Shewanella pealeana ANG-SQ1, ATCC 700345
   
   
 
Cells of Shewanella pealeana ATCC 700345 showing multiple polar flagella (provided by Dr Michael Leonardo, Coe College, Iowa)

Value and reason for sequencing

Shewanella pealeana ATCC 700345 was originally isolated from the Atlantic squid for their capacity to respire on sulfur. This bacterium was able to degrade RDX and was closely related to RDX-mineralizing bacterium S. halifaxensis. Genome sequencing of the present strain together with S. halifaxensis will help determine the genetic process responsible for RDX degradation.

On the other hand, Shewanella are ubiquitous in marine environment and play very important role in global carbon and nitrogen cycle. The present strain is moderately halophilic, requiring Na + for growth. It can live at low temperatures and by reducing heavy metals Mn (IV) and Fe (III) and non-metal electron acceptors such as sulfur. Genome sequencing and comparative genomics will unlock the genes involved in metabolism of carbon, nitrogen, metal, and sulfur in marine environment. Comparative genomics will also provide insight into how marine bacteria evolve to adapt to cold and salty marine environment.

It is involved in heavy metal (Mn IV and Fe III) reduction as well as the reduction of nitrate, elemental sulfur, fumarate, trimethylamine- N -oxide (TMAO), and thiosulfate. It is also involved in the biodegradation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX). Also, it is involved in marine carbon and nitrogen metabolism. It shows growth at low temperature and is moderately halophiolic.

References

Leonardo, M. R., Moser, D. P., Barbieri, E., Brantner, C. A., MacGregor, B. J., Paster, B. J., Stackebrandt, E. & Nealson, K. H. 1999. Shewanella pealeana sp. nov., a member of the microbial community associated with the accessory nidamental gland of the squid Loligo pealei. Int J Syst Bacteriol 49, 1341-1351.

Barbieri E, Paster BJ, Hughes D, Zurek L, Moser DP, Teske A, Sogin ML. 2001.   Phylogenetic characterization of epibiotic bacteria in the accessory nidamental gland and egg capsules of the squid Loligo pealei (Cephalopoda:Loliginidae). Environ Microbiol . 3(3):151-67.