Photorhabdus luminescens

General Information

Photorhabdus luminescens is a fascinating bacterium known for its symbiotic relationship with entomopathogenic nematodes, specifically those in the genus Heterorhabditis. This microorganism is particularly interesting due to its bioluminescent properties, which are rare among terrestrial bacteria. The bioluminescence is not just a visual spectacle; it plays a role in the symbiotic relationship by attracting insects, which the nematodes then infect. P. luminescens is also notable for its potent insecticidal activity. It produces a variety of toxins and enzymes that help in killing the insect host, making it a valuable organism in biological pest control. These toxins include a range of proteases, lipases, and other degradative enzymes that break down the insect's tissues, providing nutrients for both the bacterium and the nematode. From a research perspective, P. luminescens is a treasure trove of secondary metabolites. It produces a wide array of antibiotics, which has garnered significant interest for potential pharmaceutical applications. The bacterium's ability to produce these compounds is linked to its complex regulatory networks, which are a subject of ongoing research. Another unique aspect of P. luminescens is its role in the study of symbiosis and pathogenicity. The dual lifestyle of this bacterium—living symbiotically with nematodes and as a pathogen to insects—provides a model system for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions. Researchers are particularly interested in how P. luminescens switches between these roles and the genetic regulation involved. In summary, Photorhabdus luminescens is a bacterium of significant interest due to its bioluminescence, insecticidal properties, production of secondary metabolites, and its role in symbiotic and pathogenic relationships. These characteristics make it a valuable organism for both applied and basic scientific research.

Photorhabdus luminescens is a fascinating bacterium known for its bioluminescent properties, which are primarily attributed to the presence of luciferase enzymes. This unique feature not only makes it visually striking but also serves as a potential tool for studying bioluminescence in other organisms. The bacterium is part of the family Enterobacteriaceae and is typically associated with nematodes, particularly the genus Heterorhabditis, where it plays a crucial role in the nematode's life cycle as a symbiotic partner. One of the most interesting aspects of P. luminescens is its ability to produce a wide array of bioactive compounds, including antibiotics and insecticidal proteins. This characteristic makes it a valuable organism in the field of biocontrol, as it can be used to manage pest populations in agriculture without the need for synthetic chemicals. The bacterium's pathogenicity towards insects, combined with its symbiotic relationship with nematodes, positions it as a model organism for studying host-pathogen interactions and the evolution of virulence. Additionally, P. luminescens has been the subject of research in the field of synthetic biology, where scientists are exploring its genetic makeup to harness its bioluminescent capabilities for applications in biosensors and imaging technologies. The genetic tools available for manipulating this organism further enhance its utility in research, allowing for the exploration of gene function and regulation in a bioluminescent context. In summary, Photorhabdus luminescens stands out not only for its striking bioluminescence but also for its ecological role, potential in pest management, and applications in synthetic biology, making it a significant organism for both fundamental and applied research.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Gammaproteobacteria

Order: Enterobacterales

Family: Morganellaceae

Genus: Photorhabdus

Species: Photorhabdus luminescens

NCBI ID

29488

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/900/102/985/GCA_900102985.1_IMG-taxon_2597490348_annotated_assembly

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_900102985.1_IMG-taxon_2597490348_annotated_assembly_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens is a Gram-negative, bioluminescent organism primarily known for its role as a symbiont of nematodes in the genus Heterorhabditis. Its clinical implications are significant due to its pathogenicity and potential applications in medicine. Photorhabdus luminescens is associated with infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, where it can cause soft tissue infections and wound infections. The organism produces a variety of virulence factors, including toxins and enzymes that facilitate tissue destruction and immune evasion, making it a notable pathogen in clinical settings. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, Photorhabdus luminescens has shown resistance to several antibiotics, which complicates treatment options for infections it may cause. This resistance is attributed to its ability to produce beta-lactamases and other enzymes that degrade common antibiotics, highlighting the need for careful antibiotic stewardship when dealing with infections caused by this organism. Interestingly, Photorhabdus luminescens has potential medical applications, particularly in the field of biocontrol and biotechnology. Its ability to produce antimicrobial compounds makes it a candidate for developing new therapeutic agents. Additionally, its bioluminescent properties have been utilized in research and diagnostic applications, providing a unique tool for studying microbial interactions and infections. Overall, while Photorhabdus luminescens is primarily recognized for its ecological role, its implications in human health, particularly in terms of pathogenicity, antimicrobial resistance, and potential therapeutic applications, underscore its relevance in clinical microbiology.

Industrial Application

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

The bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens is a notable organism with several industrial applications primarily in the fields of biotechnology, waste management, and pharmaceutical development. This microorganism is particularly recognized for its role in biodegradation and biocontrol, making it valuable in various sectors. In biotechnology, Photorhabdus luminescens is utilized for its ability to produce a range of bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial agents and insecticidal proteins. These compounds are effective in pest management, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. The bacterium's fermentation processes can be harnessed to produce these valuable metabolites, which can be scaled for agricultural applications. In the realm of waste management, Photorhabdus luminescens has demonstrated potential in the biodegradation of organic pollutants. Its enzymatic activity allows it to break down complex organic materials, contributing to the treatment of wastewater and the remediation of contaminated sites. This capability is particularly useful in bioremediation efforts, where the goal is to restore environments affected by industrial waste. Furthermore, in pharmaceutical development, the unique properties of Photorhabdus luminescens are being explored for the production of novel drugs. The bacterium's ability to synthesize various bioactive compounds can lead to the discovery of new therapeutic agents, particularly in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Its role in enzyme production is also significant, as enzymes derived from this organism can be used in various biochemical applications, including drug synthesis and diagnostics. Overall, Photorhabdus luminescens exemplifies a microorganism with diverse and impactful industrial applications, particularly in sustainable practices and healthcare innovations.

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