Query: NC_008309:1851189 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.
Subject: NC_021150:603447 Azotobacter vinelandii CA6, complete genome
Lineage: Azotobacter vinelandii; Azotobacter; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
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.