Staphylococcus borealis

General Information

Staphylococcus borealis is a recently identified species within the genus Staphylococcus. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its unique environmental niche and potential applications in biotechnology. Discovered in the Arctic region, S. borealis has adapted to survive in extremely cold environments, which makes it a valuable subject for studying psychrophilic (cold-loving) adaptations. One of the most notable features of S. borealis is its ability to produce cold-active enzymes. These enzymes remain functional at low temperatures, which can be highly beneficial for industrial processes that require low-temperature operations, such as in the food industry for the preservation of flavors and nutrients, or in bioremediation efforts in cold environments. Additionally, the study of S. borealis can provide insights into antibiotic resistance mechanisms. Like many other Staphylococcus species, it may possess unique resistance genes that could inform the development of new antimicrobial strategies. The discovery of S. borealis also contributes to our understanding of microbial diversity in extreme environments, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of life in some of the planet's most inhospitable regions. This makes S. borealis not only a subject of ecological and evolutionary interest but also a potential source of novel bioactive compounds and biotechnological tools.

Staphylococcus borealis is a fascinating species within the Staphylococcus genus, notable for its unique ecological niche and potential applications in biotechnology. This organism was first isolated from the skin of seals, highlighting its adaptation to marine environments. Its ability to thrive in such habitats makes it an interesting subject for studies on microbial diversity and adaptation mechanisms in extreme conditions. One of the most compelling aspects of S. borealis is its potential for producing bioactive compounds. Research has indicated that this species may synthesize antimicrobial peptides, which could be valuable in the development of new antibiotics, especially in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. The exploration of these compounds could lead to significant advancements in medical microbiology and pharmacology. Additionally, S. borealis has been studied for its role in the marine ecosystem, particularly in the context of its interactions with other microorganisms and its contribution to the overall microbial community structure. Understanding these interactions can provide insights into nutrient cycling and the health of marine environments. Furthermore, the genetic and metabolic pathways of S. borealis are of interest for biotechnological applications, including bioremediation and the production of enzymes for industrial processes. Its unique adaptations to a saline environment may also offer clues for genetic engineering and synthetic biology applications. In summary, Staphylococcus borealis stands out not only for its ecological significance but also for its potential contributions to medicine and biotechnology, making it a valuable organism for ongoing research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Bacillota

Class: Bacilli

Order: Bacillales

Family: Staphylococcaceae

Genus: Staphylococcus

Species: Staphylococcus borealis

NCBI ID

2742203

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/001/224/225/GCF_001224225.1_7067_4_69

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_001224225.1_7067_4_69_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Staphylococcus borealis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CNS) that has been identified in various clinical settings, particularly in association with infections in immunocompromised patients. While traditionally considered less pathogenic than its cousin Staphylococcus aureus, S. borealis has been implicated in nosocomial infections, particularly in patients with indwelling medical devices such as catheters and prosthetic implants. Clinical relevance arises from its ability to form biofilms, which enhances its pathogenicity and resistance to antimicrobial agents. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, S. borealis has shown varying degrees of resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including methicillin, which raises concerns for treatment options in infected patients. The presence of resistance genes, such as mecA, has been documented, indicating a potential for multidrug resistance. Moreover, S. borealis may play a role in the human microbiome, contributing to the balance of skin and mucosal flora. However, its opportunistic nature means that it can become pathogenic under certain conditions, particularly in individuals with compromised immune responses. There is limited information regarding specific outbreaks directly linked to S. borealis, but its detection in clinical specimens underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and research to better understand its role in human health and disease. Overall, while S. borealis may not be as well-studied as other staphylococci, its potential for infection and resistance highlights its importance in clinical microbiology.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Staphylococcus borealis is a species of bacteria commonly found in various habitat types associated with both human and environmental contexts. This microorganism is particularly prevalent in marine environments, where it can be isolated from seawater and marine organisms. Its adaptability to saline conditions allows it to thrive in these unique ecosystems, often colonizing the skin of marine mammals and fish, contributing to the microbial diversity of these habitats. In addition to its presence in marine biomes, Staphylococcus borealis has been documented in terrestrial environments, particularly in areas with high organic matter, such as soil and decaying plant material. Here, it plays a crucial role in the decomposition process, aiding in nutrient cycling and organic matter breakdown. This bacterium can also be found in association with humans, particularly in coastal regions, where it may inhabit the skin and mucosal surfaces, highlighting its potential role in symbiotic relationships. The ecological interactions of Staphylococcus borealis are significant; it can engage in competitive interactions with other microbial species, influencing community structure and dynamics. Its ability to adapt to varying salinity levels and nutrient availability showcases its resilience and ecological versatility, making it an important player in both marine and terrestrial biomes.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Staphylococcus borealis has shown potential in various industrial applications primarily due to its unique metabolic capabilities and resilience. One notable area is biotechnology, where Staphylococcus borealis can be utilized in fermentation processes to produce valuable metabolites. For instance, it has been studied for its ability to ferment certain sugars, leading to the production of organic acids that can serve as precursors for bioplastics or other chemical syntheses. In the realm of waste management, Staphylococcus borealis has demonstrated effectiveness in biodegradation processes. It can break down complex organic materials, making it a candidate for use in bioremediation efforts to clean up contaminated environments, particularly those affected by hydrocarbons or other pollutants. Furthermore, its enzymatic activity is of interest in pharmaceutical development. The organism may produce enzymes that can be harnessed for drug synthesis or as biocatalysts in various chemical reactions, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of pharmaceutical manufacturing. Additionally, there is potential for Staphylococcus borealis in biofuel production. Its metabolic pathways could be exploited to convert biomass into biofuels through fermentation, providing a renewable energy source while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Overall, the diverse applications of Staphylococcus borealis highlight its significance in advancing 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/gemini-pro	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemma-7b-it	openchat/openchat-7b	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-flash-1.5	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4
Motility	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	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 ✓	N/A	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain negative ✗	gram stain positive ✓	gram stain positive ✓	N/A	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	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerotolerant ✗	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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
Animal pathogenicity	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗
Biosafety level	biosafety level 2	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 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 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓
Health association	N/A	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
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 ✓
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 ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	gamma	gamma	gamma	beta	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	beta	beta	N/A	N/A	beta	beta	beta	beta	beta	beta	alpha	alpha	N/A	N/A
Cell shape	N/A	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	bacillus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus	coccus

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