Encephalitozoon hellem: Difference between revisions

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
No edit summary
Line 31: Line 31:


==Pathology==
==Pathology==
E. hellem was first isloated in an HIV patient, but has also been found to infect mice, birds, and even bats.  When isolating it in the HIV patient, there were 24 monoclonal antibodies that were used against not only E. hellem, but also two other species of Encephalitozoon, E. intestinalis and E. cuniculi.  The antibodies did not react with either of these two, indicating antibody specificity across the three species.  Antigenic diversity of the different karyotypes of E. hellem was demonstrated as well when two monoclonal antibodies reacted with one karyotype and not the other.
<i>E. hellem</i> was first isloated in an HIV patient, but has also been found to infect mice, birds, and even bats.  When isolating <i>E. hellem</i> in the HIV patient, there were 24 monoclonal antibodies that were used against not only <i>E. hellem</i>, but also two other species of Encephalitozoon, E. intestinalis and E. cuniculi.  The antibodies did not react with either of these two, indicating antibody specificity across the three species.  Antigenic diversity of the different karyotypes of <i>E. hellem</i> was demonstrated as well when two monoclonal antibodies reacted with one karyotype and not the other.


==Application to Biotechnology==
==Application to Biotechnology==

Revision as of 02:39, 24 August 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Encephalitozoon hellem

Encephalitozoon hellem; Scanning electron micrograph showing an eukaryotic cell bursting and releasing spores of Encephalitozoon hellem to the extracellular medium. From Centers for Disease Control; Division of Parasitic Diseases.

Classification

Higher order taxa

Superkingdom, Kingdom, Phylum, Suborder, Family, Genus:

Eukaryota, Fungi, Microsporidia, Apansporoblastina, Unikaryonidae, Encephalitozoon


Species

Encephalitozoon hellem

Description and significance

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

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

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces. Encephalitozoon hellem is a unicellular, intracellular microsporidian species (1)

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

E. hellem was first isloated in an HIV patient, but has also been found to infect mice, birds, and even bats. When isolating E. hellem in the HIV patient, there were 24 monoclonal antibodies that were used against not only E. hellem, but also two other species of Encephalitozoon, E. intestinalis and E. cuniculi. The antibodies did not react with either of these two, indicating antibody specificity across the three species. Antigenic diversity of the different karyotypes of E. hellem was demonstrated as well when two monoclonal antibodies reacted with one karyotype and not the other.

Application to Biotechnology

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

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

[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 of Rachel Larsen