Shigella flexneri
UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!
Classification
Gram-negative fecal-oral bacteria
Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Enterobacteriales; Enterobacteriaceae.
Strains: Shigella flexneri 1a. Shigella flexneri 1b. Shigella flexneri 2a. Shigella flexneri 2a strain 2457T. Shigella flexneri 2a strain 301. Shigella flexneri 3a. Shigella flexneri 3b. Shigella flexneri 5. Shigella flexneri 5 strain 8401. Shigella flexneri 5a. Shigella flexneri 6. Shigella flexneri Y.
Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.
Genus
Shigella flexneri
Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.
Description and significance
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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.
Treponema denticola is a motile, slender, helically shaped flexible organism. It is made up of a periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath. It's habitat is anaerobic and host-associated. It grows at an optimal temperature of 30-42°C, with a pH of 6.5-8.0. It is commonly found in the human oral cavity, specifically in subgingival dental plaque, and it is often associated with periodontal disease. Periodontal disease results in inflammation of the gum tissue, bone resorbtion, and subsequent tooth loss. Periodontal disease has now become a major concern in dentistry and 80% of adults in the USA are estimated to have had periodontal disease at some point in their lives. The complete genome of T. denticola strain 35405 was sequenced by using the random shotgun method described for genomes sequenced by The Institute for Genomic Research and it was designated as the type strain by Chan et al.
Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
Genome structure
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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?
Treponema denticola ATCC 35405 has a complete genome. It is made up of dsDNA and 1 chromosome. It is circular and the length is 2,843,201 nucleotides. The GC content is 37%. It has 2838 genes.
Replicon Type: chromosome.
Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
Cell structure and metabolism
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Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
The genome reveals factors mediating coaggregation, cell signaling, and stress protection. It has a spiral shape and is arranged in singles. It is a mobile organism but does not contain any endospores. Motility is by rapid rotation around the long axis, flexation of the cell and locomotion along a helical path. The most distinctive property is the presence of periplasmic flagella wound around the helical protoplasmic cylinder and encased in an outer sheath.
Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
Ecology
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Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
Shigella flexneri causes diarrhea.
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Treponema denticola is a bacterial pathogen and plant plastid. It causes periodontal disease and gum inflammation.
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Edited by Neena Patel, student of Rachel Larsen at UCSD.
Application to Biotechnology
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Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
The suppressed immune systems of AIDS patients make them more vulnerable to diarrhea caused by Shigella flexneri. However, an intensive handwashing regimen can be used to lower the incidence of diarrhea.
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Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
References
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Edited by Roman Fajardo, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano at UCSD.
