Thermoplasma acidophilum
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Thermoplasma acidophilum
Classification
Higher order taxa
Cellular organisms;Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Thermoplasmata; Thermoplasmatales; Thermoplasmataceae; Thermoplasma acidophilum
Genus
Thermoplasma
NCBI: Taxonomy |
Description and significance
“Thermoplasma acidophilum is a thermophilic heterotrophic prokaryote growing at 55-60°C and pH 0.5-4, It is among the most acidophilic organisms known.” It is found and first isolated from self-heating coal refuse piles and solfatara fields.
“Microbial physiologists and structural biologists have long been fascinated by the ability of this microorganism to grow at high temperatures and low pH without the structural protection of a conventional cell wall”, “our interest in protein folding and degradation led us to seek a more complete representation of the proteins involved in these pathways by determining the genome sequence of this organism.”
Genome structure
“Thermoplasma acidophilum is a thermophilic heterotrophic prokaryote growing at 55-60°C and pH 0.5-4, It is among the most acidophilic organisms known.” It is found and first isolated from self-heating coal refuse piles and solfatara fields.
“Microbial physiologists and structural biologists have long been fascinated by the ability of this microorganism to grow at high temperatures and low pH without the structural protection of a conventional cell wall”, “our interest in protein folding and degradation led us to seek a more complete representation of the proteins involved in these pathways by determining the genome sequence of this organism.”
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
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano