Pseudomonas entomophila

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria, Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Pseudomonadales, Pseudomonadaceae, Pseudomonas

Genus

Pseudomonas entomophila

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

P. entomophila is a bacterial strain isolated from a fruit fly from Guadeloupe. Upon ingestion it kills Drosophila melanogaster larvae and adults, as well as insects from other orders. Its persistence in the insect gut triggers a local and systemic immune response in the insect, making it a useful model for insect pathogenesis; indeed it is the first natural pathogen of D.melanogaster known. P. entomophila is unusual in that it does have a type III or type IV secretion system, one of which is usually found in pathogens. The mode by which it kills is not clear, although the genome encodes several insecticidal toxins, a diffusible haemolytic activity, several lipases, a number of extracellular proteases and potential adhesions which cluster with type I or II secretion system proteins. It may also be able to produce hydrogen cyanide and novel secondary metabolites which could contribute to its lethality.

Genome structure

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

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

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

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

example:

Glockner, F. O., M. Kube, M. Bauer, H. Teeling, T. Lombardot, W. Ludwig, D. Gade, A. Beck, K Borzym, K Heitmann, R. Rabus, H. Schlesner, R. Amann, and R. Reinhardt. 2003. "Complete genome sequence of the marine planctomycete Pirellula sp. strain 1." Proceedings of the National Acedemy of Sciences, vol. 100, no. 14. (8298-8303)

PubMed=16699499; [ NCBI , EBI , Israel , Japan ] Vodovar N., Vallenet D., Cruveiller S., Rouy Z., Barbe V., Acosta C., Cattolico L., Jubin C., Lajus A., Segurens B., Vacherie B., Wincker P., Weissenbach J., Lemaitre B., Medigue C., Boccard F. ; "Complete genome sequence of the entomopathogenic and metabolically versatile soil bacterium Pseudomonas entomophila."; Nat. Biotechnol. 24:673-679(2006).

Edited by student of Jason Kim