Proteeae

Proteeae is a tribe of Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the family Enterobacteriaceae. This tribe includes several medically and environmentally significant genera, most notably Proteus. Members of the Proteeae tribe are typically motile and possess the ability to hydrolyze urea, a characteristic that is often used for their identification.

The genus Proteus is well-known for its swarming motility, a pattern of spreading growth on solid media that can obscure bacterial colonies. This swarming behavior is influenced by environmental factors and is a distinctive feature of many Proteus species. Economically, Proteus mirabilis is a common cause of urinary tract infections, particularly in individuals with catheters or other urinary tract abnormalities. Other species within the Proteeae tribe also inhabit various environments, including soil and water, and some are associated with animal hosts.

The biochemical properties of Proteeae members are diverse, but shared characteristics often include the production of urease, motility, and the fermentation of certain carbohydrates. Their role in the environment can be both beneficial, such as in nutrient cycling through urea decomposition, and detrimental, particularly when they act as opportunistic pathogens. Research continues to explore the genetic and physiological mechanisms behind their unique traits and their interactions with hosts and ecosystems.