Thermococcus kodakarensis

Classification

Higher order taxa

cellular organisms; Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Thermococci; Thermococcales; Thermococcaceae; Thermococcus

Genus

Thermococcus kodakarensis

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

Previously characterized as Pyrococcus sp., Thermococcus kodakarensis is a sulfur-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeon which typically inhabits marine hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot sulfur springs. T. kodakarensis grows at an optimal temperature of 86C, between the ranges of 60-100C, and in a pH range of 5-9. The organism can grow at temperatures up to the boiling point and also represents one of the simplest forms of life. In the absence of sulfur, these heterotrophs ferment a variety of organic compounds, including amino acids, peptides, and sugars. Recent accumulation of 16sRNA sequences has indicated the organism belongs to the Thermococcus genus, and not to the originally hypothesized Pyrococcus genus.

Thermococcus kodakarensis was isolated from a solfatara on Kodakara Island, Japan, and sequenced by the Kyoto University, Japan. This organism contains commercially applicable thermostable DNA polymerases and enzymes. In addition, becuase Thermococcus kodakarensis are ubiquitously present in natural high-temperature environments, it is considered to play a major role in the ecology and metabolic activity of microbial consortia within hot-water ecosystems.

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

The Thermococcus kodakaraensis genome contains 2.09 Million base pairs (bp) and is predicted to have approximately 2357 genes. The chromosome has a circular topology and the GC content is estimated to be 38 mol%. Seven genes for probable transposases and four virus-related regions are found within the genome.

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Cell structure and metabolism

Thermococcus kodakarensis have an irregular cocci cell structure and are motile with several polar flagella. T. kodakarensis has a single membrane, a membrane lipid of the ether type.

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Ecology

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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

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References

F. Fukuri, A. Haruyuki, K. Tamotsu, R. Matsumi, F. Shinsuke, and T Imanaka. 2005 "Complete Genome Sequence of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 and Comparis with Pyrococcus GEnomes." Genome Res., 15: 352-363 (2005)

Glockner, F. O., M. Kube, M. Bauer, H. Teeling, T. Lombardot, W. Ludwig, D. Gade, A. Beck, K Borzym, K Heitmann, R. Rabus, H. Schlesner, R. Amann, and R. Reinhardt. 2003. "Complete genome sequence of the marine planctomycete Pirellula sp. strain 1." Proceedings of the National Acedemy of Sciences, vol. 100, no. 14. (8298-8303)

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano