Query: NC_008527:740060 Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris SK11, complete genome
Lineage: Lactococcus lactis; Lactococcus; Streptococcaceae; Lactobacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is recognized for the beneficial flavors it produces during cheese production. This subspecies is used to make hard cheeses. Microorganism used in cheese production. This microbe is a member of the lactic acid bacteria and produces lactic acid from sugars. It is found in many environments including plant and animal habitats. Lactococcus lactis is used as a starter culture for the production of cheese products (such as cheddar) and in milk fermentations and, as such, is one of the most important microbes in the food industry. The degradation of casein, acidification by lactic acid, and production of flavor compounds, processes that are caused by the bacteria, contribute to the final product.
Subject: NC_005957:3638750 Bacillus thuringiensis serovar konkukian str. 97-27, complete
Lineage: Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was isolated from a case of severe human tissue necrosis which is unusual since human infections by this organism are rare. Produces insect toxinT his organism, also known as BT, is famous for the production of an insecticidal toxin. The bacterium was initially discovered as a pathogen of various insects and was first used as an insecticidal agent in the early part of this century. This organism, like many other Bacilli, is found in the soil, where it leads a saprophytic existence, but becomes an opportunistic pathogen of insects when ingested. The specific activity of the toxin towards insects and its lack of toxicity to animals has made this organism a useful biocontrol agent. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The presence of a parasporal crystal, which is outside the exosporium of the endospore, is indicative of production of the toxin, and serves as a marker for this species.Activation of the toxin typically requires a high pH environment such as the alkaline environments in insect midguts followed by proteolysis. Various toxin genes specific for a variety of insects have been studied, and many are now being used in genetically modified plants which have been engineered to produce the toxin themselves, eliminating the need to produce sufficient amounts of B. thuringiensis spores.