brunnea. Unlike typical myxobacteria, which form fruiting bodies during sporulation, Pendulisporaceae produce distinctive “powdery” spores connected by string-like structures, a feature reminiscent of Streptomyces but biologically distinct. This novel sporulation strategy sheds light on the diversity of bacterial reproductive adaptations, providing insights into how different environmental pressures may drive the evolution of these processes. Furthermore, the biosynthetic potential of Pendulisporaceae is remarkable, with the production of a variety of bioactive compounds. Notably, they synthesize sorangicin P, a potent inhibitor of Staphylococcus aureus, including drug-resistant strains, and myxoquaterines, compounds with antiviral, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties. These bioactive metabolites have significant implications for biotechnology and medicine, particularly in developing treatments for human coronaviruses and certain cancers. The ecological role of Pendulisporaceae, coupled with their adaptations to soil environments, highlights their importance in microbial diversity and interspecies competition. The discovery of this family not only enhances our understanding of bacterial sporulation but also offers a promising source of novel natural products with potential pharmaceutical applications.
Genome Structure
Taxonomy ID: 3375061. Our organism Pendulisporaceae is part of the myxobacterial family. The genome is very small as there are only seven families within the Myxococcota phylum. All of the families within this phylum are natural producers of pharmaceutical products. The whole genome has a very distinct sporulation behavior and the inner cells within the fruiting bodies differentiate directly into spherical spores. Their genome sequences revealed large genomes rich in biosynthetic gene clusters. Pendulisporaceae is identified under the Sorangiineae suborder. They have excellent defense against Staphylococcus Aureus. They have a swarm colony with flare-like edges, slender rod-shaped vegetative cells, and dormant spores. They have single circular chromosomes, 12.2 to 13.6 mega base pairs long.
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Pendulisporaceae have distinct sporulation behavior. The cells differentiate into spherical, stress-resistant spores, unlike other well-known bacteria from this family. This bacteria uses catabolism, breaking down larger molecules into smaller ones in order to create energy. Although, it is distinguished by an exceptional ability to produce metabolite products through multiple different biosynthetic gene clusters. These metabolic pathways produce bioactive compounds with antiviral, antifungal, cytotoxic, and antibiotic properties, which can become useful for pharmaceuticals. Notably, the production of compounds like sorangicin P and myxoquaterines exemplifies their potential in combating drug-resistant bacteria and human coronaviruses. The life cycle of Pendulisporaceae is closely linked to their secondary metabolite production, which is essential for survival and competition.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Pendulisporaceae primarily inhabit soil, specifically within aerobic topsoil layers where oxygen is readily available. These bacteria are found in diverse environments, including temperate and tropical regions, and frequently colonize decaying organic matter such as wood, plant debris, and herbivore dung. Their cooperative behaviors, including swarming and biofilm formation, support survival in nutrient-limited and competitive environments. Unlike solitary bacteria, their colonies exhibit coordinated activities that enhance ecological resilience and influence microbial community dynamics. Through their unique adaptations, Pendulisporaceae play a vital role in microbial diversity and the ecological balance of soil ecosystems.
References
NCBI:txid3375061.
Garcia, R., Popoff, A., Bader, C. D., et al. (2024). Discovery of the Pendulisporaceae: An extremotolerant myxobacterial family with distinct sporulation behavior and prolific specialized metabolism. Chem, 10(8), 2518–2537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2024.04.019
Reichenbach, H. (1999). The Ecology of The Myxobacteria. Environmental Microbiology, 1(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1462-2920.1999.00016.x
Shukla , G., & Sharma, G. (2024). A Unique Bacterial Family Strikes Again!. Science Direct. https://www-sciencedirect-com.liblink.uncw.edu/science/article/pii/S0966842X24002622
Author
Page authored by Haley Evans, Sadie Ostergard, Sam Cabrera, & Abbey Guernsey, students of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
