EctR—A novel transcriptional regulator of ectoine biosynthesis genes in the haloalcaliphilic methylotrophic bacterium Methylophaga alcalica

Halophilic and halotolerant aerobic bacteria utilizing methane (methanotrophs) or its oxidized and substituted derivatives (methylobacteria) as a source of carbon were isolated from (hyper)saline and alkaline water bodies. It was established that the obligate methanotroph Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20Z and methylobacteria Methylophaga thalassica and Methylophaga alcalica synthesize ectoine at the main osmoprotector when grown in the presence of increased NaCl concentrations.