Verrucomicrobia
1. Classification
a. Higher order taxa
Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Verrucomicrobia; Class: Verrucomicrobiales; Order: Verrucomicrobiales; Family: Planctobacteria/Gracilicutes Include this section if your Wiki page focuses on a specific taxon/group of organisms
2. Description and significance
Verrucomicrobia is a phylum of Gram-negative bacteria that are found in freshwater, marine, and soil environments and human feces [Bergmann et al., 2011]. This phylum plays an important role in biogeochemical cycles globally [Freitas et al., 2012] and is a component of the human gut microbiota [Wertz et al., 2012] as it contributes to the nitrogen content of animal guts. It has two “sister phyla”, Chlamydiae and Lentisphaerae within the Planctobacteria group, also known as the PVC group. Verrucomicrobia can be distinguished to have an exclusive relation specifically to chlamydiae in comparison to other bacteria. Furthermore, Verrucomicrobia is suggested to have a common ancestry and an independent lineage with other bacteria and is more closely related than planctomycetes. Verrucomicrobia bacteria are also closely related to eukaryotes and can be essential to a healthy gut, due to its anti-inflammatory properties [Fujio-Vejar et al., 2017].
3. Genome structure
The genome of TAV2, a strain of Verrucomicrobia in the gut of termites, has been sequenced. The TAV2 genome is 5.2 mB in size with one 16S rRNA copy per cell [Wertz et al., 2012]. The TAV2 genome has all the necessary genes for glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, as well as a terminal oxidase encoding gene, meaning that the microbe potentially can oxidize glucose to CO2 and is a potential microaerophile [Wertz et al., 2012]. The Verrucomicrobia genome also revealed that it uses plant biomass as an energy source and exhibits optimal growth at 2-8% oxygen confirming that it is microaerophilic [Wertz et al., 2012]. Initial analysis of the TAV2 genome also revealed regions containing genes encoding nitrogenase [Wertz et al., 2012], which is involved in nitrogen fixation may contribute to the nitrogen content of animal guts. Currently, six monophyletic classes are recognized in the phylum Verrucomicrobia based on 16S rRNA gene library studies. There are more than 500 different Verrucomicrobia 16S rRNA gene sequences in a publicly accessible database [Lee, K.-C. et al., 2009].
4. Cell structure
Verrucomicrobium spinosum are heterotrophic, Gram-negative. Its morphology is coccoid or rod-shaped. The spore formation was not observed and no spore forming genes were annotated in the genome sequence. The cells of Verrucomicrobium spinosum have a cell extension known as the prostate. At present, six monophyletic classes are recognized within the phylum Verrucomicrobia on the basis of 16S rRNA gene library studies [Lee, K.-C. et al., 2009].
5. Metabolic processes
Verrucomicrobia is involved in the metabolism of two glycosphingolipids (neutral glycosphingolipids and negatively charged glycosphingolipids), galactosylceramide, and sulfate [Cabello-Yeves,et al 2018]. Verrucomicrobia bacteria conduct aerobic and heterotrophic metabolism, though some synthesize anaerobic reductase complexes [Cabello-Yeves,et al 2017]. Verrucomicrobia bacterial populations had significant differences between the two lakes in terms of glycoside hydrolase gene abundance and functional profiles, reflecting the natural and terrestrial carbon sources of the two ecosystems, respectively. Verrucomicrobia are potential saccharide degraders . These molecules allow Verrucomicrobia to live a phototrophic lifestyle through rhodopsin pumps. The TAV2 genome has all the genes which are necessary for glycolysis and the TCA, as well as a terminal oxidase encoding gene, meaning that the microbe potentially can oxidize glucose to CO2 and is a potential microaerophile [Wertz et al., 2012]. Verrucomicrobia are oligotrophs that aid in methanol oxidation in soil, which regulates methane emissions to the atmosphere [Dunfield et al., 2007]. Researchers found that Verrucomicrobia bacteria have an abundance of glycoside hydrolase genes, which allows the bacteria to degrade carbohydrates [Cardman et al., 2014]. =6. Ecology Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
7. Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
8. Current Research
Include information about how this microbe (or related microbes) are currently being studied and for what purpose
9. References
It is required that you add at least five primary research articles (in same format as the sample reference below) that corresponds to the info that you added to this page. [Sample reference] Faller, A., and Schleifer, K. "Modified Oxidase and Benzidine Tests for Separation of Staphylococci from Micrococci". Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 1981. Volume 13. p. 1031-1035.
