Alistipes finegoldii

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Bacteroidota; Bacteroidia; Bacteroidales; Rikenellaceae; Alistipes (1)

Species

Alistipes finegoldii, Alistipes putredinis, Alistipes onderdonkii, Alistipes shahii, Alistipes indistinctus, Alistipes senegalensis, Alistipes timonensis, Alistipes obesi, Alistipes ihumii, Alistipes inops, Alistipes megaguti, Alistipes provencensis, and Alistipes massiliensis (1)

Description and Significance

Alistipes are classified as a gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobic, and non spore forming bacteria (2) that are found primarily in the gastrointestinal tract (3). This is a relatively new genus of bacteria, first discovered in tissue samples of children with appendicitis (4). So far, the Alistipes genus contains 13 species, all of which besides A.obesi are non-motile (2). The discovery of Alistipes bacteria has become essential in clinical research, as it has been shown to have both possible protective effects against diseases and pathogenetic dysbiotic effects. Studying Alistipes can provide more insight on the relationship of bacteria-host symbiosis in the gut and other areas of the body as well. Furthermore, its continuous study will contribute to how we understand Alistipes and its relationship to human health (2).

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?

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

(1)Schoch CL, et al. NCBI Taxonomy: a comprehensive update on curation, resources and tools. Database (Oxford). 2020: baaa062. PubMed: 32761142 PMC: PMC7408187.

(2)Parker BJ, Wearsch PA, Veloo ACM, Rodriguez-Palacios A. The Genus Alistipes: Gut Bacteria With Emerging Implications to Inflammation, Cancer, and Mental Health. Front Immunol. 2020 Jun 9;11:906. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00906. PMID: 32582143; PMCID: PMC7296073.

Author

Page authored by Virginia Powell & Max Plodzik, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at Indiana University.