Sphingomonas aliaeris

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Classification

Domain: Bacteria Phylum: Proteobacteria Class: Alphaproteobacteria Order: Sphingomonadales Family: Sphingomonadaceae Genus: Sphingomonas Species: Sphingomonas alieris

Species

NCBI: [1]

Sphingomonas Aliaeris

Description and Significance

Sphingomonas aliaeris is a species of gram-negative, obligate aerobe bacteria that appears as rod-shaped (bacilli) cells under a microscope. Typically found in soil, water, and plant surfaces, it belongs to the genus Sphingomonas, which is known for several different ecological roles. For instance, this species is very metabolically flexible, and it can degrade many complex organic compounds. It can break down xenobiotics (synthetic chemicals), aromatic hydrocarbons, and organic pollutants like pesticides or herbicides. It is involved in many metabolic processes, so its importance is relevant to the cycling of organic matter in ecosystems and potential industrial applications like bioremediation. Overall, it has a strong significance in biotechnology and biodegradation.

Genome Structure

Total Genome Length: ~4.26 million base pairs

Size of the genome: 4.3 Mb

Number of chromosomes: 3

GC percent %: 64.5

Contains 2 circular plasmids along with the main chromosome

3,685 protein genes, along with 57 RNA genes

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Sphingomonas aliaeris is a gram negative, rod-shaped, motile and non-spore forming bacterium. S.aliaeris form red, convex, circular, shiny colonies with a diameter of <1 mm and its cells have a diameter of 1.5x0.9 µm. This species is a chemoheterotroph meaning that it breaks down complex organic compounds to use as energy. It can degrade chemicals such as hydrocarbons, synthetic chemicals, and pesticides. Similar to other species in the Sphingomonas genus, this species contains sphingoglycolipids and ubiquinone Q-10 as its major respiratory quinone (Heidler 2021). In addition, this species reproduces by binary fission, resulting into the parent cell dividing into two identical daughter cells.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Sphingomonas Aliaeris is a psychrotroph that grows best at low temperatures and in high CO2 environments. The bacterium was isolated from pork steak samples packed at 4°C with 75% oxygen and 20% CO2. There is no research on the symbiosis of Sphingomonas Aliaeris, but the Sphingomonas genus often aids in nutrient exchange and pathogen resistance. Sphingomonas Aliaeris has a diverse metabolism, allowing it to break down many organic compounds. This means it contributes to organic matter degradation and recycling within its habitat. It could be helpful in food storage due to it being a psychtrotroph. There is no evidence of the bacterium being pathogenic, and many Sphingomonas species are not.

References

Heidler von Heilborn D, Reinmüller J, Hölzl G, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Woehle C, Marek M, Hüttel B, Lipski A. Sphingomonas aliaeris sp. nov., a new species isolated from pork steak packed under modified atmosphere. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2021 Aug;71(8). doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004973. PMID: 34435946.

Jiang L, Seo J, Peng Y, Jeon D, Lee JH, Kim CY, Lee J. 2023. A nostoxanthin-producing bacterium, Sphingomonas nostoxanthinifaciens sp. nov., alleviates the salt stress of Arabidopsis seedlings by scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Frontiers.

Lombardino, J., Bijlani, S., Singh, N. K., Wood, J. M., Barker, R., Gilroy, S., Wang, C. C. C., & Venkateswaran, K. (2022). Genomic Characterization of Potential Plant Growth-Promoting Features of Sphingomonas Strains Isolated from the International Space Station. Microbiology Spectrum, 10(1).

Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.]

Vancanneyt, M., Schut, F., Snauwaert, C., Goris, J., Swings, J., & Gottschal, J. C. (2001). Sphingomonas alaskensis sp. nov., a dominant bacterium from a marine oligotrophic environment. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 51(1), 73–79.

Author

Page authored by Anistyn Deese, Jazmyne Bradley, Grace Galuris, Josh Graffeo, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington. [[Category:Pages edited by students of Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington]]