Bacillus clausii
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Bacillus clausii
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Bacilli; Bacillales; Bacillaceae; Bacillus
Species
Bacillus clausii
Description and significance
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.
Bacillus clausii is a Gram positive, and like most of the Bacillus bacteria, it is rod-shaped. B. clausii is alkaliphilic and produces M-protease, a high-alkaline protease that is industrially important for heavy-duty detergents. [Kageyama] The alkaliphilic nature of the organism has also proved it to be useful in preventing and treating various gastrointestinal disorders as an oral bacteriotherapy. [Senesi] This organism can be found in many alkaline environments, including soil and concrete. The B. clausii strain KSM-K16 was obtained from soil samples. B. clausii genome sequence is being studied for its importance in biosciences:
"[Bacillus clausii] are now being investigated in order to better understand the physiology, biochemistry, and especially molecular genetics underlying the behavior of alkaliphilic bacteria (27, 28). Most of the studies have been performed to examine enzyme biotechnology, as alkaliphilic Bacillus strains produce enzymes, such as xylanases, cellulases, amylases, and proteases, that are very useful in industry and domestic life" [Senesi]
http://www.springerlink.com/content/f6h65u65125t4811/fulltext.html http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=92655
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? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
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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References
Edited by Ankur Patel of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano