The genomes of three extremely halophilic archaea (Halobacterium salinarum, Natronomonas pharaonis, Haloquadratum walsbyi) were sequenced in the department of "membrane biochemistry" and assembled by the bioinformatics group. In addition, the genomes of several moderately halophilic bacteria were sequenced. We managed to achieve a highly reliable gene prediction despite considerable difficulties caused by the high GC content. The integration of genome-wide proteomic data proved to be of key importance. High reliability was also a particular goal of protein function annotation as these data are the basis for elaborate systems biological analyses, e.g. the modelling and simulation of the complete metabolism of Halobacterium. HaloLex (www.halolex.mpg.de) was developed by our group for data management and web-based access. It allows to store genome-based data for any microorganism. HaloLex is the workhorse for the curation of the genomes sequenced by us. It supports genome analyses as well as integration of other -omics data (e.g. proteomics). Currently, we work on a major extension of HaloLex and its interconnection with MIGenAS (Max-Planck Integrated Gene Analysis System). Several subprojects were launched as a result of the close cooperation with the proteomics group. N-terminal protein maturation in archaea was revealed when we systematically searched for proteomically identified N-terminal peptides. Statistical peculiarities were the start point for analysis of the small proteome (<25 kDa). During this project, brz was detected, a small zinc finger protein which contributes significantly to regulation of the bacteriorhodopsin gene. It is a prototype for similar gene regulators which are especially frequent in archaea.
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