Query: NC_013791:579842 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_021150:582011 Azotobacter vinelandii CA6, complete genome
Lineage: Azotobacter vinelandii; Azotobacter; Pseudomonadaceae; Pseudomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was first isolated from the soil in Vineland, New Jersey, although it is found worldwide. It is a large obligate aerobe that has one of the highest respiratory rates of any organism. Azotobacter vinelandii also produces a number of unusual nitrogenases which allow it to fix atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia, a compound it can then use as a nitrogen source. It protects the oxygen-sensitive nitrogenase enzymes through its high respiratory rate, which sequesters the nitrogenase complexes in an anoxic environment. This organism has a number of unusual characteristics. Under extreme environmental conditions, the cell will produce a cyst that is resistant to dessication and is surrounded by two capsular polysaccharide layers. This organism produces two industrially important polysaccharides, poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and alginate. PHB is a thermoplastic biopolymer, and alginate is used in the food industry. Alginate is also used by the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa to infect the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients.