Query: NC_008148:2156873 Rubrobacter xylanophilus DSM 9941, complete genome Lineage: Rubrobacter xylanophilus; Rubrobacter; Rubrobacteraceae; Rubrobacterales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria General Information: Cellulose-degrading bacterium. This genus contains two species: Rubrobacter radiotolerans and Rubrobacter xylanophilus. These two species represent the oldest lineage (deepest branch) of the Actinobacteria and are distantly related to Mycobacteria and Streptomycetes. Both species are thermophilic and exhibit high tolerance to radiation. Very little research has been done on these organisms and little is known other than their taxonomic characterization. Rubrobacter xylanophilus was isolated from a thermally polluted industrial runoff in the United Kingdom. Some strains of this species are capable of degrading hemicellulose and xylan (polymers of plant origin), and could play a significant role in the degradation of these compounds in the wood and paper industry as well as in the environment.
- Sequence; - BLASTN hit (Low score = Light, High score = Dark) - hypothetical protein; - cds: hover for description
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.