Corynebacterium diphtheriae

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Classification

Higher order taxa

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Corynebacterium diphtheriae

Description and significance

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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.

Genome structure

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Genome.jpg
Image from Wishart Research Group, University of Alberta

The genome of C. diphtheriae contains 2,488,635 nucleotides, 87% of which are coding. This circular plasmid contains 2,389 genes from which 2,272 proteins are coded. There are 69 structural RNA, 15 coding for 5S, 23S, and 16S Ribosomal RNA, and 54 coding for the 20 amino acid tRNA molecules.

It has a GC content of 53%, suggesting that the RNA molecule begins to melt at approximately


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

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Ecology

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Pathology

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

Application to Biotechnology

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Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

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References

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[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Edited by student Rachael Spradley of Rachel Larsen