Streptomyces hygroscopicus

General Information

Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a fascinating microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces, which is renowned for its prolific production of secondary metabolites. One of the most notable characteristics of S. hygroscopicus is its ability to produce the antibiotic rapamycin, also known as sirolimus. Rapamycin has significant immunosuppressive properties and is widely used in organ transplantation to prevent rejection. Additionally, it has been studied for its potential anti-cancer and anti-aging effects, making S. hygroscopicus a microorganism of immense interest in medical research. Streptomyces hygroscopicus is also known for its complex life cycle, which includes the formation of a mycelium and the production of spores. This life cycle is similar to that of fungi, despite Streptomyces being a bacterium, and it contributes to the organism's ability to thrive in various environments, including soil. The production of geosmin, a compound responsible for the earthy smell of soil, is another interesting feature of this species. From a biotechnological perspective, S. hygroscopicus is valuable due to its genetic malleability. Researchers can manipulate its genome to enhance the production of desirable compounds or to discover new bioactive molecules. This makes it a powerful tool in the field of natural product discovery and synthetic biology. In summary, Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a microorganism of great scientific and medical importance due to its production of rapamycin, its complex life cycle, and its potential for genetic manipulation. These characteristics make it a key player in the fields of microbiology, biotechnology, and pharmacology.

Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a fascinating actinobacterium known for its remarkable ability to produce a wide array of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and other secondary metabolites. This organism is particularly notable for its production of rapamycin, a potent immunosuppressant that has significant applications in organ transplantation and cancer therapy. The discovery of rapamycin has not only highlighted the pharmaceutical potential of S. hygroscopicus but has also opened avenues for research into its mechanisms of action and the biosynthetic pathways involved in the production of such compounds. One of the unique characteristics of S. hygroscopicus is its ability to thrive in various environments, often found in soil and decaying organic matter. This adaptability contributes to its ecological role in nutrient cycling and its potential as a source of novel compounds for biotechnological applications. The organism's complex life cycle, which includes the formation of spores and mycelium, allows it to survive in challenging conditions, making it a subject of interest in studies related to microbial ecology and evolution. Furthermore, the genetic and metabolic pathways of S. hygroscopicus have been extensively studied, providing insights into the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance and the potential for developing new antimicrobial agents. The ability to manipulate its genetic makeup through techniques such as gene editing has made S. hygroscopicus a valuable model organism in the field of synthetic biology, where researchers aim to engineer strains for enhanced production of desired metabolites. In summary, Streptomyces hygroscopicus stands out not only for its pharmaceutical significance but also for its ecological importance and potential in biotechnological innovations, making it a key player in both natural and applied microbiology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Actinomycetota

Class: Actinomycetes

Order: Kitasatosporales

Family: Streptomycetaceae

Genus: Streptomyces

Species: Streptomyces hygroscopicus

NCBI ID

1912

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/022/846/675/GCA_022846675.1_ASM2284667v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_022846675.1_ASM2284667v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a significant member of the actinobacteria phylum, known for its role in the production of various bioactive compounds, including antibiotics. One of the most notable clinical implications of Streptomyces hygroscopicus is its ability to produce rapamycin, an important immunosuppressant used in organ transplantation and a potential therapeutic agent in cancer treatment. This compound has been shown to inhibit the mTOR pathway, which is crucial for cell growth and proliferation, making it a valuable tool in managing certain diseases. In terms of pathogenicity, Streptomyces hygroscopicus is generally considered non-pathogenic to humans; however, it can be associated with opportunistic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Its role in infections is not as prominent as other pathogenic bacteria, but it can occasionally be isolated from clinical specimens. Moreover, the organism's ability to produce a variety of secondary metabolites has implications for antimicrobial resistance. While Streptomyces hygroscopicus itself is not typically associated with resistance mechanisms, its relatives are known for producing antibiotics, which can lead to the development of resistant strains in other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer. In the context of human health, the metabolites produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus are being explored for their potential as probiotics and in the development of vaccines. The organism's interaction with the human microbiome is an area of ongoing research, particularly regarding its potential benefits in maintaining gut health and modulating the immune response. Overall, while Streptomyces hygroscopicus is primarily recognized for its contributions to antibiotic production and therapeutic applications, its role in human health and disease, particularly in immunocompromised patients, warrants further investigation.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Streptomyces hygroscopicus is a filamentous bacterium commonly found in soil and decaying organic matter, particularly in nutrient-rich environments. This microorganism thrives in a variety of terrestrial biomes, including temperate forests, grasslands, and tropical regions. Its ability to decompose complex organic materials makes it a vital player in nutrient cycling within these ecosystems. In its natural habitat, S. hygroscopicus engages in antibiotic production, which serves as a defense mechanism against competing microorganisms. This characteristic not only aids in its survival but also contributes to the overall health of the soil microbiome by regulating microbial populations. The antibiotics produced by S. hygroscopicus are of significant interest in pharmaceutical research, highlighting its role in biotechnology and medicinal applications. Furthermore, S. hygroscopicus often forms symbiotic relationships with plants, promoting plant growth through the production of growth-promoting substances. This interaction enhances soil fertility and supports the establishment of diverse plant communities, thereby influencing the structure and function of the ecosystem. Overall, Streptomyces hygroscopicus is an essential component of its biomes, contributing to soil health, nutrient cycling, and plant-microbe interactions, making it a key player in maintaining ecological balance.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Streptomyces hygroscopicus is renowned for its significant contributions to various industrial applications. One of the most notable areas is in pharmaceutical development, where S. hygroscopicus is a source of the antibiotic rapamycin. This compound is crucial in medicine for its immunosuppressive properties, particularly in organ transplantation and cancer treatment. The production of rapamycin involves fermentation processes, where the organism is cultivated under specific conditions to maximize yield. In addition to its pharmaceutical uses, S. hygroscopicus plays a role in biotechnology through its ability to produce a variety of bioactive compounds. These compounds can be harnessed for their antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties, making them valuable in the development of new drugs and agricultural products. Furthermore, S. hygroscopicus has applications in waste management. It is capable of biodegrading complex organic materials, which can be utilized in biodegradation processes to treat waste and reduce environmental pollution. This capability is particularly useful in composting and bioremediation efforts, where the organism helps break down pollutants and organic waste into less harmful substances. Lastly, the enzymatic activity of S. hygroscopicus is leveraged in various industrial processes, including the production of enzymes that can be used in food processing and textile industries. These enzymes facilitate biocatalysis, enhancing the efficiency of chemical reactions and reducing the need for harsh chemicals. Overall, Streptomyces hygroscopicus exemplifies the versatility of microorganisms in biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, showcasing its potential in addressing various industrial challenges.

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: 5

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