Query: NC_016894:2809125 Acetobacterium woodii DSM 1030 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Acetobacterium woodii; Acetobacterium; Eubacteriaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: Acetobacterium woodii is a Gram positive, motile, strict anaerobic, acetogenic bacterium, that relies on Na+ as coupling ion in bioenergetic reactions. The organism can use a wide range of substrates, such as sugars, alcohols, methoxylated aromatic acids or C1 compounds. Electrons derived from these electron donors are used in the Wood-Ljungdahl-pathway where the organism fixes CO2 and produces acetate. The pathway of CO2-fixation is coupled to energy conservation via a chemiosmotic mechanism, one enzyme that seems to be involved is the Rnf complex. The produced Na+ gradient can be used to drive ATP-synthesis or flagella rotation. The ATP synthase is a member of the F1FO class of enzymes and has an unusual hybrid rotor. Can use alternative electron acceptors like the lignin degradation product caffeate.
Subject: NC_005957:5203915 Bacillus thuringiensis serovar konkukian str. 97-27, complete
Lineage: Bacillus thuringiensis; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was isolated from a case of severe human tissue necrosis which is unusual since human infections by this organism are rare. Produces insect toxinT his organism, also known as BT, is famous for the production of an insecticidal toxin. The bacterium was initially discovered as a pathogen of various insects and was first used as an insecticidal agent in the early part of this century. This organism, like many other Bacilli, is found in the soil, where it leads a saprophytic existence, but becomes an opportunistic pathogen of insects when ingested. The specific activity of the toxin towards insects and its lack of toxicity to animals has made this organism a useful biocontrol agent. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The delta-endotoxin, which is produced during the sporulation part of the life cycle, causes midgut paralysis and disruption of feeding by the infected insect host. The presence of a parasporal crystal, which is outside the exosporium of the endospore, is indicative of production of the toxin, and serves as a marker for this species.Activation of the toxin typically requires a high pH environment such as the alkaline environments in insect midguts followed by proteolysis. Various toxin genes specific for a variety of insects have been studied, and many are now being used in genetically modified plants which have been engineered to produce the toxin themselves, eliminating the need to produce sufficient amounts of B. thuringiensis spores.