R. gnavus

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Legend. Image credit: Name or Publication.

Classification

Bacteria (Domain); Firmicutes (Phylum); Clostridia (Class); Clostridiales (Order); Lachnospiraceae (Family); Mediterraneibacter (Genus)

Species

NCBI: [1]

Ruminococcus gnavus

Description and Significance

Ruminococcus gnavus is a Gram-positive obligate anaerobe bacterium discovered first in the human gastrointestinal tract. Despite its name it is actually a part of the genus Mediterraneibacter, although retaining its Ruminococcus name for study purposes.

R. gnavus is considered a part of the normal human gut microbiome in children and adults. It has been suggested that it has a role in priming the gut microbiota in association with standard weight gain velocity in infants.

Ruminococcus gnavus is one of few micorbiota bacterium that persists at a consistent level from infancy to throughout adulthood. Studies have shown that R.gnavus is a key biomarker of health and diseases with certain immune/metabolic properties, making it an important bacterium to understand.

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

Crost, E. H., Coletto, E., Bell, A., & Juge, N. (2023). Ruminococcus gnavus: Friend or foe for human health. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 47(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuad014

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 Chris Blackwell, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.