Spirochaeta: Difference between revisions
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==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ==Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle== | ||
The morphology and cellular structure of Spirochaeta spp. (and most other Spirochetes) is unique among prokaryotes. The cells are helical in shape and consist of an outer membrane, axial filaments (ultrastructurally similar to bacterial flagella), and a protoplasmic cylinder. The axial filaments reside under the outer membrane and are responsible for the unique mobility behavior of Spirochetes, a trait which has been linked to the pathogenicity of certain genera. Although the helical shape is typical for members of the Spirochetes phylum, a coccoid shaped Spirochaeta spp. was recently isolated from a termite gut by Droge et al. (2006). | |||
The Spirochaeta genus contains a group a saccharolytic and dissipotrophic bacteria, responsible for decomposition of (poly)carbohydrates in many aquatic environments. All species of the Spirochaeta genus ferment carbohydrates with formation of acetate, ethanol, CO2, and H2 as major end products. In addition, Spirochaeta isovalerica ferments a number of amino-acids in addition to carbohydrates. All isolated Spirochaeta species utilize the Embden-Meyerhof pathway for glucose catabolization with formation of pyruvate. | |||
==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ==Ecology and Pathogenesis== | ||
Revision as of 00:39, 17 April 2008
Classification
Domain Bacteria; Phylum Spirochetes; Class Spirochetes; Order Spirochaetales; Family Spirochaetaceae [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Genus species
- Spirochaeta africana
- Spirochaeta alkalica
- Spirochaeta americana
- Spirochaeta asiatica
- Spirochaeta aurantia
- Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis
- Spirochaeta caldaria
- Spirochaeta coccoides
- Spirochaeta halophila
- Spirochaeta isovalerica
- Spirochaeta litoralis
- Spirochaeta smaragdinae
- Spirochaeta stenostrepta
- Spirochaeta taiwanensis
- Spirochaeta thermophila
- Spirochaeta xylanolyticus
- Spirochaeta zuelzerae
- Spirochaeta sp.
- Spirochaeta sp. AP13oN
- Spirochaeta sp. ASpC-2
- Spirochaeta sp. B
- Spirochaeta sp. BHI80-158
- Spirochaeta sp. Buddy
- Spirochaeta sp. Grapes
- Spirochaeta sp. HT
- Spirochaeta sp. kf401
- Spirochaeta sp. M-6
- Spirochaeta sp. M6
- Spirochaeta sp. MET-E
- Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW24
- Spirochaeta sp. MWH-HuW8
- Spirochaeta sp. P
- Spirochaeta sp. SIP1
- Spirochaeta sp. TP422
- Spirochaeta sp. TP561
- Spirochaeta sp. TP663
- Spirochaeta sp. TP664
- 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
At present, a fully closed genome sequence of a member of Spirochaeta genus is not available.
Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle
The morphology and cellular structure of Spirochaeta spp. (and most other Spirochetes) is unique among prokaryotes. The cells are helical in shape and consist of an outer membrane, axial filaments (ultrastructurally similar to bacterial flagella), and a protoplasmic cylinder. The axial filaments reside under the outer membrane and are responsible for the unique mobility behavior of Spirochetes, a trait which has been linked to the pathogenicity of certain genera. Although the helical shape is typical for members of the Spirochetes phylum, a coccoid shaped Spirochaeta spp. was recently isolated from a termite gut by Droge et al. (2006).
The Spirochaeta genus contains a group a saccharolytic and dissipotrophic bacteria, responsible for decomposition of (poly)carbohydrates in many aquatic environments. All species of the Spirochaeta genus ferment carbohydrates with formation of acetate, ethanol, CO2, and H2 as major end products. In addition, Spirochaeta isovalerica ferments a number of amino-acids in addition to carbohydrates. All isolated Spirochaeta species utilize the Embden-Meyerhof pathway for glucose catabolization with formation of pyruvate.
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 Dieter Maurice Tourlousse and Godfrey Josef Torres, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.
