Bacillus nealsonii sp. nov., isolated from a spacecraft-assembly facility, whose spores are gamma-radiation resistant

Int J Syst Evol Microbiol. 2003 Jan;53(Pt 1):165-172. doi: 10.1099/ijs.0.02311-0.

Abstract

One of the spore-formers isolated from a spacecraft-assembly facility, belonging to the genus Bacillus, is described on the basis of phenotypic characterization, 16S rDNA sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization studies. It is a Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped eubacterium that produces endospores. The spores of this novel bacterial species exhibited resistance to UV, gamma-radiation, H2O2 and desiccation. The 18S rDNA sequence analysis revealed a clear affiliation between this strain and members of the low G+C Firmicutes. High 16S rDNA sequence similarity values were found with members of the genus Bacillus and this was supported by fatty acid profiles. The 16S rDNA sequence similarity between strain FO-92T and Bacillus benzoevorans DSM 5391T was very high. However, molecular characterizations employing small-subunit 16S rDNA sequences were at the limits of resolution for the differentiation of species in this genus, but DNA-DNA hybridization data support the proposal of FO-92T as Bacillus nealsonii sp. nov. (type strain is FO-92T =ATCC BAAM-519T =DSM 15077T).

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus / genetics
  • Bacillus / isolation & purification*
  • Bacillus / radiation effects*
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Disinfection
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Gamma Rays
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phenotype
  • Phylogeny
  • RNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
  • Radiation Tolerance
  • Spacecraft
  • Spores, Bacterial / genetics
  • Spores, Bacterial / radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • United States
  • United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • Fatty Acids
  • RNA, Bacterial
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF234863