Mycoplasma penetrans: Difference between revisions
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
Mycoplasma penetrans looks like an elongated flask and has a tip-like structure at one pole of the cell. | Mycoplasma penetrans looks like an elongated flask and has a tip-like structure at one pole of the cell. Mycoplasma penetrans are parasitic bacteria and inhabit humans. Mycoplasma penetrans was first isolated from a urine sample from a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient. The size of the M.penetrans genome was estimated to be 1.3 Mb. It is important to have its genome sequenced because it is suggested that this organism may possess additional genetic information involved in its unique infection process. The complete nucleotide sequence of Mycoplasma penetrans HF-2 strain was determined. In the analysis of the genomic sequence, it was revealed that Mycoplasma penetrans possesses a large number of paralogous gene repertoires with chromosomal structures that allow for antigenic variation. This influences how persistent they are at infecting human hosts. | ||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 00:52, 3 May 2007
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Mollicutes; Mycoplasmatales; Mycoplasmataceae; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma penetrans
Species
|
NCBI: [1] |
Mycoplasma penetrans, Mycoplasma penetrans HF-2 strain
Description and significance
Mycoplasma penetrans looks like an elongated flask and has a tip-like structure at one pole of the cell. Mycoplasma penetrans are parasitic bacteria and inhabit humans. Mycoplasma penetrans was first isolated from a urine sample from a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient. The size of the M.penetrans genome was estimated to be 1.3 Mb. It is important to have its genome sequenced because it is suggested that this organism may possess additional genetic information involved in its unique infection process. The complete nucleotide sequence of Mycoplasma penetrans HF-2 strain was determined. In the analysis of the genomic sequence, it was revealed that Mycoplasma penetrans possesses a large number of paralogous gene repertoires with chromosomal structures that allow for antigenic variation. This influences how persistent they are at infecting human hosts.
Genome structure
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.
Mycoplasmas penetrans, like all of the other mycoplasma species do not have a cell wall and lack most of the genes that are required for nutrient metabolism. For this reason, they have adopted a parasitic lifestyle in different host organisms. They are flask-like with a tip like shape at one side of the pole.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc. Mycoplasma penetrans is an intracellular bacterial pathogen. Thus its interaction with humans are of a parasitic sort.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
So far found only in humans, Mycoplasma penetrans is an intracellular bacterial pathogen. It typically penetrates into human cells and infects humans in the urogenital and respiratory tracts. It attaches to host epithelial cells with its tip structure, the attachment organelle. Mycoplasma penetrans is particularly associated with HIV-1 infection. There are Anti-M. penetrans antibodies found in patients in the process of developing AIDS, as well as, asymptomatic HIV carriers. There is a rapid decline in CD4-positive lymphocyte counts in M.penetrans-seropositive HIV-infected individuals. There is also mitogenic effects of M. penetrans on lymphocytes. This implies that infection of Mycoplasma penetrans will deteriorate the immune system in HIV infection. Mycoplasma penetrans has also been suggested to be a cause of non-HIV related urethritis and respiratory disease. Mycoplasma penetrans was also isolated in a healthy HIV- negative patient in the form of the HF-2 strain.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
References
Edited by Ling Tsay, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
