Functional characterization of xanthorhodopsin in Salinivibrio socompensis, a novel halophile isolated from modern stromatolites.

A putative xanthorhodopsin-encoding gene, XR34, was found in the genome of the moderately halophilic gammaproteobacterium Salinivibrio socompensis S34, isolated from modern stromatolites found on the shore of Laguna Socompa (3570 m), Argentina Puna. XR-encoding genes were clustered together with genes encoding X-carotene, retinal (vitamin-A aldehyde), and carotenoid biosynthesis enzymes while the carotene ketolase gene critical for the salinixanthin antenna compound was absent. To identify its functional behavior, we herein overexpressed and characterized this intriguing microbial rhodopsin.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Linear Plasmid pJD12 Hosted by Micrococcus sp. D12, Isolated from a High-Altitude Volcanic Lake in Argentina.

The linear plasmid pDJ12 from Micrococcus D12, isolated from the high-altitude volcanic Diamante Lake in the northwest of Argentina, was completely sequenced and annotated. It is noteworthy that the element is probably conjugative and harbors genes potentially instrumental in coping with stress conditions that prevail in such an extreme environment.

Genomic and proteomic evidences unravel the UV-resistome of the poly-extremophile Acinetobacter sp. Ver3.

Ultraviolet radiation can damage biomolecules, with detrimental or even lethal effects for life. Even though lower wavelengths are filtered by the ozone layer, a significant amount of harmful UV-B and UV-A radiation reach Earth's surface, particularly in high altitude environments. high-altitude Andean lakes (HAALs) are a group of disperse shallow lakes and salterns, located at the Dry Central Andes region in South America at altitudes above 3,000 m.

The administration of atomoxetine during alcohol deprivation induces a time-limited increase in alcohol consumption after relapse.

The administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) typically used as antidepressants increases alcohol consumption after an alcohol deprivation period in rats. However, the appearance of this effect after the treatment with selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) has not been studied. In the present work we examined the effects of a 15-d treatment with the SNRI atomoxetine (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg, i.