Query: NC_007722:55558 Erythrobacter litoralis HTCC2594, complete genome Lineage: Erythrobacter litoralis; Erythrobacter; Erythrobacteraceae; Sphingomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria General Information: This strain was collected from the Sargasso Sea at a depth of 10 meters. Phototrophic bacterium. Organisms in this aerobic phototrophic genus are found in marine environments. Members of this group produce bacteriochlorophyll a, which is normally found in anaerobic organisms. One theory to explain this is that the anoxygenic photosynthetic gene cluster was acquired by these organisms via lateral gene transfer. Although they require an organic carbon substrate for growth, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derviced energy. This species was isolated from a marine cyanobacterial mat. Although they require an organic carbon substrate for growth, they are able to supplement a significant fraction of their metabolic requirements with photosynthetically derviced energy. The presence of the carotenoids bacteriorubixanthinal and erythroxanthin sulfate give this organism a reddish color.
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General Information: This organism was first isolated from the soil in Vineland, New Jersey, although it is found worldwide. It is a large obligate aerobe that has one of the highest respiratory rates of any organism. Azotobacter vinelandii also produces a number of unusual nitrogenases which allow it to fix atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, a compound it can then use as a nitrogen source. It protects the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzymes through its high respiratory rate, which sequesters the nitrogenase complexes in an anoxic environment. This organism has a number of unusual characteristics. Under extreme environmental conditions, the cell will produce a cyst that is resistant to dessication and is surrounded by two capsular polysaccharide layers. This organism produces two industrially important polysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and alginate. PHB is a thermoplastic biopolymer, and alginate is used in the food industry. Alginate is also used by the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.