Mycobacterium smegmatis: Difference between revisions
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===Higher order taxa=== | ===Higher order taxa=== | ||
Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Corynebacterineae; Mycobacteriaceae; Mycobacterium | Bacteria (Domain); Actinobacteria (Phylum); Actinobacteridae (Class); Actinomycetales (Order); Corynebacterineae (Suborder); Mycobacteriaceae(Family); Mycobacterium (Genus) | ||
===Genus=== | ===Genus=== | ||
Revision as of 05:25, 1 June 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Mycobacterium smegmatis
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria (Domain); Actinobacteria (Phylum); Actinobacteridae (Class); Actinomycetales (Order); Corynebacterineae (Suborder); Mycobacteriaceae(Family); Mycobacterium (Genus)
Genus
Mycobacterium. Included are Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprea.
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
First discovered in 1884 by Lustgarten. They are mostly found in the soil, marine, and freshwater environments. Mycobacterium smegmatis is classified as a saprophytic species that rarely causes disease and isn't dependent on living in an animal, unlike some pathogenic Mycobacterium. It is a very important bacteria because it is very useful for studying cultures of Mycobacterium. There are several Mycobacterium species that are harmful and are common diseases, like Mycobacterium leprea, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium bovis. Mycobacterium smegmatis is so important because it is fast growing and non-pathogenic compared to these species. Currently, there are many laboratories that are culturing this species to determine the pathological course of deleterious Mycobacteria.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
Bacillus licheniformis is a bacterium that is commonly found in soil and bird feathers. Birds that tend to stay on the ground more than the air (i.e. sparrows) and on the water (i.e. ducks) are common carriers of this bacterium; it is mostly found around the bird's chest area and back plumage.
Bacillus licheniformis is part of the subtilis group along with Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus. These bacteria are commonly known to cause food poisoning and food spoilage. Bacillus licheniformis also is known for contaminating dairy products. Food borne outbreaks usually involve cases of cooked meats and vegetables, raw milk, and industrially produced baby food contaminated with Bacillus licheniformis.
Genome structure
The genome is 6,988,209 nucleotides long. It has a 67% GC content and a 33% AT content. 90% of the genome represents coding regions that encode for 6718 proteins. There are 6938 genes that are composed circularly. It doesn't contain any plasmids.
Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell structure and metabolism
Although Mycobacterium smegmatis is in the class Actinobacteria, it doesn't have a gram positive cell structure. Instead, the cell structure is characterized by being acid fast. It contains a very thick cell wall which contains the mycolic acids characteristic of acid fast bacteria. The cell wall is extremely, and irregularly thick. It is also waxy and hydrophobic, preventing the cell from dessication. This also prevents proper gram staining. Although it contains the similar structural features of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, it grows much quicker in comparison. Mycobacterium smegmatis is an aerobic organism. It may grow on common substrates like sugars, organic acids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. Small amounts of Mycobacterium smegmatis may also survive on chemolithoautotrophic growth on carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. It requires a unique fatty acid biosynthesis to produce the mycolic acids that are present on the cell wall.
what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Mycobacterium smegmatis may live in soil and degrade organic materials, including sterols. The bacteria lives in water, and tends to exist near large bodies of water.
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
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
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
Dastur, A., Kumar, P., Ramesh, S., Vasanthakrishna, M., Varshney, U. "Analysis of the initiator tRNA genes from a slow- and a fast-growing Mycobacterium" Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12209262&dopt=Abstract
Edited by Benjamin Yip, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
