Sphingomonas aliaeris

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Legend. Image credit: Name or Publication.

Classification

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: [1]

Genus species

Description and Significance

Sphingomonas aliaeris is a species of gram-negative, obligate aerobe bacteria that appears as rod-shaped (bacilli) cells under a microscope. Typically found in soil, water, and plant surfaces, it belongs to the genus Sphingomonas, which is known for several different ecological roles. For instance, this species is very metabolically flexible, and it can degrade many complex organic compounds. It can break down xenobiotics (synthetic chemicals), aromatic hydrocarbons, and organic pollutants like pesticides or herbicides. It is involved in many metabolic processes, so its importance is relevant to the cycling of organic matter in ecosystems and potential industrial applications like bioremediation. Overall, it has a strong significance in biotechnology and biodegradation.

Genome Structure

Total Genome Length: ~4.26 million base pairs

Size of the genome: 4.3 Mb

Number of chromosomes: 3

GC percent %: 64.5

Contains 2 circular plasmids along with the main chromosome

3,685 protein genes, along with 57 RNA genes

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Sphingomonas Aliaeris is a psychrotroph that grows best at low temperatures and in high CO2 environments. The bacterium was isolated from pork steak samples packed at 4°C with 75% oxygen and 20% CO2. There is no research on the symbiosis of Sphingomonas Aliaeris, but the Sphingomonas genus often aids in nutrient exchange and pathogen resistance. Sphingomonas Aliaeris has a diverse metabolism, allowing it to break down many organic compounds. This means it contributes to organic matter degradation and recycling within its habitat. It could be helpful in food storage due to it being a psychtrotroph. There is no evidence of the bacterium being pathogenic, and many Sphingomonas species are not.

References

[Sample reference] [http://ijs.sgmjournals.org/cgi/reprint/50/2/489 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.]

Heidler von Heilborn D, Reinmüller J, Hölzl G, Meier-Kolthoff JP, Woehle C, Marek M, Hüttel B, Lipski A. Sphingomonas aliaeris sp. nov., a new species isolated from pork steak packed under modified atmosphere. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2021 Aug;71(8). doi: 10.1099/ijsem.0.004973. PMID: 34435946.

Jiang L, Seo J, Peng Y, Jeon D, Lee JH, Kim CY, Lee J. 2023. A nostoxanthin-producing bacterium, Sphingomonas nostoxanthinifaciens sp. nov., alleviates the salt stress of Arabidopsis seedlings by scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Frontiers. Frontiers.

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington. [[Category:Pages edited by students of Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington]]