Halococcus
| Halococcus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | Halococcus
|
| Species | |
Halococcus is a genus of the Halobacteriaceae.
Description and significance
Halococcus is a genus of extreme halophilic archaea, meaning that they require high salt levels, sometimes as high as 32% NaCl, for optimal growth. Halophiles are found mainly in inland bodies of water with high salinity, where their pigments (from a protein called rhodopsinprotein) tint the sediment bright colors. Rhodopsinprotein and other proteins serve to protect Halococcus from the extreme salinities of their environments. Because they can function under such high-salt conditions, Halococcus and similar halophilic organisms have been used economically in the food industry and even in skin-care product production.
Genome structure
A Halococcus' genome has not been sequenced yet, although studies of its 16s rDNA have demonstrated its placement on the phylogenetic tree. Due to the organisms' potential longevity, Halococcus may be a good candidate for exploring taxonomic similarities to life found in outer space.
Cell structure and metabolism
Halococcus species are able to survive in high-saline habitats by preventing the dehydration of their cytoplasm. To do this, they use a solute which is either found in their cell structure or is drawn from the external environment. Special chlorine pumps (see diagram) allow the organisms to retain chloride to maintain osmotic balance with the salinity of their habitat. The cells are cocci, 0.6–1.5 μm long with sulfated polysaccharide walls. The cells are organtrophic, using amino acids, organic acids, or carbohydrates for energy. In some cases, they are also able to photosynthesize.
Ecology
Halococcus species are found in environments with high salt levels, mainly inland bodies of salt water, but some may be located in highly salted soil or foods. The pigmented proteins in some species cause the reddish tint found in some areas of the Dead Sea and the Great Salt Lake, especially at the end of the growing season. When under cultivation, the organisms grow best under high-salinity conditions.[1]
References
- ^ See the NCBI webpage on Halococcus. Data extracted from the "NCBI taxonomy resources". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
Further reading
- Oren A, Ventosa A (2000). "International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Halobacteriaceae. Minutes of the meetings, 16 August 1999, Sydney, Australia". Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 50: 1405–1407. PMID 10843089.
- Schoop, G (1935). "Halococcus litoralis, ein obligat halophiler Farbstofflbildner". Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 43: 817–820.
- Gibbons, NE (1974). "Family V. Halobacteriaceae fam. nov.". In RE Buchanan and NE Gibbons, eds. (ed.). Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology (8th ed.). Baltimore: The Williams & Wilkins Co. ISBN 0-683-01117-0.
{{cite book}}:|editor=has generic name (help)
External links
 | This archaea-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |