Halorhodospira halophila

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Halorhodospira halophila

Classification

Higher order taxa

Superkingdom: Bacteria;

Phylum: Proteobacteria;

Class: Gammaproteobacteria;

Order: Chromatiales;

Family: Ectothiorhodospiraceae;

Genus: Halorhodospira;

Species: Halorhodospira halophila

NCBI

Species

Halorhodospira halophila

NCBI: Taxonomy

Strains

Halorhodospira halophila DSM 244/S1

Halorhodospira halophila BN9624

Halorhodospira halophila BN9630

Description and significance

(a)Halorhodospira neutriphila species similar to Halorhodospira halophila, with negative staining to show polar flagella. Bar, 1µm. (b) Ultrathin section of Halorhodospira neutriphila showing intracellular stacks of lamellar membranes and envelopes of the Gram-negative type. Bar, 0·5 µm. Photos from the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Halorhodospira halophila (formerly Ectothiorhodospira halophila) is an extremely halophilic purple bacterium that was formally a member of the Ectothiorhodospira genus until recently reclassified. Phylogenetically, Halorhodospira halohila is associated within the gamma subdivision of the phylum Proteobacteria and is known to be phototrophic and Gram-negative. It is considered to be “one of the most halophilic eubacteria known.” [2] Its halophilic nature allows for it to be present in conditions that often have been thought to be too harsh for bacteria, and it is found proliferating in saturated salts such as crystallizer ponds (a hypersaline environment where sodium chloride precipitates). [3]

This halophilic organism was first isolated from a salt lake mud [5] has several functions: production of organic solutes glycine, betaine, ectoine, and trehalose to help balance osmotic pressure, as well as the oxidization of sulfide to sulfur (which later would be further oxidized into sulfate). [2]

One important aspect is the production of the bacterial photoreceptor PYP (photoactive yellow protein) within Halorhodospira halophila. PYP is a blue-light sensor found in Halorhodospira halophila that has great significance towards protein research. Photoactive proteins are generally accepted as "model systems for studying protein signal state formation." [4]

Halorhodospira halophila has one major strain (DSM244/SL1) whose genome has been sequenced. But two other strains are recognized: BN9624 and BN9630. [1]

Genome structure

The gene sequence of Halorhodospira halophila S1, the only listed organism of the species has been fully determined. Genome sequencing of Halorhodospira halophila S1 was completed in January 2007 by the Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. The genome is 2,678,452 nucleotides long (1,339,226 base pairs) and is made up of circular DNA. There are 2493 genes, 2407 which are protein coding, as well as 55 structural RNAs. There is no current information on plasmids related to this species.

Cell structure and metabolism

Halorhodospira halophila is known as a "purple sulfur bacterium", whose structure consists of two membranes as well as the presence of flagella. One important part of Halorhodospira halophila and subject to recent research has been the Photoactive Yellow Protein (PYP), a 14kDa cytoplasmic photoreceptor protein. It generates hydrogen gas during photoautotrophic growth as a byproduct of a nitrogenase reaction.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

At this time, Halorhodospira halophila causes no known diseases.

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

Enter summaries of the most recent research here--at least three required

Some of the recent research on Halorhodospira halophila includes focusing on it's photobiological ability to produce hydrogen gas and the potential applications of this.

Cloning and Characterization of nif Structural and Regulatory Genes in the Purple Sulfur Bacterium, Halorhodospira halophila

Recent studies of the sequences of the 16sRNA gene have been able to provide details and data into the Ectothiorhodospira genus and the different species within, helping to distinguish Halorhodospira and reassigning it as a separate genus category due to it's extremely halophilic nature.

The phylogenetic relationship among Ectothiorhodospiraceae: a reevaluation of their taxonomy on the basis of 16S rDNA analyses

References

1. Hirschler-Rea, Anges, et al. "Isolation and characterization of spirilloid purple phototrophic bacteria forming red layers in microbial mats of Mediterranean salterns: description of Halorhodospira neutriphila sp. nov. and emendation of the genus Halorhodospira". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutional Microbiology. International Union of Microbiological Sciences. 2003. June 2007.

2. "HAMAP: Halorhodospira halophila (strain DSM 244 / SL1) (Ectothiorhodospira halophila (strain DSM 244 / SL1)) complete proteome". ExPASy Proteomics Server. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. 2007. June 2007.

3. Anton, Josefa et al. "'Extremely Halophilic Bacteria in Crystallizer Ponds from Solar Salterns". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. American Society for Microbiology. July 2000. June 2007.

4. Van Wilderen, L.J. et al. "Ultrafast infrared spectroscopy reveals a key step for successful entry into the photocycle for photoactive yellow protein". PNAS.com. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2 October 2006. June 2007.

5. "DSM 244 - Halorhodospira halophila" DSMZ.com. German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures. 2004. June 2007.

Edited by student Kent Lee of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano