Oxalobacter formigenes
Classification
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Betaproteobacteria; Burkholderiales; Oxalobacteraceae; Oxalobacter
Species
Oxalobacter Formigenes
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Oxalobacter formigenes is a gram negative beta-proteobacterium that colonizes the human large intestine (colon) [stewart]. O. formigenes is a strict anaerobe and is thought to be largely important in the metabolism of dietary oxalate [stewart]. The absence of O. formigenes is thought to be a cause of hyperoxaluria and the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the kidney [Siva], and it is thought that O. formigenes may be useful as a probiotic agent for the treatment of these conditions [stewart].
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
Author
Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
