Thermoplasma acidophilum

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

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

[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.

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano