Query: NC_020211:3151458 Serratia marcescens WW4, complete genome
Lineage: Serratia marcescens; Serratia; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This organism was discovered in 1819 by Bizio who named the organism after the Italian physicist Serrati. It was considered a nonpathogenic organism until late in the 20th century, although pathogenicity was noted as early as 1913. Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic human pathogen that is increasingly associated with life-threatening hospital-acquired infections. It is an environmental organism that has a broad host range, and is capable of infecting vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as plants. In humans, Serratia marcescens can cause meningitis (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord), endocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle) and pyelonephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). Many strains are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Environmental isolates are noted by production of the red pigment prodigiosin.
Subject: NC_004547:2470978 Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica SCRI1043, complete genome
Lineage: Pectobacterium atrosepticum; Pectobacterium; Enterobacteriaceae; Enterobacteriales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: This strain (ATCC BAA-672) is a virulent blackleg isolated from the stem of a potato plant. Causative agent for blackleg and soft rot disease in potatoes. Formerly Erwinia, these organisms are plant-specific pathogens that invade the vascular systems of plants. Both Pectobacterium chrysanthemia and Pectobacterium carotovora cause soft-rot diseases of various plant hosts through degradation of the plant cell walls. Pectobacterium colonize the intercellular spaces of plant cells and deliver potent effector molecules (Avr - avirulence) through a type III secretion system (Hrp - hypersensitive response and pathogenicity). Avr proteins control host-bacterium interactions, including host range. Expression of the plant cell-wall-degrading enzymes is controlled through a quorum-sensing mechanism that quantifies the number of Pectobacterium bacteria through measurement of the concentration of small molecules (acyl homoserine lactones) produced by Pectobacterium. Pectobacterium atrosepticum is an environmentally widespread organism that causes blackleg and soft rot disease in potatoes. This organism produces pectolytic enzymes that destroy plant tissue and allow the bacteria to spread.