Gemella palaticanis

Classification

Bacteria, Bacillota, Bacilli, Bacillales, Staphylococcaceae, Gemella, G. palaticanis

Species

Gemella palaticanis https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S2214250918300775-gr1.jpg

Description and Significance

Gemella palatincanis is a relatively new species of microbe under the genus Gemella. Gemella, first discovered in 1938, consists of catalase negative, facultatively anaerobic, Gram-positive, coccoid shaped organisms. Microbes within this genus are often arranged in pairs or tetrads. It was only recently that two species of Gemella were recognized, after research found that they were biochemically incompatible with the original assigned genus. Gemella palatincanis is another recently added species after it was extracted from the oral cavity of a canine. they are unique among the rest of the genus as palaticanis has the ability to ferment lactose. In other words, this species is capable of breaking down the sugars in food, hence producing lactic acid.

Genome Structure

There is vey little known of the genome structure of Gemella palatincanis. However, the genome of this species is a single, circular chromosome, similar to many other microorganisms. The genome size of the Gemella is typically ranged from 1.60-2.05Mb. The DNA G+C content can we as low as 30-40%. Different species of Gemalla are distinguished based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

The cells of Gemella palaticanis are non-spore-forming cocci that typically appear in clusters or small chains. all Gemella carry the genes necessary for incorporating phosphorylcholine into their cell walls and are able to encode certain choline-binding proteins. They are facultatively anaerobic, using oxygen to produce ATP when it is present, but having the capability to switch to fermentation when oxygen is not present. There is little known of this species metabolism or complete life cycle.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Gemella are most commonly known to be found within the human mucous membranes, including but not limited to : the oral cavity, the respiratory tract, and the gastrointestinal tract. The genus has been known to cause local and widespread infection. It may act as a causative agent in different infections, such as infective endocarditis, brain and pharyngeal abscesses, as well as empyema.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemella_palaticanis https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/ijsem/10.1099/00207713-49-4-1523 https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/jide/journal-of-infectious-diseases-and-epidemiology-jide-4-063.php?jid=jide https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00524/full https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=81950&lvl=3&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock

Author

Page authored by Mackenzie McFarland, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.