Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTP

Query: NC_009495:3735703 Clostridium botulinum A str. ATCC 3502 chromosome, complete genome

Lineage: Clostridium botulinum; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: This strain is a well-studied Hall strain that produces type A toxin. Produces botulinum, one of the most potent toxins known. This genus comprises about 150 metabolically diverse species of anaerobes that are ubiquitous in virtually all anoxic habitats where organic compounds are present, including soils, aquatic sediments and the intestinal tracts of animals and humans. This shape is attributed to the presence of endospores that develop under conditions unfavorable for vegetative growth and distend single cells terminally or sub-terminally. Spores germinate under conditions favorable for vegetative growth, such as anaerobiosis and presence of organic substrates. It is believed that present day Mollicutes (Eubacteria) have evolved regressively (i.e., by genome reduction) from gram-positive clostridia-like ancestors with a low GC content in DNA. Some species are capable of producing organic solvents (acetone, ethanol, etc,), molecular hydrogen and other useful compounds. This organism produces one of the most potent and deadly neurotoxins known, a botulinum toxin that prevents the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, thereby inhibiting muscle contraction and causing paralysis. In most cases the diseased person dies of asphyxiation as a result of paralysis of chest muscles involved in breathing. The spores are heat-resistant and can survive in inadequately heated, prepared, or processed foods. Spores germinate under favorable conditions (anaerobiosis and substrate-rich environment) and bacteria start propagating very rapidly, producing the toxin. Botulinum toxin, and C. botulinum cells, has been found in a wide variety of foods, including canned ones. Almost any food that has a high pH (above 4.6) can support growth of the bacterium.

Subject: NC_004369:2968251 Corynebacterium efficiens YS-314, complete genome

Lineage: Corynebacterium efficiens; Corynebacterium; Corynebacteriaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: This is the type strain of C. efficiens isolated by researchers of Ajinomoto food company from soils at Kanagawa, Japan in the late 1980's. The strain can grow and produce glutamate at temperatures above up to 45oC in contrast to C. glutamicum that is only efficient at around 30oC. This feature is very beneficial for industrial applications, because less heat removal is required in fermenters to be used for cultivation of these bacteria. Glutamate-producing bacterium. They may be found as members of the normal microflora of humans, where these bacteria find a suitable niche in virtually every anatomic site. This organism is a recently proposed new species of the genus capable of producing significant quantities of glutamic acid (glutamate), an important enhancer of taste in the food industry. It is currently used commercially to produce glutamate and other amino acids and compounds.