Query: NC_014034:1507047 Rhodobacter capsulatus SB1003 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Rhodobacter capsulatus; Rhodobacter; Rhodobacteraceae; Rhodobacterales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is a derivative strain isolated in the laboratory of Barry Marrs from the classical progenitor strain B10. It is rifampicin-resistant, produces GTA, and is capable of growing under high illumination (resistant to photooxidative killing). Bacteria belonging to the Rhodobacter group are metabolically versatile as they are able to use photosynthesis and usually can grow under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. This organism is a facultatively phototrophic purple non-sulfur bacterium and the type species of the Rhodobacter group. The colony's color depends largely on the amount of oxygen present in its environment. While it is able to produce cellular energy in a number of different ways, it can rely on anoxygenic photosynthesis under anaerobic conditions in the presence of light. Some strains produce the Gene Transfer Element (GTA), a pro-phage particle capable of transferring genetic material between strains.
Subject: NC_009882:278384 Rickettsia rickettsii str. 'Sheila Smith', complete genome
Lineage: Rickettsia rickettsii; Rickettsia; Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from from a patient with Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Causative agent for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This genus, like other Rickettsial organisms such as Neorickettsia and Anaplasma, are obligate intracellular pathogens and is composed of two groups, the spotted fever group, and the typhus group. The latter is composed of two organisms, Rickettsia prowazekii and Rickettsia typhi. The bacteria are transmitted via an insect, usually a tick, to a host organism, in this case humans, where they target endothelial cells and sometimes macrophages. They attach via an adhesin, rickettsial outer membrane protein A, and are internalized where they persist as cytoplasmically free organisms. Rickettsia rickettsii was first identified by Dr. Howard Rickets as the causative agent of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which was originally named for its geographic distribution at the time, it is now known to be widespread throughout the North American continent. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects primarily the vascular endothelium, and occasionally smooth muscle tissue. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects primarily the vascular endothelium, and occasionally smooth muscle tissue. It is passed to the human host from a tick bite, and the tick acts as both a natural reservoir and a vector for disease transmission. Once the organism is endocytosed by the host cell, it quickly escapes the phagozome, and replicates intracellularly, causing cell death and tissue damage. The disease is characterized by a spotted rash and has a high mortality rate if left untreated.