Query: NC_014013:112008 Sphingobium japonicum UT26S chromosome 2, complete genome
Lineage: Sphingobium japonicum; Sphingobium; Sphingomonadaceae; Sphingomonadales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Sphingobium japonicum (strain NBRC 101211 / UT26S) is a yellow-pigmented, non-motile, aerobic, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)-degrading Gram-negative bacterium isolated from a dumpsite in the vicinity of an industry that has been producing lindane. Sphingobium japonicum, formerly Sphingomonas paucimobilis, is able to degrade hexachlorocyclohexane which has been used extensively as insect control agents in the health and agriculture fields.
Subject: NC_003062:50756 Agrobacterium tumefaciens str. C58 chromosome circular, complete
Lineage: Agrobacterium fabrum; Agrobacterium; Rhizobiaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain is a biovar 1 nopaline-producing strain originally isolated from a cherry tree tumor. Strains of Agrobacterium are classified in three biovars based on their utilisation of different carbohydrates and other biochemical tests. The differences between biovars are determined by genes on the single circle of chromosomal DNA. Biovar differences are not particularly relevant to the pathogenicity of A. tumefaciens, except in one respect: biovar 3 is found worldwide as the pathogen of gravevines. This species causes crown gall disease of a wide range of dicotyledonous (broad-leaved) plants, especially members of the rose family such as apple, pear, peach, cherry, almond, raspberry and roses. Because of the way that it infects other organisms, this bacterium has been used as a tool in plant breeding. Any desired genes, such as insecticidal toxin genes or herbicide-resistance genes, can be engineered into the bacterial DNA, and then inserted into the plant genome. This process shortens the conventional plant breeding process, and allows entirely new (non-plant) genes to be engineered into crops.