Genomic adaptations of novel halotolerant bacteria from extreme North Greenland
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: ABSTRACT Peary Land, northern-most Greenland, is a cold desert region whose soil microbiome remains underexplored. This is the first study to explore the halotolerant soil microbiome of this region with culture-dependent methods. Forty-nine taxonomically diverse bacterial isolates were obtained from dry biological soil crust, surface soil and permafrost soil. Nine isolates were selected for whole genome sequencing; these genomes showed adaptations to their cold, saline native environment, such as cold shock proteins and a large number of osmoprotectant transporters. The genomes also contained several biosynthetic gene clusters, including a large variety of clusters involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Furthermore, most of the sequenced genomes showed low digital DNA-DNA hybridisation to their closest relatives, suggesting that they represent novel species. Overall, this study demonstrates the unexplored potential of High Arctic deserts as a source of novel halotolerant bacteria and their secondary metabolites.
Institution: University of Copenhagen
Language: English
Topic: Polar Research and Ecology
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4411311079