The Planctomycetes are a phylum of widely distributed bacteria, occurring in both aquaticand terrestrial habitats.[4] They play a considerable role in global carbon and nitrogen cycles, with many species of this phylum capable of anaerobic ammonium oxidation, also known as anammox.[4][5] Many planctomycetes occur in relatively high abundance as biofilms,[6] often associating with other organisms such as macroalgae and marine sponges.[7]
Planctomycetes are included in the PVC superphylum along with Verrucomicrobia, Chlamydiae, Lentisphaerae, Kiritimatiellaeota, and Candidatus Omnitrophica.[8][9] The phylum Planctomycete is composed of the classes Planctomycetia and Phycisphaerae. First described in 1924, members of the Planctomycetes were identified as eukaryotes and were only later described as bacteria in 1972.[4] Early examination of members of the Planctomycetes suggested a cell plan differing considerably from other bacteria, although they are now confirmed as Gram-negative bacteria, but with many unique characteristics.
Bacteria in the Planctomycetes are often small, spherical cells, but a large amount of morphological variation is seen.[10] Members of the Planctomycetes also display distinct reproductive habits, with many species dividing by budding, in contrast to all other free-living bacteria, which divide by binary fission.[4][11][12]
Interest is growing in the Planctomycetes regarding biotechnology and human applications, mainly as a source of bioactive molecules.[13] In addition, some Planctomycetes were recently described as human pathogens.[7]
The species Gemmata obscuriglobus has been identified specifically as comprising bacteria with unique characteristics among the Planctomycetes,[14][15] such as their ability to synthesize sterols.[4][16][14]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planctomycetes
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