Query: NC_012808:420334 Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, complete genome
Lineage: Methylobacterium extorquens; Methylobacterium; Methylobacteriaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: First isolated in 1960 in Oxford, England, as an airborne contaminant growing on methylamine. This strain can grow on methylamine or methanol, but not methane. This organism is capable of growth on one-carbon compounds such as methanol. Methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde which is then used metabolically to generate either energy or biomass. These bacteria are commonly found in the environment, especially associated with plants which produce methanol when metabolizing pectin during cell wall synthesis. At least 25 genes are required for this complex process of converting methanol to formaldehyde and this specialized metabolic pathway is of great interest.
Subject: NC_008309:1628939 Haemophilus somnus 129PT, complete genome
Lineage: Histophilus somni; Histophilus; Pasteurellaceae; Pasteurellales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is an asymptomatic carrier strain that was serum-resistant. Causes disease in cattle. A group of organisms that are either obligate parasites or commensal organisms found in animal mucous membranes. Almost all species require the presence of important growth factors found in the blood of their hosts, including either X factor (protoporphyrin IX or heme) or V factor (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD or NADP)). This organism is a major cause of disease in feedlot cattle. It causes constriction of blood vessels supplying major organs, restricting blood supply which leads to reduced oxygen delivery, and leads to tissue damage and death. The diseases that result are pneumonia, arthritis, myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle), and reproductive problems resulting in the loss of millions of dollars in animals each year.