Isolation and characterization of Thermus thermophilus Gy1211 from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent

We examined a single, non-spore-forming, aerobic, thermophilic strain that was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the Guaymas Basin at a depth of 2000 m and initially placed in a phenetic group with Thermus scotoductus (X-1). We identified this deep-sea isolate as a new strain belonging to Thermus thermophilus using several parameters. DNA–DNA hybridization under stringent conditions showed 74% similarity between the deep-sea isolate and T. thermophilus HB-8^T (T = type strain). Phenotypic characteristics, such as the utilization of carbon sources, hydrolysis of different compounds, and antibiotic sensitivity were identical in the two strains. The polar lipids composition showed that strain Gy1211 belonged to the genus Thermus. The fatty acids composition indicated that this strain was related to the marine T. thermophilus strain isolated from the Azores. The new isolate T. thermophilus strain Gy1211 grew optimally at 75°C, pH 8.0, and 2% NaCl. A hydrostatic pressure of 20 MPa, similar to the in situ hydrostatic pressure of the deep-sea vent from which the strain was isolated, had no effect on growth. Strain HB-8^T, however, showed slower growth under these conditions. Received: November 26, 1997 / Accepted: May 20, 1999