Methylococcus capsulatus

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Methylococcus capsulatus

Classification

Higher order taxa

Kingdom: Bacteria Domain: Proteobacteria Phylum: Gammaproteobacteria Class: Methylococcales Order: Methylococcaceae Family: Methylococcus

Species

species Methylococcus capsulatus

Description and significance

Methylococcus capsulatus is a methylotrophic gram-negative bacterium with coccus shape, live in multiple habitate, however, oxygen is the necessity for such cell to survive. Methylococcus capsulatus is also a thermophilic microbe which optically live in the temperature of 45C.

Genome structure

"The genome of M. capsulatus (Bath) comprises a single circular molecule of 3,304,697 bp." "One surprising outcome of the genome project is evidence suggesting the existence of previously unsuspected metabolic flexibility in M. capsulatus, including an ability to grow on sugars, oxidize chemolithotrophic hydrogen and sulfur, and live under reduced oxygen tension, all of which have implications for methanotroph ecology. The availability of the complete genome of M. capsulatus (Bath) deepens our understanding of methanotroph biology and its relationship to global carbon cycles."

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

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Edited by Ting Yuan Feng, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.