Query: NC_007426:205390 Natronomonas pharaonis DSM 2160, complete genome
Lineage: Natronomonas pharaonis; Natronomonas; Halobacteriaceae; Halobacteriales; Euryarchaeota; Archaea
General Information: Isolated from Lake Gabara in Egypt. Extreme haloalkaliphilic archeon. Natronomonas pharaonis is able to survive at high salt and pH conditions which results in limited nitrogen availability through ammonium. In order to compensate for this, Natronomonas pharaonis has developed three systems to promote nitrogen assimilation: direct uptake of ammonia, uptake of nitrate, and uptake of urea. Another problem with high pH environments is the use of a proton gradient for the generation of ATP, which other alkaliphiles have adapted to by substitution of sodium ions for protons. However, this organism utilizes protons for ATP generation as determined by experimental data.
Subject: NC_012808:806432 Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, complete genome
Lineage: Methylobacterium extorquens; Methylobacterium; Methylobacteriaceae; Rhizobiales; Proteobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: First isolated in 1960 in Oxford, England, as an airborne contaminant growing on methylamine. This strain can grow on methylamine or methanol, but not methane. This organism is capable of growth on one-carbon compounds such as methanol. Methanol is oxidized to formaldehyde which is then used metabolically to generate either energy or biomass. These bacteria are commonly found in the environment, especially associated with plants which produce methanol when metabolizing pectin during cell wall synthesis. At least 25 genes are required for this complex process of converting methanol to formaldehyde and this specialized metabolic pathway is of great interest.