Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTP

Query: NC_011660:2541632 Listeria monocytogenes HCC23 chromosome, complete genome

Lineage: Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria; Listeriaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: Listeria monocytogenes HCC23 was isolated from channel catfish. This organism, which causes listeriosis, is one of the leading causes of death from food-borne pathogens especially in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. It is found in environments such as decaying vegetable matter, sewage, water, and soil, and it can survive extremes of both temperatures (1-45 degrees C) and salt concentration marking it as an extremely dangerous food-born pathogen, especially on food that is not reheated. This organism is enteroinvasive, and utilizes an actin-based motility system by using a surface protein, ActA, that promotes actin polymerization, to spread intercellularly using the polymerized cytoskeletal protein as a "motor". There are 13 serovars associated with Listeria monocytogenes, and the serovar 4b strains are more commonly associated with invasive disease.

Subject: NC_010556:26567 Exiguobacterium sibiricum 255-15, complete genome

Lineage: Exiguobacterium sibiricum; Exiguobacterium; Bacillales Family XII; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: This organism was isolated from a 2-3 million-year permafrost core in Siberia, Russia and can survive and grow rapidly at low temperatures. Analysis of long-term survival of psychrophilic organisms such as this one may aid understanding of the potential growth of organisms in astrobiology. Exiguobacterium sibiricum is a psychrotolerant organism able to grow at temperatures that range from -6 to 40 degrees C. This organism is also able to survive repeated freeze/thaw cycles which may contribute to its ability to survive in cold environments.