Mycolicibacter terrae

General Information

Mycolicibacter terrae is a fascinating microorganism belonging to the family Mycobacteriaceae. This species is particularly interesting due to its ability to degrade complex hydrocarbons, making it valuable in bioremediation efforts. M. terrae has been studied for its potential to break down pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are common environmental contaminants. Another unique aspect of Mycolicibacter terrae is its slow growth rate, which is characteristic of many mycobacteria. This slow growth can be a challenge in laboratory settings but also provides insights into the metabolic and physiological adaptations of the organism. From a research perspective, M. terrae serves as a model organism for studying the pathogenesis of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. While it is generally considered non-pathogenic, it shares many genetic and phenotypic traits with pathogenic mycobacteria, making it a useful proxy for understanding more dangerous relatives like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Additionally, Mycolicibacter terrae is known for its unique cell wall structure, which includes mycolic acids. These long-chain fatty acids contribute to the organism's resistance to desiccation and chemical damage, and they are a subject of interest for developing new antimicrobial strategies. In summary, Mycolicibacter terrae is a microorganism of significant interest due to its environmental applications in bioremediation, its role as a model organism in medical research, and its unique biochemical properties that offer insights into the resilience and adaptability of mycobacteria.

Mycolicibacter terrae is a species of actinobacteria that is particularly notable for its ability to degrade complex organic compounds, making it a valuable organism in bioremediation efforts. This microorganism is part of the genus Mycolicibacter, which is characterized by the presence of mycolic acids in its cell wall, contributing to its unique structural properties and resilience in various environments. One of the most interesting aspects of M. terrae is its capacity to thrive in diverse ecological niches, including soil and aquatic environments. This adaptability not only highlights its ecological significance but also suggests potential applications in environmental microbiology. The organism has been studied for its role in the degradation of pollutants, particularly in the breakdown of hydrocarbons and other xenobiotic compounds, which is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and mitigating pollution. Furthermore, Mycolicibacter terrae has garnered attention in the field of biotechnology due to its metabolic versatility. Researchers are exploring its enzymatic pathways for potential industrial applications, such as the production of biofuels and bioplastics. The unique metabolic capabilities of this organism make it a subject of interest for those looking to harness microbial processes for sustainable practices. In addition to its environmental applications, M. terrae has been implicated in human health research, particularly in the study of opportunistic infections. Understanding its pathogenic potential and interactions with the human microbiome can provide insights into microbial ecology and the development of new therapeutic strategies. Overall, Mycolicibacter terrae stands out as a fascinating organism with significant implications for environmental science, biotechnology, and medical research, making it a valuable subject for ongoing studies.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Mycobacteriales

Family: Mycobacteriaceae

Genus: Mycolicibacter

Species: Mycolicibacter terrae

NCBI ID

1788

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/187/145/GCA_900187145.1_50818_H01

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900187145.1_50818_H01_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Mycolicibacter terrae is a member of the genus Mycolicibacter, which is known for its environmental presence and potential clinical significance. It has been associated with infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. While it is not a common pathogen, it can cause pulmonary infections and has been implicated in cutaneous infections as well. The clinical relevance of Mycolicibacter terrae is underscored by its ability to evade the immune response, which may contribute to its pathogenicity in susceptible populations. Antimicrobial resistance is a notable concern with Mycolicibacter terrae, as it has shown resistance to multiple antibiotics, complicating treatment options. This resistance is particularly significant in the context of treatment failures and the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. In terms of medical applications, while Mycolicibacter terrae is not widely recognized for beneficial uses like probiotics, its study contributes to the understanding of mycobacterial infections and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The organism's interactions with the human body and its potential role in outbreaks of mycobacterial disease highlight the importance of ongoing research in this area.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Mycolicibacter terrae is a species of actinobacteria that is primarily associated with soil environments and aerosols. This microorganism thrives in a variety of ecological niches, particularly in areas with high organic matter content. It is commonly found in terrestrial biomes where it plays a significant role in the decomposition of organic materials, contributing to nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. In its natural habitat, Mycolicibacter terrae exhibits notable interactions with other microorganisms, often engaging in symbiotic relationships that enhance soil health and fertility. It can also be involved in the breakdown of complex organic compounds, which aids in the bioremediation of contaminated environments. This bacterium is particularly adept at surviving in arid and semi-arid regions, showcasing its ability to adapt to varying moisture levels. Its presence in aerosols indicates its potential for dispersal and interaction with atmospheric conditions, which can influence local ecosystems. Overall, Mycolicibacter terrae is an important player in its biome, contributing to the ecological balance and functioning of soil ecosystems through its roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic interactions.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Mycolicibacter terrae has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the primary areas of interest is in biotechnology, where Mycolicibacter terrae is utilized for its ability to produce unique enzymes that can be harnessed in biocatalysis processes. These enzymes are particularly valuable in the synthesis of complex organic compounds, making them useful in the pharmaceutical industry for drug development and production. In the realm of waste management, Mycolicibacter terrae has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of environmental pollutants such as hydrocarbons. This property is crucial for bioremediation efforts, where the microorganism can be employed to clean up contaminated sites, thus contributing to environmental sustainability. Furthermore, Mycolicibacter terrae has been explored for its potential in biofuel production. Its metabolic pathways can be optimized for the conversion of biomass into biofuels through fermentation processes, providing a renewable energy source that can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, the versatility of Mycolicibacter terrae in these applications highlights its importance in advancing industrial biotechnology, environmental management, and sustainable energy solutions.

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: 4

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

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