Lactobacillus johnsonii: Difference between revisions

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==Description and significance==
==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.
Lactobacillus johnsonii is one of the many microorganisms that reside in the human intestines. Like all species of the Lactobacillus genus, it is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria, which has a rod-like shape and does not undergo spore formation (1). The human Gastrointestinal tract in which L. johnsonii resides is abundant with nutrients and relies upon more than 500 microbial species that inhabit it in order to develop and function properly. Specifically L. johnsonii and other GI tract microbes aid in polysaccharide and protein digestion and also generate a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and short-chain fatty acids that make up 15% of a human’s total caloric intake. In addition, because L. johnsonnii are able to undergo fermentation and can therefore make lactic acid, they play a major role in the fermentation and preservation of various food items, such as dairy, meat and vegetable, and cereal products (1, 2). Finally, L. johnsonii is characterized as being part of the “acidophilus complex” of the Lactobacillus genus. This complex is comprised of six Lactobacillus species that are thought to be involved in probiotic activities, meaning they are able to undergo processes that are beneficial to a human’s general health and well-being (2, 3). Such probiotic benefits particularly attributed to L. johnsonii include immunomodulation, pathogen inhibition, and epithelial cell attachment (2).


==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==

Revision as of 01:38, 5 June 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Lactobacillus johnsonii

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Firmicutes; Bacilli; Lactobacillales; Lactobacillaceae; Lactobacillus

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Lactobacillus johnsonii

Description and significance

Lactobacillus johnsonii is one of the many microorganisms that reside in the human intestines. Like all species of the Lactobacillus genus, it is an anaerobic, Gram-positive bacteria, which has a rod-like shape and does not undergo spore formation (1). The human Gastrointestinal tract in which L. johnsonii resides is abundant with nutrients and relies upon more than 500 microbial species that inhabit it in order to develop and function properly. Specifically L. johnsonii and other GI tract microbes aid in polysaccharide and protein digestion and also generate a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and short-chain fatty acids that make up 15% of a human’s total caloric intake. In addition, because L. johnsonnii are able to undergo fermentation and can therefore make lactic acid, they play a major role in the fermentation and preservation of various food items, such as dairy, meat and vegetable, and cereal products (1, 2). Finally, L. johnsonii is characterized as being part of the “acidophilus complex” of the Lactobacillus genus. This complex is comprised of six Lactobacillus species that are thought to be involved in probiotic activities, meaning they are able to undergo processes that are beneficial to a human’s general health and well-being (2, 3). Such probiotic benefits particularly attributed to L. johnsonii include immunomodulation, pathogen inhibition, and epithelial cell attachment (2).

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

[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 and Kit Pogliano