Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTP

Query: NC_020207:2240115 Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354, complete genome

Lineage: Enterococcus faecium; Enterococcus; Enterococcaceae; Lactobacillales; Firmicutes; Bacteria

General Information: This genera consists of organisms typically found in the intestines of mammals, although through fecal contamination they can appear in sewage, soil, and water. They cause a number of infections that are becoming increasingly a problem due to the number of antibiotic resistance mechanisms these organisms have picked up. Both Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium cause similar diseases in humans, and are mainly distinguished by their metabolic capabilities. This opportunistic pathogen causes a range of infections similar to those observed with Enterococcus faecalis, including urinary tract infections, bacteremia (bacteria in the blood), and infective endocarditis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart). Hospital-acquired infections from this organism are on the rise due to the emergence of antiobiotic resistance strains and has led to the rise of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains due to the horizontal transfer of Enterococcus antibiotic resistance genes. Little is known about the virulence mechanisms in this organism, but the genome does encode an esp gene for the surface adhesin. Vancomycin resistant isolates are more typically Enterococcus faecium than Enterococcus faecalis.

Subject: NC_009654:4253431 Marinomonas sp. MWYL1, complete genome

Lineage: Marinomonas; Marinomonas; Oceanospirillaceae; Oceanospirillales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: Marinomonas MWYL1 was isolated from the root surface of the salt marsh grass Spartina anglica, growing near the North Norfolk, England village of Stiffkey. The genus Marinomonas comprises a widespread group of g -proteobacteria that exist in coastal waters, and which had been earlier been included in the genus Alteromonas. The interest in Marinomonas MWYL 1 was that it could grow on the betaine molecule Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) as sole carbon source and, when it did do, it released large amounts of the gas dimethyl sulphide. DMSP is a compatible solute that is used by many marine phytoplankton and seaweed macroalgae as an osmoticum and an anti-stress compound. In addition, a few known land angiosperms make DMSP and these include certain species of Spartina - hence the choice of these plants as a source for DMSP-degrading bacteria. Indeed, others had shown previously that the DMSP-catabolising bacteria isolated from Spartina root surfaces included Marinomonas strains.