Monocercomonoides
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa
Domain: Eukarya (1)
Phylum: Metamonada (1)
Class: Anaeromonadea (2)
Order: Oxymonadida (2)
Family: Polymastigidae (2)
Genus: Monocercomonoides
2. Description and significance
The microbial eukaryote genus Monocercomonoides is a type of oxymonad characterized as the first eukaryote genus to lack any mitochondrial genes and all key proteins responsible for mitochondrial function (1). Species within the genus have been discovered living in the intestinal region of small mammals and insects (1,3). The current hypothesis for the species’ ability to survive without mitochondria is due to its habitat and a sulfur mobilization system acquired from bacteria (1). Some of the genus’s closest relatives include the taxa Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia intestinalis and Spironucleus salmonicida, all of which contain genes coding for mitochondrion-related organelles, implying that the loss of mitochondria in Monocercomonoides was a secondary adaptation rather than a distant evolutionary divergence from mitochondria-containing eukaryotes (1). This genus is significant because it challenges the previous notion of mitochondrial inclusion being a requirement for eukaryotic life (1).
3. 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?
4. Cell structure
Monocercomonoides has a total of 4 whip-like structures used for movement known as flagella anchored to their cellular membrane with modified centrioles known as basal bodies (3). The flagella are grouped in pairs on opposite sides of the cell and each is longer than the entirety of the cells ovoid body (Figure 2) (3). As with all oxymonads, Monocercomonoides has a single long contractible appendage that originates from the base of a flagellum known as an axostyle. The axostyle is connected to the first basal body by a sheet of microtubules referred to as the preaxostyle (3). Monocercomonoides also has two basal body anchors known as microtubular roots and each is associated with one pair of the two basal body pairs. Monocercomonoides is the only oxymonad genus known to have microtubular roots (3). Electron microscopic imaging of Monocercomonoides has found that the intracellular morphology lacks any Golgi apparatus, mitochondria or potential homologs of the two structures (5).
5. Metabolic processes
Describe important sources of energy, electrons, and carbon (i.e. trophy) for the organism/organisms you are focusing on, as well as important molecules it/they synthesize(s).
6. Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
7. Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
7. Key microorganisms
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8. Current Research
Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose
9. References
It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.
