Actinomyces naeslundii
Template:Biorealm Actinomyces naeslundii
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Actinomycetaceae
Species
Actinomyces naeslundii (NCBI: Taxonomy)
Description and significance
Actinomyces naeslundii is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobe found in the oral cavity of humans and other animals. This non-motile bacillus is one of only a few gram-positive bacteria characterized as having fimbriae (Wu et al., 2001). The type 1 fimbriae of A. naeslundii mediate adhesion of this organism to the tooth surface (Chen et al., 2007).
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
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 and metabolism
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to environment.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
H. Wu and P.M. Fives-Taylor. "Molecular strategies for fimbrial expression and assembly." Critical Reviews in Oralal Biology & Medicine. 2001. Volume 12. p. 101–115.
P. Chen, J. O. Cisar, S. Hess, J. T. C. Ho, and K. P. Leung. "Amended Description of the Genes for Synthesis of Actinomyces naeslundii T14V Type 1 Fimbriae and Associated Adhesin." Infection and Immunity. 2007. Volume 75(No. 8). p. 4181 - 4185.
