Sphingobium chlorophenolicum

General Information

Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its remarkable ability to degrade chlorinated phenolic compounds, which are often persistent environmental pollutants. This capability makes it a valuable asset in bioremediation efforts aimed at detoxifying contaminated environments. One of the most notable compounds it can break down is pentachlorophenol (PCP), a highly toxic substance used historically as a pesticide and wood preservative. The metabolic pathways of S. chlorophenolicum are of significant interest to researchers because they involve a series of unique enzymes that can cleave the carbon-chlorine bonds in these complex molecules. This enzymatic activity is not only rare but also highly specialized, making S. chlorophenolicum a model organism for studying the biodegradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds. Additionally, the genetic makeup of S. chlorophenolicum has been extensively studied, revealing a wealth of information about the genes and regulatory networks involved in its degradative processes. This genetic insight is crucial for developing genetically engineered strains with enhanced bioremediation capabilities or for transferring these valuable traits to other microorganisms. In summary, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum stands out due to its unique enzymatic machinery and genetic adaptability, which enable it to play a critical role in environmental cleanup and offer a rich avenue for scientific exploration in the field of microbial biodegradation and environmental biotechnology.

Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is a fascinating bacterium known for its remarkable ability to degrade chlorophenolic compounds, which are often found in industrial waste and are known to be toxic to the environment. This organism is particularly interesting due to its unique metabolic pathways that allow it to utilize these harmful compounds as a carbon source, effectively contributing to bioremediation efforts. The ability of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum to break down chlorinated aromatic compounds makes it a valuable asset in environmental microbiology and bioremediation research. One of the standout features of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is its capacity to metabolize a wide range of chlorinated phenols, including 2-chlorophenol and 4-chlorophenol. This versatility is attributed to its specialized enzymes, which have evolved to efficiently catalyze the breakdown of these complex molecules. This enzymatic activity not only highlights the organism's adaptability but also opens avenues for the development of biotechnological applications aimed at detoxifying contaminated environments. Additionally, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum has been studied for its potential in the production of valuable bioproducts through the bioconversion of chlorinated compounds. Researchers are exploring its metabolic pathways to harness its capabilities for the synthesis of biofuels and other industrially relevant chemicals. This aspect of the organism underscores its dual role as both a bioremediator and a potential source of sustainable bioproducts. In summary, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum stands out not only for its environmental significance in degrading toxic compounds but also for its potential applications in biotechnology, making it a subject of ongoing research and interest in the fields of microbiology and environmental science.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Alphaproteobacteria

Order: Sphingomonadales

Family: Sphingomonadaceae

Genus: Sphingobium

Species: Sphingobium chlorophenolicum

NCBI ID

46429

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/000/722/875/GCA_000722875.1_Schl_MUMv1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_000722875.1_Schl_MUMv1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The bacterium Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is known for its ability to degrade chlorophenolic compounds, which are environmental pollutants. While it is primarily studied for its bioremediation potential, its clinical implications are noteworthy. This organism has been associated with the degradation of toxic compounds, which can have indirect benefits for human health by reducing environmental toxins that may lead to diseases such as cancer or liver damage. However, the pathogenicity of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is not well-documented, and it is not typically considered a human pathogen. Its role in immune response is still under investigation, particularly in how it interacts with the human microbiome. There is limited information regarding antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in this species, but its environmental resilience suggests potential for resistance to certain antibiotics, which could complicate treatment strategies in contaminated environments. In terms of medical applications, while Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is not used as a probiotic or in vaccine development, its enzymatic capabilities may inspire therapeutic approaches for detoxifying harmful substances in clinical settings. Overall, while the direct clinical relevance of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum remains limited, its environmental significance and potential applications in bioremediation highlight its importance in public health contexts.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Sphingobium chlorophenolicum is a notable bacterium primarily associated with contaminated environments, particularly those affected by chlorophenolic compounds. This microorganism thrives in polluted soils and aquatic systems, where it plays a crucial role in the biodegradation of toxic substances, thus contributing to the detoxification of its surroundings. Its ability to metabolize chlorophenols allows it to inhabit areas where few other organisms can survive, showcasing its remarkable environmental adaptation capabilities. In these polluted habitats, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum engages in symbiotic relationships with other microorganisms, enhancing the overall degradation process of harmful compounds. This interaction not only aids in the breakdown of pollutants but also supports the health of the ecosystem by promoting nutrient cycling and improving soil quality. Furthermore, this bacterium is often found in wastewater treatment facilities, where it assists in the removal of chlorinated compounds, demonstrating its importance in bioremediation efforts. Its presence in these environments underscores its role as a keystone species in the restoration of ecological balance in contaminated sites, making it a vital organism for environmental health and sustainability.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Sphingobium chlorophenolicum has shown significant potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and waste management. This bacterium is renowned for its ability to degrade chlorophenolic compounds, which are common pollutants in industrial waste. Through the process of biodegradation, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum can effectively break down these toxic substances, making it a valuable asset in the treatment of contaminated environments. In the realm of biofuel production, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum has been studied for its metabolic pathways that can convert organic waste into usable energy sources. Its ability to metabolize complex organic compounds can be harnessed in fermentation processes to produce biofuels, contributing to sustainable energy solutions. Moreover, the enzymatic activities of Sphingobium chlorophenolicum are of great interest in pharmaceutical development. The enzymes produced by this microorganism can be utilized in the synthesis of various bioactive compounds, potentially leading to the development of new drugs or therapeutic agents. The organism's unique metabolic capabilities allow for the transformation of complex molecules, which is crucial in the pharmaceutical industry. Overall, Sphingobium chlorophenolicum stands out as a versatile microorganism with applications in waste treatment, biofuel production, and pharmaceutical synthesis, making it a key player in advancing industrial biotechnology and environmental sustainability.

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: 9

LLM predicted phenotypes: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	openai/gpt-4o	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	google/gemini-flash-1.5	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	google/gemma-7b-it	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	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	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro
Motility	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	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 ✓	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	aerobic ✓	aerotolerant ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Animal 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 ✓
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 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 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	true	true	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false
Host association	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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 ✓	false ✓
Spore formation	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 ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	N/A	N/A	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
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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