Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTP

Query: NC_017513:115870 Neisseria meningitidis G2136 chromosome, complete genome

Lineage: Neisseria meningitidis; Neisseria; Neisseriaceae; Neisseriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: The second of two pathogenic Neisseria, this organism causes septicemia and is the leading cause of life-threatening meningitis (inflammation of the meninges, the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord) in children. This organism typically residies in the nasopharynx cavity but can invade the respiratory epthelial barrier, cross into the bloodstream and the blood brain barrier, and cause inflammation of the meninges. Pathogenicity factors include the surface proteins (porins and opacity proteins), and the type IV pilus (which is also found in Neisseria gonorrhoeae). This organism, like Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is naturally competent, and protein complexes at the cell surface recognize the uptake signal sequence in extracellular DNA, an 8mer that is found at high frequency in Neisseria chromosomal DNA.

Subject: NC_015707:826649 Thermotoga thermarum DSM 5069 chromosome, complete genome

Lineage: Thermotoga thermarum; Thermotoga; Thermotogaceae; Thermotogales; Thermotogae; Bacteria

General Information: Country: Djibouti; Isolation: Continental solfataric spring; Africa; Temp: Hyperthermophile; Temp: 80C. This organism, a member of the Thermotogales, has the characteristic morphology of one or more cells contained in a sheath-like envelope which extends beyond the cell wall. Preliminary sequencing of Thermotogales genomes has identified extensive horizontal gene transfer between these organisms and the Archaea. Thermotoga thermarum does not grow at high salt concentrations (>0.6% NaCL). This organism also produces heat stable enzymes such as endoxylanase, beta xylosidase and alpha arabinofuranosidase which may have commercial uses.