Planctomycetes

Planctomycetes is a phylum of aquatic bacteria that are found in various water environments, including freshwater, marine environments, and brackish water. They are known for their distinctive cellular organization and unique features that set them apart from other bacterial phyla.

Characteristics

Planctomycetes are notable for their unusual cell biology and lack of peptidoglycan in their cell walls, which is uncommon among bacteria. Instead, their cell walls are composed of proteins and glycoproteins. They exhibit a complex cellular organization with compartmentalization of cells, which includes membrane-bound structures that are rare in other bacteria. This includes the anammoxosome in anammox bacteria, which is involved in the anaerobic oxidation of ammonia.

These bacteria often have a stalk or bud formation that assists in attachment to surfaces or other cells. They reproduce by budding or binary fission, which is different from the typical binary fission seen in most bacteria.

Ecology

Planctomycetes play a significant role in the nitrogen cycle, particularly through the anammox process carried out by some of its members. This process involves the conversion of ammonia into nitrogen gas, which is a critical step in nitrogen removal in both natural and artificial environments. They are also involved in the degradation of organic materials, contributing to carbon cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

Taxonomy

The taxonomy of Planctomycetes has evolved as more species have been discovered and characterized. The phylum includes several orders and families, with a variety of genera that have been identified through both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods.

Orders and Families

• Planctomycetales
  • Planctomycetaceae
• Verrucomicrobiales
  • Verrucomicrobiaceae
• Brocadiales
  • Brocadiaceae

Research and Applications

Research on Planctomycetes has increased due to their unique biology and their role in important biogeochemical processes. They are studied for their potential in biotechnological applications, including wastewater treatment and bioremediation, due to their ability to remove nitrogen from environments.

See also

• Bacteria
• Cellular compartmentalization
• Nitrogen cycle