The Genome of a New Halorubrum distributum Strain ICIS4 Isolated from the Culture of a Microalga Dunaliella salina

The complete genome sequence of a new strain of the haloarchaeaon Halorubrum distributum ICIS4 was revealed and analyzed. The strain was isolated from a culture of a carotenogenic microalga Dunaliella salina maintained in laboratory conditions for a long period of time. The genome (3.32 Mb) contained 3236 protein-coding genes. Of the 2817 groups of homologous genes, 11 were unique to this strain. In the genome, the genes were revealed, which were responsible for utilization of glycerol and starch and for synthesis of vitamins, pigments, and siderophores. These genes may be involved in formation and maintenance of the association with microalgae. A region similar to the HRPV9 virus and another circular contig similar to a phage of the haloarchaeon Haloquadratum walsbyi were revealed in the genome assembly.