Deferribacter desulfuricans
From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
Classification
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Deferribacterota
- Class: Deferribacteres
- Order: Deferribacterales
- Family: Deferribacteraceae
- Genus: Deferribacter
- Species: D. desulfuricans
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Deferribacter desulfuricans
Description and Significance
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
Genome Structure
- The genome of D. desulfuricans has two major components. It has a single circular chromosome with base pairs as well as a megaplasmid with base pairs.
- The circular chromosome is made up of 2,234,389 base pairs total. Within this sequence, its average GC content is approximately 31.1%, with two clear points of GC skew transitions which have been assumed to be as a result of origin and termination sites of DNA replication. There have been at least 2,117 protein coding sequence regions found and annotated, with about 66% of them having been functionally assigned as of 2010.
- The chromosome contains two ribosomal RNA operons which how 16S-23S-5S rRNA gene alignment. This part of the genome also contains a variety of tRNA genes, adding up to at least 43 total. Researchers have also labeled three distinct genomic islands on D. desulfuricans' circular chromosome. As genomic islands, they have been designated as likely results of horizontal gene transfer event(s), and have been termed DDGI-1, DDGI-2, and DDGI-3. Although they are still being investigated, as with the microbe as a whole, the first two islands seem to have somewhat primary purposes assigned to their coding sequences. DDGI-1 codes for heavy metal transporters, most likely to aid in heavy metal tolerance in the harsh environment of hydrothermal vents. DDGI-2 contains a toxin-antitoxin system, which is most likely also to aid in stress response to the environment as well as act as a phage defense mechanism.
- Another interesting feature of D. desulfuricans is the presence of CRISPR/Cas elements. This is a feature which they share with other thermophilic microbes, and most likely aids in phage immunity. Due to this similarity, it is theorized that the CRISPR/Cas systems in this specific species could have been acquired through horizontal transfer via the megaplasmid.
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
Author
Page authored by Dana Smits and Trent Stocum, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.
