Neisseria mucosa

General Information

Neisseria mucosa is a fascinating microorganism belonging to the genus Neisseria. This species is particularly interesting due to its commensal relationship with humans, primarily residing in the mucosal surfaces of the respiratory tract. Unlike its pathogenic relatives, such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. mucosa is generally considered non-pathogenic and is part of the normal flora. One of the unique aspects of N. mucosa is its ability to produce polysaccharide capsules, which play a crucial role in its interaction with the host immune system. These capsules can help the bacteria evade immune detection, making it a subject of interest in studies related to bacterial immune evasion mechanisms. Additionally, N. mucosa has been noted for its genetic diversity and natural competence for DNA uptake, which makes it a valuable model for studying horizontal gene transfer and genetic recombination. This characteristic is particularly important for understanding how genetic material is exchanged among bacteria, contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. From a research perspective, N. mucosa serves as an important model for studying host-microbe interactions and the dynamics of microbial communities in the human respiratory tract. Its non-pathogenic nature allows for safer laboratory handling while providing insights into the behavior of more virulent Neisseria species. In summary, Neisseria mucosa is a noteworthy organism due to its commensal relationship with humans, its production of polysaccharide capsules, its genetic diversity, and its role in studies of horizontal gene transfer and host-microbe interactions. These characteristics make it a valuable subject for microbiological and immunological research.

Neisseria mucosa is a member of the genus Neisseria, which is known for its diverse group of bacteria, some of which are pathogenic. However, N. mucosa is particularly interesting due to its commensal nature, often found as part of the normal flora in the human nasopharynx. This organism is notable for its ability to survive in the human body without causing disease, which raises intriguing questions about host-microbe interactions and the role of commensal bacteria in human health. One of the unique aspects of N. mucosa is its genetic diversity, which can provide insights into the evolutionary adaptations of bacteria in response to the human immune system. Research on N. mucosa can help elucidate mechanisms of immune evasion and the maintenance of a balanced microbiome, which is crucial for preventing infections by more pathogenic species. Additionally, N. mucosa has been studied for its potential role in bioactive compound production, which could have implications for biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications. Understanding the metabolic pathways of N. mucosa may lead to the discovery of novel compounds with therapeutic properties. Overall, the study of Neisseria mucosa offers valuable perspectives on microbial ecology, host interactions, and the potential for beneficial applications in medicine and industry.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Pseudomonadota

Class: Betaproteobacteria

Order: Neisseriales

Family: Neisseriaceae

Genus: Neisseria

Species: Neisseria mucosa

NCBI ID

488

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCF/002/073/715/GCF_002073715.2_ASM207371v2

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCF_002073715.2_ASM207371v2_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The organism Neisseria mucosa is a member of the genus Neisseria, which includes both pathogenic and commensal species. While N. mucosa is generally considered a non-pathogenic commensal organism found in the human oropharynx and nasopharynx, it has been associated with certain clinical implications. Infections caused by N. mucosa are rare but can occur, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those with underlying health conditions. These infections may include bacteremia, endocarditis, and meningitis, although they are less common compared to other Neisseria species such as Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. One of the notable aspects of N. mucosa is its potential role in biofilm formation, which can contribute to its persistence in clinical settings, particularly in patients with indwelling medical devices. This ability to form biofilms may complicate treatment and lead to chronic infections. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, there is limited data on the resistance patterns of N. mucosa, but like many bacteria, it may possess mechanisms that confer resistance to certain antibiotics. This underscores the importance of susceptibility testing in cases of infection. While N. mucosa is not typically used in medical applications, its presence in the human microbiome suggests a potential role in maintaining microbial balance and immune modulation. Further research is needed to fully understand its interactions with the human immune system and its potential benefits or risks in various health contexts. Overall, while N. mucosa is not a primary pathogen, its clinical relevance cannot be overlooked, especially in specific patient populations.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Neisseria mucosa is a gram-negative bacterium commonly found in the human oral cavity and nasopharynx. This microorganism thrives in mucosal surfaces, where it plays a significant role in the microbial community. Its presence is often associated with the normal flora of the human body, contributing to the maintenance of a balanced microbiome. In the oral biome, N. mucosa interacts with other microorganisms, participating in complex symbiotic relationships that can influence oral health. It is known to coexist with other bacteria, such as Streptococcus species, and can help in the prevention of pathogenic colonization by competing for resources and space. Additionally, N. mucosa has been observed in nasal passages, where it may contribute to the immune defense by modulating the local immune response. Its ability to adapt to varying oxygen levels and nutrient availability allows it to thrive in these diverse environments. Overall, Neisseria mucosa plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance within its habitats, showcasing the importance of microbial diversity in human health.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Neisseria mucosa has shown potential in various industrial applications, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. This organism is known for its ability to produce specific enzymes that can be harnessed in biocatalysis processes, which are essential for the synthesis of complex organic compounds. For instance, the enzymatic activity of N. mucosa can be utilized in the production of pharmaceuticals, where it aids in the conversion of substrates into valuable medicinal compounds. In the realm of waste management, N. mucosa has been studied for its role in biodegradation processes. It can contribute to the breakdown of various organic pollutants, making it a candidate for bioremediation strategies aimed at cleaning contaminated environments. This capability is particularly important in the treatment of wastewater, where the organism can help in the degradation of harmful substances, thus improving water quality. Furthermore, there is emerging interest in the use of N. mucosa in biofuel production. Its metabolic pathways may be exploited to enhance the fermentation processes involved in converting biomass into biofuels, such as ethanol. By optimizing the fermentation conditions, N. mucosa could potentially increase the yield of biofuels, contributing to more sustainable energy solutions. Overall, while Neisseria mucosa is primarily recognized for its role in human health, its applications in biotechnology, waste management, and biofuel production highlight its versatility and potential in various industrial sectors.

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: 10

LLM predicted phenotypes: 3

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-8b-instruct:nitro	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemini-flash-1.5	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	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	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	google/palm-2-chat-bison-32k	openchat/openchat-7b	openchat/openchat-7b	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct
Motility	N/A	true	true	false	true	false	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	false	false	false	false	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true
Gram staining	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 ✓	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 ✓	N/A	gram stain negative ✓
Aerophilicity	aerobic	aerotolerant ✗	aerotolerant ✗	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	facultatively anaerobic ✗	facultatively anaerobic ✗	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	N/A	N/A	aerobic ✓	aerobic ✓	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 ✓	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 ✓
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	false	false	false	false	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	FALSE	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Biosafety level	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 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✗	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	false	false	true	true
Host association	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 ✓	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓
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 ✓	false ✓	false ✓
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 ✓	false ✓	false ✓
Hemolysis	gamma	beta ✗	beta ✗	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	alpha ✗	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
Cell shape	coccus	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	bacillus ✗	bacillus ✗	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓	coccus ✓

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