Pseudomonas fluorescens

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A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Pseudomonas fluorescens

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Gammaproteobacteria; Pseudomonadales; Pseudomonadaceae

Species

Pseudomonas fluorescens

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

P. fluorescens are gram-negative rod shaped bacteria and possess multiple polar flagella for motility. The main habitats include soil, plants, and water. Soluble, green fluorescent pigments are produced when iron concentration is low. The significance of these organisms have increased because of their ability to degrade various pollutants and their use as biocontrol against pathogens.

Genome structure

Currently, two strains of P. fluorescens have the genomes sequenced completely. P. fluorescens Pf-5 has 7.1 Mbp and a GC content of 63.3%. It contains 87 RNAs and 6137 proteins. P. fluorescens PfO-1 has 6.43841 Mbp and 60.5% GC content. There are 95 RNAs and 5736 proteins. Both strains have one chromosome. The genome sequencing of P. fluorescens SBW25 is still in progress.

Cell structure and metabolism

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

P. fluorescens produces viscosin which is a peptidolipid that enhances antivirality. P. fluorescensuses a sulfate transport system that is competitively inhibited by chromate, which may be associated to P. flurorescens's sensitivity to chromate.

Ecology

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

As nonpathogenic bateria, P. fluorescens promote plant growth by producing antibiotics and competing against other plant pathogens.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

P. fluorescens produce exopolysaccharides which are used for protection against bacteriophages or dehydration as well as for defense against the host immune system. Polysaccharides are being used within the food, chemical, and agricultural industries. Antibiotics such as pyrrolnitrin, pyoluteorin, and 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol that inhibit phytopathogen growth are produced by P. fluorescens Pf-5. Diseases from Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium ultimum that affect cotton plants are inhibited by this strain. The bateria's degrading ability has been applied to pollutants such as styrene, TNT and, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(4-6).

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

References

1. DOE Joint Genome Institute Pseudomonas fluorescens PfO-1

2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=genomeprj&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=Overview&list_uids=12300

3. Montie, Thomas. Pseudomonas. New York: Plenum Press, 1998.


Edited by Danielle Kim, student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano