Deinococcus murrayi is a species of bacterium belonging to the genus Deinococcus. It was first described in 1997 by Ferreira et al., with the type strain designated as ALT-1b (also deposited as DSM 11303, CCUG 50777, and CIP 105574).
Discovery and Etymology The species was isolated from hot springs in central Portugal, specifically at São Pedro do Sul, São Gemil, and Alcafache. It was named in honor of Dr. Robert G. E. Murray, in recognition of his foundational research on the genus Deinococcus.
Morphology and Physiology Deinococcus murrayi produces orange-pigmented colonies. It is a slightly thermophilic (heat-loving) organism, with an optimum growth temperature range of approximately 45 °C to 50 °C (113 °F to 122 °F).
Radiation Resistance Like other members of the genus Deinococcus, D. murrayi is extremely resistant to gamma radiation. This resistance is attributed to highly efficient DNA repair mechanisms and systems that limit oxidative protein damage, enabling the bacterium to survive massive DNA damage that would be lethal to most other organisms.
Taxonomy
- Domain: Bacteria
- Phylum: Deinococcota
- Class: Deinococci
- Order: Deinococcales
- Family: Deinococcaceae
- Genus: Deinococcus
- Species: Deinococcus murrayi
- Binomial name: Deinococcus murrayi Ferreira et al. 1997
References
- Ferreira, A. C.; Nobre, M. F.; Rainey, F. A.; Silva, M. T.; Wait, R.; Burghardt, J.; Chung, A. P.; Da Costa, M. S. (1997). "Deinococcus geothermalis sp. nov. and Deinococcus murrayi sp. nov., Two Extremely Radiation-Resistant and Slightly Thermophilic Species from Hot Springs". International Journal of Systematic Bacteriology. 47 (4): 939–947.
