Gemmata obscuriglobus: Difference between revisions
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
===Species=== | ===Species=== | ||
<i>Gemmata obscuriglobus | <i>Gemmata obscuriglobus | ||
{| | {| | ||
| height="10" bgcolor="#FFDF95" | | | height="10" bgcolor="#FFDF95" | | ||
Revision as of 04:47, 22 April 2013
Classification
Prokarya; Planctomyces; Planctomycetia; Planctomycetales; Planctomycetaceae; Gemmata; Gemmata obscuriblobus
Species
Gemmata obscuriglobus
|
The National Center for Biotechnology Information taxonomy page for Gemmata obscuriglobus: [1] |
Gemmata obscuriglobus is a spherical budding bacteria isolated from a freshwater damn in Queensland, Australia. This bacteria is interesting because it exhibits several structures and cellular processes that are typically reserved for only eukaryotic cells, yet are classified as prokaryotes. Some of these interesting features include a membrane-bounded nucleoid, the ability to perform endocytosis on fully folded proteins, it's ability to reproduce by a unique way of budding, and its lack of a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan.
Genome Structure
The genome of Gemmata obscuriglobus is made up of DNA contained in the fibrillar, membrane-bounded nucleoid which is then surrounded by a another membrane as stated before. The genome consists of 9.16 million base pairs consisting of 8,080 genes that produce 7,989 proteins discovered thus far. The DNA does not contain chromosomes, but a circular piece of DNA that is characteristic to most all prokaryotes.
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
The cellular structure of the Gemmata obscuriglobus species is unique from other bacteria species in that it has many features and structures that are only seen in eukaryotes, yet is is classified as a prokaryote. The most distinguishing feature of this species and other related species is its membrane-bounded nuclear area. The DNA is contained in a fibrillar nucleoid area enclosed in a membrane, which is then enclosed in an outer membrane. Bacteria species have been found to have some associations between their DNA and membranes, but never as complete or complex as this species and related species. The dual-membrane structure surrounding the nucleoid is termed "nuclear body" signifying its difference from the eukaryotic nucleus.
The life cycle of this species is also unique in its own nature. It reproduces by budding, a process in which the daughter cell grows from the mother cell unequally, and breaks off when it becomes mature. Budding is common in some eukaryotes, such as many species of fungi, but not typical of bacteria nor archaea. The mechanism by which this species undergoes budding is also very different. DNA transfer from parent to offspring begins shortly after formation of the daughter bud. DNA is transferred via a connecting passage that exists between the two until maturation and then separation occurs. The young bud's DNA is naked at this point, but is soon bound by membrane derived from both the mother and daughter cell. After separation the daughter can then live freely and undergo budding itself. Each mature cell can bud multiple times in its lifetime. An important difference between this species and other bacteria apart from the mechanism is the absence of the FtsZ gene. Most bacteria reproduce by binary fission in which the cell duplicates its genome, doubles in size, and splits into two cells equal in size at the septum with help of the FtsZ protein.
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Organisms within the phyla Planctomyces are aquatic and can be found in marine water, fresh water, brackish water, and even acidic bog water. The first time Gemmata obscuriglobus was isolated was in 1991 from a freshwater dam in Queensland, Australia.
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 Michael Bowe and Ryan Quenneville, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
<-- Do not remove this line-->
