Clostridium acetobutylicum

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Clostridium acetobutylicum

Image of Clostridium acetobutylicum courtesy of NCBI.

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria (Domain); Firmicutes (Phylum); Clostridia (Class); Clostridiales (Order); Clostridiaceae (Family); Clostridium (Genus)

Species

Clostridium acetobutylicum

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

Clostridium acetobutylicum is a Gram positive bacillus. It is anaerobic and saccharolytic capable of producing a number of different commercially useful products; most notably acetone, ethanol and butanol. C. acetobutylicum soil dwelling, mesophilic with optimal temperatures of 10-65C.

It was first isolated between 1912 and 1914. Chaim Weizmann cultured the bacteria to be used to produce acetone, ethanol and butanol (ABE method) which was used to produce TNT and gunpowder in the first World War. Following WWI, the ABE process was widely used until the 1950's when petrochemical processes were more cost-effective due to the cost and availability of petroleum fuel sources.

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.

Nolling J et al., "Genome sequence and comparative analysis of the solvent-producing bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum.", J Bacteriol, 2001 Aug;183(16):4823-38

Genome structure

The genome of Clostridium acetobutylicum ACTT 824 has been sequenced. It consists of once circular chromosome with 3,940,880 bp. The chromosome contains 11 operons coding for ribosomes, each of which is near the oriC and oriented in the direction of the leading strand of the replication fork. This is a characteristic commonly observed known as gene dosage, in which highly transcribed genes are placed near the oriC.

In addition, the genome consists of one megaplasmid involved with solvent production and aptly named pSOL1. pSOL1 contains 192,000 bp and codes for 178 polypeptides. Examination of the plasmid indicates no obvious bias in the coding strand.

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

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Ecology

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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

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References

Taxonomy: NCBI

Keis, S., Shaheen, R., and Jones, D.T. "Emended descriptions of Clostridium acetobutylicum and Clostridium beijerinckii, and descriptions of Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum sp. nov. and Clostridium saccharobutylicum sp. nov." Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. (2001) 51:2095-2103.

[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.

Edited by Mark Hower, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano