Photorhabdus luminescens: Difference between revisions
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==Description and Significance== | ==Description and Significance== | ||
Photorhabdus luminescens also known as Xenorhabdus luminescens is a bioluminescent microbe (Figure 1). Bioluminescence is an energy costly process and as yet no good explanation is given for this process. Theories include some unknown biochemical role, a warning to scavenging nocturnal mammals or even that it serves as a lure to temp fresh insect victims into range. | |||
The most important function of this microbe is the symbiotic relationship with soil entomopathogenic nematodes of the family Heterorhabditidae and pathogenic to a wide range of insects (Figure 2). When the nematode infects an insect, P. luminescens is released into the blood stream and rapidly kills the insect host (within 48 hours) by producing toxins. It also secretes enzymes which break down the body of the infected insect and convert it into nutrients which can be utilized by both nematode and bacteria. In this way, both organisms gain enough nutrients for further replication and reproduction. P. luminescens is the only organism that is known to exhibit dual phenotype (symbiotic within one insect, and pathogenic in another) (Figure 3).During the process P. luminescens produces antibiotics to prevent invasion of the insect by bacterial or fungal competitors and it becomes visibly luminescent due to the bioluminescence of P. luminescens. There have been number of reported cases of human infection by Photorhabdus luminescens. | |||
==Genome Structure== | ==Genome Structure== | ||
Revision as of 20:02, 19 April 2008
Classification
Domain: Bacteria, Phylum: Proteobacteria, Class: Gammaproteobacteria, Order: Enterobacteriales, Family: Enterobacteriaceae, Genus: Photorhabdus, Species: luminescens
Species
Photorhabdus luminescens
Description and Significance
Photorhabdus luminescens also known as Xenorhabdus luminescens is a bioluminescent microbe (Figure 1). Bioluminescence is an energy costly process and as yet no good explanation is given for this process. Theories include some unknown biochemical role, a warning to scavenging nocturnal mammals or even that it serves as a lure to temp fresh insect victims into range. The most important function of this microbe is the symbiotic relationship with soil entomopathogenic nematodes of the family Heterorhabditidae and pathogenic to a wide range of insects (Figure 2). When the nematode infects an insect, P. luminescens is released into the blood stream and rapidly kills the insect host (within 48 hours) by producing toxins. It also secretes enzymes which break down the body of the infected insect and convert it into nutrients which can be utilized by both nematode and bacteria. In this way, both organisms gain enough nutrients for further replication and reproduction. P. luminescens is the only organism that is known to exhibit dual phenotype (symbiotic within one insect, and pathogenic in another) (Figure 3).During the process P. luminescens produces antibiotics to prevent invasion of the insect by bacterial or fungal competitors and it becomes visibly luminescent due to the bioluminescence of P. luminescens. There have been number of reported cases of human infection by Photorhabdus luminescens.
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?
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
Author
Page authored by Ahsan Munir & Brian Charles Mcmillen ,student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
