Query: NC_008554:3177723 Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans MPOB, complete genome
Lineage: Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans; Syntrophobacter; Syntrophobacteraceae; Syntrophobacterales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism is a syntrophic propionate-oxidizing bacterium isolated from granular sludge from an anaerobic sludge bed reactor treating sugar-beet processing wastewater. Propionate-oxidizing bacterium. This organism is able to oxidize propionate when grown in co-culture with hydrogen-consuming methanogens (syntrophic metabolism). This organism can also ferment fumarate when not in co-culture.
Subject: NC_012560:5276000 Azotobacter vinelandii DJ, 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.