Query: NC_010981:1243888 Wolbachia pipientis, complete genome
Lineage: Wolbachia endosymbiont of Culex quinquefasciatus; Wolbachia; Anaplasmataceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This bacterial endosymbiont was isolated from the preblastoderm embryos of the Pel strain of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. This group of bacteria are associated with a variety of invertebrate species, some as pathogens, some in a symbiotic or other type of relationship. Typically these organisms are transmitted maternally from mother to daughter transovarially (through the egg) although these bacteria can affect their hosts reproductive capabilities in order to enhance transmission. The net outcome is the increase of hosts carrying the bacteria in the next generation, thereby increasing transmission.
Subject: NC_008593:196257 Clostridium novyi NT, complete genome
Lineage: Clostridium novyi; Clostridium; Clostridiaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain (NT) was created so that it lacks the lethal toxin. Injection of spores of this organism into mice harboring tumors resulted in an increased immune response and destruction of the tumor tissue in a method known as COBALT (combination bacteriolytic therapy) when the spores along with chemotherapeutic agents or radiation are co-administered. The anaerobic bacteria preferentially target hypoxic cancer tissue and stimulate immune responses to that tissue. 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. Clostridium novyi is an anaerobic bacterium found in soil, aquatic sediments, and intestinal tract of both animals and humans. Some types produce lethal toxins.