Streptomyces griseus
by Jackie Groves and Katherine Stegmann
Streptomyces griseus is a bacterium that occurs mainly in soil and decomposes organic material. It is the cause of soils earthy smell. Streptomyces griseus is mainly found in soil but can be found in water also. This bacterium comes from the family Streptomycetaceas which includes over 500 species. Streptomycin, grisein, and canicidin are the antibiotics derived from Streptomyces griseus. Streptomycin was originally used for the treatment of Tuberculosis. Due to the excessive use this antibiotic the bacterium that causes Tuberculosis and many other microorganisms became resistant.
Streptomyces griseus is usually found in soil but can be found in water as well.
Classification: HOW WOULD YOU CLASSIFY THIS AMAZING BACTERIA!?
The bacterium Streptomyces griseus, belonging to the genus Streptomyces*, requires free oxygen to survive, meaning it is aerobic*.
Domain*: Bacteria
Phylum* : Actinobacteria
Order* :Actinomycetales
Family* : Streptomycetaceae
Genus* :Streptomyces
Gram Stain: WHAT IS A GRAM STAIN?
The gram staining process is one of the easiest ways to identify bacteria. In this process, a violet dye is first applied, followed by a decolorizing agent, and then a red dye. After going through this procedure, the bacteria is placed under a microscope. If the bacterium comes out violet, it is gram-positive, if it comes out red, it is gram-negative.
Streptomyces grisues is a gram-positive bacterium, because its cell wall retains the violet dye. The cell wall of this bacterium is thinner and more permeable than other types of bacteria (gram negative).
Structure: WHY DO WE CARE ABOUT STRUCTURE?
The structure of Streptomyces Griseus is very complex and intricate. It is very similar to the structure of a fungus, which is branching and filamentous. At one point of development of this bacteria, a threadlike net called a mycelium is formed. The mycelium carries spores so that the bacteria can survive in harsh conditions.
Habitat: WHERE EVER COULD IT BE FOUND?!
Streptomyces Griseus is a bacterium that occurs mainly in soil. The earthy smell that soil gives off is caused by this bacterium, and others belonging to the genus Streptomyces. The organic matter in the ground is decomposed by Streptomyces Griseus; it causes the soil to become more fertile. Although it is mainly found in soil, Streptomyces Griseus can also be found in water.
Nutritional Requirements: WHAT DOES SG NEED TO SURVIVE?
SG requires free oxygen to survive (it is aerobic). This type of bacteria can eat almost anything including sugars, alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, and aromatic compouds. Streptomyces griseus eats by producing extracellular hydrolytic enzymes. SG also grows best at a temperature of 26 degrees Celcius.
Reproduction: HOW DOES THIS SPIFFING BACTERIUM REPRODUCE?
Streptomyces griseus reproduces asexually. This means that to reproduce, it brances off and forms filaments of cells that in turn, become a network of strands called a mycelium. The mycelium has many funhctions including carrying spores.
History: WHO THOUGHT OF THIS ANTIBIOTIC?
Streptomycin was discovered by Selman A. Waksman, Albert Schatz, and Elizabeth Bugie in 1943.
For a more in-depth look, see the link "Letter from Dr. Robert L. Groves".
Beneficial Properties/Benefit to environment: HOW DOES THIS HELP
THE WORLD?
Streptomyces griseus has a great affect on the environment and the medical world. It decomposes organic matter in soil, which makes it more fertile, and gives it its earthy smell. The antibiotic Streptomycin, along with many others, was derived from Streptomyces griseus. This antibiotic is used to treat Tuberculosis. Although many microorganisms,including the bacterium from which Tuberculosis forms, are immune to this antibiotic, due to overuse, it is still used today (in different variations) to treat many different illnesses.
Interesting facts: BACTERIA IS INTERESTING?
*A synonym for Streptomyces griseus is Actinomyces griseus
* Few species of Streptomyces are pathogenic for animals, although a few species cause plant disease.
* Combined with pinicillin for treating infections of heart valves/combined with tetracyclines for the treatment of plague, tularemia, and brucellosis.
* The word Streptomyces derives from the Latin word "strepto" meaning twisted, and the Greek word "mukes" meaning fungus.
Recent... or not so recent news...
This article, about Streptomycin, is from June 1945. Although it is not recent, or even close to recent for that matter, it is still helpful in understanding our bacteria, Streptomyces griseus.
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