Agrobacterium tumefaciens

General Information

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its unique ability to transfer DNA between itself and plants, a process that has profound implications in both natural ecosystems and biotechnology. This bacterium is the causative agent of crown gall disease, which results in tumor-like growths on the stems and roots of a wide variety of dicotyledonous plants. The mechanism behind this disease is what makes A. tumefaciens particularly interesting: it utilizes a plasmid known as the Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid to insert a segment of its DNA, called T-DNA, into the plant genome. This T-DNA integration leads to the production of plant hormones that cause uncontrolled cell division and tumor formation. One of the most valuable aspects of A. tumefaciens is its role in genetic engineering. The ability to transfer genes into plants has been harnessed to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with desirable traits such as pest resistance, improved nutritional content, and increased yield. This has revolutionized agricultural biotechnology and has made A. tumefaciens a cornerstone in the field of plant genetic engineering. Moreover, the study of A. tumefaciens has provided significant insights into horizontal gene transfer, a process that is not only crucial for understanding bacterial evolution but also for developing new biotechnological tools. The bacterium's natural competence for DNA uptake and integration has inspired the development of various molecular techniques, including the use of binary vector systems for plant transformation. In addition to its biotechnological applications, A. tumefaciens serves as a model organism for studying plant-pathogen interactions. Research on this bacterium has shed light on the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis, host defense responses, and the complex interplay between microbial virulence factors and plant immune systems. Overall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a microorganism of immense scientific interest due to its unique DNA transfer capabilities, its pivotal role in the development of genetic engineering technologies, and its contribution to our understanding of plant-microbe interactions.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a fascinating bacterium primarily known for its role in plant pathology, particularly in the formation of crown gall tumors. This organism is unique due to its ability to transfer a segment of its DNA, known as T-DNA, into the plant genome, leading to the uncontrolled growth of plant cells. This process is mediated by a plasmid called the Ti plasmid (tumor-inducing plasmid), which carries the genes responsible for tumor formation and the synthesis of plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins. This natural genetic engineering capability makes A. tumefaciens a valuable tool in biotechnology and genetic engineering. The bacterium is also interesting because it can infect a wide range of dicotyledonous plants, making it a model organism for studying plant-microbe interactions. Researchers have harnessed its natural transformation ability to develop methods for introducing foreign genes into plants, which has significant implications for agriculture, including the development of disease-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops. The use of A. tumefaciens in plant transformation has revolutionized plant biotechnology, allowing for precise genetic modifications that were previously difficult to achieve. Furthermore, A. tumefaciens has been studied for its ecological role in soil environments, where it contributes to the microbial community dynamics and plant health. Its interactions with various plant species and other microorganisms provide insights into ecological relationships and the potential for biocontrol applications. Overall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens stands out not only for its pathogenicity but also for its transformative impact on plant science and biotechnology.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Alphaproteobacteria

Order: Hyphomicrobiales

Family: Rhizobiaceae

Genus: Agrobacterium

Species: Agrobacterium tumefaciens

NCBI ID

358

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/943/835/GCF_002943835.1_ASM294383v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002943835.1_ASM294383v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens is primarily known for its role in plant pathology, particularly in causing crown gall disease in various plants. However, its clinical implications in human health are less direct but noteworthy. While A. tumefaciens is not typically associated with human infections, it has been studied for its potential applications in gene therapy and biotechnology due to its ability to transfer DNA into plant cells. This mechanism has led to investigations into its use for delivering therapeutic genes in human cells, highlighting its relevance in gene therapy research. In terms of pathogenicity, A. tumefaciens employs a sophisticated mechanism to invade plant cells, which involves the transfer of a segment of its DNA (T-DNA) into the host genome. This process is mediated by a type IV secretion system, which is a point of interest for understanding bacterial pathogenesis and developing novel therapeutic strategies. Although A. tumefaciens is not a human pathogen, its genetic manipulation capabilities have raised concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance in agricultural settings, where it may contribute to the spread of resistance genes among microbial communities. This aspect underscores the importance of monitoring its interactions within the environment and its potential impact on human health indirectly through agricultural practices. Furthermore, the study of A. tumefaciens has implications for immune response research, as understanding how it evades plant defenses can provide insights into similar mechanisms in human pathogens. Overall, while A. tumefaciens is not a direct cause of human disease, its role in biotechnology and potential implications for gene therapy and antimicrobial resistance make it a significant organism in the context of clinical research.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is primarily associated with terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in areas where it interacts with plant hosts. This bacterium is well-known for its role in the formation of crown galls, which are tumor-like growths on plants. It thrives in soil environments rich in organic matter, where it can easily access its plant hosts through root exudates. The bacterium is often found in agricultural fields, gardens, and natural habitats where susceptible plants are present. In terms of ecological interactions, A. tumefaciens is a significant player in plant-microbe interactions. It utilizes a unique mechanism to transfer a segment of its DNA (T-DNA) into the plant genome, leading to the formation of galls and the production of opines, which serve as a nutrient source for the bacterium. This process exemplifies a form of symbiosis, albeit one that can be detrimental to the host plant. Furthermore, A. tumefaciens has adapted to various soil types and can be found in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions, showcasing its versatility. Its presence in the soil can influence the microbial community structure, as it interacts with other soil microorganisms, contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health. Overall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens plays a complex role in its biome, acting as both a pathogen and a facilitator of genetic exchange in the plant kingdom.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Agrobacterium tumefaciens is renowned for its significant contributions to various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This bacterium is primarily known for its ability to transfer DNA to plant cells, a process that has been harnessed in genetic engineering to create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with desirable traits such as pest resistance and improved nutritional content. This application is crucial in agriculture, enhancing crop yields and sustainability. In addition to its role in biotechnology, Agrobacterium tumefaciens is also involved in biodegradation processes. It has been documented to degrade certain pollutants, making it a candidate for bioremediation efforts aimed at cleaning up contaminated environments. This capability is particularly valuable in waste management, where the bacterium can help in the breakdown of toxic compounds, thus reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the enzymatic activities of Agrobacterium tumefaciens have potential applications in biofuel production. By utilizing its metabolic pathways, researchers are exploring ways to convert biomass into biofuels more efficiently, contributing to the development of sustainable energy sources. Overall, Agrobacterium tumefaciens serves as a versatile tool in various industries, demonstrating its importance in fermentation, enzyme production, and waste treatment, among other processes.

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

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