title: Characterization and antimicrobial potential of extremely halophilic archaea isolated from hypersaline environments of the Algerian Sahara.
abstract: Halophilic archaea were isolated from different chotts and sebkha, dry salt lakes and salt flat respectively, of the Algerian Sahara and characterized using phenotypic and phylogenetic approaches. From 102 extremely halophilic strains isolated, forty three were selected and studied. These strains were also screened for their antagonistic potential and the production of hydrolytic enzymes. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes and phylogenetic analysis allowed the identification of 10 archaeal genera within the class Halobacteria: Natrinema (13 strains), Natrialba (12 strains), Haloarcula (4 strains), Halopiger (4 strains), Haloterrigena (3 strains), Halorubrum (2 strains), Halostagnicola (2 strains), Natronococcus, Halogeometricum and Haloferax (1 strain each). The most common producers of antimicrobial compounds belong to the genus Natrinema while the most hydrolytic isolates, with combined production of several enzymes, belong to the genus Natrialba. The strain affiliated to Halopiger djelfamassilliensis was found to produce some substances of interest (halocins, anti-Candida, enzymes). After partial purification and characterization of one of the strains Natrinema gari QI1, we found similarities between the antimicrobial compound and the halocin C8. Therefore, the gene encoding halocin C8 was amplified and sequenced.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (Team Microbiology), University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Bp 32, El Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria; Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; CNRS, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; Ifremer, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Technopôle Brest-Iroise, BP70, 29 280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Inès
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Quadri
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (Team Microbiology), University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Bp 32, El Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria.
authors.forename: Imene Ikrame
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Hassani
authors.affiliation: Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; CNRS, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; Ifremer, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Technopôle Brest-Iroise, BP70, 29 280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: l'Haridon
authors.affiliation: Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; CNRS, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; Ifremer, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Technopôle Brest-Iroise, BP70, 29 280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Morgane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chalopin
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (Team Microbiology), University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene, Bp 32, El Alia, 16111 Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, Algeria. Electronic address: h_hacene@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Hocine
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hacène
authors.affiliation: Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; CNRS, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer (IUEM), rue Dumont d'Urville, 29 280 Plouzané, France; Ifremer, UMR 6197-Laboratoire de Microbiologie des Environnements Extrêmes (LM2E), Technopôle Brest-Iroise, BP70, 29 280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jebbar
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D000462:Algeria; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015373:Bacterial Typing Techniques; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D019641:DNA, Archaeal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D019641:DNA, Archaeal; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D004798:Enzymes; D010455:Peptides; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
keywords: Algerian sahara; Antimicrobial activities; Halocin; Halophilic archaea