Abstract
Spiroplasma strain MQ-1T (T = type strain) from the hemolymph of the vespid wasp Monobia quadridens differed serologically from other spiroplasma species, groups, and subgroups. Cells of strain MQ-1T were helical and motile and possessed a single cytoplasmic membrane, with no evidence of a cell wall. The organism grew in conventional mycoplasma medium, in serum fraction, SM-1, MID, and SP-4 liquid media, and on SP-4 solid medium in either aerobic or anaerobic environments. The optimum temperature for growth was 32°C, but multiplication occurred over a wide temperature range (10 to 37°C). The doubling time at 32°C in MID medium was 1.9 h. Strain MQ-1T catabolized glucose but hydrolyzed neither arginine nor urea. Previous work showed that strain MQ-1T has a unique methylase, previously known only in eucaryotes. Also, strain MQ-1T induces production of tumor necrosis factor in bone marrow macrophages. The guanine-plus-cytosine content of the DNA was 28 ± 1 moI%. The genome size of strain MQ-1T was 940 kb (627 MDa); a similar strain, MQ-8, had a genome size of 985 kb (657 MDa). Strain MQ-1T and its allies have the smallest genomes known in the genus Spiroplasma. Strain MQ-1 (= ATCC 33825) is designated the type strain of a new species, Spiroplasma monobiae.
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