Rickettsia rickettsii: Difference between revisions

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==Genome structure==
==Genome structure==
Genes: 1311
Length: 1,257,710 nt
Protein coding: 1311
Structural RNAs: None
GC Content: 32%
% Coding: 77%
Pseudo genes: None
Topology: other
Molecule: DNA
Completed 02/06/2004[3]
Describe the size and content of the genome.  How many chromosomes?  Circular or linear?  Other interesting features?  What is known about its sequence?
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?
Does it have any plasmids?  Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Revision as of 02:22, 27 August 2007

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Rickettsia rickettsii

Tick hemolymph cells infected with Rickettsia rickettsii. Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever info page from the CDC.

Classification

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Proteobacteria; Alpha Proteobacteria; Rickettsiales; Rickettsiaceae; Spotted fever group

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Rickettsia rickettsii

Other Names

synonym: Dermacentroxenus rickettsii
synonym: "Dermacentroxenus rickettsii" Wolbach 1919
synonym: Rickettsia rickettsii (Wolbach 1919) Brumpt 1922

Description and significance

Rickettsia rickettsii is a small, rod-shaped bacterium known to cause Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). This disease can be transmitted to humans either from a tick bite with an incubation period of 1 week, or by contamination of a cut on the skin or a wound with ticks feces. Dr. Ricketts first isolated this microbe in Montana, 1906. [2] [4]

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.

Genome structure

Genes: 1311 Length: 1,257,710 nt Protein coding: 1311 Structural RNAs: None GC Content: 32% % Coding: 77% Pseudo genes: None Topology: other Molecule: DNA Completed 02/06/2004[3]

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.

Ecology

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

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) NCBI Taxonomy Browser "Rickettsia Rickettsii" Retrieved 26 August, 2007

Edited by Amber Chou; student of Rachel Larsen