Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

General Information

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a fascinating microorganism primarily known for its role in the sulfur cycle. This bacterium is part of the Desulfovibrio genus, which is renowned for its ability to reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide. One of the most intriguing aspects of D. desulfuricans is its ability to thrive in anaerobic environments, making it a key player in various ecological niches, including marine sediments, freshwater environments, and even the human gut. From a research perspective, D. desulfuricans is particularly valuable due to its potential applications in bioremediation. Its ability to reduce toxic metals, such as uranium and chromium, into less harmful forms has garnered significant interest. This capability is not only crucial for cleaning up contaminated environments but also for understanding the mechanisms of metal reduction at a molecular level. Another unique feature of D. desulfuricans is its production of biogenic hydrogen sulfide, which has implications for both environmental and industrial processes. For instance, hydrogen sulfide can contribute to the souring of oil reservoirs, posing challenges for the petroleum industry. Conversely, understanding this process can lead to better management and mitigation strategies. Moreover, D. desulfuricans has been studied for its interactions with other microorganisms, particularly in biofilm communities. These interactions can influence the overall metabolic activities within these communities, affecting nutrient cycling and energy flow. In summary, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a microorganism of significant interest due to its sulfate-reducing capabilities, potential in bioremediation, and impact on industrial processes. Its unique metabolic pathways and ecological roles continue to be subjects of extensive research, offering insights into both fundamental microbiology and practical applications.

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a fascinating sulfate-reducing bacterium that plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur in various environments, particularly in anaerobic conditions. This organism is known for its ability to reduce sulfate to sulfide, which is a key process in the sulfur cycle, contributing to the detoxification of environments contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. Its metabolic versatility allows it to utilize a wide range of organic compounds as electron donors, making it valuable for bioremediation efforts. One of the most interesting aspects of D. desulfuricans is its ability to thrive in extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents and oil reservoirs, where it contributes to the degradation of hydrocarbons. This adaptability not only highlights its ecological significance but also its potential applications in biotechnology, particularly in the development of bioenergy and bioremediation strategies. Furthermore, D. desulfuricans has been studied for its unique electron transfer mechanisms, which involve the use of conductive pili and other extracellular structures. These features make it a model organism for understanding microbial fuel cells and bioelectrochemical systems. Research on this organism can lead to advancements in sustainable energy production and environmental cleanup technologies. In summary, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans stands out due to its ecological importance, metabolic capabilities, and potential applications in environmental and energy-related research, making it a valuable subject of study in microbiology and environmental science.

Taxonomy

Superkingdom: Bacteria

Phylum: Thermodesulfobacteriota

Class: Desulfovibrionia

Order: Desulfovibrionales

Family: Desulfovibrionaceae

Genus: Desulfovibrio

Species: Desulfovibrio desulfuricans

NCBI ID

876

Genome Info

FTP Path:
ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/genomes/all/GCA/017/815/575/GCA_017815575.1_ASM1781557v1

File for sequence-based predictions:
GCA_017815575.1_ASM1781557v1_genomic.fasta

Descriptions

Clinical Implications and Relevance

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

The microorganism Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium known for its role in the sulfur cycle and its presence in various environments, including the human gut. Its clinical implications are significant, particularly in relation to infections and disease associations. This organism has been implicated in conditions such as periodontal disease and intra-abdominal infections, where it can contribute to the overall microbial dysbiosis. One of the notable aspects of D. desulfuricans is its ability to produce hydrogen sulfide, which can have toxic effects on human tissues and may play a role in inflammatory responses. The bacterium's pathogenicity is partly attributed to its immune evasion strategies, which allow it to survive in hostile environments, including the human immune system. In terms of antimicrobial resistance, D. desulfuricans has shown resistance to certain antibiotics, complicating treatment options for infections it may cause. This resistance is a growing concern in clinical settings, particularly as the prevalence of resistant strains increases. Interestingly, while D. desulfuricans is often associated with negative health outcomes, it also has potential medical applications. Research is ongoing into its use in bioremediation and its role in the development of probiotics, as some strains may contribute positively to gut health. However, the dual nature of this organism necessitates careful consideration in clinical contexts, balancing its pathogenic potential with its beneficial applications.

