Vampirococcus
Vampirococcus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | |
Phylum: | "
Patescibacteria " |
Class: | |
Order: | |
Family: | |
Genus: | "Ca. "Vampirococcus" Guerrero et al. 1986
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Type species | |
"Ca. Vampirococcus lugosii" Moreira et al. 2021
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Species
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Vampirococcus is an informally described
Characterization
Vampirococcus is a predatory prokaryotic genus that lives in anaerobic, aquatic conditions. This bacterium is distinguished from other predatory prokaryotes because it feeds upon its prey using
There is some disagreement in the scientific community regarding Vampirococcus's motility. Many papers have stated that this specific predatory prokaryote does not have cilia or flagella, rendering the prokaryote immotile.[2][3][4] However, recent scientific papers have begun to describe Vampirococcus specifically with a single polar flagellum that allows it to interact with potential prey in its environment.[5] Other recent articles have referred to Vampirococcus as part of a group of similar organisms known as BALOs (Bdellovibrio And Like Organisms) which are known to be very motile predatory microbes.[6][7][8] It is difficult to find recent research specifically about Vampirococcus that elaborates on this topic, so the motility of this organism should be addressed with caution until further research clarifies the matter.
Genomics and phylogeny
As of now, the genome of Vampirococcus has not been sequenced, and the
Habitat
Currently, Vampirococcus has only been found in two freshwater lakes in northeastern Spain: Lake Estanya and Lake Cisó.[2] These lakes were formed in karst areas where rocks underground have been dissolved by groundwater. High concentrations of calcium sulfate and hydrogen sulfide make the lakes anoxic, providing an anaerobic environment to sustain both Vampirococcus and its prey, Chromatium.[2] Cell concentrations of Vampirococcus are highest during the fall months and are indirectly proportional to the cell concentrations of Chromatium, an indication of Vampirococcus's predation.[2]
Prey and predation
Predatory microbes attack and feed off of prey through extracellular or intracellular methods. Since predatory prokaryotes are smaller than their prey, they cannot engulf, or
- When the predator cell finds its prey – through chemotaxis or quorum sensing – it attaches to the prey's cell membrane via a cytoplasmic bridge structure.[12] At first, this attachment is reversible but soon becomes permanent.[6]
- Vampirococcus then secretes hydrolytic enzymes into the Chromatium bacterium to digest and degrade the cytoplasm.[12]
- The nutrients are directly transported into the predator cell. According to observations, Vampirococcus appears to "suck" out the contents like a vampire.[2]
- Once the prokaryote has used all the prey's nutrients and reproduced, Vampirococcus leaves the Chromatium cell dead. All that remains of the prey are the cell membrane and a few intercellular components.[2][12]
As stated previously, Vampirococcus solely preys upon species of Chromatium, a phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium that lives in freshwater.[2] As a bacterium, Chromatium is much larger than Vampirococcus. The benefit of preying on larger microbes is the sheer abundance of nutrients and resources from one individual.[1] In 1986, Guerrero et al. observed that a single Chromatium could sustain up to six Vampirococcus simultaneously.[2] In contrast, predators larger than their prey must phagocytize multiple microbes in order to receive sufficient nutrition.[1]
Reproduction
Vampirococcus can exist freely in its aquatic environment without being attached to another microbe.
Future research
Research was being conducted in 2005 to evaluate whether or not predatory prokaryotes can be used in other ways to degrade biofilms and cancerous tumor cells. Once Vampirococcus is more thoroughly researched and understood, it too could potentially be used to treat cancer or biofilms.
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-3-540-38577-6.
- ^ PMID 11542073.
- ^ S2CID 32501475.
- ISBN 9781475721911.
- ISBN 9781118015834.
- ^ ISBN 9783540385776. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
- ^ )
- ^ PMID 17661676.
- ^ ISBN 978-90-481-2665-1.
- ^ .
- ^ PMID 24088628.
- ^ PMID 12432957.
- ^ PMID 16000819.
- ^ S2CID 8438604.