Genomic adaptations of novel halotolerant bacteria from extreme North Greenland

作者：Miguel Ángel Salinas-García, Anders Priemé · 发表于：FEMS Microbiology Ecology · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1093/femsec/fiag073 · 研究领域：Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology、Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology、Polar Research and Ecology

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 soil biocrust, 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 putatively involved in the production of antimicrobial compounds. Furthermore, most of the sequenced genomes showed low digital DNA-DNA hybridization 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.