We isolated three strains designated KOPRI 20234,
KOPRI 20246, and KOPRI 20255. They formed a clear
zone around the colonies on Zobell agar media containing
skim milk (Fig. 2). Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rDNA
indicated that strains KOPRI 20234, KOPRI 20246, and
KOPRI 20255 shared high similarities with Pseudoalteromonas elyakovii, Exiguobacterium oxidotolerum and
Pseudomonas jessenii, respectively (Fig. 3). Because they could grow over 25oC, they may be not psychrophilic but psychrotolerant species
Further studies are needed to elucidate specific activity
and optimal conditions for these Arctic bacterial proteases.
We expect these Arctic bacteria can be used for screening
new enzymes that are active at low temperatures.