Verrucomicrobia

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1. Classification

a. Higher order taxa

Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Verrucomicrobia; Class: Verrucomicrobiales; Order: Verrucomicrobiales; Family: Planctobacteria/Gracilicutes Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a specific taxon/group of organisms

2. Description and significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

• Include as many headings as are relevant to your microbe. Consider using the headings below, as they will allow readers to quickly locate specific information of major interest*

=3. Genome structure= The genome of TAV2, a strain of Verrucomicrobia in the gut of termites, has been sequenced. The TAV2 genome is 5.2 mB in size with one 16S rRNA copy per cell [Wertz et al., 2012]. The TAV2 genome has all the necessary genes for glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as a terminal oxidase encoding gene, meaning that the microbe potentially can oxidize glucose to CO2 and is a potential microaerophile [Wertz et al., 2012]. The Verrucomicrobia genome also revealed that it uses plant biomass as an energy source and exhibits optimal growth at 2-8% oxygen confirming that it is microaerophilic [Wertz et al., 2012]. Initial analysis of the TAV2 genome also revealed regions containing genes encoding nitrogenase [Wertz et al., 2012], which is involved in nitrogen fixation may contribute to the nitrogen content of animal guts. Currently, six monophyletic classes are recognized in the phylum Verrucomicrobia based on 16S rRNA gene library studies. There are more than 500 different Verrucomicrobia 16S rRNA gene sequences in a publicly accessible database [Lee, K.-C. et al., 2009].

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

4. Cell structure

Interesting features of cell structure. Can be combined with “metabolic processes”

5. Metabolic processes

Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).

6. Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

7. Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

8. Current Research

Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose

9. References

It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.