Query: NC_008609:2446246 Pelobacter propionicus DSM 2379, complete genome
Lineage: Pelobacter propionicus; Pelobacter; Pelobacteraceae; Desulfuromonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Common environmental anaerobe. The genus Pelobacter encompasses a unique group of fermentative microorganisms in the delta-proteobacteria. This species is ubiquitous in both marine and fresh water, and in anaerobic sedmiments. It is able to convert the unsaturated hydrocarbon acetylene to to acetate and ethanol via acetylaldehyde as an intermediate. These microorganisms may survive in some sediments as an Fe(III) or elemental sulfur reducer as well as growing fermentatively as an ethanol-oxidizing acetogen.
Subject: NC_007949:121747 Polaromonas sp. JS666 plasmid 1, complete sequence
Lineage: Polaromonas; Polaromonas; Comamonadaceae; Burkholderiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from sediment contaminated with cis-dichloroethane (cDCE), a common pollutant resulting from widespread manufacture and use of industrial solvents. This bacterium is the only known organism capable of using cDCE as a sole carbon and energy source. The ability of this strain to convert ethene to epoxyethane suggests that the first step in the cDCE biodegradation pathway is the oxidation of cDCE to an epoxide compound. Bacteria that are able to grow on cDCE are rare, and have only been found in very few highly selective artificial environments. The discovery of this bacteria may provide a low cost, self-sustaining bioremediation method in areas where cDCE is a problem contaminant.