User:KosinskiJ: Difference between revisions

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==Cell structure and metabolism==
==Cell structure and metabolism==
Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Given that L. interrogans is a Gram negative microorganism, the outer membrane consists of lipopolysaccharide proteins (LPS) [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0006071]. Spirochetal outer membrane proteins, mostly porins, are predicted to span the lipid bilayer in multiple amphipathic, membrane-spanning beta sheets arranged in a barrel [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0006071]. The outer face of the beta-sheets is hydrophobic and interacts with the lipid bilayer, while the inner face is hydrophilic and interacts with the aqueous pore of the protein [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0006071].  


L. interrogans are found to be obligate aerobes and undergo oxidative respiration for growth and survival [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genome?term=Leptospira%20interrogans]. They are physiologically chemoheterotrophic [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v422/n6934/full/nature01597.html].


==Ecology==
==Ecology==

Revision as of 18:53, 7 May 2012

This student page has not been curated.

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus KosinskiJ

Classification

Higher order taxa

Bacteria; Spirochaetes; Spirochaetales; Leptospiraceae; Leptospira; Leptospira interrogans [1].

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy [1]

Leptospira interrogans

Description and significance

The Leptospira genus comprises a heterogeneous group of pathogenic and saprophytic species belonging to the phylum Spirochaetes [2]. Leptospires are thin, helically coiled, motile, Gram negative, obligate aerobic bacteria, classified into hundreds of pathogenic serovars [3]. They live optimally at temperatures between 28-30°C [4].

Genome structure

L. interrogans genome is circular and contains two chromosomes, a large and small, both containing 4,277,185 and 350,181 base pairs respectively, roughly 4,768 genes [5].Their genomes consist of 35% G-C content. The large chromosome contains Ribosomal RNA genes: two 23S, two 16S and one 5S genes [6]. They contain 37 genes encoding transfer RNAs. The low number of tRNA and rRNA genes may be attributed to the fastidious growth of the L. interrogans. [7].

Cell structure and metabolism

Given that L. interrogans is a Gram negative microorganism, the outer membrane consists of lipopolysaccharide proteins (LPS) [8]. Spirochetal outer membrane proteins, mostly porins, are predicted to span the lipid bilayer in multiple amphipathic, membrane-spanning beta sheets arranged in a barrel [9]. The outer face of the beta-sheets is hydrophobic and interacts with the lipid bilayer, while the inner face is hydrophilic and interacts with the aqueous pore of the protein [10].

L. interrogans are found to be obligate aerobes and undergo oxidative respiration for growth and survival [11]. They are physiologically chemoheterotrophic [12].

Ecology

Habitat; symbiosis; contributions to the environment.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Current Research and or Application to Biotechnology

Enter summaries of the most recent research and/or application to biotechnology 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 Dr. Lynn M Bedard, DePauw University http://www.depauw.edu