Oxalobacter

{{Short description|Genus of bacteria}} {{Automatic taxobox | taxon = Oxalobacter | authority = Allison et al. 1985 | type_species = ''Oxalobacter formigenes'' | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = ''Oxalobacter aliiformigenes'' ''Oxalobacter formigenes'' ''Oxalobacter paeniformigenes'' ''Oxalobacter paraformigenes'' ''Oxalobacter vibrioformis'' }}

'''''Oxalobacter''''' is a genus of Gram-negative, obligate anaerobic, non-spore-forming bacteria in the Oxalobacteraceae family.<ref name="Bergey">Garrity, George M.; Brenner, Don J.; Krieg, Noel R.; Staley, James T. (eds.) (2005). Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Volume Two: The Proteobacteria, Part C: The Alpha-, Beta-, Delta-, and Epsilonproteobacteria. New York, New York: Springer. {{ISBN|978-0-387-24145-6}}.</ref> Members of this genus are chemoorganotrophs, using oxalate as their primary carbon and energy source. The genus was first described in 1985 with the discovery of ''Oxalobacter formigenes<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Allison |first1=Milton J. |last2=Dawson |first2=Karl A. |last3=Mayberry |first3=William R. |last4=Foss |first4=John G. |date=1985 |title=Oxalobacter formigenes gen. nov., sp. nov.: oxalate-degrading anaerobes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF00446731 |journal=Archives of Microbiology |language=en |volume=141 |issue=1 |pages=1–7 |bibcode=1985ArMic.141....1A |doi=10.1007/BF00446731 |issn=0302-8933 |pmid=3994481 |s2cid=10709172 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>''.

The genus is best known for its role in the human gastrointestinal tract, where it may contribute to oxalate homeostasis and influence the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

== Morphology and Physiology == All described ''Oxalobacter'' species are Gram-negative and strictly anaerobic. Although generally rod-shaped, slight morphological variability (e.g., curved rods) may be observed between species. Members of the ''Oxalobacter'' genus do not form spores and are non-motile.

These bacteria grow optimally in anaerobic environments using oxalate as their main carbon and energy source. Acetate and bicarbonate are used as co-substrates for optimal growth.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cornick |first=N. A. |last2=Allison |first2=M. J. |date=1996-11-01 |title=Assimilation of oxalate, acetate, and CO 2 by Oxalobacter formigenes |url=http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/10.1139/m96-138 |journal=Canadian Journal of Microbiology |language=en |volume=42 |issue=11 |pages=1081–1086 |doi=10.1139/m96-138 |issn=0008-4166|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The end products of oxalate metabolism are formate and carbon dioxide, via oxalyl-CoA decarboxylation.

== Ecology == Members of the ''Oxalobacter'' genus are primarily found in the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals, including humans and rodents.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Daniel |first=Steven L. |last2=Moradi |first2=Luke |last3=Paiste |first3=Henry |last4=Wood |first4=Kyle D. |last5=Assimos |first5=Dean G. |last6=Holmes |first6=Ross P. |last7=Nazzal |first7=Lama |last8=Hatch |first8=Marguerite |last9=Knight |first9=John |date=2021-08-26 |editor-last=Julia Pettinari |editor-first=M. |title=Forty Years of Oxalobacter formigenes, a Gutsy Oxalate-Degrading Specialist |url=https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/AEM.00544-21 |journal=Applied and Environmental Microbiology |language=en |volume=87 |issue=18 |doi=10.1128/AEM.00544-21 |issn=0099-2240 |pmc=8388816 |pmid=34190610}}</ref> They may also be isolated from environmental sources such as freshwater.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Smith |first=Richard L. |last2=Strohmaier |first2=Frances E. |last3=Oremland |first3=Ronald S. |date=February 1985 |title=Isolation of anaerobic oxalate-degrading bacteria from freshwater lake sediments |url=https://link.springer.com/10.1007/BF00446732 |journal=Archives of Microbiology |language=en |volume=141 |issue=1 |pages=8–13 |doi=10.1007/BF00446732 |issn=0302-8933|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The ecological niche of ''Oxalobacter'' species is closely tied to the presence of dietary or endogenous oxalate.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=846&lvl=3&p=has_linkout&p=blast_url&p=genome_blast&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock NCBI taxonomy browser] *[https://lpsn.dsmz.de/genus/oxalobacter LPSN]

Category:Burkholderiales Category:Bacteria genera