Helicobacter pylori
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Helicobacter pylori
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria (Domain); Proteobacteria (Phylum); Epsilon Proteobacteria (Class); Campylobacterales (Order); Helicobacteraceae (Family); Helicobacter (Genus)
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Helicobacter pylori
Description and significance
Helicobacter pylori is a Gram negative organism that has a 'helical' shaped body with 6-8 flagella at one end. H. pylori is found in a very acidic environment, a pH of 2.0 or less. It is commonly found inside the lining of the stomach and duodenum. H. pylori can cause peptic ulcers and gastritis that can lead to gastric cancer and gastric MALT lymphoma (mucosa-associated lyphoid tissue).
It was first observed in 19th century that curved bacteria were living in the lining of the stomach, but growing and isolating the bacteria was neglected. H. pylori was discovered by Drs. Robin Warren and Barry Marshall in 1983 that this organism was related to peptic ulcers. They were able to culture the bacteria from the stomach, and conclude that H. pylori was the bacteria that caused peptic ulcers and gastritis.
Helicobacter pylori was initially named Campylobacter pylordis because under the microscopy, it showed similar appearances with the campylobacter, but after DNA sequencing, H.pylori was separated into its own genus Helicobacter in 1989. The Helicobacter reflects to the appearances of the organism, helical in vivo, but often rodlike in vitro.
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.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
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
[1] Blaser, Martin J and Atherton, John C."Helicobacter pylori persistence: biology and disease". J Clin Invest. 2004 February 1; 113(3): 321–333.
[2] NCBI Entrez Genome Project
[3] Tomb JF, White O, Kerlavage AR, Clayton RA, Sutton GG, Fleischmann RD, Ketchum KA, Klenk HP, Gill S, Dougherty BA, Nelson K, Quackenbush J, Zhou L, Kirkness EF, Peterson S, Loftus B, Richardson D, Dodson R, Khalak HG, Glodek A, McKenney K, Fitzegerald LM, Lee N, Adams MD, Hickey EK, Berg DE, Gocayne JD, Utterback TR, Peterson JD, Kelley JM, Cotton MD, Weidman JM, Fujii C, Bowman C, Watthey L, Wallin E, Hayes WS, Borodovsky M, Karp PD, Smith HO, Fraser CM, Venter JC. "The complete genome sequence of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori." Nature 1997. 388(6642): 515-6
Edited by Katherine Park student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
