Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus: Difference between revisions
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=Description= | =Description= | ||
This particular microbe was first discovered at the University of Konstanz by Friedrich Widdel in 1987. The organism is most well known for its sulfate reducing capabilities. The species is Gram-negative, ovoid in form, and is typically 1-3 µm long. Among the other species of the ''Desulfobacter'' genus, this species is highly related to its two sister species: ''Desulfobacter latus'' and ''Desulfobacter curvatus''. Interestingly enough, these two species were also discovered by Widdel in the same paper that discovered ''Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus''. | This particular microbe was first discovered and isolated in pure culture at the University of Konstanz by Friedrich Widdel in 1987. The organism is most well known for its sulfate reducing capabilities. The species is Gram-negative, ovoid in form, and is typically 1-3 µm long. Among the other species of the ''Desulfobacter'' genus, this species is highly related to its two sister species: ''Desulfobacter latus'' and ''Desulfobacter curvatus''. Interestingly enough, these two species were also discovered by Widdel in the same paper that discovered ''Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus''. | ||
=Ecology and Significance= | =Ecology and Significance= | ||
Revision as of 20:58, 13 May 2015
Classification
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Proteobacteria
- Class: Deltaproteobacteria
- Order: Desulfobacterales
- Family: Desulfobacteraceae
- Genus: Desulfobacter
- Species: hydrogenophilus
Description
This particular microbe was first discovered and isolated in pure culture at the University of Konstanz by Friedrich Widdel in 1987. The organism is most well known for its sulfate reducing capabilities. The species is Gram-negative, ovoid in form, and is typically 1-3 µm long. Among the other species of the Desulfobacter genus, this species is highly related to its two sister species: Desulfobacter latus and Desulfobacter curvatus. Interestingly enough, these two species were also discovered by Widdel in the same paper that discovered Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus.
Ecology and Significance
Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus plays an important role within the ecology of water systems. Its most important function (reducing sulfate into sulfide) plays a large part in the sulfur cycle in lakes, bays, and other aquatic sediments. In the case of the Winogradsky column, this bacteria produces the H2S that is used by both the green and purple sulfur bacteria. This is rather similar to the role it takes on in the ecosystem of lakes.
Interestingly enough, this species is capable of living in a wide range of environments. Although it was found in the Mediterranean Sea, it has been documented in both marine and freshwater environments. Additionally, due to its psychrophilic nature, this organism is capable of growing at much colder temperatures than other SRBs, widening its niche.
Genome Structure
The genome of Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus has a 45% GC content. The most studied part of the genome for this species are the genes that encode the sulfate reducing abilities of this bacteria. However, other interesting genes have been found in this species. Studies have found that this species contains enzymes necessary for nitrogen fixation. Additionally, this species uses an interesting method of fixing carbon. Instead of using the Calvin cycle or the acetyl CoA pathway, Desulfobacter hydrogenophilus was found to have genes encoding a unique reductive citric acid cycle as a means of fixing CO2.
Metabolism
References
Figures
Author
Page authored by Nicholas Rogall, student of Prof. Katherine Mcmahon at University of Wisconsin - Madison.
