Query: NC_009953:1364500 Salinispora arenicola CNS-205 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Salinispora arenicola; Salinispora; Micromonosporaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Found in marine sediment, this organism produces cancer-fighting compounds. Salinispora strains are commonly isolated from tropical marine sediment. Members of this genus produce branched hyphae and require media which contain seawater or sodium. A survey of the cultured species identified over 90 isolates which produce compounds that inhibited cancer cells. These organisms may be a new source of bioactive chemicals for use in disease and cancer treatments. Salinispora arenicola produces the bioactive compounds staurosporine and rifamycin which may be useful in the treatment of cancer.
Subject: NC_014335:3589726 Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis str. CI chromosome, complete
Lineage: Bacillus cereus; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain probably caused lethal anthrax in chimpanzee Leo in the rainforest of the Tai National Park, Cote d'Ivoire. It belongs to a collection of genetically closely related bacteria, isolated in 2001 and 2002 from deceased wild chimpanzees living in this rain forest area. An autopsy showed symptoms typical of anthrax, but the bacterium isolated was motile, unlike B.anthracis. This organism is a soil-dwelling opportunistic pathogen that causes food poisoning in infected individuals. The rapid onset is characterized by nausea and vomiting while the late onset is characterized by diarrhea and abdominal pain. The emetic disease is caused by a small stable dodecadepsipeptide cerulide whereas the diarrheal disease is caused by a heat labile enterotoxin. Some strains produce a potent cytotoxin that forms a pore in the membrane of eukaryotic cells and causes necrotic enteritis (death of intestinal epithelial cells) while the unique tripartite membrane lytic toxin hemolysin BL contributes to the diarrheal disease and destructive infections of the eye.