Staphylothermus marinus: Difference between revisions
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==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
The current genome of S. marinus is 1.57 million base pairs long. The GC content is 35.7% with a gene count of 1646. There are 45 RNAs found in the organism. | The current genome of S. marinus is 1.57 million base pairs long. The GC content is 35.7% with a gene count of 1646. There are 45 RNAs found in the organism.(5) | ||
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? | 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? | Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle? | ||
==Cell structure and metabolism== | ==Cell structure and metabolism== |
Revision as of 18:15, 29 August 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Staphylothermus marinus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Archaea; Crenarchaeota; Thermoprotei; Desulfurococcales; Desulfurococcaceae; Staphylothermus
Species
Staphylothermus marinus
NCBI: Taxonomy
Description and significance
Staphylothermus marinus is a marine organism that was isolated from hydrothermal sediment off the the coast of Vulcano Island in Italy. It can also be found from "black smokers" on the ocean floor. In a rich medium, Staphylothermus marinus grows in an optimum temperature of 92 degrees Celsius, but when nutrients are sparce, the optimum temperature drops to 85 degrees Celsius. For growth in a lab, a complex nutrient source is needed for optimum growth.
The morphology of the Staphylothermus marinus can differ depending on the nutrients available. When nutrients are plentiful, Staphylothermus marinus grow as giant cells in a slightly irregular coccus shape with diameters up to 15 mm. Low nutrient concentrations produce little cells with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mm. Up to 100 of these cells can cluster together to form grape-like groups.
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.
Genome structure
The current genome of S. marinus is 1.57 million base pairs long. The GC content is 35.7% with a gene count of 1646. There are 45 RNAs found in the organism.(5)
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
The cell wall of Staphylothermus marinus is an unusual stucture called tetrabrachion. It is a glycoprotein complex that is very stable at high temperatures which is even resistant to chemicals that denature proteins. Tetrabrachion
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Staphylothermus marinus was isolated from ocean, heat-vent sediment from Vulcano Island in Italy. Due to the extreme heat, no organisms were thought to have lived there. Staphylothermus marinus is now sequenced to be compared with other Archaea hyperthermophiles.
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
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
Edited by Julie Liu student of Rachel Larsen