Habitat and Ecological Niches

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

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a sulfate-reducing bacterium commonly found in various anaerobic environments where sulfate is present. This microorganism thrives in a range of biomes, particularly in the following ecological niches: Wetlands and Marshes: These habitats provide a rich source of organic matter and sulfate, making them ideal for D. desulfuricans. Here, it plays a crucial role in the sulfur cycle, reducing sulfate to sulfide, which can then contribute to the formation of metal sulfides and influence the overall nutrient dynamics of the ecosystem. Marine Sediments: D. desulfuricans is prevalent in marine environments, particularly in the sediments of estuaries and coastal areas. In these habitats, it interacts with other microorganisms, contributing to biogeochemical cycling and helping to maintain the balance of sulfur and carbon compounds in the sediment layers. Anaerobic Digesters: This bacterium is also utilized in anaerobic digestion processes, where it aids in the breakdown of organic materials, producing biogas as a byproduct. Its ability to reduce sulfate is essential for optimizing the efficiency of these systems, making it a valuable organism in waste management and renewable energy production. Overall, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is an important player in various anaerobic ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and the maintenance of ecological balance through its metabolic activities.

Industrial Application

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

The microorganism Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is a sulfate-reducing bacterium that has significant potential in various industrial applications. One of the primary areas of interest is in biotechnology, where it plays a crucial role in biodegradation processes. This organism is capable of reducing sulfate to sulfide, which can be harnessed for the treatment of industrial wastewater containing high levels of sulfate. By utilizing Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, industries can effectively manage and reduce the environmental impact of their effluents, promoting sustainable waste management practices. In addition to waste management, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans is also involved in biofuel production. The metabolic pathways of this bacterium can be exploited in the conversion of organic matter into biogas, particularly in anaerobic digestion processes. The production of methane from organic substrates through fermentation by this microorganism contributes to renewable energy solutions, making it a valuable asset in the bioenergy sector. Furthermore, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans has applications in pharmaceutical development. Its ability to produce specific enzymes can be utilized in the synthesis of bioactive compounds, which are essential in drug formulation. The enzymatic activity of this bacterium can lead to the development of novel pharmaceuticals, particularly in the field of antibiotics and other therapeutic agents. Overall, the diverse capabilities of Desulfovibrio desulfuricans in biodegradation, fermentation, and enzyme production highlight its importance in advancing industrial processes, promoting environmental sustainability, and contributing to the development of innovative biotechnological solutions.

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: 4

Phenotype	High-quality annotation	openai/gpt-3.5-turbo-0125	google/gemini-pro-1.5	anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet	google/gemini-flash-1.5	meta-llama/llama-3-70b-instruct:nitro	perplexity/llama-3-sonar-small-32k-chat	openchat/openchat-7b	mistralai/mixtral-8x7b-instruct:nitro	mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct	openai/gpt-4o	openai/gpt-4o	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	openai/gpt-4	openai/gpt-4	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	microsoft/wizardlm-2-8x22b	google/gemini-pro	google/gemini-pro	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	anthropic/claude-3-haiku:beta	google/gemma-7b-it	google/gemma-7b-it	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct	microsoft/phi-3-mini-128k-instruct
Motility	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	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 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	anaerobic	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	anaerobic ✓	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	N/A	N/A
Extreme environment tolerance	TRUE	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	false ✗	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓	true ✓
Biofilm formation	N/A	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true
Animal pathogenicity	N/A	false	true	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
Biosafety level	biosafety level 1	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	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 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 2 ✗	biosafety level 1 ✓	biosafety level 1 ✓
Health association	N/A	false	true	true	true	true	true	false	true	false	true	true	true	true	false	false	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	true	false	false	false	false
Host association	FALSE	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	false ✓	true ✗	true ✗	false ✓	false ✓	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 ✓	true ✗	true ✗	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 ✓
Hemolysis	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	N/A
Cell shape	bacillus	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	coccus ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	spirillum ✗	spirillum ✗	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓	bacillus ✓

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