Cenarchaeum: Difference between revisions
Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
==Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle== | ==Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle== | ||
''Cenarchaeum symbiosum''exists as rod-shaped cells averaging 0.8 microns long and 0.5 microns wide. | ''Cenarchaeum symbiosum''exists as rod-shaped cells averaging 0.8 microns long and 0.5 microns wide. | ||
In terms of metabolism, genetic analysis suggests that ''C. symbiosum'' uses at least an incomplete TCA cycle. The genome also indicates an intact Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, although without glucokinase or pyruvate kinase, which suggests that it may form glucose through this pathway rather than breaking it down. However, genes were also found to encode carbohydrate kinases of unknown specificity. Many Entner-Douodoroff pathway components were missing from the genome, indicating that this archaeum does not use the ED pathway for catabolism. However, a nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway was identified, which could provide NADPH and ribose sugars for anabolism. Homologous genes that could be associated with ammonia oxidation occur in the genome of ''C. symbiosum'', but between missing homologues and identified potential cytochrome replacements for mobile electron carrying suggest that energy derived from ammonia oxidiation is obtained through different mechanisms than those of most nitrifying bacteria. | |||
==Ecology (including pathogenesis)== | ==Ecology (including pathogenesis)== |
Revision as of 16:19, 23 October 2011
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Cenarchaeum
Classification
Domain: Archaea; Phylum: Thaumarchaeota; Order: Cenarchaeales; Family: Cenarchaeaceae; Genus: Cenarchaeum
An important species is Cenarchaeum symbiosum.
Description and significance
Describe the disease caused by this organism if it is a pathogen, or the natural macroscopic "field guide" appearance and habitat of your organism if it is not. What is or has been the impact your organism on human history or our environment?. How does it do this? How have we harnessed this power, or tried to prevent it? In other words, how do you know it if you see it, and how does its presence influence humans in the present, and historically?
Genome structure
Cenarchaeum symbiosum has a single circular chromosome 2,045,086 bp in length. On average, the genome has 57.74% G/C content. The origin(s) of replication are not known. 2,017 protein-encoding genes were predicted and for 65% of these, homology searches showed functional or conserved roles.
This genome contains most of the core genes generally expected of Archaea. A eukaryal-like H3-H4 histone was also found in the genome of C. symbiosum, the first crenarchaeote in which this was found.
Cell structure, metabolism & life cycle
Cenarchaeum symbiosumexists as rod-shaped cells averaging 0.8 microns long and 0.5 microns wide.
In terms of metabolism, genetic analysis suggests that C. symbiosum uses at least an incomplete TCA cycle. The genome also indicates an intact Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, although without glucokinase or pyruvate kinase, which suggests that it may form glucose through this pathway rather than breaking it down. However, genes were also found to encode carbohydrate kinases of unknown specificity. Many Entner-Douodoroff pathway components were missing from the genome, indicating that this archaeum does not use the ED pathway for catabolism. However, a nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway was identified, which could provide NADPH and ribose sugars for anabolism. Homologous genes that could be associated with ammonia oxidation occur in the genome of C. symbiosum, but between missing homologues and identified potential cytochrome replacements for mobile electron carrying suggest that energy derived from ammonia oxidiation is obtained through different mechanisms than those of most nitrifying bacteria.
Ecology (including pathogenesis)
Describe its habitat, symbiosis, and contributions to environment. If it is a pathogen, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Describe virulence factors and patient symptoms.
Interesting feature
Describe in detail one particularly interesting aspect of your organism or it's affect on humans or the environment.