Deinococcus superficialis sp. nov., isolated from frequently touched surfaces in an office environment

Two non-motile, spherical bacterial strains, designated VB343^T and VB345, were isolated from frequently touched surfaces in office spaces. Optimal growth occurred at 37 °C, pH 6.5 and in the presence of 0-1% NaCl. The strains were capable of growth on synthetic sebum lipids at 10 mg ml^-1. Menaquinone 8 was identified as the predominant respiratory quinone. The major cellular fatty acids (≥ 10%) of both strains were summed feature 3 (C_16 : 1 ω7c and/or C_16 : 1 ω6c) and C_16 : 0. The dominant polar lipids included several unidentified phosphoglycolipids and glycolipids. The two strains were resistant to gamma/UV radiation, desiccation and oxidative stress. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rRNA gene, whole-genome sequences and orthologous groups placed strains VB343^T and VB345 in a new lineage within the genus Deinococcus. Average nucleotide identities between VB343^T and its closest phylogenetic representatives ranged from 85.75 to 78.31%. Correspondingly, the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values ranged from 21.7 to 29.3%. While many genes involved in DNA repair and oxidative stress resistance of Deinococcus were conserved, distinct genome features and unique genes were also identified. On the basis of these data, a novel species, Deinococcus superficialis sp. nov. (type strain VB343^T=MCCC 1K09464^T=KCTC 43738^T) is proposed.