Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris

A. acidoterrestris

Classification

Bacteria; Bacillota; Bacilli; Bacillales; Alicyclobacillaceae

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Alicyclobacillus; A. acidoterrestris

Description and Significance

A. acidoterrestris is an aerobic, gram positive, thermoacidophilic bacilli that produces endospores. It can survive in acidic environments down to 2.5 pH and grows at temperatures between 26°C and 55°C. The significance of this bacteria lies in its ability to contaminate juice products and survive the pasteurization process used to remove bacteria due to the heartiness of its endospores. This bacteria is found growing in soils, fruit juices, and orchards.

Genome Structure

The genome is 4,063,548 base pairs, singular, and circular. It has a Guanine -Cytosine content of 52.2% and contains about 4,145 protein coding genes. The genome contains a sporulation transcription activator that shares a 61% similarity with the Spo0A found in Bacillus subtilis and sporulation Kinase A (KinA) was also preserved in this genome.

• Fw Sequence: 5’-AGAGTTTGATCCTGGCTCA-3’, positions 8 to 26
• Rw Sequence: 5’-CGGCTACCTTGTTACGGAC-3’, positions 1511 to 1493

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment. If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] 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.

Author

Page authored by Alex Lam, Kyle Kristoff students of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.