Query: NC_009142:5425763 Saccharopolyspora erythraea NRRL 2338, complete genome
Lineage: Saccharopolyspora erythraea; Saccharopolyspora; Pseudonocardiaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Source of the antibiotic erythromycin. Saccharopolyspora erythraea is the soil bacterium that produces the industrially important antibiotic erythromycin A. Erythromycin is a clinically important and potent macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat infections caused by several prokaryotic pathogens such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Chlamydia and Legionella. Production of this antibiotic is lower than others in the same class, such as penicillin or cephalosporin, which has led to the development of a genetic system to attempt to enhance the production of erythromycin.
Subject: NC_012560:4201969 Azotobacter vinelandii DJ, complete genome
Lineage: Azotobacter vinelandii; Azotobacter; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
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.