Prevotella Melaninogenica
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Prevotella Melaninogenica
Classification
Higher order taxa
Cellular organisms; Bacteria; Bacteroidetes/Chlorobi group; Bacteroidetes; Bacteroidetes (class); Bacteroidales; Prevotellaceae; Prevotella [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
Prevotella Melaninogenica Synonym: Bacteroides melaninogenicus subsp. melaninogenicus
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
Prevotella Melaninogenica is generally found in the oral cavity causing opportunistic pathogen in humans and the rumen of cattle and sheep which helps to break down protein and carbohydrates food. Similar to all species of the genus Prevotella, it is strictly anaerobic, gram-negative bacterium with non-spore forming coccobacilli. When Prevotella melaninogenica grows on blood-containing media, it gives black pigment that can be easily seen in adults with rapidly progressing periodontitis lesions. This bacterium is nonmotile, therefore usually forms biofilm. In addition, P. melaninogenica includes those organisms which hydrolyze esculin but not starch and produce acid in peptone-yeast-glucose medium and peptone-yeast-mannose medium. It is catalase negative, indole negative, lipase negative and bile sensitive. It also liquefies gelatin and clots milk which shows this organism is very acidic. Because of its acidity it prevents the bovine disease of rumen acidosis however, affects milk production due to too much acid in stomach. The genus Prevotella used to be part of the genus Bacteroides, therefore, there are similarities and differences that these two genera share.
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? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
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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
