Desulfovibrionales

Desulfovibrionales is an order of sulfate-reducing bacteria, which are microorganisms that obtain energy by oxidizing organic compounds or molecular hydrogen while reducing sulfate to hydrogen sulfide. They are part of the Deltaproteobacteria class, which is a type of proteobacteria.

Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Members of the Desulfovibrionales order are typically anaerobic, meaning they thrive in environments that lack oxygen. They are also chemoorganotrophs, which means they obtain energy by oxidizing organic compounds. The most distinctive characteristic of these bacteria is their ability to reduce sulfate to hydrogen sulfide, a process known as sulfate reduction.

Ecology[edit | edit source]

Desulfovibrionales bacteria play a crucial role in the sulfur cycle, a biogeochemical cycle that involves the transformation of sulfur and its compounds in nature. They are found in a variety of environments, including marine and freshwater sediments, soils, and the intestinal tracts of humans and animals.

Medical relevance[edit | edit source]

Some species of Desulfovibrionales, such as Desulfovibrio piger, are part of the normal microbiota of the human gut. However, they can also be associated with certain diseases. For example, Desulfovibrio piger has been linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of inflammatory conditions of the colon and small intestine.

Genomics[edit | edit source]

The genomes of several Desulfovibrionales species have been sequenced, providing valuable insights into their metabolic capabilities and ecological roles. For example, the genome of Desulfovibrio vulgaris has been sequenced and analyzed, revealing the presence of numerous genes involved in sulfate reduction and the oxidation of organic compounds.