Nodularia Spumigena: Difference between revisions

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==Ecology and Pathogenesis==
==Ecology and Pathogenesis==
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.<br>
Nodularia spumigena produces the hepatoxin nodularin. Hepatoxins are toxins which affect the liver. Nodularin is a tumor promoter known to have killed wild and domestic animals by seriously affecting the liver. It is a liver carcinogen due to the inhibition of protein phosphataes. Research is focused on environmental factors affecting growth and toxin production. Higher salinity levels and lower ultraviolet radiation leads to more production of the nodularin toxin.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.<br><br>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 15:35, 29 April 2009

Classification

Bacteria; Cyanobacteria; Nostocales; Nostocaceae; Nodularia;

Species

Nodularia spumigena

Description and Significance

Nodularia spumigena is a filamentous, planktonic, photosynthetic, diazotrophic, bloom-forming cyanobacterium.It is usually found in salty or brackish waters. It is one of the dominating species during the extensive cyanobacterial blooms in the Baltic Sea, which are one of the largest in the world. It is also found in Lake Alexandrina, in the south-east of southern Australia. The first documented outbreak was recorded by Francis in 1878. It is commonly found near the surface of the water because is has a high tolerance of ultraviolet radiation.

Genome Structure

The genome sequencing is currently underway at the Gordan and Betty Moore Foundation Microbial Genome Sequencing Project, but it not yet finished. The DNA length is 5,316,258 nt (5 Mb). The G-C content is 42.0%. There are 4860 genes coded for and 80% of the genome is coded. The number of chromosomes and shape of the genome is not yet known.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Nodularia spumigena has a photosynthetic metabolism. It has a filamentous structure including enlarged cells called heterocysts. These heterocysts are specialized cells for atmospheric nitrogen fixation. No photosynthesis occurs in these specialized cells. It is responsible for a large part of the new nitrogen input into the Baltic Sea. Mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) are produced as a photo-productive strategy against ultraviolet radiation. This allows the organism to live closer to the surface of the water, while other cyanobacteria must live in deeper waters.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Nodularia spumigena produces the hepatoxin nodularin. Hepatoxins are toxins which affect the liver. Nodularin is a tumor promoter known to have killed wild and domestic animals by seriously affecting the liver. It is a liver carcinogen due to the inhibition of protein phosphataes. Research is focused on environmental factors affecting growth and toxin production. Higher salinity levels and lower ultraviolet radiation leads to more production of the nodularin toxin.

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.

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.