Genome[edit]
Whole genome sequences are available for two strains of H. salinarum, NRC-1[2] and R1.[16] The Halobacterium sp. NRC-1 genome consists of 2,571,010 base pairs on one large chromosome and two mini-chromosomes. The genome encodes 2,360 predicted proteins.[2] The large chromosome is very G-C rich (68%).[17] High GC-content of the genome increases stability in extreme environments. Whole proteome comparisons show the definite archaeal nature of this halophile with additional similarities to the Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis and other bacteria.