Query: NC_012522:7596039 Rhodococcus opacus B4, complete genome Lineage: Rhodococcus opacus; Rhodococcus; Nocardiaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria General Information: Strain B4 was isolated from a soil sample taken from the roadside in Hiroshima, Japan. It is a benzene-tolerant, Gram-postitive, non-motile, strictly aerobic rod, able to use many organic compound as its sole source of carbon and energy. Rhodococcus opacus is an aerobic, Gram-positive bacterium that can accumulate triacylglycerols (TAGs).
- 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.