Halobacterium NRC-1

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Archaea Phylum: Euryarchaeota Class: Halobacteria Order: Halobacteriales Family: Halobacteriaceae Genus: Halobacterium Species: Halobacterium sp. NRC-1
Binomial name
Halobacterium sp. NRC-1

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is a non-pathogenic, halophilic archaea that thrives all over the world in high salt environments, including salt production facilities, brine inclusions in salt crystals, natural lakes and ponds, and salt marshes. Prior to 1990 H. NRC-1 was classified as an archeabacterium under the prokaryote kingdom in the two-empire system which consisted of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Since 1990 the prokaryotes were split into bacteria and archaea due to their different evolutionary paths and biochemical differences. Like all archaea H. NRC-1 has no nucleus or organelles within the cell, and like other archaea, have evolved many metabolic pathways to allow it to survive in extreme environments.

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is motile using both flagella and gas vesicles, and respond to their environment by moving toward or away from chemicals in a process called chemotaxis. Additionally, they can move toward or away from light in a process called phototaxis by utilizing their sensory rhodopsins. Phototaxis is an advantageous ability for halobacteria because it enables them to swim away from the high levels of ultra violet and ionizing radiation that they are exposed to on a daily basis. Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 reproduce by binary fission and grow best in a 42 degree Celsius, aerobic, high salt environment.

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is very easy to culture in the lab and its genome has been completely mapped and sequenced. Whole-genome DNA microarrays are available to investigate gene expression. This makes it an excellent model microorganism for research in basic cellular processes, gene expression and as well as for teaching.

Genome structure

The genome of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 was published in 2000. Since that time scientists have done extensive research to gain insights into both its extremophilic abilities as well as its biological processes. In order to survive in its environment, H. NRC-1 has developed amazing capabilities to repair its own genome, one being a precise base excision repair system. Homologous recombination plays an important role in DNA repair as well. Its ability to repair its chromosomes after extensive damage is only exceeded by the extremely radiation resistant Deinococcus radioduransbacterium. In fact, H. NRC-1 was found to display a significant number of unique homologs with this bacterium, which suggests that they might have been acquired through lateral gene transfer. This microorganism also displays other types of defense mechanisms. In combination with its saline environment which provides some protection from UV radiation, the proteins that are produced by H. NRC-1 were found to be highly acidic. This low pH helps the proteins resist the denaturing effects of the high concentration of salts that surrounds it.

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 contains the smallest genome to date among the halophiles. It is 2,571,010 bp in size, and is composed of a large GC-rich chromosome (2,014,239 bp, 68 % G+C), and two smaller extrachromosomal replicons, pNRC100 (191,346 bp) and pNRC200 (365,425 bp), with 58–59 % G+C composition. The large chromosome contains 2,111 genes, pNRC200 contains 374, and pNRC100 contains 197. Of the 2,682 genes in the genome, only 1,658 coded for proteins that had significant matches to the genome database. A significantly smaller fraction of the genes on pNRC200 and pNRC100 matched to genes of known function in the databases. The genes on the large chromosome had a 45% match rate, while pNRC200 had a 32% match rate and pNRC100 had only 26% of its genome match up to genes of known function. 52 RNA genes have also been identified. Interestingly, about 40 genes that are located on the small replicons, pNRC100 and pNRC200, code for functions likely to be essential or important for cell livelihood (e.g. thioredoxin and thioredoxin reductase, a cytochrome oxidase, a DNA polymerase, multiple TATA-binding proteins (TBP) and transcription factor B (TFB) transcription factors, and the only arginyl-tRNA synthetase in the genome. In fact, these two replicons share 145,428 base pairs of identical DNA.

After the publication of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1’s complete genome, the mapping of another closely related microorganism, Halobacterium H. Salinarum, was published as well. Interestingly, genomic comparisons between these two halophiles showed that the large chromosomes were virtually identical to one another while the smaller replicons carried different genes. This information has cast new light on how the species differ from each other and the role of replicons in these organisms. While much of the published literature on Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 refers to the smaller genetic elements as replicons or megaplasmids, their characteristics don't really fit the definition of these terms. Replicons are considered to be exact copies of specific sequences of an original DNA or RNA genome, or even a whole copy of the original genome. Plasmids are referred to as being small extra chromosomal DNA elements that carry relatively few genes that code for genetic information that is not essential to an organism's biological processes. Considering that the genetic information carried on these replicons not only code for information that is essential to the organism's survival, but also contain nucleotide sequences that are not identical to that of its larger chromosome, scientists are beginning to refer to them as "minichromosomes" rather than megaplasmids or replicons.

