Pre_GI: SWBIT SVG BLASTN

Query: NC_001263:2236777 Deinococcus radiodurans R1 chromosome 1, complete sequence

Lineage: Deinococcus radiodurans; Deinococcus; Deinococcaceae; Deinococcales; Deinococcus-Thermus; Bacteria

General Information: This red-pigmented organism's name means "strange berry that withstands radiation", marking the fact that this organism is one of the most radiation-resistant known. It can tolerate radiation levels at 1000 times the levels that would kill a human and it was originally isolated in 1956 from a can of meat that had been irradiated with X-rays. The resistance to radiation may reflect its resistance to dessication, which also causes DNA damage. This organism may be of use in cleaning up toxic metals found at nuclear weapons production sites due to the radiation resistance. This bacterium is also a highly efficient transformer, and can readily take up exogenous DNA from the environment, which may also aid DNA repair. This organism carries multiple copies of many DNA repair genes, suggesting a robust system for dealing with DNA damage. The recombination system may rely on multiple copies of various repeat elements found throughout the genome.

Subject: NC_008789:350650 Halorhodospira halophila SL1, complete genome

Lineage: Halorhodospira halophila; Halorhodospira; Ectothiorhodospiraceae; Chromatiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria

General Information: Halorhodospira halophila SL1 was isolated from salt lake mud. Sulfur-oxidizing extreme halophile. This organism, formerly Ectothiorhodospira halophila is alkaliphilic, phototrophic, halophile. This is one of the most halophilic eubacteria known, and produces organic solutes such as glycine betaine, ectoine, and trehalose to balance the osmotic pressure. This organism oxidizes sulfide to sulfur, which is deposited outside the cell and further oxidized to sulfate. This organism also produces a blue light sensor called photoactive yellow protein which is involved in signal transduction.