Stigmatella erecta

General Information

Stigmatella erecta is a fascinating microorganism belonging to the myxobacteria, a group known for their complex social behaviors and multicellular structures. One of the most intriguing aspects of S. erecta is its ability to form fruiting bodies, which are multicellular structures that arise when the bacteria aggregate in response to nutrient deprivation. These fruiting bodies are not only visually striking but also serve as a survival mechanism, allowing the bacteria to endure harsh conditions by forming spores within these structures. Another noteworthy characteristic of S. erecta is its predatory lifestyle. This bacterium preys on other microorganisms by secreting a variety of enzymes and secondary metabolites that break down the prey's cellular components, which S. erecta then absorbs. This predatory behavior makes it an interesting subject for studying microbial interactions and the evolution of complex behaviors in bacteria. From a research perspective, S. erecta is valuable due to its production of bioactive compounds. These compounds have potential applications in biotechnology and medicine, particularly in the development of new antibiotics and anti-cancer agents. The study of S. erecta and its metabolic pathways can provide insights into novel mechanisms of action for these bioactive substances. In summary, Stigmatella erecta is a unique and valuable microorganism due to its complex social behaviors, predatory lifestyle, and potential for producing bioactive compounds. Its study can contribute significantly to our understanding of microbial ecology, evolution, and biotechnology.

Stigmatella erecta is a fascinating myxobacterium known for its unique life cycle and complex social behavior. This organism is particularly interesting due to its ability to form multicellular fruiting bodies, which are a hallmark of myxobacterial development. These fruiting bodies can be observed as intricate structures that arise from the aggregation of individual cells, showcasing a remarkable level of cooperation among the cells. This cooperative behavior is not only a survival strategy but also a subject of extensive research into microbial social interactions and communication. One of the most notable features of Stigmatella erecta is its ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. These compounds have significant implications for pharmaceutical research, as they may lead to the discovery of new drugs and therapeutic agents. The ecological role of Stigmatella erecta in soil environments, where it contributes to the degradation of organic matter, further emphasizes its importance in nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. Additionally, Stigmatella erecta serves as a model organism for studying the genetics and molecular mechanisms underlying myxobacterial development. Researchers are particularly interested in the signaling pathways that regulate the transition from a solitary lifestyle to a multicellular form, providing insights into fundamental biological processes. The study of Stigmatella erecta not only enhances our understanding of microbial ecology but also opens avenues for biotechnological applications, including bioremediation and the development of novel antimicrobial agents.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Myxococcota

Class: Myxococcia

Order: Myxococcales

Family: Archangiaceae

Genus: Stigmatella

Species: Stigmatella erecta

NCBI ID

83460

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/111/745/GCA_900111745.1_IMG-taxon_2693429888_annotated_assembly

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900111745.1_IMG-taxon_2693429888_annotated_assembly_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Stigmatella erecta is a member of the myxobacteria group, known for its complex life cycle and social behavior. While it is primarily studied for its ecological roles and potential biotechnological applications, its clinical implications are less well-documented compared to more pathogenic bacteria. However, some studies suggest that Stigmatella erecta may have potential as a source of novel antimicrobial compounds, which could be significant in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This is particularly relevant given the increasing prevalence of resistant strains of bacteria in clinical settings. In terms of human health, there is limited direct evidence linking Stigmatella erecta to specific diseases or infections. Its role in the environment, particularly in the degradation of organic materials, may indirectly influence human health by affecting microbial communities in soil and water. Furthermore, the organism's ability to produce secondary metabolites could have implications for the development of new therapeutics or probiotics, although this area requires further research to establish any clinical applications. Overall, while Stigmatella erecta does not have a well-defined role in human disease, its potential contributions to antimicrobial discovery and environmental health warrant further investigation.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Stigmatella erecta is a fascinating microorganism primarily found in decaying organic matter and soil environments. This myxobacterium thrives in nutrient-rich habitats, often associated with the decomposition of plant material. Its presence is particularly noted in forest floors and wetlands, where it plays a crucial role in nutrient cycling and organic matter breakdown. In these biomes, Stigmatella erecta exhibits social behavior, forming multicellular structures known as fruiting bodies. This adaptation allows it to efficiently exploit resources and survive in challenging conditions. The organism is known for its ability to produce myxospores, which are resistant to desiccation and can remain dormant until favorable conditions arise. Moreover, Stigmatella erecta engages in predatory interactions with other microorganisms, such as bacteria, contributing to the regulation of microbial populations in its habitat. This predation not only aids in its survival but also enhances the overall health of the ecosystem by controlling bacterial growth and promoting biodiversity. Overall, the ecological niche of Stigmatella erecta is characterized by its role as a decomposer and predator, making it an integral part of the soil microbiome and contributing to the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Stigmatella erecta has shown significant potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its unique ability to form multicellular structures, which can be harnessed in several ways. In biotechnology, Stigmatella erecta is involved in fermentation processes, where it can be utilized to produce valuable metabolites. These metabolites can serve as precursors for pharmaceuticals or as bioactive compounds in food and cosmetic industries. In the realm of waste management, Stigmatella erecta has demonstrated capabilities in biodegradation, particularly in the breakdown of complex organic materials. This property makes it a candidate for use in bioremediation efforts, where it can help in the detoxification of contaminated environments, such as soil and water polluted with organic waste. Moreover, its enzymatic activity is noteworthy; the organism produces various enzymes that can be applied in industrial processes, enhancing the efficiency of bioconversion of waste materials into useful products. This includes the conversion of agricultural waste into biofuels, where Stigmatella erecta can play a role in the fermentation of sugars derived from biomass. Overall, the diverse capabilities of Stigmatella erecta in these industrial sectors highlight its potential as a valuable microorganism for sustainable practices and innovative 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	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-pro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemini-flash-1.5	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	google/gemini-pro-1.5	google/gemini-pro-1.5	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct
Motility	N/A	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false
Gram staining	gram stain negative	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain positive ✗	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain negative ✓	gram stain positive ✗	gram stain variable ✗	gram stain positive ✗	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	aerobic	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗
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	false	false	true	true
Animal 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 ✓
Biosafety level	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 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	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 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	false	false	true	false	false	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false
Host association	FALSE	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	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 ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	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	alpha	alpha	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 ✓

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