Pseudomonas putida is a versatile gram-negative bacteria found in soil and water, which can protect plants from diseases and degrade various organic pollutants. It is generally safe but can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. It is used for bioremediation and genetic engineering research.
Pseudomonas putida is a type of gram-negative bacteria commonly found in water and soil, particularly around plant roots. It can protect plants from diseases of other microorganisms. Its metabolism is very complex and bacteria can degrade a large variety of organic pollutants. There is commercial interest in using it for this purpose. Normally the bacteria are considered safe, but there are some cases where they have caused disease in people with compromised immune systems.
Pollutants previously thought to be non-biodegradable, such as Styrofoam, have since been found to be degraded by this organism. Due to the biological and chemical applications of these bacteria, the DNA sequences of numerous strains have been sequenced. They are closely related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic human pathogen. Through sequencing, Pseudomonas putida was found to lack key genes that Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses to cause disease in humans. For example, it cannot degrade cell membranes or release toxins.
In the few cases where Pseudomonas putida has been found to be pathogenic in humans, it has been among people who were already ill. Another common feature was that the bacteria were introduced onto something that was supposed to be sterile. For example, in one case, a demister solution became contaminated with bacteria. In others, nonsterile catheters or similar devices have been inserted into a person who had recently taken antibiotics.
Once in the body, Pseudomonas putida can cause systemic infections, such as bacteremia, a blood infection. Pneumonia or peritonitis are serious illnesses that can be caused by this bacterial agent. It can also cause more localized infections, such as sinusitis or urinary tract infections.
Overall, Pseudomonas putida has been designated as a safe bacterium for use in gene cloning for bioremediation work. This involves the systemic use of the organism to degrade pollutants in water or soil. These bacteria have a very versatile metabolism and can degrade a number of toxic chemicals, including the components of gasoline. Other strains can convert packing peanuts, made of expanded polystyrene, into a biodegradable plastic. There is a lot of ongoing research into the degrading capabilities of this organism.
Pseudomonas putida is also important for maintaining plant health. It lives in most soils and associates with plant roots, where it often improves plant health. The body also produces molecules that sequester iron from the area around the plant. This deprives fungi and other bacteria of a necessary nutrient, limiting their growth. By doing so, it can carry out the biological control of some phytopathogens.
There are many avenues of research using Pseudomonas putida for genetic engineering. Recombinant bacteria are produced to degrade specific pollutants and to deliver biopesticides to plant roots. They are also used to express Pseudomonas aeruginosa genes that may be involved in causing disease in humans. Researchers prefer to conduct such experiments in Pseudomonas putida, as it is highly unlikely to cause disease in humans compared to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
