Thioploca araucae
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Thioploca araucae
Classification
Cellular Organisms; Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Thiotrichales; Thiotrichaceae; Thioploca; Thioploca araucae
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Thioploca araucae
Description and significance
Thioploca araucae is a filamentous sulfur-oxidizing bacterium. It is typically found in bacterial mats in sediment layers at the bottom of the ocean. Thioploca has been found off the coast of Chile and Namibia, as well as in freshwater areas in Japan.
Genome structure
The genome is currently being sequenced by the J Craig Venter Institute.
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
nitrate principal electron acceptor
link the sulfur and nitrogen cycles
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Thioploca cells form filaments that cling to each other and secrete an encompassing sheath of mucous film. The sheath serves as a kind of vertical tunnel through the sediment up to the overlying water, allowing the Thioploca filaments to glide up and down and thereby commute between their food source and the nitrate they need to metabolize it.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Application to Biotechnology
Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?
Current Research
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References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen
Bo Barker Jørgensen, Victor A Gallardo (1999) Thioploca spp.: filamentous sulfur bacteria with nitrate vacuoles FEMS Microbiology Ecology 28 (4), 301–313.
Nitrogen, Carbon, and Sulfur Metabolism in Natural Thioploca Samples
Vertical Migration in the Sediment-Dwelling Sulfur Bacteria Thioploca spp. in Overcoming Diffusion Limitations MARKUS HUETTEL,* STEFAN FORSTER, SUSANNE KLO¨ SER, AND HENRIK FOSSING Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Population study of the filamentous sulfur bacteria Thioploca spp. off the Bay of Concepcion, Chile Heide N. Schulzl~*B, ettina Strotmannl, Victor A. Gallardo2, Bo B. ~ergensen' 'Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology, Celsiusstrasse 1.28359 Bremen, Germany
Maier S & Gallardo VA (1984) Maier, S., and Gallardo, V.A. "Thioploca araucae sp. nov. and Thioploca chileae sp. nov." Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. (1984) 34:414-418. [No PubMed record available.]
