Burkholderia pseudomallei: Difference between revisions
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==Cell structure and metabolism== | ==Cell structure and metabolism== | ||
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. | Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. | ||
''Burkholderia pseudomallei'' is a gram negative bacterium with dimensions 2-5μm in length and .4-.8μm in diameter. It has a rod shape and is an aerobic bacterium with a flagellum that provides motility. | |||
''Burkholderia pseudomallei'' can go through fermentation of sugars such as glucose, galactose, maltose, and starch without gas formation. Nevertheless, this aerobic bacterium expresses genes that code for metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and pentose phosphate pathways. However, it is important to note that there is a down regulation in genes that code for energy metabolism such as ATP-synthase and NADH-dehydrogenase enzymes. Nevertheless, the genes that code for alternative energy sources, such as ubiquinol oxidase, formate dehydrogenase and ferredoxin oxidoreductase were highly expressed. It is evident that these alternative pathways are essential for slow growth in the host. | |||
==Ecology== | ==Ecology== | ||
Revision as of 17:03, 3 May 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Burkholderia pseudomallei
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Beta Proteobacteria; Burkholderiales; Burkholderiaceae
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Burkholderia pseudomallei
Description and significance
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram negative bacterium with dimensions 2-5μm in length and .4-.8μm in diameter in the shape of a rod. This bacterium is aerobic and has flagellum that provides motility. It found in the soil and water and is endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Its optimal growth occurs at the temperature of 40°C and a neutral or slightly acidic pH. Burkholderia pseudomallei is significant in its role of causing a disease known as melioidosis, which currently doesn’t have a vaccine.
Genome structure
The genome consists of two chromosomes and each has a different role. The lager chromosome made up of 4.07 megabase pairs contain genes that are essential for “housekeeping work” such as metabolism and cell growth. The other chromosome is made up of 3.17 megabase pairs and contains genes that are essential for adaptation and survival in different environments. Careful scrutiny of the two chromosomes indicate that they each gained genomic islands and possess double the amount of DNA normally present in other bacterium to better adapt to the environment in order to survive.
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram negative bacterium with dimensions 2-5μm in length and .4-.8μm in diameter. It has a rod shape and is an aerobic bacterium with a flagellum that provides motility. Burkholderia pseudomallei can go through fermentation of sugars such as glucose, galactose, maltose, and starch without gas formation. Nevertheless, this aerobic bacterium expresses genes that code for metabolic pathways such as glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, and pentose phosphate pathways. However, it is important to note that there is a down regulation in genes that code for energy metabolism such as ATP-synthase and NADH-dehydrogenase enzymes. Nevertheless, the genes that code for alternative energy sources, such as ubiquinol oxidase, formate dehydrogenase and ferredoxin oxidoreductase were highly expressed. It is evident that these alternative pathways are essential for slow growth in the host.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
Burkholderia pseudomallei is a human and animal pathogen and is the cause of melioidosis, which is a disease native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It releases exo and endo toxins but their role in instigating the symptoms of melioidosis is not yet fully understood. Nevertheless, infection is spread through ingestion or contact of bacteria onto open skin wounds or through the inhalation of the aerosolized Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis can be classified as acute or chronic depending on the incubation time before symptoms appear. Burkholderia pseudomallei mimics tuberculosis in its ability o lay dormant without showing any symptoms for years. Common symptoms include fever, formation of abscess on various parts of the body such as the brain, osteomyelitis, bacteremia and various diseases of the heart, lungs and kidney such as pneumonia. Burkholderia pseudomallei was thought to have biological warfare potential and it’s virulence is made evident by being listed as a “Category B agent” by the US centers for Disease Control.
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
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Info/Press/2004/040914.shtml http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15377794
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burkholderia_pseudomallei
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melioidosis
Edited by Jin-Mo O
