Pectobacterium polaris

General Information

Pectobacterium polaris is a fascinating bacterium that belongs to the family Pectobacteriaceae. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its role as a plant pathogen, causing soft rot diseases in a variety of host plants. One of the most notable characteristics of P. polaris is its ability to produce a range of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes, such as pectinases, cellulases, and proteases. These enzymes break down the plant's structural components, leading to tissue maceration and the characteristic soft rot symptoms. P. polaris was first isolated from the Arctic region, which makes it unique among its relatives. Its ability to thrive in cold environments suggests that it has adapted to low temperatures, which is of significant interest to researchers studying microbial life in extreme conditions. This psychrotolerant nature could provide insights into the mechanisms of cold adaptation and the potential for biotechnological applications in cold environments. Another intriguing aspect of P. polaris is its genetic diversity and the presence of various virulence factors that contribute to its pathogenicity. The study of these factors can help in understanding the molecular basis of plant-microbe interactions and the evolution of pathogenicity in bacteria. Additionally, P. polaris has been found to possess unique regulatory systems that control the expression of its virulence genes, which could be potential targets for developing new strategies to control plant diseases. In summary, Pectobacterium polaris is a valuable organism for research due to its role as a plant pathogen, its adaptation to cold environments, and its diverse virulence mechanisms. These characteristics make it an important subject for studies in plant pathology, microbial ecology, and biotechnology.

Pectobacterium polaris is a fascinating bacterium primarily known for its role as a plant pathogen, particularly affecting various species of plants in cold climates. This organism is particularly interesting due to its ability to thrive in low-temperature environments, which sets it apart from many other plant pathogens that prefer warmer conditions. Its cold tolerance allows it to infect and cause diseases in crops during cooler seasons, making it a significant concern for agricultural practices in temperate regions. One of the unique characteristics of Pectobacterium polaris is its production of pectinolytic enzymes, which enable it to degrade pectin, a major component of plant cell walls. This enzymatic activity not only facilitates the bacterium's invasion of plant tissues but also contributes to the soft rot symptoms observed in infected plants. The ability to break down pectin is a key factor in its pathogenicity and is of great interest for researchers studying plant-microbe interactions. From a research perspective, Pectobacterium polaris serves as a valuable model organism for understanding the mechanisms of plant disease, particularly in the context of climate change and its impact on agricultural systems. Its adaptability to cold environments raises questions about how other pathogens might evolve in response to shifting climatic conditions. Furthermore, studying this bacterium can provide insights into developing biocontrol strategies and improving plant resistance to pathogens, which is crucial for sustainable agriculture. In summary, Pectobacterium polaris stands out due to its cold tolerance, pectinolytic capabilities, and its implications for plant pathology research, making it a significant subject of study in the fields of microbiology and agricultural science.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Gammaproteobacteria

Order: Enterobacterales

Family: Pectobacteriaceae

Genus: Pectobacterium

Species: Pectobacterium polaris

NCBI ID

2042057

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/288/545/GCF_002288545.1_ASM228854v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002288545.1_ASM228854v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Pectobacterium polaris is primarily known for its role as a plant pathogen, particularly affecting crops such as potatoes and other members of the Solanaceae family. While its direct implications for human health are limited, its significance lies in its impact on food security and agricultural economics. Infections caused by Pectobacterium polaris in plants can lead to substantial crop losses, which indirectly affect human health through food supply and nutrition. In terms of pathogenicity, Pectobacterium polaris employs various mechanisms to invade plant tissues, including the production of cell wall-degrading enzymes that facilitate tissue maceration. This ability to degrade plant cell walls is a critical factor in its virulence. Although there is currently no documented evidence of Pectobacterium polaris causing infections in humans, its close relatives, such as Pectobacterium carotovorum, have been associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. This raises concerns about potential immune evasion strategies that may be shared among species within the genus. Furthermore, the study of Pectobacterium polaris contributes to the understanding of antimicrobial resistance in plant pathogens, which can have downstream effects on agricultural practices and food safety. As resistance mechanisms evolve, they may pose challenges in managing plant diseases, which could indirectly influence human health through the availability of safe food sources. In summary, while Pectobacterium polaris does not have direct clinical implications for human health, its role as a plant pathogen highlights the interconnectedness of agriculture, food security, and public health.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Pectobacterium polaris is a bacterium commonly associated with cold environments and is particularly noted for its presence in polar regions and temperate climates. This microorganism thrives in soils that are rich in organic matter, often found in areas where plant decay occurs, such as wetlands and peat bogs. Its ability to survive in low temperatures allows it to play a significant role in the decomposition of organic materials in these cold biomes. In terms of ecological interactions, Pectobacterium polaris is known for its pathogenicity towards certain plant species, particularly in the family Solanaceae. This bacterium can cause soft rot in plants, leading to significant agricultural impacts. Its role as a decomposer is crucial, as it helps recycle nutrients back into the soil, thus supporting the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, Pectobacterium polaris exhibits symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms, contributing to the microbial community dynamics in its habitat. Its adaptation to cold environments is facilitated by its metabolic processes, which are optimized for low temperatures, allowing it to outcompete other microorganisms in these niches. Overall, Pectobacterium polaris is an important player in the polar and temperate ecosystems, influencing both plant health and nutrient cycling.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Pectobacterium polaris has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This bacterium is known for its role in biodegradation, where it can break down complex organic materials, making it valuable in the treatment of agricultural waste and organic pollutants. Its enzymatic activity allows it to degrade pectin, a polysaccharide found in plant cell walls, which can be harnessed in the production of biofuels through the conversion of plant biomass into fermentable sugars. In the context of biotechnology, Pectobacterium polaris can be utilized in fermentation processes to produce various metabolites. For instance, its ability to ferment pectin can lead to the production of valuable by-products such as organic acids, which are important in the food and chemical industries. Moreover, the bacterium's role in waste treatment is significant, as it can contribute to the breakdown of pectic substances in food waste, thereby enhancing the efficiency of composting processes. This not only helps in reducing waste but also in producing nutrient-rich compost that can be used in agriculture. Overall, Pectobacterium polaris demonstrates a multifaceted potential in pharmaceutical development as well, where its metabolic products could be explored for their therapeutic properties. The ongoing research into its enzymatic capabilities and metabolic pathways may lead to innovative applications in various sectors, making it a microorganism of interest in sustainable industrial practices.

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	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/gemini-flash-1.5	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	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	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	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	aerotolerant	aerotolerant	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	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 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 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
Plant pathogenicity	TRUE	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Spore formation	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 ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	alpha	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 ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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