Alcaligenes faecalis NEUF2011: Difference between revisions
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==Cell structure and metabolism== | ==Cell structure and metabolism== | ||
As Alcaligenes faecalis is a gram-negative bacterium, it possesses an outer membrane, a thin (compared to gram-positive bacteria) peptidoglycan layer, and a periplasm. These three layers form the gram-negative cell envelope. | As Alcaligenes faecalis is a gram-negative bacterium, it possesses an outer membrane, a thin (compared to gram-positive bacteria) peptidoglycan layer, and a periplasm. These three layers form the gram-negative cell envelope. | ||
Alcaligenes faecalis is unusual among gram-negative bacteria for it's ability to aerobically desaturate saturated fatty acids in order to produce monosaturated fatty acids (3). Higher-order organisms such as animals, protozoa, and various types of algae have this ability, while most bacteria and almost all gram-negative bacteria use an anaerobic pathway. Alcaligenes faecalis has also demonstrated the ability to enzymatically metabolize arsenite (AsO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>, oxidation state +3) to the less harmful arsenate (AsO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>, oxidation state +5). This bacterium could be useful for neutralization of environments contaminated by arsenite. | Alcaligenes faecalis is unusual among gram-negative bacteria for it's ability to aerobically desaturate saturated fatty acids in order to produce monosaturated fatty acids (3). Higher-order organisms such as animals, protozoa, and various types of algae have this ability, while most bacteria and almost all gram-negative bacteria use an anaerobic pathway. Alcaligenes faecalis has also demonstrated the ability to enzymatically metabolize arsenite (AsO<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>, oxidation state +3) to the less harmful arsenate (AsO<sub>4</sub><sup>-</sup>, oxidation state +5). This bacterium could be useful for neutralization of environments contaminated by arsenite. | ||
==Ecology== | ==Ecology== |
Revision as of 17:28, 5 October 2011
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Alcaligenes faecalis NEUF2011
Classification
Higher order taxa
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Proteobacteria
- Class: Beta Proteobacteria
- Order: Burkholderiales
- Family: Alcaligenaceae
- Order: Burkholderiales
- Class: Beta Proteobacteria
- Phylum: Proteobacteria
Species
- Genus: Alcaligenes
- Species: faecalis
Alcaligenes faecalis
Description and significance
Alcaligenes faecalis is most commonly seen in the clinical laboratory. Most infections are opportunistic and acquired from moist items such as nebulizers, respirators, and lavage fluids. The microorganism has peritrichous flagellar arrangement which allows for motility (2).
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?
Cell structure and metabolism
As Alcaligenes faecalis is a gram-negative bacterium, it possesses an outer membrane, a thin (compared to gram-positive bacteria) peptidoglycan layer, and a periplasm. These three layers form the gram-negative cell envelope.
Alcaligenes faecalis is unusual among gram-negative bacteria for it's ability to aerobically desaturate saturated fatty acids in order to produce monosaturated fatty acids (3). Higher-order organisms such as animals, protozoa, and various types of algae have this ability, while most bacteria and almost all gram-negative bacteria use an anaerobic pathway. Alcaligenes faecalis has also demonstrated the ability to enzymatically metabolize arsenite (AsO2-, oxidation state +3) to the less harmful arsenate (AsO4-, oxidation state +5). This bacterium could be useful for neutralization of environments contaminated by arsenite.
Ecology
Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
Current Research
Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required
Cool Factor
Describe something you fing "cool" about this microbe.
References
1. "Alcaligenes faecalis. Leifson flagella stain (digitally colorized)." CDC/Dr. William A. Clark 1976.
2. Winn, W., Sommers, H., Koneman, E., Janda, W., Dowell, V., and Allen, S. "Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology". 'J.B. Lippincott Company'. 1988. Edition 3. p. 184, 200-201.
- Created and Edited by Kevin Wieczerza, Stephanie Freed, Amanda McKenzie, Hughes Burridge -- Students of Dr. Iris Keren