Micrococcus luteus

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A scanning electron microscope image of Micrococcus luteus. Image credit: Janice Haney Carr, CDC.

Classification

Bacteria; Terrabacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinomycetia; Micrococcales; Micrococcaceae; Micrococcus

Species

NCBI: [1]

Micrococcus luteus

Description and Significance

Micrococcus luteus is a oligotrophic bacteria that can be found on the skin of humans and other mammals, some foods, soil, and water. This aerobic microorganism can withstand severe and unfavorable conditions, but is not spore-forming. Instead it uses resuscitation promoting factor (Rpf) to revive itself from dormancy.

M. luteus is considered part of the normal microbiota and plays a role in breaking down the compounds in sweat which produces body-odor.

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?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

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

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by Brittney Moore, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.