Cell structure and metabolism

Halobacterium sp.NRC-1 is a rod shaped aerobic chemoorganotroph which uses organic molecules as its source of energy, carbon and electrons. This halophile possesses facultative anaerobic and phototrophic capabilities as well. Research has shown that it is unable to metabolize sugars, but instead rely on amino acids that are eventually catabolized by the citric acid cycle during aerobic respiration. It survives on the remains of less halophilic organisms that have lysed due to the overwhelming amounts of salt in the environment. Outside of their natural environment, cells are cultured best in a complex medium. A minimal medium described for Halobacterium includes all but 5 of the 20 amino acids for growth.

This microorganism has been studied extensively and has been shown to contain some of the usual features found in halophilic archaea, for example, an S-layer glycoprotein, ether-linked lipids, and purple membrane. This purple membrane consists of the light-driven ion transporters bacteriorhodopsin and halorhodopsin, and the phototaxis receptors, sensory rhodopsins I and II. In order to survive in low oxygen environments, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 increases its production of Bacteriorhodopsin, which is a unique protein that can use light as an energy source, much like chlorophyll can in cyanobacteria and phototrophic eukaryotes. When the retinal in Bacteriorhodopsin absorbs light, it results in a series of conformational changes that translocates protons through the cell's membrane into the periplasmic space. This light driven proton pumping generates an electrochemical proton gradient which is then used to power the synthesis of ATP. This phototrophic capability is particularly useful to Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 as oxygen is not very soluble in concentrated salt solutions. In addition to its ability to use light as an energy source, it is also capable of anaerobic respiration using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) as terminal electron acceptors. Arginine fermentation can also be used for anaerobic energy production as well.

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is also classified as an obligate halophilic microorganism which has adapted to be able to grow in conditions of extremely high salinity, up to 10 times that of seawater. In order to survive under these conditions it maintains a very high concentration of salts internally in the form of KCl to enable it to remain isotonic to its preferred environment. Halorhodopsin plays a very important role in helping to maintain the osmotic balance within the cell. This membrane protein acts as a light driven pump by transporting chloride and potassium ions into the cell. Halorhodopsin saves the organism a large amount of metabolic energy by using the energy of the yellow light that it captures to fuel the movement of these ions.

Ecology

-Image ISS007-E-13002 from the ISS of the Great Salt Lake showing purple tint due to halobacterium presence and increased bacteriorhodopsin production due to high salt concentration. Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center

Halobacterium NRC-1 is one of many strains of halobacterium which thrive in extremely high salinity environments such as salt lakes, salt marshes and salt drying ponds. Their optimal temperature for reproduction is 42°C. Often these highly saline bodies of water will be tinted red or purple. It is the red/purple color of the bacteriorhodopsins that give the purple color you often see in these highly saline environments. Bacteriorhodopsin consists of a photosensitive protein pigment called retinal. This protein pigment is responsible for NRC-1's colorful properties. The more saline the environment the more colorful the water will be because halobacterium increase their production of bacteriorhodopsin in response to drops in oxygen, which is less soluble in saline solutions.

There are not many other organisms that can survive in these high salt environments, in fact one of its primary sources of food is the amino acids of other organisms which have lysed due to the high salt concentration in this environment. Brine shrimp are one of a few other organisms that can survive the high salt concentration, and they feed almost exclusively on the halobacteria. In addition to rhodopsin, Halobacterium NRC-1 produce carotenoids, which are red organic pigments that can also serve as antioxidants. The flamingo, whose pink color comes exclusively from the carotenoids in its diet (it doesn't have the ability to produce these pigments naturally) feed on the brine shrimp (who are capable of producing these pigments). These same brine shrimp have fed on the carotenoid producing halobacteria. So interestingly enough, these small organisms, the brine shrimp and the halobacteria, are the ones responsible for the flamingos beautiful pink coloring.

Application to Biotechnology

Halobacterium NRC-1 can easily be analyzed just by placing it in a hypotonic solution. Due to the higher salt concentration within the microorganism in comparison to its less salinic environment, water will flow into the cell following its concentration gradient, causing the cell to swell and undergo lysis. This explosion releases this microorganism's proteins, which then can be used by researchers for genetic analysis. Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 was one of the first Archaea to have its genome fully mapped and published. Since that time several more archaea have been successfully mapped and a few others partially mapped. This allows scientists to analyze the properties of halobacterium in silico to determine the activity of genes. Transformation tools have also been developed to create loss-of-function mutants which aid in research. Mutant strains of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 are experimentally designed to carry inoperative knockout genes which alter this organism's normal cellular processes. Scientists can then infer the function of the mutated gene by comparing the physical and biochemical characteristics of the original Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 with the characteristics of the new mutant. These gene knockouts are making it possible to analyze this organism's ability to withstand extreme environmental conditions, including high levels of radiation, severe temperature changes, and fluctuations in oxygen levels. The ability of this organism to be easily cultured along with these advanced research tools make Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 an ideal model for the testing of gene functions.

