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.