The Giant Bacterium: Ca. Epulopiscium viviparus

• Largest Known Heterotrophic Bacteria.
  
  
• Intestinal symbionts of tropical marine surgeonfish.
  
  
• Individual cigar-shaped cells may reach up to 600 µm in length and 80 µm in width. A large individual is a million times the volume of Escherichia coli.
  
  
• Relies on fermentation for energy conservation. The genome encodes a complete set of genes for the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP).
  
  
• Approximately 0.8% of the genes are >5 kb. Of these 21 genes, six are >10 kb and half of those are >15 kb. The largest gene encodes a 6,869-residue protein.
  
  
• Cells have numerous peritrichous flagella and regularly spaced flagellar motors are seen in thin sections of the cell envelope.
  
  
• The Ca. E. viviparus genome suggests that this microbial symbiont has adapted to maximize access to available organic carbon (e.g., algal carbohydrates) and nitrogen while the host gets nutritional benefits.
  
  
• The bacterium likely takes advantage of the Sodium-rich gut environment which is suitable to support a Sodium Motive Force for energy generation using a fermentative metabolism and to drive flagellar rotation.
  
  
• The few features shared by all bacterial behemoths include extreme polyploidy, polyphosphate synthesis, and thus far, unculturable in the lab.
  

Reference:

Sannino, D. R., Arroyo, F. A., Pepe-Ranney, C., Chen, W., Volland, J. M., Elisabeth, N. H., & Angert, E. R. (2023). The exceptional form and function of the giant bacterium Ca. Epulopiscium viviparus revolves around its sodium motive force. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(52), e2306160120.

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