Haloarcula Marismortui: Difference between revisions
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==Description and significance== | ==Description and significance== | ||
Haloarcula marismortui is a halophilic red Archaeon (from the Halobacteriaceae family) found in the Dead Sea, a high saline, low oxygen solubility, and high light intensity environment. Like other halophilic archaeal organisms, H. marismortui thrives in this extreme environment due to several adaptations in protein structure, metabolic strategies and physiologic responses. (2, 3) | |||
It is important to have its genome sequenced because of its unique ability to survive in such an extreme environment. The three fold extremities listed above are not expected characteristics of an environment in which a particular organism is able to survive. Therefore, it is important to understand what physiologic responses are unique to the organism that allows it to thrive in such an extreme environment. This will allow researchers to understand the systems level mechanisms that underlie environmental response systems. Analyzing its genome also provides support for the previously proposed characteristics of halophilic archaea, like acidic proteome, as well as the evolution of their genome architecture. A better understanding of gene regulatory networks that influence protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions may also provide a framework for biotechnological applications in the future. See Application section below for a more detailed description. (2, 3) | |||
It was isolated in the 1960s by Ginzburg et al. in the Dead Sea. It is very closely related to Haloarcula vallismortis, but differs in its cell morphology and ability to use different sugars and other compounds for function. (4) | |||
==Genome structure== | ==Genome structure== | ||
Revision as of 06:49, 5 June 2007
A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Haloarcula Marismortui
Classification
Higher order taxa
Cellular organisms; Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Halobacteria; Halobacteriales; Halobacteriaceae; Haloarcula
Species
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NCBI: Taxonomy |
Haloarcula marismortui
Description and significance
Haloarcula marismortui is a halophilic red Archaeon (from the Halobacteriaceae family) found in the Dead Sea, a high saline, low oxygen solubility, and high light intensity environment. Like other halophilic archaeal organisms, H. marismortui thrives in this extreme environment due to several adaptations in protein structure, metabolic strategies and physiologic responses. (2, 3)
It is important to have its genome sequenced because of its unique ability to survive in such an extreme environment. The three fold extremities listed above are not expected characteristics of an environment in which a particular organism is able to survive. Therefore, it is important to understand what physiologic responses are unique to the organism that allows it to thrive in such an extreme environment. This will allow researchers to understand the systems level mechanisms that underlie environmental response systems. Analyzing its genome also provides support for the previously proposed characteristics of halophilic archaea, like acidic proteome, as well as the evolution of their genome architecture. A better understanding of gene regulatory networks that influence protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions may also provide a framework for biotechnological applications in the future. See Application section below for a more detailed description. (2, 3)
It was isolated in the 1960s by Ginzburg et al. in the Dead Sea. It is very closely related to Haloarcula vallismortis, but differs in its cell morphology and ability to use different sugars and other compounds for function. (4)
Genome structure
Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence? Does it have any plasmids? Are they important to the organism's lifestyle?
Cell structure and metabolism
Describe any interesting features and/or cell structures; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.
Ecology
Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.
Pathology
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
References
Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano
