Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTN

Query: NC_017515:155634 Neisseria meningitidis M04-240196 chromosome, complete genome

Lineage: Neisseria meningitidis; Neisseria; Neisseriaceae; Neisseriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: The second of two pathogenic Neisseria, this organism causes septicemia and is the leading cause of life-threatening meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord) in children. This organism typically residies in the nasopharynx cavity but can invade the respiratory epthelial barrier, cross into the bloodstream and the blood brain barrier, and cause inflammation of the meninges. Pathogenicity factors include the surface proteins (porins and opacity proteins), and the type IV pilus (which is also found in Neisseria gonorrhoeae). This organism, like Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is naturally competent, and protein complexes at the cell surface recognize the uptake signal sequence in extracellular DNA, an 8mer that is found at high frequency in Neisseria chromosomal DNA.

Subject: NC_013656:2382000 Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis KF147, complete genome

Lineage: Lactococcus lactis; Lactococcus; Streptococcaceae; Lactobacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: Isolated from mung bean sprouts. This microbe is a member of the lactic acid bacteria and produces lactic acid from sugars. It is found in many environments including plant and animal habitats. Lactococcus lactis is used as a starter culture for the production of cheese products (such as cheddar) and in milk fermentations and, as such, is one of the most important microbes in the food industry. The degradation of casein, acidification by lactic acid, and production of flavor compounds, processes that are caused by the bacteria, contribute to the final product.