Geoglobus
Encyclopedia
Geoglobus is a hyperthermophilic
member of the Archaeoglobaceae
within the Euryarchaeota
. It consists of one species, G. ahangari, isolated from the Guaymas Basin
hydrothermal system located deep within the Gulf of California
. As a hyperthermophile
, it grows best at a temperature of 88°C and cannot grow at temperature below 65°C or above 90°C. It possess an S-layer
cell wall and a single flagellum
. G. ahangari is an anaerobe, using poorly soluble ferric iron
(Fe3+) as a terminal electron acceptor. It can grow either autotrophically using hydrogen
gas (H2) or heterotrophically using a large number of organic compound
s, including several types of fatty acid
s, as energy sources. G. ahangari was the first archaeon isolated capable of using hydrogen
gas coupled to iron reduction as an energy source and the first anaerobe isolated capable of using long-chain fatty acid
s as an energy source.
Hyperthermophile
A hyperthermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot environments— from 60 degrees C upwards. An optimal temperature for the existence of hyperthermophiles is above 80°C . Hyperthermophiles are a subset of extremophiles, micro-organisms within the domain Archaea, although some bacteria...
member of the Archaeoglobaceae
Archaeoglobaceae
In taxonomy, the Archaeoglobaceae are a family of the Archaeoglobales. All known genera within the Archaeoglobaceae are hyperthermophilic and can be found near undersea hydrothermal vents.- Mode of Metabolism :...
within the Euryarchaeota
Euryarchaeota
In the taxonomy of microorganisms, the Euryarchaeota are a phylum of the Archaea.The Euryarchaeota include the methanogens, which produce methane and are often found in intestines, the halobacteria, which survive extreme concentrations of salt, and some extremely thermophilic aerobes and anaerobes...
. It consists of one species, G. ahangari, isolated from the Guaymas Basin
Guaymas Basin
The Guaymas Basin is a submarine depression located on the seabed in the central area of the Gulf of California. It is the largest such basin in the Gulf. The basin results from the activity of one of the several spreading centers in the Gulf. The basin is linked to the Carmen Fault to the...
hydrothermal system located deep within the Gulf of California
Gulf of California
The Gulf of California is a body of water that separates the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexican mainland...
. As a hyperthermophile
Hyperthermophile
A hyperthermophile is an organism that thrives in extremely hot environments— from 60 degrees C upwards. An optimal temperature for the existence of hyperthermophiles is above 80°C . Hyperthermophiles are a subset of extremophiles, micro-organisms within the domain Archaea, although some bacteria...
, it grows best at a temperature of 88°C and cannot grow at temperature below 65°C or above 90°C. It possess an S-layer
S-layer
An S-layer is a part of the cell envelope commonly found in bacteria, as well as among archaea.It consists of a monomolecular layer composed of identical proteins or glycoproteins. This two-dimensional structure is built via self-assembly and encloses the whole cell surface. Thus, the S-layer...
cell wall and a single flagellum
Flagellum
A flagellum is a tail-like projection that protrudes from the cell body of certain prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and plays the dual role of locomotion and sense organ, being sensitive to chemicals and temperatures outside the cell. There are some notable differences between prokaryotic and...
. G. ahangari is an anaerobe, using poorly soluble ferric iron
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
(Fe3+) as a terminal electron acceptor. It can grow either autotrophically using hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
gas (H2) or heterotrophically using a large number of organic compound
Organic compound
An organic compound is any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. For historical reasons discussed below, a few types of carbon-containing compounds such as carbides, carbonates, simple oxides of carbon, and cyanides, as well as the...
s, including several types of fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...
s, as energy sources. G. ahangari was the first archaeon isolated capable of using hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
gas coupled to iron reduction as an energy source and the first anaerobe isolated capable of using long-chain fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...
s as an energy source.