Methanocaldococcus jannaschii DSM 2661

Methanocaldococcus_jannaschii
Names Methanocaldococcus jannaschii DSM 2661
Accession numbers NC_000909, NC_001732, NC_001733
Background M. jannaschii was the first Archaea to have it's genome sequenced, which opened the doors for comparison between the genomes of the three domains. It was originally located from a sediment sample collected from the sea floor at the base of a "white smoker" chimney on the East Pacific Rise.Methanocaldococcus jannaschii was formally in the genus Methanococcus, but due to its ability to grow in high temperatures it was re-classified. There were a few thermophilic species in Methanococcus that were reorganized, and this reorganization was supported by a low 16S rRNA sequence similarity between the thermophilics and mesophilics. The species left in Methanococcus are mesophilic and are related on the genus level by close DNA reassociation levels.No difference is noted in the G + C content of thermophilics and mesophilics of Methanococcus. However, there is a difference in the proteins. The thermophilic proteins have higher residue volume, higher residue hydrophobicity, more charged amino acids, and fewer uncharged polar residues than the mesophilic proteins.This autotrophic organism is strictly anaerobic and gets it's energy by the reduction of CO2 with H2 to generate methane. In addition to it's anabolic pathway, it also contains several scavenging molecules that most likely play a role in importing small organic compounds such as amino acids. Although Methanococcus spp. have a nifH-like gene they cannot fix N2, with the exception of M. maripaludis that can.Structurally the species consist of having two bundles of flagella at the same cellular pole along with no cell membrane, but a thin S-layer covering the plasma membrane. They are cocci in shape, about 1.0 microns in diameter, and are Gram stain negative.M. jannaschii can grow in habitats with pressure up to more than 200 atm and a temperature range between 48 and 94oC, with an optimum growth temperature being 85oC.(From http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Methanocaldococcus) (MicrobeWiki: Methanocaldococcus)
Taxonomy
Kingdom:Archaea
Phylum:Euryarchaeota
Class:Methanococci
Order:Methanococcales
Family:Methanocaldococcaceae
Genus:Methanocaldococcus
Species:jannaschii
Strain DSM 2661
Complete Yes
Sequencing centre (19-SEP-2001) National Center for Biotechnology Information, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA
(27-AUG-1996) The Institute for Genomic Research, 9712 Medical Center Dr, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
Sequencing quality Level 6: Finished
Sequencing depth NA
Sequencing method NA
Isolation site Deep-sea hydrothermal vent in 1982
Isolation country NA
Number of replicons 3
Gram staining properties NA
Shape Cocci
Mobility No
Flagellar presence Yes
Number of membranes 1
Oxygen requirements Anaerobic
Optimal temperature 85.0
Temperature range Hyperthermophilic
Habitat Aquatic
Biotic relationship Free living
Host name NA
Cell arrangement NA
Sporulation Nonsporulating
Metabolism Methanogen
Energy source Lithotroph
Diseases NA
Pathogenicity No