Mycobacterium vanbaalenii

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

Mycobacterium vanbaalenii

(This page is currently under construction)

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Mycobacterium vanbaalenii

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Coyrnebacterineae; Mycobacteriaceae; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1

Genus

Mycobacterium vanbaalenii


NCBI: Taxonomy

Some members of the Mycobacterium genus have are able to degrade various environmentally toxic chemicals. Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 was first found in the Harbor Island oil tank farm in the watershed of Redfish Bay, Texas. It is notable for it’s ability to degrade the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene for its carbon and energy source. PAH are common organic pollutants; some, i.e. pyrene, is found in incompletely combusted petroleum products. Some PAHs have been identified as carcinogens and pyrene itself is known to be toxic to the liver and kidneys. It has been proposed that the understanding of the genome sequence of the PYR-1 strain will allow an understanding of the PAH degradation pathway and may prove useful ecologically in bioremediation processes

Description

Some members of the Mycobacterium genus have are able to degrade various environmentally toxic chemicals. Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 was first found in the Harbor Island oil tank farm in the watershed of Redfish Bay, Texas. It is notable for it’s ability to degrade the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene for its carbon and energy source. PAH are common organic pollutants; some, i.e. pyrene, is found in incompletely combusted petroleum products. Some PAHs have been identified as carcinogens and pyrene itself is known to be toxic to the liver and kidneys. It has been proposed that the understanding of the genome sequence of the PYR-1 strain will allow an understanding of the PAH degradation pathway and may prove useful ecologically in bioremediation processes

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

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=2261&lvl=3&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock&lin=f

Edited by ChauNhien Nguyen, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano