Chromobacterium violaceum

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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Eubacteria Phylum: Proteobacteria Class: Betaproteobacteria Order: Neisseriales Family: Neisseriaceae Genus: Chromobacterium Species: violaceum
Binomial name
Chromobacterium violaceum

Description and significance

Chromobacterium violaceum is a gram-negative rod shape bacterium that produces violet pigment - hence the name violaceum - when grown in tryptic soy broth (Chen et al, 2002).

Usually found in soils and water of tropical and subtropical regions, with temperature around 20°C-37°C as its optimal temperature; and growth would be inhibited with temperature near or below 4°C (chen et al, 2002).

Cellular Features
Gram Stain	Negative
Shape	Sphere, Curved
Arrangement	Singles, Pairs, Chains
Endospores	N/A
Motility	Yes

Optimal Environment
Salinity	N/A
Oxygen Req.	Facultative
Habitats	Multiple
Optimal Temp.	25°C
Temp. Range	Mesophilic

Above tables were borrowed from the following website: [[1]]

Genome structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?

Circular chromosome with a length of 4.8 Mbp, 123 RNAs. amd 4407 proteins

Genome Project > Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472 project at LNCC, Brazil
Osbaldiston GW, Greve T, "Estimating adrenal cortical function in dogs with ACTH.", Cornell Vet, 1978 Jul;68(3):308-9
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Cell structure and metabolism

Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Chromobacteria do not usually cause diseases in humans, the first C. violaceum infection reported was in 1927 from Malaysia, and approximately 150 cases reported worldwide, such as Asia, USA, Australia, and Africa (Martinez & Mattar, 2007).

C. violaceum usually enters hosts through injured wounds, skin lession, cervical abscess, or the pharynx (Chen et al, 2002).

Pathogenic in	Disease
Human	Diarrhea and occasionally Septicemia

Above table was taken from the following website:[[2]]

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Ars Resistance Operon encodes the gene arsC that is transcribed into arsenate reductase, which reduces arsenate into arsenite, and then arsenites are removed from cytoplasm through efflux pumps. This could be applied to "bioremediation process, such as the recycling of CCA (chromated copper arsenate)-treated wood waste" (Carepo et al., 2004).

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

Identification of Chromobacterium violaceum genes with potential biotechnology application in environmental detoxification M.S.P. Carepo et al. proposed the three operons in C. violaceum having pharmacological, biotechnological, and industrial properties. They are, the ars Operon, which gives rise to arsenic resistance to the baterium; cyn Operon, which is capable of cynate detoxification; and the hcn Operon that produces cyanse for biogenic production of cyanide, hcn also composed of an open reading frame (ORF) for acid dehalogenase.

Mouse and Human Cell Activation by N-dodecanoyl-DL-Homoserine Lactone, a Chromobacterium violaceum Autoinducer Homoserine lactones (HSLs) are autoinducers produced by C. violaceum for gene regulation, such as cytokines inflamation, "activation of the NF-kB signaling pathways", and quorum-sensing role.

The complete genome sequence of Chromobacterium violaceum reveals remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability Sequenced genome of C. violaceum shows that this bacterium pocesses multiple-alternative metabolism pathways, capability of adapting to a wide range of environmental stresses, having approximately '500 ORFs for transport-related' proteins; Results also shows that C. violaceum produces proteins that have "drug and heavy-metal-resistance", some being able to break down chitin, others having the ability to dextoxify xenobiotics.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Brazilian National Genome Project Consortium. (September 30, 2003). The complete genome sequence of Chomobacterium violaceum revelas remarkable and exploitable bacterial adaptability. 100, 11660-11665. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1832124100 www.pnas.org.

Carepo, M., et al. (March 31, 2004). Identification of Chromobacterium violaceum genes with potential biotechnological application in environmental detoxification. Genetics and Molecular Research, 1(1676-5680), 181-194. Retrieved March 20, 2008, from www.funpecrp.com.br GMR.

Chen, C., et al. (September 20, 2002). Chromobacterium violaceum bacteremia: a case report. J Microbiol Immunol Infect, (36), 141-144

Creczynski-Pasa, T. B. & Antonio, R. V. (March 31, 2004). Energetic metabolism of Chromobacterium violaceum. Genetics and Molecular Research, 1(1676-5680), 162-166. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from www.funpecrp.com.br GMR

Gomi, K., et al. (September 5, 2006). Mouse and Human Cell Activation by N-Dodecanoyl-DL-Homoserine Lactone, a Chromobacterium violaceum Autoinducer. INFECTION AND IMMUNITY, 74, 7029-7031. Retrieved March 23, 2008, from www.pubmed.com

Martinez, P. & Mattar, S. (November 2007). Fatal Septicemia Caused by Chromobacterium violaceum In A Child From Colombia. 6(49), 391-393.