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Genomic perspective on the photobiology of Halobacterium species NRC-1, a phototrophic, phototactic, and UV-tolerant haloarchaeon

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Abstract

Halobacterium species display a variety of responses to light, including phototrophic growth, phototactic behavior, and photoprotective mechanisms. The complete genome sequence of Halobacterium species NRC-1 (Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97: 12176–12181, 2000), coupled with the availability of a battery of methods for its analysis makes this an ideal model system for studying photobiology among the archaea. Here, we review: (1) the structure of the 2.57 Mbp Halobacterium NRC-1 genome, including a large chromosome, two minichromosomes, and 91 transposable IS elements; (2) the purple membrane regulon, which programs the accumulation of large quantities of the light-driven proton pump, bacteriorhodopsin, and allows for a period of phototrophic growth; (3) components of the sophisticated pathways for color-sensitive phototaxis; (4) the gas vesicle gene cluster, which codes for cell buoyancy organelles; (5) pathways for the production of carotenoid pigments and retinal, (6) processes for the repair of DNA damage; and (7) putative homologs of circadian rhythm regulators. We conclude with a discussion of the power of systems biology for comprehensive understanding of Halobacterium NRC-1 photobiology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Marine Biotechnology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA

    Shiladitya DasSarma, Sean P. Kennedy & Brian Berquist

  2. Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA

    Wailap Victor Ng, Nitin S. Baliga & Leroy Hood

  3. Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Medical School, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    John L. Spudich

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, IL, 61790, USA

    Mark P. Krebs

  5. The Institute of Genomic Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA

    Jonathan A. Eisen

  6. Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37235, USA

    Carl H. Johnson

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  1. Shiladitya DasSarma
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  2. Sean P. Kennedy
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  3. Brian Berquist
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  4. Wailap Victor Ng
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  5. Nitin S. Baliga
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  6. John L. Spudich
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  10. Leroy Hood
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Correspondence to Shiladitya DasSarma.

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DasSarma, S., Kennedy, S.P., Berquist, B. et al. Genomic perspective on the photobiology of Halobacterium species NRC-1, a phototrophic, phototactic, and UV-tolerant haloarchaeon. Photosynthesis Research 70, 3–17 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013879706863

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