Query: NC_016894:3329562 Acetobacterium woodii DSM 1030 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Acetobacterium woodii; Acetobacterium; Eubacteriaceae; Clostridiales; Firmicutes; Bacteria
General Information: Acetobacterium woodii is a Gram positive, motile, strict anaerobic, acetogenic bacterium, that relies on Na+ as coupling ion in bioenergetic reactions. The organism can use a wide range of substrates, such as sugars, alcohols, methoxylated aromatic acids or C1 compounds. Electrons derived from these electron donors are used in the Wood-Ljungdahl-pathway where the organism fixes CO2 and produces acetate. The pathway of CO2-fixation is coupled to energy conservation via a chemiosmotic mechanism, one enzyme that seems to be involved is the Rnf complex. The produced Na+ gradient can be used to drive ATP-synthesis or flagella rotation. The ATP synthase is a member of the F1FO class of enzymes and has an unusual hybrid rotor. Can use alternative electron acceptors like the lignin degradation product caffeate.
Subject: NC_010263:13826 Rickettsia rickettsii str. Iowa, complete genome
Lineage: Rickettsia rickettsii; Rickettsia; Rickettsiaceae; Rickettsiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Causative agent for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This organism was first identified by Dr. Howard Rickets as the causative agent of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, which was originally named for its geographic distribution at the time, it is now known to be widespread throughout the North American continent. This bacterium is an obligate intracellular pathogen that infects primarily the vascular endothelium, and occasionally smooth muscle tissue. It is passed to the human host from a tick bite, and the tick acts as both a natural reservoir and a vector for disease transmission. Once the organism is endocytosed by the host cell, it quickly escapes the phagozome, and replicates intracellularly, causing cell death and tissue damage. The disease is characterized by a spotted rash and has a high mortality rate if left untreated.