Polynucleobacter necessarius subsp. asymbioticus QLW-P1DMWA-1

Polynucleobacter_necessarius
Names Polynucleobacter necessarius subsp. asymbioticus QLW-P1DMWA-1
Accession numbers NC_009379
Background Polynucleobacter necessarius (strain STIR1) is an obligate intracellular endosymbiont of the cilliate Euplotes aediculatus. The genus name of the bacteria refers to these multiple nucleoids. The Polynucleobacter group (Betaproteobacteria, Burkholderiaceae) is of enormous environmental relevance in freshwater habitats. These free-living heterotrophic bacteria contribute up to 60% of total bacterial cell numbers in the pelagic zone of surface freshwater habitats and have also been detected in groundwater. Despite their enormous ecological importance, knowledge of the physiology and specific ecological function of numerically relevant freshwater bacteria is completely lacking. Genome sequencing of the free-living Polynucleobacter strain will provide deep insights into the ecological function of an enormously important group of freshwater bacteria. This knowledge will deepen the understanding of how freshwater ecosystems function and will facilitate better modeling of carbon fluxes in these ecosystems. This will be the first genome project on nonpathogenic heterotrophic freshwater bacteria of environmental relevance. Polynucleobacter species are also relevant to issues of climate change, which is causing thawing of Arctic permafrost. This is resulting in the release of organic carbon stored in the frozen Arctic peat and in the creation of extensive wetlands in many Arctic areas. Such habitats, typically inhabited by high numbers of free-living Polynucleaobacter bacteria, will be involved in the fate of the carbon released from the peat. Detailed knowledge of the ecological function of Polynucleobacter bacteria will enable a better understanding of microbial processes crucial for the fate of the released carbon. Comparison of genomes of the closely related obligately free-living and obligately endosymbiotic Polynucleobacter strains will also provide unique insights into the evolutionary adaptations taking place during the early phase of endosymbiosis. Genome comparison with nonfreshwater Burkholderiaceae (Burkholderia spp., Ralstonia spp., Cupriavidus spp.) will provide first insights into evolutionary adaptations to planktonic life in freshwater. (EBI Integr8)
Taxonomy
Kingdom:Bacteria
Phylum:Proteobacteria
Class:Betaproteobacteria
Order:Burkholderiales
Family:Burkholderiaceae
Genus:Polynucleobacter
Species:necessarius
Strain QLW-P1DMWA-1
Complete Yes
Sequencing centre (01-AUG-2000) National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
(09-APR-2007) US DOE Joint Genome Institute, 2800 Mitchell Drive B100, Walnut Creek, CA 94598-1698, USA
Sequencing quality Level 6: Finished
Sequencing depth NA
Sequencing method Sanger
Isolation site Acidic freshwater pond; Austrian Alps, 1300 meters above sea level
Isolation country Austria
Number of replicons 1
Gram staining properties Negative
Shape Bacilli
Mobility No
Flagellar presence No
Number of membranes 2
Oxygen requirements Aerobic
Optimal temperature NA
Temperature range Mesophilic
Habitat Aquatic
Biotic relationship Free living
Host name NA
Cell arrangement NA
Sporulation Nonsporulating
Metabolism NA
Energy source Chemoorganotroph
Diseases NA
Pathogenicity No