Xenorhabdus ehlersii

General Information

Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a fascinating bacterium primarily known for its symbiotic relationship with entomopathogenic nematodes, specifically those in the genus Steinernema. This relationship is crucial for the nematode's ability to infect and kill insect hosts, making X. ehlersii an important player in biological pest control. One of the most intriguing aspects of X. ehlersii is its production of a wide array of secondary metabolites, including antibiotics, bacteriocins, and enzymes that degrade insect tissues. These compounds not only help in suppressing the host's immune response but also in providing nutrients for both the bacterium and the nematode. The bacterium's ability to produce these bioactive compounds has garnered significant interest from researchers looking to develop new antibiotics and biopesticides. Additionally, X. ehlersii exhibits a unique phase variation phenomenon, where it can switch between primary and secondary forms. This phase variation is associated with changes in colony morphology, virulence, and metabolic activity, making it a valuable model for studying bacterial adaptation and survival strategies. Furthermore, X. ehlersii has a complex life cycle that involves both a free-living stage and a symbiotic stage within the nematode. During the free-living stage, the bacterium can survive in the soil, while in the symbiotic stage, it resides in the gut of the infective juvenile nematodes. This dual lifestyle requires X. ehlersii to be highly adaptable, capable of thriving in diverse environments. In summary, Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a bacterium of significant interest due to its symbiotic relationship with nematodes, its production of bioactive compounds, and its adaptability to different life stages and environments. These characteristics make it a valuable organism for research in microbiology, biotechnology, and pest management.*

Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a fascinating bacterium belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae, primarily known for its symbiotic relationship with nematodes, particularly those in the genus Steinernema. This association is particularly interesting as it plays a crucial role in the biological control of insect pests. The bacterium is capable of producing a variety of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and toxins, which are effective against a wide range of insect species. This makes X. ehlersii a valuable organism in the field of biopesticides, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. One of the unique aspects of X. ehlersii is its ability to thrive in the insect host's hemolymph, where it can rapidly multiply and produce metabolites that are lethal to the host. This rapid growth and the subsequent release of these compounds upon the death of the insect contribute to the bacterium's effectiveness as a biocontrol agent. The study of X. ehlersii not only enhances our understanding of microbial ecology and symbiosis but also opens avenues for the development of sustainable agricultural practices. Additionally, X. ehlersii has been the subject of research focused on its genetic and metabolic pathways, which can provide insights into the mechanisms of pathogenicity and host interaction. Such research is crucial for harnessing the potential of this bacterium in integrated pest management strategies. Overall, Xenorhabdus ehlersii stands out as a significant organism in both ecological research and practical applications in agriculture.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Gammaproteobacteria

Order: Enterobacterales

Family: Morganellaceae

Genus: Xenorhabdus

Species: Xenorhabdus ehlersii

NCBI ID

290111

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/632/445/GCF_002632445.1_ASM263244v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002632445.1_ASM263244v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a member of the family Enterobacteriaceae and is primarily known for its association with entomopathogenic nematodes, particularly in the genus Steinernema. While it is not typically recognized as a direct human pathogen, its clinical implications are noteworthy due to its potential role in infections and its interactions with the human microbiome. Research has indicated that certain strains of Xenorhabdus can produce bioactive compounds, including antibiotics, which may have therapeutic applications. In terms of pathogenicity, Xenorhabdus ehlersii has been studied for its ability to produce virulence factors that can affect insect hosts, but its impact on human health remains largely indirect. The organism's metabolites may influence the human gut microbiota, potentially affecting immune responses and overall health. Moreover, the potential for antimicrobial resistance is an area of concern, as the emergence of resistant strains in environmental settings could pose risks for both human and animal health. Understanding the mechanisms of resistance in Xenorhabdus ehlersii could provide insights into broader patterns of resistance observed in Enterobacteriaceae. In summary, while Xenorhabdus ehlersii is not a primary human pathogen, its ecological role, potential for antibiotic production, and implications for microbial resistance make it a subject of interest in the fields of microbiology and infectious disease research.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Xenorhabdus ehlersii is a bacterium commonly associated with the soil and decaying organic matter environments, particularly in agricultural settings. This microorganism is often found in the rhizosphere of plants, where it plays a crucial role in the soil ecosystem by contributing to nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Ecological Niches: Xenorhabdus ehlersii thrives in nutrient-rich environments, particularly those that are moist and have a high organic content. It is frequently isolated from the gut of entomopathogenic nematodes, such as Steinernema species, where it acts as a symbiotic partner. This relationship is vital for the nematodes, as the bacteria provide essential nutrients and help in the breakdown of host tissues after the nematodes infect insect larvae. Habitats: This bacterium is predominantly found in agricultural soils, where it can influence plant health and pest management. Its presence is often linked to the decomposition of organic materials, which enriches the soil and promotes plant growth. Additionally, Xenorhabdus ehlersii can be found in decaying plant matter, where it contributes to the breakdown of complex organic compounds. Interactions with Surroundings: In its role within the ecosystem, Xenorhabdus ehlersii is known for its antimicrobial properties, which can suppress the growth of competing microorganisms, thus aiding in the establishment of a healthy microbial community. Furthermore, its symbiotic relationship with nematodes enhances the effectiveness of biological control strategies against agricultural pests, making it an important player in sustainable agriculture practices. The adaptability of Xenorhabdus ehlersii to various soil conditions and its ability to thrive in the presence of other microorganisms underscore its ecological significance in maintaining soil health and fertility.

Industrial Application

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

The bacterium Xenorhabdus ehlersii has shown significant potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and agriculture. This microorganism is known for its symbiotic relationship with nematodes, which can be harnessed for biological pest control. By utilizing Xenorhabdus ehlersii in biopesticide formulations, farmers can effectively manage pest populations without the adverse effects associated with chemical pesticides. In addition to its role in pest management, Xenorhabdus ehlersii is also recognized for its ability to produce a range of bioactive compounds. These compounds have potential applications in pharmaceutical development, particularly in the discovery of new antibiotics and other therapeutic agents. The bacterium's metabolic pathways can be explored to isolate these bioactive substances, which may lead to the development of novel drugs. Furthermore, Xenorhabdus ehlersii has been studied for its capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of organic waste materials. This property can be leveraged in waste management processes, where the bacterium can help in the decomposition of organic matter, thus contributing to more sustainable waste treatment solutions. Overall, the diverse applications of Xenorhabdus ehlersii in biotechnology, agriculture, and waste management highlight its importance as a valuable microorganism in various industrial sectors.

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

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