Microbacteriaceae

Microbacteriaceae is a family of bacteria within the order Actinomycetales. This family is characterized by a high G+C content in their DNA, and they are predominantly aerobic. The family Microbacteriaceae includes a variety of genera, such as Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, and Leifsonia among others.

Taxonomy

The family Microbacteriaceae is part of the phylum Actinobacteria, class Actinobacteria, and order Actinomycetales. The family is further divided into several genera, including but not limited to Microbacterium, Curtobacterium, Leifsonia, Clavibacter, Agromyces, and Aureobacterium.

Characteristics

Members of the Microbacteriaceae family are Gram-positive, non-spore-forming, and predominantly aerobic. They are characterized by a high G+C content in their DNA, typically above 60%. The cell wall of these bacteria contains diaminopimelic acid, galactose, and rhamnose, which are characteristic of the cell wall type B2γ.

Ecology and Pathogenicity

Microbacteriaceae are found in a variety of environments, including soil, water, and plants. Some species are known to be plant pathogens, such as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, which causes wilt and yellowing diseases in beans.

Clinical Significance

While most Microbacteriaceae are not pathogenic to humans, some species have been isolated from human clinical specimens and may cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals.

See Also

• Actinobacteria
• Actinomycetales
• Microbacterium
• Curtobacterium
• Leifsonia