Review
Post-genomics of the model haloarchaeon Halobacterium sp. NRC-1
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* Corresponding author: Shiladitya DasSarma dassarma@umbi.umd.edu
1 University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Center of Marine Biotechnology, 701 E. Pratt Street, Suite 236, Baltimore, MD 21202, USA
2 Department of Biology, Morgan State University, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
Saline Systems 2006, 2:3 doi:10.1186/1746-1448-2-3
Published: 16 March 2006Abstract
Halobacteriumsp. NRC-1 is an extremely halophilic archaeon that is easily cultured and genetically tractable. Since its genome sequence was completed in 2000, a combination of genetic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic approaches have provided insights into both its extremophilic lifestyle as well as fundamental cellular processes common to all life forms. Here, we review post-genomic research on this archaeon, including investigations of DNA replication and repair systems, phototrophic, anaerobic, and other physiological capabilities, acidity of the proteome for function at high salinity, and role of lateral gene transfer in its evolution.