| Haloplasma contractile | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | Haloplasmatales |
| Family: | Haloplasmataceae Rainey et al. 2008
|
| Genus: | Haloplasma Antunes et al. 2008
|
| Type species | |
| Haloplasma contractile Antunes et al. 2008
| |
| Species | |
| |
Haloplasma contractile is a halophilic, cell wall-less bacterium. It is the only known representative of a deep lineage, and is classified in its own family (Haloplasmataceae) and order (Haloplasmatales), in the class Mollicutes.[1] In terms of genetics, the bacterium Haloplasma contractile contains a dcw gene cluster is responsible for containing all the genes of the organism and promoting peptidoglycan synthesis. Also, MreB/Mbl are specific homologous parts of this bacterium that are vital in the contractility of the cell. Regarding its physical attributes, this organism consists of a spherical body with approximately two protrusions which alternate between straight and contracted forms.