Chlamydophila abortus
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Chlamydophila abortus
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Chlamydiae; Chlamydiae(class); Chlamydiales; Chlamydiaceae; Chlamydophila [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
NCBI: Taxonomy Chlamydophila abortus Description and significanceThis gram-negative bacteria is an obligate intracellular pathogen. Chlamydophila abortus is found in cows, goats, sheep, and pigs where it causes abortion during the later period of pregnancy by colonizing in the placenta. This pathogen is zoonotic and will cause abortion or serious health problems in women. This bacteria has two membranes and no flagella. The sequence S26/3 was isolated in 1979 in Scotland. Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them. Genome structureThis bacteria contains 1,144,377 base pairs within its genome, with a guanine-cytosine pairing taking up 39.9% of the base pairs. C. abortus contains 961 genes which are all arranged in a circular manner. 842 of the genes are conserved with Chlamydophila caviae and chlamydophila pneumoniae. The genome contains single copies of 23S, 16S, and 5S rRNA genes which is different from Chlamydia. Through its genome sequence it is apparent that the pathogen has many varible proteins along it membrane that account for its varible contents. 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 metabolismThis microbe contains four specific proteins on its outer membrane, coded by the genes POMP 90A/B, and 91A/B. These genes are believed to be glycosylated which may be the reason for their heterogeneity. This pathogen lacks any toxin genes and lacks genes involved in tryptophan metabolism and nucleotide salvaging. Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. EcologyDescribe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc. PathologyThe class Chlamydiaceae have a very interesting developmental characteristic where they undergo a biphasic process of being infectious but metabolically inactive and then switching to a noninfectious but metabolically active cell. Chlamydophila abortus cause infection by binding to a host cell and becoming metabolically active, it then multiplies within the cells inclusion bodies. The inclusion bodies evade lysosomes and avoid the endocytic pathway and intercepts the exocytic pathway. They become secretory vacuoles to the host and infect them. The inclusion bodies then are lysed off or exocytosis occurs. The metabolically active form can be spread through ingestion, aerosols, or physical contact with the infected organism.
Application to BiotechnologyDoes this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used? Current ResearchEnter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required Referenceshttp://www.genome.org/cgi/content/full/15/5/629 http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Projects/C_abortus/ http://expasy.org/sprot/hamap/CHLAB.html Edited by Kylee Lim, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano |