Coxiella burnetii
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Coxiella burnetii
Classification
Higher order taxa
Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Legionellales; Coxiellaceae; Coxiella
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Genus species
Coxiella burnetti
Description and significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why it is important enough to have its genome sequenced. Describe how and where it was isolated. Include a picture or two (with sources) if you can find them.
- from National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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?
Random shotgun method was used to sequence the genome of Coxiella burnetti. The genome of this organism is attributed by the presence of a single 1,995,281 base-pair circular chromosome and a single 37,393 base-pair QpH1 circular plasmid. In the chromosome, there are 1,022 protein-coding genes found for known proteins, 179 genes for proteins of unknown function, 3 stable rRNAs, and 42 stable tRNAs. Percent of G+C content is approximately 42.6% and percent coding is approximately 89.1% in the chromosome. As for QpH1, there are 11 genes found for known proteins, 5 for proteins of unknown function, and no stable RNAs. 39.3% represents the percent of G+C content and 78.8% is the percent coding in the plasmid.
Examining 20 highly conserved proteins in 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis proved the fundamental phylogenetic difference with the α-proteobacterial Rickettsia organisms and confirmed that Coxiella are truly γ-proteobacterial. In genomic comparison with other similar obligate parasites such as those from Rickettsia, Coxiella were found to contain mobile elements, metabolic and transport capabilities not typically found for the kind of bacteria they are. In addition, 29 insertion sequences were located in the genome; this is noteworthy information because other obligate parasites have very little or none of these elements. A notion that Coxiella burnetti are enduring a genome reduction has been proposed due to the fact that 83 pseudogenes have been identified. Proteins synthesized by this bacteria have a particularly high pI, which may give rise to the acidic environment Coxiella burnetti reside in.
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
NIAID Biodefense Image Library. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. 02 May 2007 <http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/biodefense/Public/Images.htm>.
Edited by Lisa Leung, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
