Chlamydia muridarum

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; chlamydiae; chlamydiales; chlamydiaceae; chlamydia; chlamydia muridarum nigg

Genus

Thermoplasma volcanium GSS1

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

Chlamydia muridarum is included in a broad range of gram negative bacteria. It is rod shaped and lives in the cells of vertebrates, particularly mice and hamsters. It lives at an optimal host body temperature of 37 degrees Celcius and has a mesophilic range. Chlamydia muridarum was isolated in 1942 from the lungs of albino Swiss mice which all had similar symptoms. The MoPn strain was isolated in the mice and an SFPD strain of the same bacteria was isolated in hamsters. The chromosome and extrachromosomal plasmid of MoPn was sequenced and was discovered to bind a molecule known as mAbs which is also binds to the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is the sexually transmitted disease seen in humans. The SFPD strain was also seen to bind mAbs. Thus it was important to sequence the Chlamydia muridarum genome to parallel its similarities with the human bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

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

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

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

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydia_muridarum http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=genomeprj&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=229

14. (8298-8303)]

Edited by Marina Christou student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano