Metamycoplasma orale

General Information

Metamycoplasma orale is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the class Mollicutes, which is characterized by the absence of a cell wall. This unique feature makes it inherently resistant to antibiotics that target cell wall synthesis, such as beta-lactams. One of the most intriguing aspects of M. orale is its minimalistic genome, which is a hallmark of the Mollicutes. This reduced genome size is a result of extensive gene loss, making it an excellent model for studying genome reduction and minimal cellular life. M. orale is commonly found in the human oral cavity and respiratory tract, where it exists as a commensal organism. However, it can become opportunistic, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, leading to infections. This dual nature of being both a commensal and a potential pathogen makes it a valuable subject for research into host-microbe interactions and the mechanisms of opportunistic infections. Another noteworthy characteristic of M. orale is its ability to adhere to host cells, which is facilitated by specialized surface proteins. This adhesion is crucial for colonization and persistence within the host, and understanding these mechanisms can provide insights into the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat infections. In addition to its medical relevance, M. orale is also of interest in the field of synthetic biology. Its minimal genome serves as a template for the creation of synthetic life forms, allowing researchers to explore the fundamental requirements for cellular life. The study of M. orale has the potential to advance our understanding of basic biological processes, host-pathogen interactions, and the development of novel biotechnological applications.

Metamycoplasma orale is a fascinating member of the class Mollicutes, notable for its unique evolutionary adaptations and ecological niche. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its association with the oral cavity of humans, where it has been identified as part of the normal microbiota. Its presence in the oral environment suggests a potential role in maintaining oral health, although its exact functions remain an area of active research. One of the most striking characteristics of Metamycoplasma orale is its minimalistic genome, which is a hallmark of the Mycoplasma genus. This reduced genomic content not only reflects its parasitic lifestyle but also provides insights into the evolutionary pressures that shape microbial life in complex environments like the human mouth. The study of its genome can reveal important information about gene loss and adaptation mechanisms in bacteria. Additionally, Metamycoplasma orale has been implicated in various interactions with other oral microorganisms, which can influence the overall microbial community structure. Understanding these interactions is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of oral health and disease, particularly in conditions such as periodontal disease. Furthermore, the organism's ability to survive in the challenging conditions of the oral cavity, including fluctuations in pH and nutrient availability, makes it a valuable model for studying microbial resilience and adaptation. Researchers are particularly interested in how Metamycoplasma orale interacts with host immune responses, which could have implications for developing new therapeutic strategies for oral diseases. In summary, Metamycoplasma orale stands out not only for its ecological role in the human oral microbiome but also for its potential contributions to our understanding of microbial evolution, community dynamics, and host-microbe interactions. Its study could pave the way for novel insights into both basic microbiology and clinical applications.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Mycoplasmatota

Class: NA

Order: Mycoplasmoidales

Family: Metamycoplasmataceae

Genus: Metamycoplasma

Species: Metamycoplasma orale

NCBI ID

2121

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/660/435/GCA_900660435.1_50465_D02-3

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900660435.1_50465_D02-3_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Metamycoplasma orale is a member of the Mycoplasma genus, which is known for its unique characteristics and clinical implications. This organism has been associated with oral infections and is particularly relevant in the context of periodontal disease. Its presence in the oral cavity can contribute to the dysbiosis of the microbial community, potentially leading to inflammatory responses and tissue damage. One of the significant clinical implications of Metamycoplasma orale is its role in immune evasion. It possesses mechanisms that allow it to evade the host's immune response, making it a persistent colonizer in the oral environment. This can complicate treatment strategies for oral infections, as traditional antimicrobial therapies may be less effective against such resilient organisms. Furthermore, there is growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance among mycoplasmas, including Metamycoplasma orale. Resistance to commonly used antibiotics can limit treatment options and necessitate the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. While research on Metamycoplasma orale is still emerging, its potential role as a pathogen in oral and possibly systemic infections underscores the need for further investigation into its clinical significance. Understanding its interactions with the human body and its contributions to disease processes is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Metamycoplasma orale is a microorganism primarily associated with the oral cavity of humans and other mammals. This organism thrives in the unique environment of the oral microbiome, which is characterized by a diverse community of microorganisms that coexist in a complex ecosystem. The oral cavity provides a rich source of nutrients, including saliva, food particles, and cellular debris, which support the growth of Metamycoplasma orale and its interactions with other microbial species. In this biome, Metamycoplasma orale plays a significant role in maintaining the balance of the microbial community. It is involved in symbiotic relationships with other bacteria, contributing to the overall health of the oral environment. For instance, it may help in the breakdown of organic materials, thus facilitating nutrient cycling within the oral cavity. The organism is also known to exhibit environmental adaptation to the fluctuating conditions of the mouth, such as changes in pH, temperature, and moisture levels. This adaptability allows Metamycoplasma orale to persist in the biofilm that forms on teeth and mucosal surfaces, where it can interact with other microorganisms, including both beneficial and pathogenic species. Overall, the ecological niche of Metamycoplasma orale is crucial for understanding the dynamics of the oral microbiome and its implications for oral health and disease.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Metamycoplasma orale has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This organism is known for its unique metabolic capabilities, which can be harnessed in processes such as biodegradation and bioremediation. In biotechnology, Metamycoplasma orale can be utilized in the production of specific enzymes that are valuable in industrial processes. These enzymes can facilitate fermentation processes, enhancing the efficiency of biofuel production from organic materials. The ability of this microorganism to thrive in diverse environments makes it a candidate for developing sustainable methods for converting waste into energy. In the realm of waste management, Metamycoplasma orale has been studied for its role in the degradation of complex organic compounds, contributing to the breakdown of pollutants in contaminated environments. This capability is particularly important in waste treatment facilities, where the reduction of harmful substances is crucial for environmental protection. Furthermore, the potential for Metamycoplasma orale in pharmaceutical development is being explored, especially in the synthesis of bioactive compounds that could lead to new therapeutic agents. The organism's unique metabolic pathways may provide novel approaches to drug discovery and development. Overall, Metamycoplasma orale represents a promising avenue for innovation in various industries, leveraging its metabolic versatility for sustainable practices and biotechnological advancements.

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: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	google/gemini-flash-1.5	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-pro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemma-7b-it	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	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	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	N/A	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	false	false
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 ✓	gram stain variable ✗	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓	N/A	gram stain variable ✗	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	facultatively anaerobic	facultatively anaerobic ✓	facultatively anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✓	facultatively anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✗	anaerobic ✗	anaerobic ✗	anaerobic ✗	anaerobic ✗	anaerobic ✗	N/A	N/A	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 ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	false	true	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	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 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
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	true	true
Host association	TRUE	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	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 ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	N/A	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	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	coccus	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓

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