Synechococcus elongatus

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Synechococcus elongatus

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Cyanobacteria; Chroococcales; Synechococcus

Species

Synechococcus elongatus

NCBI: Taxonomy Genome

Description and significance

Synechococcus elongatus are freshwater unicellular cyanobacteria. They are obligate photoautotrophs and have a rod-shaped appearance. Their habitats include freshwater hot springs and other freshwater habitats with a mesophilic temperature range. Two complete Synechococcus elongatus genomes have been sequenced, Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301 and Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 (previously known as Anacystis nidulans R2). Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 was the first cyanobacterium strain to be reliably transformed by exogenously added DNA. Many genetic tools such have been developed for Synechococcus and applied to other transformable cyanobacteria. Synechococcus elongatus has been extensively researched, involving the "acquisition of inorganic carbon, transport and regulation of nitrogen compounds, response to iron deprivation, acclimation to a variety of nutrient stresses, adaptation to environmental variations in temperature and light intensity and photosynthesis." Recently, Synechococcus elongatus has been important in researching the mechanism behind the prokaryotic circadian clock.

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

Synechococcus elongatus is currently not known to cause any diseases.

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://www.nature.com/emboj/journal/v17/n1/full/7590738a.html

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=genomeprj&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=10645

http://genome.jgi-psf.org/finished_microbes/synel/synel.home.html

i plan to fix these :)