Natronomonas Pharaonis

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Natronomonas Pharaonis

Classification

Higher order taxa

Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Halobacteria; Halobacteriales; Halobacteriaceae; Natronomonas

Edited by Sarah Kwan of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano

Species

Natronomonas Pharaonis

Edited by Sarah Kwan of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano

Description and significance

Strains of Natronomonas pharaonis were first isolated in Egypt and Kenya from highly saline soda lakes with a pH of 11. N. pharaonis is an aerobic, haloalkaliphilic archaeon that grows optimally in 3.5 M NaCl and at a pH of 8.5, but it is sensitive to high magnesium concentrations. Genome analysis shows adaptation strategies of alkaliphiles in regards to its respiratory chain, nitrogen metabolism, and its cell envelope.

Edited by Sarah Kwan of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano

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?

The genome of N. pharaonis consists of three circular replicons, one 2.6-Mb chromosome and two plasmids (PL131 - 131kb, PL23 - 23kb). Its chromosome is GC-rich (63.4% GC) with an integrated copy of PL23. N. pharaonis also contains a high amount of acidic amino acids (average 19.3%) in its cytoplasmic proteins. This results in low isoelectric points (average pI 4.6), which is an adaptive feature of haloarchaea in order to survive in its hypersaline environment.

Cell structure and metabolism

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Ecology

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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

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References

Falb, M., Pfeiffer, F., Palm, P., Rodewald, K., Hickmann, V., Tittor, J., and Oesterhelt, D. "Living with two extremes: Conclusions from the genome sequence of Natronomonas pharaonis." Genome Research. 2005. 15. p. 1336-1343. (http://www.genome.org/cgi/reprint/15/10/1336)

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano