Mycoplasma pulmonis: Difference between revisions

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==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==
[[Image:genome.png|left|test]]


Mycoplasma pulmonis are among the first organism to have its genome sequenced due to its small size. Mycoplasmas has the smallest of the prokaryotic genome and it lack complex gene-regulatory systems. M.pulmonis has a single circular 963 879 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 26.6 mol%. The genome contains 782 putative coding sequences (CDSs)with 482 CDS that could havefunction assigned and 92 CDS that have sequence matched to hypothetical protein. The genome also have a single set of rRNA genes and  29 tRNAs genes.  
Mycoplasma pulmonis are among the first organism to have its genome sequenced due to its small size. Mycoplasmas has the smallest of the prokaryotic genome and it lack complex gene-regulatory systems. M.pulmonis has a single circular 963 879 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 26.6 mol%. The genome contains 782 putative coding sequences (CDSs)with 482 CDS that could havefunction assigned and 92 CDS that have sequence matched to hypothetical protein. The genome also have a single set of rRNA genes and  29 tRNAs genes.  

Revision as of 09:43, 3 May 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Mycoplasma pulmonis

Mycoplasma pulmonis. The white bar equals 1mm. Courtesy of mycoplasma-experience

Classification

Micoplasma2.gif

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Firmicutes; Mollicutes; Mycoplasmataceae; Mycoplasma

Species

Mycoplasma pulmonis

Description and significance

The organism falls under genus mycoplasma that are easily distinguished from other bacteria due to its small size (0.3-0.8 micron in diameter) and lack of cell wall. Its cell membrane is rich in protein components that consists of structurally adaptive lipoproteins used to invade host immune system, attachment to the host cells, and pathogenic invasion. The primary habitats of human and animal mycoplasma are in mucous membranes of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, eyes, mammary glands and the joints.

Genome structure

test

Mycoplasma pulmonis are among the first organism to have its genome sequenced due to its small size. Mycoplasmas has the smallest of the prokaryotic genome and it lack complex gene-regulatory systems. M.pulmonis has a single circular 963 879 bp chromosome with a G + C content of 26.6 mol%. The genome contains 782 putative coding sequences (CDSs)with 482 CDS that could havefunction assigned and 92 CDS that have sequence matched to hypothetical protein. The genome also have a single set of rRNA genes and 29 tRNAs genes.

The length of the tandem repeat region of the variable surface antigen (Vsa) protein determines the biofilm formation of M.pulmonis. When Vsa protein are short with few tandem repeats, they form biofilm that attaches the polystyrene and glass. However, when Vsa protein are long with many tandem repeats, M. pulmonis are found floating on the medium as microcolonies. Surprisingly, several of the genes previously reported to be essential for a self-replicating minimal cell are missing in the M.pulmonis genome although this one is larger than the other mycoplasma genomes fully sequenced until now

Cell structure and metabolism

The majority of mycoplasmas are deficient in genes coding for components of intermediary and energy metabolism and thus are dependent mostly on glycolysis as an ATP-generating pathway. They lost most of their genes involved in amino acid and cofactor biosynthesis, synthesis of the cell wall, lipid metabolism, and cellular processes during evolution.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

Mycoplasma pulmonis is the agent of murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (MRM), a pneumonia-like slow progressing disease that sometimes does not develop clinical symptoms. It can also cause genital infections which are associated with a decreased fertility both in rodent.

The predicted virulence factor for M.pulmonis are hemolysin, secreted nucleases and a glyco-protease. The species is also capable of gliding motility in which the mechanism is still unknown. However, it is hypothesized that they glide over the surface by employing actin-like cytoskeletal components and motility proteins specific for the microbial group.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

The organism is useful in

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