Staphylothermus hellenicus DSM 12710

Staphylothermus hellenicus is a hyperthermophilic heterotroph that requires sulfur for growth. It was isolated from a hydrothermal vent off Palaeochori Bay, Milos, Greece in 1996 at a depth of 9.4 m. It grows as non-flagellated regular cocci, 0.8 to 1.3 um in diameter, often forming large aggregates of up to 50 cells. Growth is optimal at 85 degrees C, pH 6 and prefers 4% NaCl. It is an obligate anaerobe. Staphylothermus hellenicus is closely related to Staphylothermus marinus, for which the genome sequence has been determined. There are several unique features in the S. marinus genome, including a sodium ion-translocating decarboxylase and three large membrane protein complexes related to the mbh and mbx genes of Pyrococcus furiosus. One or more of these membrane complexes is likely to be involved in sulfur reduction. It will be interesting to compare the two Staphylothermus genomes. As a hyperthermophile, S. hellenicus could serve as a source of heat-stable enzymes for biotechnology. (HAMAP: STAHD)