Nitrosomonas europaea: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 17:45, 3 May 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Nitrosomonas europaea

Classification

Higher order taxa

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Domain: Prokaryota

Phylum: Proteobacteria

Class: Beta Proteobacteria

Order: Nitrosomonadales

Family: Nitrosomonadaceae

Genus: Nitrosomonas

Species: N. europea

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Nitrosomonas europaea

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.


Picture of Nitrosomonas europaea. Photo by Stan Watson, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute


Nitrosomonas europaea is a Gram negative chemolithoautroph with the shape of bacillus. It is a nitrite oxidizing bacteria that lives in places rich in ammonia and inorganic salt, such as soil, sewage, freshwater, the walls of buildings and on the surface of monuments. It's often found in the polluted areas where the air contains high levels of nitrogen compounds.

It is important enough to have its genome sequenced because this organism plays a central role in the availability of nitrogen to plants and hence in limiting C02 fixation. These bacteria are important players in the treatment of industrial and sewage waste in the first step of oxidizing ammonia to nitrate. N. europaea is also capable of degrading a variety of halogenated organic compounds, including trichloroethylene , benzene and vinyl chloride, which may make it an attractive organism for bioremediation.

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? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.


Nitrosomonas europaea is an autotroph. It can obtain the carbon that it needs to grow by getting it from the atmosphere in a process known as "carbon fixation". Carbon fixation is the process of converting carbon in a gaseous form into carbon bound up in organic molecules. This bacterium contains "carboxysomes" (dark spots which can be seen scattered throughout the cell), which store the enzymes used to fix carbon dioxide for cell carbon.

Ecology

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


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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

[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. Patrick Chain et al. (May 2003). "Complete Genome Sequence of the Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterium and Obligate Chemolithoautotroph Nitrosomonas europaea". Journal of Bacteriology 185: 2759-2773.
  1. John G. Holt, Noel R. Krieg, editor, editor-in-chief (1984) Bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology volume2 page1809- 1825
  1. DOE JOINT GENOME INSTITUTE - US Department of Energy Office of Science http://genome.jgi-psf.org/finished_microbes/niteu/niteu.home.html
  1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrosomonas_europaea

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano