Frankia casuarinae

General Information

Frankia casuarinae is a fascinating actinobacterium known for its ability to form symbiotic relationships with certain plants, particularly those in the Casuarinaceae family. This microorganism is notable for its role in nitrogen fixation, a process that converts atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use for growth. This capability makes Frankia casuarinae extremely valuable in agriculture and environmental management, especially in improving soil fertility and supporting plant growth in nitrogen-poor soils. One of the most interesting aspects of Frankia casuarinae is its ability to form specialized structures called vesicles and sporangia. Vesicles are involved in the nitrogen fixation process, providing a microaerophilic environment necessary for the activity of nitrogenase, the enzyme responsible for nitrogen fixation. Sporangia, on the other hand, are involved in the reproductive cycle of the bacterium, producing spores that can help the organism survive in harsh conditions. Frankia casuarinae also exhibits a high degree of genetic diversity, which contributes to its adaptability and effectiveness in forming symbiotic relationships with a variety of host plants. This genetic diversity is a subject of ongoing research, as understanding the genetic basis of its symbiotic capabilities could lead to the development of biofertilizers and other biotechnological applications. In addition to its agricultural importance, Frankia casuarinae is also of interest in ecological studies. Its ability to thrive in diverse environments, from temperate to tropical regions, and its role in supporting plant communities in degraded or nutrient-poor soils make it a key player in ecosystem restoration projects. Overall, Frankia casuarinae is a microorganism of significant scientific interest due to its unique symbiotic capabilities, genetic diversity, and potential applications in agriculture and environmental management.

Frankia casuarinae is a fascinating actinobacterium known for its ability to form symbiotic relationships with the roots of certain plants, particularly those in the genus Casuarina. This organism is particularly interesting due to its role in nitrogen fixation, which is crucial for enhancing soil fertility in ecosystems where it is present. Frankia casuarinae is capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can utilize, thus playing a significant role in nutrient cycling. One of the unique aspects of Frankia casuarinae is its ability to thrive in a variety of soil types, including poor and sandy soils, which makes it valuable for ecological restoration projects. The symbiotic relationship it forms with Casuarina species not only benefits the plants by providing them with essential nitrogen but also helps in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion. From a research perspective, Frankia casuarinae is of great interest due to its potential applications in sustainable agriculture and forestry. Understanding the genetic and metabolic pathways involved in its nitrogen-fixing capabilities could lead to the development of biofertilizers that enhance crop yields without the need for synthetic fertilizers. Additionally, studying its symbiotic mechanisms can provide insights into plant-microbe interactions, which are essential for improving plant resilience in changing environmental conditions. Overall, Frankia casuarinae stands out as a model organism for studying symbiosis and nitrogen fixation, making it a valuable subject for both ecological and agricultural research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Frankiales

Family: Frankiaceae

Genus: Frankia

Species: Frankia casuarinae

NCBI ID

106370

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/000/013/345/GCA_000013345.1_ASM1334v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_000013345.1_ASM1334v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The microorganism Frankia casuarinae is a nitrogen-fixing actinobacterium that forms symbiotic relationships with the roots of certain plants, particularly those in the Casuarinaceae family. While it is primarily known for its role in enhancing soil fertility and supporting plant growth, its clinical implications are less direct but still noteworthy. Frankia casuarinae has been studied for its potential in bioremediation and agricultural applications, which can indirectly impact human health by improving food security and soil health. In terms of pathogenicity, Frankia casuarinae is not typically associated with human disease; however, its interactions with the environment and plants can influence the microbial communities that affect human health. For instance, the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria like Frankia can enhance the growth of plants that are beneficial for human nutrition. Moreover, the study of Frankia casuarinae contributes to our understanding of microbial ecology and symbiotic relationships, which can have implications for developing probiotics or therapeutics that harness beneficial microbial interactions. Currently, there is limited documentation regarding antimicrobial resistance in Frankia casuarinae, as it is not a common pathogen in clinical settings. However, understanding its genetic makeup and metabolic pathways could provide insights into microbial resistance mechanisms in general. In summary, while Frankia casuarinae does not have direct clinical implications in terms of human disease, its role in ecosystem health, agricultural productivity, and potential applications in biotechnology highlight its relevance in the broader context of human health and environmental sustainability.

Industrial Application

Source: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18

The actinobacterium Frankia casuarinae is known for its biotechnological applications, particularly in the field of agriculture and environmental management. This microorganism forms a symbiotic relationship with the roots of certain plants, notably those in the Casuarina genus, facilitating nitrogen fixation. This process is crucial for enhancing soil fertility, making Frankia casuarinae valuable in sustainable agriculture practices. By converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can utilize, it reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, promoting a more eco-friendly approach to crop production. In addition to its agricultural benefits, Frankia casuarinae has potential in waste management. Its ability to degrade complex organic compounds can be harnessed in biodegradation processes, helping to break down pollutants in contaminated soils and water. This capability is particularly useful in bioremediation efforts, where the microorganism can be employed to clean up hazardous waste sites. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities of Frankia casuarinae can be explored for industrial enzyme production. The enzymes produced by this microorganism may have applications in various industries, including food processing and biofuel production. For instance, the fermentation processes involving Frankia casuarinae can lead to the production of biofuels, contributing to the development of renewable energy sources. Overall, Frankia casuarinae demonstrates significant potential across multiple sectors, including biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, making it a microorganism of interest for future industrial applications.

Phenotypes and Predictions

The table shows the phenotypes and predictions. Cell colors indicate the class of the value. When literature-based data is available, a checkmark (✓) indicates a correct prediction, while an ✗ indicates an incorrect prediction.

Literature-based phenotypes: 8

LLM predicted phenotypes: 5

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-pro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Gram staining	gram stain positive	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain variable ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain negative ✗	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✗
Aerophilicity	aerobic	anaerobic ✗	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerotolerant ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	N/A	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false
Host association	TRUE	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Plant pathogenicity	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗
Spore formation	TRUE	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	N/A	gamma	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	N/A	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	bacillus	coccus	coccus

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