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A new phylum of Archaea represented by a nanosized hyperthermophilic symbiont

Author

Listed:
  • Harald Huber

    (Universität Regensburg)

  • Michael J. Hohn

    (Universität Regensburg)

  • Reinhard Rachel

    (Universität Regensburg)

  • Tanja Fuchs

    (Universität Regensburg
    AstraZeneca GmbH)

  • Verena C. Wimmer

    (Max Planck Institute for Medical Research)

  • Karl O. Stetter

    (Universität Regensburg)

Abstract

According to small subunit ribosomal RNA (ss rRNA) sequence comparisons all known Archaea belong to the phyla Crenarchaeota, Euryarchaeota, and—indicated only by environmental DNA sequences—to the ‘Korarchaeota’1,2. Here we report the cultivation of a new nanosized hyperthermophilic archaeon from a submarine hot vent. This archaeon cannot be attached to one of these groups and therefore must represent an unknown phylum which we name ‘Nanoarchaeota’ and species, which we name ‘Nanoarchaeum equitans’. Cells of ‘N. equitans’ are spherical, and only about 400 nm in diameter. They grow attached to the surface of a specific archaeal host, a new member of the genus Ignicoccus3. The distribution of the ‘Nanoarchaeota’ is so far unknown. Owing to their unusual ss rRNA sequence, members remained undetectable by commonly used ecological studies based on the polymerase chain reaction4. ‘N. equitans’ harbours the smallest archaeal genome; it is only 0.5 megabases in size. This organism will provide insight into the evolution of thermophily, of tiny genomes and of interspecies communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Huber & Michael J. Hohn & Reinhard Rachel & Tanja Fuchs & Verena C. Wimmer & Karl O. Stetter, 2002. "A new phylum of Archaea represented by a nanosized hyperthermophilic symbiont," Nature, Nature, vol. 417(6884), pages 63-67, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:417:y:2002:i:6884:d:10.1038_417063a
    DOI: 10.1038/417063a
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    Cited by:

    1. Susanne Krause & Sabrina Gfrerer & Andriko Kügelgen & Carsten Reuse & Nina Dombrowski & Laura Villanueva & Boyke Bunk & Cathrin Spröer & Thomas R. Neu & Ute Kuhlicke & Kerstin Schmidt-Hohagen & Karste, 2022. "The importance of biofilm formation for cultivation of a Micrarchaeon and its interactions with its Thermoplasmatales host," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, December.

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