Query: NC_013791:1507943 Bacillus pseudofirmus OF4 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Bacillus pseudofirmus; Bacillus; Bacillaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated from soil in New York State by alkaline enrichment cultures. Because of its pH range and genetic accessibility, this alkaliphile has been extensively used as the model organism for studies of the bioenergetics of life at extremely high pH. This organism is a facultative, extreme alkaliphile that grows non-fermentatively as well as fermentatively in a pH range from near neutral to above pH 11.2.
Subject: NC_002973:505978 Listeria monocytogenes str. 4b F2365, complete genome
Lineage: Listeria monocytogenes; Listeria; Listeriaceae; Bacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: This strain was isolated in 1985 in California, USA, during an outbreak of listeriosis among patients with AIDS. The strain is of serotype 4b and was isolated from a cheese product that caused the outbreak. 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.