Thiomargarita magnifica

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Classification

Bacteria (Domain);Proteobacteria (Phylum);Gammaproteobacteria (Class); Thiotrichales (Order); Thiotrichaceae (Family); Thiomargarita (Genus)

Species

Thiomargarita Magnifica

Description and Significance

Thiomargarita magnifica is characterized of large Thiromargarita cells. It is found in tropical marine coastal environments and is found to be 1cm in length. Thiomargarita magnifica is important for antibiotic production, evolution, the tree of life, and the sulfur cycle.

Genome Structure

DNA in Thiomargarita magnifica is concentrated in membrane bound compartments. These membrane bound organelles which contain the DNA are called “pepin.” Thiomargarita magnifica has a genome as large as baker’s yeast, as it contains three times the median gene count for prokaryotes. Additionally, it contains a large set of genes for sulfur oxidation and carbon fixation.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Thiomargarita magnifica does chemosynthesis, which means this microbe gets its energy from converting organic compounds into organic matter as a source of energy. This microbe has a dimorphic life cycle, meaning that it creates an asymmetric segregation of chromosomes into daughter cells.

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

[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 Grace Handle, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.