Characterizing the Purpose of the Response Regulator Gene, AdeR, in Haloarchaea
Author: Nima Pendar
Faculty Supervisor: José R. de la Torre
Department: Biology
Archaea are a domain of life which share similarities to both bacteria and eukaryotes. A notable difference is that archaea lack a peptidoglycan layer. This difference makes archaea fully resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics which target peptidoglycan synthesis. Subsequently, archaea do not have beta-lactamases, however, four species of haloarchaea, Halobacterium salinarum, Halorubrum alkaliphilum, Natronorubrum sediminis, Natronoarchaeum philippinense, do contain the gene, adeR which acts as a response regulator for an efflux gene, adeABC, found in bacteria. This purpose of this gene in archaea remains unknown and is currently under investigation. By elucidating the function of adeR in haloarchaea it may shed light on how haloarchaea may employ the gene for survival.