Thermococcus kodakarensis
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Thermococcus kodakarensis
Classification
Higher order taxa
cellular organisms; Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Thermococci; Thermococcales; Thermococcaceae; Thermococcus
Genus
Thermococcus kodakarensis
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
Previously characterized as Pyrococcus sp., Thermococcus kodakarensis is a sulfur-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeon which typically inhabits marine hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot sulfur springs. T. kodakarensis grows at an optimal temperature of 86C, between the ranges of 60-100C, and in a pH range of 5-9. Although this organism is a representation of simple life forms, it grows and thrives in temperatures up to the boiling point of water. In the absence of sulfur, these heterotrophs ferment a variety of organic compounds, including amino acids, peptides, and sugars. Recent accumulation of 16sRNA sequences has indicated the organism belongs to the Thermococcus genus, and not to the originally hypothesized Pyrococcus genus.
Thermococcus kodakarensis was isolated from a solfatara (a volcanic area that releases only hot vapors and sulfurous gases into the environment) on Kodakara Island, Japan, and sequenced by the Kyoto University, Japan. This organism produces commercially applicable thermostable DNA polymerases and enzymes that would be useful for such techniques as PCR. In addition, because Thermococcus kodakarensis is present in natural high-temperature environments, it plays a major role in the microbial ecology of hot-water ecosystems.
Genome structure
The Thermococcus kodakaraensis genome contains 2.09 Million base pairs (bp) and is predicted to have approximately 2357 genes. The chromosome has a circular topology and the GC content is estimated to be 38 mol%. Seven genes for probable transposases and four virus-related regions are found within the genome.
Cell structure and metabolism
Thermococcus kodakarensis have an irregular cocci (1-2 µm diameter) cell structure and are motile with several polar flagella. T. kodakarensis has a single ether lipid membrane. It uses amino acids, peptides, pyruvate, and starch as its carbon and energy sources. Metabolic pathways of T. kodakarensis include gluconeogenesis and glycolysis and the products of metabolism are hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide gas.
Ecology
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Pathology
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Application to Biotechnology
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Current Research
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References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
