Mycoplasma pulmonis
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Mycoplasma pulmonis
Classification
Higher order taxa
Bacteria; Firmicutes; Mollicutes; Mycoplasmataceae; Mycoplasma
Species
Mycoplasma pulmonis
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.
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
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
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
