Vibrio harveyi

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Vibrio harveyi

Classification

Higher Order Taxa

Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Proteobacteria
Class: Gammaproteobacteria
Order: Vibrionales
Family: Vibrionaceae

Species

Vibrio harveyi

Synonyms: Lucibacterium harveyi, Beneckea harveyi, Achromobacter harveyi, Pseudomonas harveyi, Photobacterium harveyi, (Johnson and Shunk, 1936); Vibrio carchariae (Grimes, 1985); Vibrio trachuri, (Iwamoto, 1996)

Description and significance

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.

Appearance: V. harveyi is a Gram-negative, non-sporulating bacterium with a curved rod shape and are monotrichous (mobilized by a single polar flaggelum).

Habitat: V. harveyi is found in mainly tropical marine environments including brackish water. V. harveyi is also found in symbiotic relationships with many marine organisms such as.....

Discovery: Johnson and Shunk 1936

Significance: Inter- and intra-bacterial communication, quorum sensing (Bassler). Sequencing of the genome would undoubtedly contribute to further understanding of this unique skill.

Genome structure

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?

The Microbial Sequencing Center of the Institute for Genomic Research is currently doing shotgun seguence research for the HY01 strain of Vibrio harveyi. This research is in conjunction with a project to identify the genome sequence for 17 different Vibrio species enabling extensive comprehension of the Vibrio genus.

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.

Going out with a glow. (as opposed to a bang)

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.


Johnson and Shunk 1936


Edited by Ryan Kendall of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano's Bacteriology class Spring 2007