Mariprofundus ferrooxydans

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Classification

Domain: Bacteria; Phylum: Proteobacteria; Class: Zetaproteobacteria; Order: Mariprofundales; Family: Mariprofundaceae; Genus: Mariprofundus [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Mariprofundus ferrooxydans

Description and Significance

M. ferrooxydans viewed by TEM.

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important. "Mariprofundus ferrooxydans" is a marine iron-oxidizing bacteria and is the sole member of the Zetaproteobacteria class. The cells are motile, bean-shaped, and exude stalks for the excretion iron oxides. [1] It is a gram negative microaerophile

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?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

"Mariprofundus ferrooxydans" forms stalks that are used for the excretion and extracellular storage of oxidized iron. Carboxyl-rich polysaccharides and Fe(III) oxides are the main components of the stalks and it is thought that these components are bound together upon excretion from the cell [1].

Energy is gained from oxidizing iron, in which reduced iron is the electron donor and oxygen is the electron receptor. Although it is an obligate iron oxidizer, cells have been cultivated on the surface of electrodes in the absence of Fe(II), during which the cells divided successfully but did not excrete stalks [4].

Ecology and Pathogenesis

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

[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.

[1] [Chan, C. S., S. C. Fakra, D. Emerson, E.J. Fleming, and K.J. Edwards. "Lithotrophic iron-oxidizing bacteria produce organic stalks to control iron mineral growth: implications for biosignature formation". ISME Journal (2011) 5, p. 717-727.]

[2]

[3]

[4] Summers, Z.M., J.A. Gralnick, D.R. Bond. 2013. "Cultivation of an Obligate Fe(II)-Oxidizing Lithoautotrophic Bacterium Using Electrodes". mBio 4(1):e00420-12. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00420-12.

Author

Page authored by Angela DeTomaso, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.

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