Halorhabdus utahensis DSM 12940

Halorhabdus utahensis (strain DSM 12940 / JCM 11049 / AX-2) is a pleomorphic, aerobic, extremely halophilic archaeon, originally isolated from sediment of Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA. H.utahensis grows optimally at 27% (w/v) NaCl at temperatures between 17 and 55 degrees Celsius, with optimal growth occurring at 50 degrees Celsius. It is able to grow over a pH range of 5.5-8.5 at 30 degrees Celsius in presence of 27% NaCl, and its optimal pH is between 6.7 and 7.1. Only a few carbohydrates (such as glucose, xylose and fructose) supporte its growth. H.utahensis only uses a limited range of substrates for growth and is unique in its inability to utilize yeast extract or peptone for growth. The polar lipids present comprise the corresponding diether derivatives of phosphatidyl glycerol (PG), methylatedphosphatidyl glycerophosphate (MePGP), a triglycosyl glycolipid (TGD) and a sulfated triglycosyl glycolipid (S-TGD). This composition indicates that H.utahensis is a member of the family Halobacteriaceae, but is chemically distinctive from any other aerobic, halophilic species and constitutes a member of a novel taxon within this family. H.utahensis is susceptible to bacitracin and novobiocin but resistant to ampicillin, carbenicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, nalidixic acid, neomycin, penicillin, polymyxins, rifampicin, streptomycin and tetracycline. (Adaptated from PMID: 10826803). (HAMAP: HALUD)