Sulfolobus solfataricus: Difference between revisions

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(New page: ==Classification== Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/ NCBI] link to find] ===Species=== Sulfolobus solfataricus {| | he...)
 
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==Ecology and Pathogenesis==
==Ecology and Pathogenesis==
Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.<br>
Sulfolobus solfataricus is a thermoacidophile, and was first characterized in sulfur-rich volcanic springs in Yellowstone National Park. Strains of S. solfataricus have also been found in hot mud pools in the Solfatara crater north of  Naples, Italy. It has also been discovered in El Salvador and the Dominica. While the optimum temperature for growth is ≈75oC, S. solfataricus can live in a range of 55-90oC. It can live in a pH range of 0.9-5.8, with its optimum being 2-3. However, S. solfataricus maintains its cytoplasmic pH at 6.5. It has also been shown that S. solfataricus requires an aerobic environment, in which it is a free-living sulfur chemolithotroph.
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.<br><br>
 
Strains of S. solfataricus are known to harbor plasmids that encourage bacteria-like conjugation between cells. However, the genes behind these mechanisms are dissimilar in S. solfataricus and bacteria.  
 
S. solfataricus can be infected by morphologically unusual viruses, such as SSV1 (Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus). The virions formed by SSV1 often cluster together, forming rosette-like shapes. These viruses have been found in Yellowstone National Park, Iceland, and Japan.
 


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 04:15, 14 April 2009

Classification

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

Sulfolobus solfataricus

NCBI: Taxonomy

Genus species

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

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

Sulfolobus solfataricus is a thermoacidophile, and was first characterized in sulfur-rich volcanic springs in Yellowstone National Park. Strains of S. solfataricus have also been found in hot mud pools in the Solfatara crater north of Naples, Italy. It has also been discovered in El Salvador and the Dominica. While the optimum temperature for growth is ≈75oC, S. solfataricus can live in a range of 55-90oC. It can live in a pH range of 0.9-5.8, with its optimum being 2-3. However, S. solfataricus maintains its cytoplasmic pH at 6.5. It has also been shown that S. solfataricus requires an aerobic environment, in which it is a free-living sulfur chemolithotroph.

Strains of S. solfataricus are known to harbor plasmids that encourage bacteria-like conjugation between cells. However, the genes behind these mechanisms are dissimilar in S. solfataricus and bacteria.

S. solfataricus can be infected by morphologically unusual viruses, such as SSV1 (Sulfolobus spindle-shaped virus). The virions formed by SSV1 often cluster together, forming rosette-like shapes. These viruses have been found in Yellowstone National Park, Iceland, and Japan.


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 Alvin Makohon-Moore and Antoni Malachowski, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.