Trueperella pyogenes
Classification
Domain: Bacteria; High Gram Positive Class; Actinobacteria Order; Actinomycetales Family; Actinomycetaceae
Species
Trueperella pyogenes
|
NCBI: [1] |
Trueperella
Description and Significance
Trueperella pyogenes is a gram positive bacteria which is "non-spore-forming, non-motile, non-capsulated, facultatively anaerobic rod" (NCBI). This bacteria thrives in areas rich with blood and/or serum, which is often used to culture. For this reason, T. pyogenes is responsible for many types of infections including mastitis, pneumonia, and abscesses often found in livestock and humans.
Genome Structure
T. pyogenes contains a single round chromosome with anywhere from 2.3-2.4 base pairs depending on the strain. This chromosome is circular, characteristic of its class of actinobacteria. This bacteria is unique because it is characterized by a high conentration of guanine and cytosine bases. A high concentration of guanine and cytosine bases indicates a high melting point (Tm) which is characteristic of pathogenetic bacteria. These types of bacteria need a high Tm in order to survive in a host, so bacteria with a high concentration of adenine and thymine would most likely not thrive in a mammal as a host. T. pyogenes also has "relatively high number of pseudogenes" (NCBI).
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
T. pyogenes contains a complex fermentative metabolism that has the characteristic of high proteolytic tendencies. Proteolytic activity refers to the breakdown of proteins into their subunits, amino acids, through the use of enzymes. With cultures consisting of blood and/or serum, T. pyogenes has a strong tendency to form colonies thanks to these characteristics. NCBI states that many bacterium in the actinomycetaceae family have phosphotransferase systems responsible for the ability to form colonies, and thus, abscesses. T. pyogenes also produces the gene CbpA, which has a "high potential to colonize collagen-rich tissues" (NCBI). Abscesses in livestock often occur in the hoof region (horses, cows, goats, etc..) which innermost portion consists of keratin and collagen, which T. pyogenes thrives in.
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
Author
Page authored by Elan Doyle, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
