Ferroglobus placidus

Classification

Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Archaeoglobi; Archaeoglobales; Archaeoglobaceae[Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Ferroglobus placidus

Description and Significance

F.placidus was found in a submarine hypothermal vent off the coast of Vulcano, Italy. It is a neutophilic hyperthermophile that can grow best at 85C , but can not grow below 65C or above 95C . F.placidus possesses flagella and has an S-layer. It is an anaerobic Fe(II) oxidizing archaea and is coccoid in shape. It is the first hyperthermophile and Archaea known to oxidize aromatic compunds to carbon dioxide anaerobically. This might suggest that F.placidus was around during early Earth, due the the same aromatic compounds coupled to Fe(III) in a similar manner. It has a doubling time of 2.8 hours and can fix carbon dioxide at a specific rate of .33 micromol min-1.

Genome Structure

The genome is currently being sequenced and will be released July of 2009.

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 _____, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.