Actinomyces naeslundii

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A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Actinomyces naeslundii

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Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Actinomycetaceae

Species

Actinomyces naeslundii (NCBI: Taxonomy)

Description and significance

Actinomyces naeslundii is a gram-positive, rod-shaped, facultative anaerobe found in the oral cavity of humans and other animals. This non-motile bacillus is one of only a few gram-positive bacteria characterized as having fimbriae (Wu et al., 2001). The type 1 fimbriae of A. naeslundii mediate adhesion of this organism to the tooth surface (Chen et al., 2007). This microorganism is mesophilic and grows in temperatures ranging from 15°C to 40°C with an optimum growing temperature of 37°C, the normal human body temperature. Actinomyces naeslundii is commonly found in large numbers in the oral cavity and is a major component of dental plaque. It has also been linked to dental root caries, periodontal disease and even a few non-oral infections.

Genome structure

The genome of Actinomyces naeslundii strain MG1 has 3,042,856 base pairs. It has a GC content of 68.5% with the number of G+C bases at 2,083,309 base pairs (CMR).

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 and metabolism

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.


Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to environment.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

Comprehensive Microbial Resource (CMR). (2006). Actinomyces naeslundii MG1 Genome Page. The Institute of Genomic Research (TIGR), a division of J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI). Retrieved May 1, 2008 from <http://cmr.tigr.org/tigr-scripts/CMR/GenomePage.cgi?org=gan>.

H. Wu and P.M. Fives-Taylor. "Molecular strategies for fimbrial expression and assembly." Critical Reviews in Oralal Biology & Medicine. 2001. Volume 12. p. 101–115.

P. Chen, J. O. Cisar, S. Hess, J. T. C. Ho, and K. P. Leung. "Amended Description of the Genes for Synthesis of Actinomyces naeslundii T14V Type 1 Fimbriae and Associated Adhesin." Infection and Immunity. 2007. Volume 75(No. 8). p. 4181 - 4185.