Thermophilic bacterium that produces thermostable enzymes of use in industry. Thermus thermophilus HB27

Thermus thermophilus strain HB27. This organism was originally isolated from a natural thermal environment in Japan. It is naturally competent for DNA uptake, and is a useful organism for biotechnological applications. A host of thermostable enzymes have been purified and crystallized from this organism, and many others may be of use in industrial applications. These include proteases, enzymes for the conversion of carbohydrates such as starch and xylose, phosphatases, catalases, DNA and RNA processing enzymes such as DNA polymerase and ribonucleases, as well as many others. The organism has a megaplasmid that encodes some functions in carotenoid synthesis, which are pigmented molecules that have effects on membrane fluidity. The chromosome encodes genes involved in type IV pilus biogenesis, which may have a role in DNA transformation.