Clostridium magnum

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Classification

Domain: Bacteria

Phylum: Firmicutes

Class: Clostridia

Order: Clostridiales

Family: Clostridiaceae

Species: Clostridium magnum

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

The name "Clostridium magnum" comes from the Greek "kloster" meaning "spindle" and the latin "magnus" meaning "great" which is explained by observing the size of the bacteria since its dimensions are 1.0-4.0um x 4-16um. Clostridium magnum is rod shaped and slightly pointed at the ends. C. magnum is gram negative however it may also appear as gram positive due to it's cell structure being much more similar to gram positive with a thin murein layer. C. magnum is also motile by polar and sub polar flagella, strictly anaerobic, and acetogenic. The habitat of Clostridium magnum is in anoxic freshwater sediments and digestor sludge.

Clostridium magnum is an acetogen which indicates it plays an important role in binding Hydrogen molecules which would otherwise seize up the process of fermentation. Through acetogenesis, C. magnum is able to take excess H2 molecules and produce acetate.

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?

The genome of C. magnum has not been completely determined and there is no current project to determine its genome. However, some genes have been sequenced as well as a partial sequence of the 16S rRNA. Some genes that were sequenced are the acoR, acoA, acoB, acoC, acoL, and the acoX gene; specifically these genes are a part of the acetoin dehydrogenase enzyme system.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

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

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Krüger N, Oppermann FB, Lorenzl H, Steinbüchel A. "Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of the Clostridium magnum Acetoin Dehydrogenase Enzyme System". "Journal of Bacteriology". 1994. Volume 176:12. p. 3614-3630.]

[Schink, Bernhard. "Clostridium magnum sp. nov., a non-autotrophic homoacetogenic bacterium"."Archives of Microbiology". 1984. Volume 137. p. 250-255.]

Author

Page authored by Samantha Hoyle and Chelsea Ball, students of Prof. Ned Walker and Prof. Kaz Kashefi at MichiganStateUniversity.