Spirochaeta: Difference between revisions

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==Description and Significance==
==Description and Significance==
Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.
The genus Spirochaeta represents a group of free-living, saccharolytic non-pathogenic, obligate or facultative anaerobic helical shaped bacteria. Isolated strains have been obtained from a variety of freshwaters and marine waters (Table 1). In addition, culture-independent studies revealed the presence of Spirochaeta species in other environments such as anaerobic bioreactors (Ariesyada et al., 2007), and the digestive tract of termites (Noda et al., 2003).
A number of members of the genus Spirochaeta inhabit extreme environments with respect to temperature, salinity, and pressure (e.g., Hoover et al., 2003; Aksenova et al., 1992). These microorganisms may hence harbor enzymes with potential biotechnological applications.


==Genome Structure==
==Genome Structure==

Revision as of 00:37, 17 April 2008

Classification

Domain Bacteria; Phylum Spirochetes; Class Spirochetes; Order Spirochaetales; Family Spirochaetaceae [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Genus species

  1. Spirochaeta africana
  2. Spirochaeta alkalica
  3. Spirochaeta americana
  4. Spirochaeta asiatica
  5. Spirochaeta aurantia
  6. Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis
  7. Spirochaeta caldaria
  8. Spirochaeta coccoides
  9. Spirochaeta halophila
  10. Spirochaeta isovalerica
  11. Spirochaeta litoralis
  12. Spirochaeta smaragdinae
  13. Spirochaeta stenostrepta
  14. Spirochaeta taiwanensis
  15. Spirochaeta thermophila
  16. Spirochaeta xylanolyticus
  17. Spirochaeta zuelzerae
  18. Spirochaeta sp.
  19. Spirochaeta sp. AP13oN
  20. Spirochaeta sp. ASpC-2
  21. Spirochaeta sp. B
  22. Spirochaeta sp. BHI80-158
  23. Spirochaeta sp. Buddy
  24. Spirochaeta sp. Grapes
  25. Spirochaeta sp. HT
  26. Spirochaeta sp. kf401
  27. Spirochaeta sp. M-6
  28. Spirochaeta sp. M6
  29. Spirochaeta sp. MET-E
  30. Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW24
  31. Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW8
  32. Spirochaeta sp. P
  33. Spirochaeta sp. SIP1
  34. Spirochaeta sp. TP422
  35. Spirochaeta sp. TP561
  36. Spirochaeta sp. TP663
  37. Spirochaeta sp. TP664
  38. unclassified Spirochaeta
   * Olavius loisae endosymbiont 4
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus macromphalus (New Caledonia)
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus pompilius (Philippines)
   * Spirochaeta symbiont of Nautilus pompilius (Vanuatu)
   * environmental samples

Description and Significance

The genus Spirochaeta represents a group of free-living, saccharolytic non-pathogenic, obligate or facultative anaerobic helical shaped bacteria. Isolated strains have been obtained from a variety of freshwaters and marine waters (Table 1). In addition, culture-independent studies revealed the presence of Spirochaeta species in other environments such as anaerobic bioreactors (Ariesyada et al., 2007), and the digestive tract of termites (Noda et al., 2003). A number of members of the genus Spirochaeta inhabit extreme environments with respect to temperature, salinity, and pressure (e.g., Hoover et al., 2003; Aksenova et al., 1992). These microorganisms may hence harbor enzymes with potential biotechnological applications.

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

[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 Dieter Maurice Tourlousse and Godfrey Josef Torres, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.