In addition, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is an ideal study tool because it is an extremophile, it exists in environments that are very unfriendly toward life. This makes it very useful for studying many biological questions especially those involved with adaptation and survival in extreme environments. In fact, much research is being done to investigate whether or not halobacterium could be potential candidates for extraterrestrial life, such as on Mars or Europa. Recent research has shown that Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 can not only survive at temperatures far below its optimal growth temperature, but continue to reproduce as well.

Current Research

Protective effect of cations in extreme environments

The extremophillic properties and biological responses of Halobacteruim NRC-1 are currently being investigated to test the organism's survival potential in the harsh environmental conditions that exist on Mars. The recent discoveries that meterorites from Mars contain a mineral form of sodium chloride as well as the isolation of halophilic archaea from ancient rock salt has led scientists to believe that the existence of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 in a Martian environment is quite possible. Halobacterium are known to be slightly thermophilic organisms, showing optimum growth at 40 degrees Celsius. In this experiment, cells of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 were freeze dried and suspended in buffers containing specific cations, including Mg++,Ca++,or K+. Results showed that NRC-1 was still capable of slow, yet steady growth at the extremely low temperature of -15 degrees Celsius. All of the cations appeared to show protective qualities during the freeze-drying, with K+ being the most effective. The conditions of Martian environment include very low temperatures and low water availability. Scientists will continue to research NRC-1’s ability to survive in such inhospitable environments such as the one on Mars. Hopefully, these future findings will provide us some further insight in our search for life beyond our planet.

Radiation resistance

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is known to be extremely radiation resistant due to protection from its pigments, the saline environment it thrives in, and its ability to repair its DNA after extensive damage. In this study the scientists wanted to find out if they could produce a mutant strain that would be even more resistant to ionizing radiation, and determine what genes and mechanisms were responsible for providing the increased resistance. To do this, they exposed cultures of H. NRC-1 to four cycles of irradiation with high doses of 18-20 MeV (mega-electron volt) electrons from a standard medical LINAC (particle accelerator), allowing the cultures to recover between doses. At the end of this process they were able to isolate two mutant strains (named LH5 and LH7a) with an LD₅₀ (median lethal dose) of greater than 11 kGy (kilo-Grays) (standard measure of absorbed radiation dose) which makes them the most radiation resistant organism known, even more resistant than Deinococcus radiodurans (LD₅₀ 7.9 kGy). The wild-type H. NRC-1 was found to have an LD₅₀ of 5.4 kGy while the mutant strains were 11.9 kGy for LH5 and 12.1 kGy for LH7a. Unlike most other microbes like D. radiodurans which show the most radiation resistance during their stationary phase, H. NRC-1 is most resistant when in its growth phase. Tests verified that this was true for the mutants as well. They were also able to rule out a slowdown in growth rate, which is one of the methods employed by D. radiodurans, as the reason for the increased resistance. To do this, they compared the doubling rate of the mutant strains with that of the wild-type H. NRC-1 and found it to be the same. They then used whole-genome transcriptome analysis to compare the mutant strains with the wild type H. NRC-1 to determine what had given the mutant strains their increased radiation resistance. They found significant up-regulation of an operon containing two single-stranded DNA-binding protein (RPA-replication protein A) genes, VNG2160 (rfa3) and VNG2162, plus a third gene, VNG2163, which is unknown. While the authors tests did not identify the actual role this operon plays in providing the increased resistance to radiation, they propose that it does facilitate the DNA repair machinery and/or protects the repair intermediates to maximize radiation resistance.

Peptide delivery vehicle for biotechnology

Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 is also playing a significant role in the advancement of immunological biotechnology. Recent experimental findings show that recombinant gas vesicles from a mutant strain of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 have the potential to serve as antigen display/delivery systems. DNA segments of an SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus) gene were inserted into a specific site on a GvpC gene (gas vesicle protein C) in the Halobacterium. The gene was successfully taken up by the microorganism and recombination had been accomplished. Subsequently, the gas vesicles began to express the new recombinant/pathogenic proteins at their surface. Mice were then immunized with these antigen presenting SIV recombinant gas vesicles. Antibody production was monitored, and an increased level of humoral response was observed. After a 12 week period, a booster shot was given. 43 weeks after the booster shot was administered, an elevated number of antibodies still remained and was recorded. Research showed that this increased production of antibodies was long lived even in the absence of an adjuvant, and immunologic memory had been proven. These results indicate that the gas vesicles of Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 show great potential in their possible roles as immunizing agents.