Thermotoga neapolitana

General Information

Thermotoga neapolitana is a fascinating microorganism that belongs to the phylum Thermotogae. This hyperthermophilic bacterium is notable for its ability to thrive in extremely high-temperature environments, typically around 77°C (170.6°F), but it can grow in temperatures ranging from 55°C to 90°C. One of the most striking features of T. neapolitana is its unique outer membrane, known as the 'toga,' which balloons out from the ends of the cell. This toga is thought to play a role in the organism's ability to withstand high temperatures and may also be involved in nutrient acquisition. Another remarkable aspect of T. neapolitana is its metabolic versatility. It is capable of fermenting a wide range of carbohydrates, including glucose, sucrose, and starch, to produce hydrogen gas (H2) as a byproduct. This hydrogen production is of significant interest for bioenergy research, as it presents a potential renewable source of clean energy. The organism's ability to produce hydrogen at high temperatures makes it particularly attractive for industrial applications, where processes often require robust and heat-tolerant microorganisms. From a genetic perspective, T. neapolitana has a relatively small genome, which has been fully sequenced. This has provided insights into the genetic basis of its thermophilicity and metabolic pathways. The presence of numerous heat-shock proteins and chaperones in its genome underscores its adaptation to extreme environments. Additionally, the study of T. neapolitana has contributed to our understanding of early life on Earth, as its characteristics are thought to resemble those of ancient thermophilic organisms that existed in primordial hot environments. In summary, Thermotoga neapolitana is a microorganism of great interest due to its extreme thermophilicity, unique cellular structure, and potential applications in bioenergy. Its study not only advances our knowledge of microbial life in extreme conditions but also holds promise for practical applications in sustainable energy production.

Thermotoga neapolitana is a fascinating thermophilic bacterium that thrives in high-temperature environments, such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents. This organism is particularly notable for its ability to grow optimally at temperatures around 80°C (176°F), which makes it one of the most heat-tolerant microorganisms known. Its unique habitat and temperature range provide insights into the limits of life on Earth and the potential for life in extreme environments elsewhere in the universe. One of the most interesting aspects of T. neapolitana is its distinctive outer membrane, which resembles a 'toga'—hence the name. This outer layer is thought to play a crucial role in protecting the bacterium from extreme conditions, including high temperatures and possibly even high pressures. The presence of this unique structure has implications for understanding microbial adaptation and survival strategies in extreme environments. From a research perspective, T. neapolitana is valuable for its metabolic capabilities, particularly its ability to ferment a variety of carbohydrates and proteins. This makes it a potential candidate for biotechnological applications, such as biofuel production and waste treatment. The enzymes produced by T. neapolitana are of great interest for industrial processes that require high temperatures, as they can remain active and stable under conditions that would denature enzymes from mesophilic organisms. Additionally, studies on T. neapolitana contribute to our understanding of the evolutionary history of life, particularly regarding the origins of thermophily and the evolution of metabolic pathways in extreme environments. Its phylogenetic position among other thermophiles provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed life to thrive in such harsh conditions. Overall, Thermotoga neapolitana serves as a model organism for studying extremophiles and their potential applications in biotechnology and environmental science.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Thermotogota

Class: Thermotogae

Order: Thermotogales

Family: Thermotogaceae

Genus: Thermotoga

Species: Thermotoga neapolitana

NCBI ID

2337

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/003/501/185/GCF_003501185.1_ASM350118v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_003501185.1_ASM350118v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Thermotoga neapolitana is a thermophilic bacterium that has garnered interest due to its potential applications in biotechnology and its role in the human gut microbiome. While it is not typically associated with pathogenicity in humans, its presence in the gastrointestinal tract can influence human health through metabolic processes. It is known to contribute to the fermentation of complex carbohydrates, which can enhance nutrient absorption and promote a healthy gut environment. However, the clinical implications of Thermotoga neapolitana are primarily linked to its enzymatic capabilities, particularly in the breakdown of polysaccharides. This characteristic has potential applications in the development of therapeutics and probiotics, as it may aid in the digestion of dietary fibers and improve gut health. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, there is limited data on Thermotoga neapolitana exhibiting resistance mechanisms, which makes it a candidate for further research in the context of developing new antimicrobial agents. Its unique metabolic pathways may also provide insights into novel strategies for combating resistant strains of pathogens. Overall, while Thermotoga neapolitana is not directly linked to infections or outbreaks, its role in the gut microbiome and potential biotechnological applications underscore its relevance in the field of microbiology and human health.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Thermotoga neapolitana is a thermophilic bacterium primarily found in high-temperature environments such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents. This microorganism thrives in extreme thermal conditions, typically at temperatures ranging from 70°C to 80°C, making it well-adapted to its niche. Its ability to metabolize a variety of organic compounds allows it to play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in these ecosystems. In its natural habitat, Thermotoga neapolitana often exists in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms, contributing to the degradation of complex organic materials. This interaction not only aids in nutrient recycling but also supports the overall productivity of the ecosystem. The presence of Thermotoga neapolitana can enhance the stability of microbial communities in extreme environments, showcasing its importance in maintaining ecological balance. Furthermore, this organism is known for its unique cell wall structure and metabolic pathways, which allow it to withstand high temperatures and pressures. Its adaptations to extreme conditions make it a subject of interest for studies on extremophiles and their potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in processes that require high-temperature conditions. Overall, Thermotoga neapolitana exemplifies the intricate relationships and adaptations found within thermophilic biomes.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Thermotoga neapolitana is a thermophilic bacterium that has shown significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the most notable areas is in biotechnology, where Thermotoga neapolitana is utilized for its ability to perform fermentation processes at elevated temperatures. This characteristic allows for the efficient conversion of biomass into valuable products, such as biofuels, particularly hydrogen and ethanol, through the breakdown of complex carbohydrates. In the realm of waste management, Thermotoga neapolitana has been studied for its capacity to degrade organic waste materials. Its enzymatic activity facilitates the biodegradation of lignocellulosic biomass, making it a promising candidate for the development of sustainable waste treatment solutions. This process not only reduces waste but also contributes to the production of renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the organism is of interest in pharmaceutical development due to its unique metabolic pathways, which can lead to the discovery of novel compounds with potential therapeutic applications. The enzymes produced by Thermotoga neapolitana can be harnessed for enzyme production, which is crucial in various biocatalytic processes, including the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Overall, Thermotoga neapolitana exemplifies the versatility of thermophilic microorganisms in enhancing industrial processes, particularly in biofuel production, waste management, and pharmaceutical development, through its remarkable capabilities in fermentation, biodegradation, and enzyme production.

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

Back to Search