Query: NC_014364:2246524 Spirochaeta smaragdinae DSM 11293 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Spirochaeta smaragdinae; Spirochaeta; Spirochaetaceae; Spirochaetales; Spirochaetes; Bacteria
General Information: Country: Congo; Environment: Oil fields; Isolation: Oil field of Congo, Africa; Temp: Mesophile; Temp: 35C. Spirochaeta smaragdinae was isolated from an oil field in Central Africa. The species is Gram-negative, motile, obligately halophilic and strictly anaerobic and is of interest because it is able to ferment numerous polysaccharides.
Subject: NC_012560:582011 Azotobacter vinelandii DJ, 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.