Natranaerobius thermophilus: Difference between revisions
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==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ||
The cell structure are straight to curved rods, 0.2-0.4 µm in | The cell structure are straight to curved rods, 0.2-0.4 µm in diameter, and 3-5 µm in length. Cells either aggregated into chains or were found singular and non-motile. Many of the extremophile capabilities of ''N. thermophilus'' are attributed to the membrane transport proteins, like Na+(K+)/H+ anitporters. | ||
==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ||
Revision as of 22:55, 21 April 2013
Classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Firmicutes
Class: Clostridia
Order: Natranaerobiales
Family: Natranaerobiaceae
Species
Natranaerobius thermophilus
NCBI Taxonomy ID: 59001
Description and Significance
First discovered and isolated in 2005, N. thermophilus was characterized as the first identified truly anaerobic, halophilic alkalithermophilic organism. The bacterium is a rod-shaped, non-motile, non-sporeforming bacteria. It is an obligate anaerobe and Gram-positive.
Being a polyextremophile, it thrives in multiple extremes of the environment. The bacteria are obligate alkaphiles and obligate halophiles. As such, N. thermophilus has various growth optima. Its preferred temperature is 53°C, with a culturable temperature range of 30-57°C. Its pH optima is 9.5, with a range of pH 8.5-10.6, at 55°C. Optimal growth occurs with a salt concentration of around 3.3-3.9 M Na+ (range 1.5-4.9 M Na+).
Genome Structure
The genome of N. thermophilus was sequenced in 2011 and consists of one circular 3.16 mbp chromosome and two smaller plasmids, one being 17.2 kbp and the other 8.69 kbp. The G+C content of the whole genome was found to be 36.4%. Many genes were recognized that are believed to be associated with the bacteria's polyextremophile capabilities, such as various membrane transporters.
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
The cell structure are straight to curved rods, 0.2-0.4 µm in diameter, and 3-5 µm in length. Cells either aggregated into chains or were found singular and non-motile. Many of the extremophile capabilities of N. thermophilus are attributed to the membrane transport proteins, like Na+(K+)/H+ anitporters.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Original discovery of N. thermophilus was isolated from the sediment in an alkaline, hypersaline, Lake Fazda in Wadi An Natrun, Egypt, in 2005. At the time, the family, order, genus, and species identified were all novel lineages discovered.
As this organism utilizes unique combinations of adaptation mechanisms, it is considered to be an excellent model organism. From this bacterium, scientists have been able to further study anaerobic halophilic alkalithermophiles and their features that allow them to thrive in a vast array of environmental extremes.
No known pathogenicity has been determined in this organism.
References
Author
Page authored by Zach Geurin, Caroline Moon, and Mike Reitmeyer, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
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