Treponema pallidum

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Treponema pallidum

Classification

Higher order taxa

Eubacteria; Spirochaetes; Spirochaetes; Spirochaetales; Spirochaetaceae; Treponema

Species

Treponema pallidum, T. pertenue, T. endemicum

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell structure and metabolism

Treponema pallidum is a gram negative bacteria. It is a spirochete meaning that is is helical in shape. As with all gram negative bacteria, it has an inner and outer membrane which contains within them a thin layer of peptidoglycan which provides structural stability. Within the periplasmic are endoflagella which are responsible for T. pallidum's motility.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

Rebecca E. LaFond and Sheila A. Lukehart "Biological Basis for Syphilis" Departments of Pathobiology, Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 2006 American Society for Microbiology

Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum str. Nichols (Project ID: 5) at US DOE Joint Genome Institute http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=genomeprj&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=5

Edited by Jasmin Eshragh, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.