Query: NC_014323:3669704 Herbaspirillum seropedicae SmR1 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Herbaspirillum seropedicae; Herbaspirillum; Oxalobacteraceae; Burkholderiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Root-associated nitrogen-fixing bacterium. Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophitic nitrogen-fixing beta-Proteobacteria found associated with important crops such as sugarcane, wheat, maize, rice and sorghum. It is non-phytopathogenic and produces interesting biotechnological products such as polybetaalkanoates and cyanophycin. Herbaspirillum seropedicae was isolated from the roots of rice plants, and is member of a group of free-living soil bacteria known to promote plant growth. The yields of rice and sorghum were significantly increased when grown in soil inoculated with Herbaspirillum seropedicae.
Subject: NC_005956:1402500 Bartonella henselae str. Houston-1, complete genome
Lineage: Bartonella henselae; Bartonella; Bartonellaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Bartonella henselae str. Houston-1 (ATCC 49882) was isolated from human blood in Houston Texas. Causative agent of cat scratch fever. This group of alpha proteobacteria are unique among pathogens in that they cause angiogenic lesions. This organism was identified as the causative agent of cat scratch fever, a disease found commonly in children or in immunocompromised adults. The proliferation of the vascular endothelium (bacillary angiomatosis) is characterisitic of Bartonella infection and results in multiplication of the bacterium's host cells. Infected macrophages are stimulated to release vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin 1 beta, both of which promote angiogenesis. Endothelial cells are also stimulated to grow and divide by direct contact with bacterial cells. In addition, programmed cell death (apoptosis) of endothelial cells is inhibited, combatting a common mechanism eukaryotic cells use to deal with bacterial infection. Other pathogenicity factors include pili and outer membrane adhesins for attachment to host cells.