Verrucomicrobia
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Verrucomicrobia; Class: Verrucomicrobiales; Order: Verrucomicrobiales; Family: Planctobacteria/Gracilicutes Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a specific taxon/group of organisms
2. Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
- Include as many headings as are relevant to your microbe. Consider using the headings below, as they will allow readers to quickly locate specific information of major interest*
3. Genome structure
The genome of TAV2, a strain of Verrucomicrobia in the gut of termites, has been sequenced. The TAV2 genome is 5.2 mB in size with one 16S rRNA copy per cell [Wertz et al., 2012]. The TAV2 genome has all the necessary genes for glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as a terminal oxidase encoding gene, meaning that the microbe potentially can oxidize glucose to CO2 and is a potential microaerophile [Wertz et al., 2012]. The Verrucomicrobia genome also revealed that it uses plant biomass as an energy source and exhibits optimal growth at 2-8% oxygen confirming that it is microaerophilic [Wertz et al., 2012]. Initial analysis of the TAV2 genome also revealed regions containing genes encoding nitrogenase [Wertz et al., 2012], which is involved in nitrogen fixation may contribute to the nitrogen content of animal guts. Currently, six monophyletic classes are recognized in the phylum Verrucomicrobia based on 16S rRNA gene library studies. There are more than 500 different Verrucomicrobia 16S rRNA gene sequences in a publicly accessible database [Lee, K.-C. et al., 2009].
4. Cell structure
Verrucomicrobium spinosum are heterotrophic, Gram-negative. Its morphology is coccoid or rod-shaped. The spore formation was not observed and no spore forming genes were annotated in the genome sequence. The cells of Verrucomicrobium spinosum have a cell extension known as the prostate. At present, six monophyletic classes are recognized within the phylum Verrucomicrobia on the basis of 16S rRNA gene library studies
5. Metabolic processes
Verrucomicrobia is involved in the metabolism of two glycosphingolipids (neutral glycosphingolipids and negatively charged glycosphingolipids), galactosylceramide, and sulfate [Cabello-Yeves,et al 2018]. Verrucomicrobia bacteria conduct aerobic and heterotrophic metabolism, though some synthesize anaerobic reductase complexes [Cabello-Yeves,et al 2017]. Verrucomicrobia bacterial populations had significant differences between the two lakes in terms of glycoside hydrolase gene abundance and functional profiles, reflecting the natural and terrestrial carbon sources of the two ecosystems, respectively. Verrucomicrobia are potential saccharide degraders . These molecules allow Verrucomicrobia to live a phototrophic lifestyle through rhodopsin pumps. The TAV2 genome has all the genes which are necessary for glycolysis and the TCA, as well as a terminal oxidase encoding gene, meaning that the microbe potentially can oxidize glucose to CO2 and is a potential microaerophile [Wertz et al., 2012]. Verrucomicrobia are oligotrophs that aid in methanol oxidation in soil, which regulates methane emissions to the atmosphere [Dunfield et al., 2007]. Researchers found that Verrucomicrobia bacteria have an abundance of glycoside hydrolase genes, which allows the bacteria to degrade carbohydrates [Cardman et al., 2014]. =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.
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.
