Streptomyces formicae

General Information

Streptomyces formicae is a fascinating bacterium that has garnered significant interest in the scientific community due to its unique and valuable characteristics. This microorganism was originally isolated from the African fungus-growing plant-ant Tetraponera penzigi, which itself is an intriguing ecological niche. One of the most remarkable features of S. formicae is its ability to produce a novel class of antibiotics known as formicamycins. Formicamycins have shown potent activity against a range of multi-drug resistant pathogens, making them a promising candidate for the development of new antimicrobial therapies. Additionally, S. formicae exhibits a complex secondary metabolism, which is a hallmark of the Streptomyces genus. This metabolic versatility allows it to produce a diverse array of bioactive compounds, many of which have potential applications in medicine and agriculture. The genetic and biochemical pathways involved in the synthesis of these compounds are of great interest to researchers aiming to harness and optimize these pathways for biotechnological applications. Another intriguing aspect of S. formicae is its symbiotic relationship with ants. This symbiosis is a prime example of mutualistic interactions in nature, where the bacterium provides the ants with antibiotics to protect their fungal crops from pathogens, while the ants offer a stable environment and nutrients for the bacterium. This relationship highlights the ecological and evolutionary significance of S. formicae and provides a model system for studying microbial symbiosis. In summary, Streptomyces formicae is a bacterium of considerable interest due to its production of novel antibiotics, complex secondary metabolism, and symbiotic relationship with ants. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for research in microbiology, biotechnology, and ecology.

Streptomyces formicae is a fascinating actinobacterium that has garnered attention due to its unique ecological niche and potential applications in biotechnology. Isolated from the exoskeleton of the ant Formica species, this microorganism exemplifies the intricate relationships between insects and their microbial inhabitants. Its ability to produce a diverse array of secondary metabolites is particularly noteworthy, as these compounds often exhibit antimicrobial, antifungal, and even anticancer properties. This makes S. formicae a valuable candidate for natural product discovery and pharmaceutical development. The genome of Streptomyces formicae has been sequenced, revealing a rich biosynthetic potential that includes gene clusters responsible for the synthesis of various bioactive compounds. This genomic insight allows researchers to explore the metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms that govern the production of these valuable substances. Furthermore, the organism's adaptability to the harsh conditions of its environment, such as the presence of antimicrobial compounds produced by other microorganisms, highlights its evolutionary significance and resilience. In addition to its biotechnological potential, S. formicae serves as a model organism for studying symbiotic relationships in nature. The interactions between this bacterium and its ant host can provide insights into co-evolution and the role of microbes in insect health and behavior. Overall, Streptomyces formicae stands out not only for its unique ecological role but also for its promising applications in drug discovery and environmental sustainability.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Kitasatosporales

Family: Streptomycetaceae

Genus: Streptomyces

Species: Streptomyces formicae

NCBI ID

1616117

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/022/647/665/GCA_022647665.1_ASM2264766v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_022647665.1_ASM2264766v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Streptomyces formicae is a member of the genus Streptomyces, which is known for its significant role in the production of antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. While S. formicae itself is not commonly associated with human disease, its relatives have been implicated in various clinical contexts. Antibiotic production is one of the most notable aspects of this genus, with many species contributing to the development of clinically relevant antibiotics such as streptomycin and tetracycline. This highlights the potential of S. formicae in therapeutic applications and the ongoing search for new antimicrobial agents in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance. In terms of pathogenicity, while S. formicae is not typically recognized as a human pathogen, the genus Streptomyces can occasionally be involved in opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. The ability of some Streptomyces species to produce a variety of enzymes and metabolites may contribute to their survival in diverse environments, including human hosts. Furthermore, the ecological role of S. formicae in soil and its interactions with other microorganisms can influence human health indirectly, particularly through its contributions to soil health and the microbiome. The potential for S. formicae to be utilized in probiotic formulations or as a biocontrol agent in agriculture also underscores its relevance in promoting human health through environmental pathways. Overall, while Streptomyces formicae may not have direct clinical implications as a pathogen, its contributions to antibiotic production and potential applications in health and agriculture make it a noteworthy organism in the context of microbial interactions and therapeutic development.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Streptomyces formicae is a species of actinobacteria commonly associated with soil ecosystems and decaying organic matter. This microorganism thrives in a variety of habitats, particularly in nutrient-rich environments where it can decompose organic materials. Its presence is often noted in forest floors, grasslands, and agricultural soils, where it plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and soil health. In these soil ecosystems, Streptomyces formicae contributes to the breakdown of complex organic compounds, releasing essential nutrients back into the soil. This process not only supports plant growth but also enhances soil structure and fertility. The organism is known for its ability to produce a wide range of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics, which can inhibit the growth of competing microorganisms, thus giving it a competitive advantage in its niche. Additionally, Streptomyces formicae has been observed in symbiotic relationships with various plants and fungi. These interactions can promote plant health by enhancing nutrient uptake and providing protection against pathogens. The organism's adaptability to different environmental conditions, such as varying moisture levels and pH, allows it to thrive in diverse habitats, making it a vital component of the microbial community in terrestrial ecosystems. Overall, Streptomyces formicae exemplifies the intricate relationships within soil biomes, highlighting its importance in ecological balance and sustainability.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Streptomyces formicae has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the most notable areas is in biotechnology, where Streptomyces formicae is recognized for its ability to produce a range of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics. This capability is particularly valuable in the development of new pharmaceuticals, as the organism can be harnessed for fermentation processes to yield these compounds, which can be used to combat bacterial infections and other diseases. In the realm of waste management, Streptomyces formicae has demonstrated effective biodegradation properties. It can break down complex organic materials, making it useful in the treatment of waste products, particularly in composting and bioremediation efforts. This ability to degrade pollutants contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing waste and detoxifying contaminated sites. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of Streptomyces formicae is noteworthy, as it can produce various enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of lignocellulosic biomass. This characteristic is particularly advantageous in biofuel production, where the organism can be utilized in enzyme production processes to convert plant materials into fermentable sugars, which can then be transformed into biofuels such as ethanol. Overall, Streptomyces formicae holds promise across multiple industries, including pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, and waste management, showcasing its versatility and importance in modern 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: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

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

Back to Search