Query: NC_016114:2960989 Streptomyces flavogriseus ATCC 33331 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Streptomyces pratensis; Streptomyces; Streptomycetaceae; Actinomycetales; Actinobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Environment: Soil; Isolation: Soil; Temp: Mesophile. The genus Streptomyces consists of soil and water Gram positive filamentous bacteria well known for their ability to produce complex secondary metabolites including many antibiotics. Additionally they undergo complex multicellular development, with spores germinating to form a branched, multinucleoid substrate mycelium, which then produces an aerial mycelium which septates into uninucleoid spores. Streptomyces flavogriseus is an aerobic, Gram-positive bacterium isolated from soil. This organism produces cellulases and xyanases that are able to degrade cellulose and xylan.
Subject: NC_012560:603447 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.