Query: NC_013892:853366 Xenorhabdus bovienii SS-2004 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Xenorhabdus bovienii; Xenorhabdus; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Insect pathogenic, facultatively anaerobic, non-spore forming Gram-negative bacterium. This genus is a group of insect pathogens which live in a mutualistic relationship with the soil nematode family Steinernematidae. Free-living, juvenile Steinernema spp. enter insect larvae through the digestive tract. They penetrate the larvae body cavity and release Xenorhabdus spp. into the hemolymph (blood). The bacteria multiply rapidly, killing the larvae, and providing suitable nutrient conditions for the growth and reproduction of the Steinernema spp. The nematode matures and reproduces. The new juveniles reassociate with Xenorhabdus spp. and are released into the soil.Xenorhabdus bovienii. Unlike Xenorhabdus nematophila, which is found in only in Steinernema carpocapsae, Xenorhabdus bovienii is associated with several different species of Steinernema.
Subject: NC_004741:3041294 Shigella flexneri 2a str. 2457T, complete genome
Lineage: Shigella flexneri; Shigella; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This is a highly virulent strain that has been widely used for genetic and clinical research. Causes enteric disease. This genus is named for the Japanese scientist (Shiga) who discovered them in the 1890s. They are closely related to the Escherichia group, and may be considered the same species. are human-specific pathogens that are transmitted via contaminated food and water and are the leading causes of endemic bacillary dysentery, and over 1 million deaths worldwide are attributed to them. The bacteria infect the epithelial lining of the colon, causing acute inflammation by entering the host cell cytoplasm and spreading intercellularly. are extremely virulent organisms that require very few cells in order to cause disease. Both the type III secretion system, which delivers effector molecules into the host cell, and some of the translocated effectors such as the invasion plasmid antigens (Ipas), are encoded on the plasmid. The bacterium produces a surface protein that localizes to one pole of the cell (IcsA) which binds to and promotes actin polymerization, resulting in movement of the bacterium through the cell cytoplasm, and eventually to neighboring cells, which results in inflammatory destruction of the mucosal lining. This organism, along with Shigella sonnei, is the major cause of shigellosis in industrialized countries and is responsible for endemic infections.