Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Bacteroidetes; Bacteroidetes (class); Bacteroidales; Bacteroidaceae
Species
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain VPI-5482
Description and significance
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, a Gram negative anaerobic microbe, resides in and dominates the human intestinal tract . It consists of a 4779 member proteome containing the structural means to bring in and hydrolyze non-digestible polysaccharides as well as an environment sensing mechanism consisting of outer membrane proteins. Initially isolated from fecal matter, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron has great importance in terms of the study of the symbiotic bacteria-host relationships within the human intestine as well as for its digestive abilities and potential breakdown of digested plants.
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
Xu, J., Bjursell, M.K., Himrod, J., Deng, S., Carmichael, L., Chiang, H.C., Hooper, L.V., and Gordon, J.I. "A genomic view of the human-Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron symbiosis." Science (2003) 299:2074-2076.
Edited by Bashar Mirza, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
