Halorubrum lacusprofundi ATCC 49239

Halorubrum lacusprofundi (strain ATCC 49239 / DSM 5036 / JCM 8891 / ACAM 34) is a psychrophile isolated from Deep Lake, a hypersaline lake in Antarctica. H. lacusprofundi can grow between 0 and 42 degrees Celsius with optimal growth at 31 degrees Celsius. H. lacusprofundi differs from the already sequenced Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 in that it can grow on a variety of carbon sources including glucose, mannose, acetate, and ethanol, while NRC-1 has a more limited metabolic capacity and has not been shown to use sugars. The other sequenced halophile, Haloarcula marismortui, on the other hand has been shown to use a variety of sugars. H. lacusprofundi, as a psychrophile, provides a contrast to both sequenced halophiles, and comparison of the three will highlight adaptations to low temperature. These results can be compared with those of psychrophilic methanogens to determine whether they use similar mechanisms for cold adaptation. (HAMAP: HALLT)