Genomic studies on nitrogen metabolism in Halomonas boliviensis: Metabolic pathway, biochemistry and evolution

- Putative enzymes obtained from the genome of H. boliviensis should permit a complete glutamate metabolism. A similar metabolism should be followed by other halomonads.
- Some phenotypic differences between halomonads, such as the ability to assimilate ammonia, might be a consequence of horizontal gene transfer.
- Each enzyme that forms part of the glutamate metabolism in prokaryotes evolved following a different pattern and some genes that express the enzymes were transferred among microorganisms.
- Yet, most enzymes of halomonads diverged in phylogenetic clusters composed of Proteobacteria, as might be expected.
- Glutamate synthase α-subunits of halomonads evolved very differently from enzymes of other prokaryotes, and may be included a novel group of enzymes.