Arthrospira platensis

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A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Arthrospira platensis

Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain: Bacteria Phylum: Cyanobacteria Class: Cyanophyceae Order: Oscillatoriales Family: Phormidiaceae

Species

Genus: Arthrospira species: platensis

Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis; A. platensis

Genome structure

In March 2010, Arthrospira platensis became the first filamentous, non-N2-fixing cyanobacterium to have its genome sequenced and published(1). The genome consists of a single, circular chromosome and was found to be 6.8Mb in size with 44.3% G-C cotent(1). There were 6630 protein-coding genes detected, as well as 49 RNA genes, including 2 sets of rRNA genes and 40 tRNA genes(1). When looked at in its entirety, 78% of the species' genes showed similarity to genes with known function in other organisms, while 22% of the genome is made up of unknown genes(1).

Cell structure and metabolism

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

Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

Pathology

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

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

Cool Factor

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References

1. Fujisawa, Takatomo et al. “Genomic Structure of an Economically Important Cyanobacterium, Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis NEIS-39.” DNA Research 17 (2010): 85-103.

2. Mosulishvili, L. M., E. I. Kirkesali, A. I. Beiokobylsky, and A. I. Khizanishvili. “Experimental Substantion of the Possibility of Developing Selenium and Iodine Containing Pharmaceuticals Based on Blue-green Algae Spirulina platensis.” Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 30.1 (2002): 87-97. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. 05 Oct 2011. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bioproject?Db=genome&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=6605.>

4. Singh, Nirbhay Kumar and Dolly Wattal Dhar. “Phylogenetic Relatedness Among Spirulina and Related Cyanobacterial Genera.” World J Microbiol Biotechnol 27 (2011): 941-951.

5. Slonczewski, Joan L. and John W. Foster. Microbiology: An Evolving Science. 2nd Ed. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009. 141-685.

6. Watunuki, Hironubu, Kazuki Ota, Asmi Citra Malina, A. R. Tassakka, Toshimitsu Kato, and Masahiro Sakai. “Immunostimulant Effects of Dietary Spirulina platensis on Carp, Cyprinus Carpio.” Aquaculture 258. 1-4 (2006): 157-63. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.

Edited by student of Iris Keren NEUF2011