Meiothermus
Classification
Domain: Bacteria, Phylum: Deinococcus-Thermus, Class: Deinococci, Order: Thermales, Family: Thermaceae
Species
NCBI: Taxonomy |
- Meiothermus chiliarophilus
- Meiothermus cerbereus
- Meiothermus granaticius
- Meiothermus rosaceus
- Meiothermus ruber
- Meiothermus rufus
- Meiothermus silvanus
- Meiothermus taiwanensis
- Meiothermus timidus
Description and Significance
Before the recognition of the genus Meiothermus, the species under the genus Thermus were designated as either high or low-temperature species. The proposal of a new genus Meiothermus in 1996 was made to designate the phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness of the species that have low optimum growth temperatures. Meiothermus indicates an organism living in a "less-hot" place [1]. The cells are 0.5 to 0.8 μm in diameter and cell length is variable - often forming short filaments. The colonies that form vary from red to yellow pigment and are often found in hydrothermal vents.
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Genome Structure
The entire genome of Meiothermus silvanus DSM 9946 has been sequenced and consist of a circular 3,249,394 bp long chromosome and two plasmids of 347,854 bp and 124,421 bp lengths, respectively. [2]
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Meiothermus, is a Gram-negative, aerobic microorganism that is variable in length - often forming short filaments. Its common orange appearance stems from the production of carotenoids via the metabolism of tepernoids and polyketides []. It is primarily an oxygenic chemoorganoheterotroph, but some species grow with nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. As such, it utilizes such organic substrates such as starch, hexoses, pentoses, disaccharides, amino acids, and organic acids as both a carbon and energy source. The optimum growth conditions varies in a moderate temperature range (50-65°C) and alkaline environments (pH ~8.0).
Apart from its carbohydrate and energy metabolism, the microorganisms within Meiothermus produce secondary metabolites that include the biosynthesis of penicillin and cephalosporin, and streptomycin.
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
[] Kanehisa Laboratories. "Carotenoid biosynthesis - Meiothermus ruber". 2011.
Author
Page authored by Michael Huarng and Steven Huynh, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
<-- Do not remove this line-->