Stability and proton-permeability of liposomes composed of archaeal tetraether lipids

Structure and phase behavior of archaeal lipid monolayers

We report X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD) measurements of archaeal bipolar tetraether lipid monolayers at the air-water interface. Specifically, Langmuir films made of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) isolated from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius grown at three different temperatures, i.e., 68, 76, and 81 °C, were examined. The dependence of the structure and packing properties of PLFE monolayers on surface pressure were analyzed in a temperature range between 10 and 50 °C at different pH values. Additionally, the interaction of PLFE monolayers (using lipids derived from cells grown at 76 °C) with the ion channel peptide gramicidin was investigated as a function of surface pressure. A total monolayer thickness of approximately 30 Å was found for all monolayers, hinting at a U-shaped conformation of the molecules with both head groups in contact with the interface. The monolayer thickness increased with rising film pressure and decreased with increasing temperature. At 10 and 20 °C, large, highly crystalline domains were observed by GIXD, whereas at higher temperatures no distinct crystallinity could be observed. For lipids derived from cells grown at higher temperatures, a slightly more rigid structure in the lipid dibiphytanyl chains was observed. A change in the pH of the subphase had an influence only on the structure of the lipid head groups. The addition of gramicidin to an PLFE monolayer led to a more disordered state as observed by XRR. In GIXD measurements, no major changes in lateral organization could be observed, except for a decrease of the size of crystalline domains, indicating that gramicidin resides mainly in the disordered areas of the monolayer and causes local membrane perturbation, only.

Stability of heterochiral hybrid membrane made of bacterial sn-G3P lipids and archaeal sn-G1P lipids

The structure of membrane lipids in Archaea is different from those of Bacteria and Eucarya in many ways including the chirality of the glycerol backbone. Until now, heterochiral membranes were believed to be unstable; thus, no cellular organism could have existed before the separation of the groups of life. In this study, we tested the formation of heterochiral hybrid membrane made of Bacterial sn-glycerol-3-phosphate-type polar lipid and Archaeal sn-glycerol-1-phosphate-type polar lipid using the fluorescence probe. The stability of the hybrid liposomes made of phosphatidylethanolamines or phosphatidylcholines or polar lipids of thermophilic Bacteria and polar lipids of Archaea were investigated. The hybrid liposomes are all stable compared with homochiral liposome made of dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. However, the stability was drastically changed with increasing carbon chain length. Accordingly, "chirality" may not be but chain length is important. From these results, we suggest that the heterochiral hybrid membrane could be used as the membrane lipid for the last universal common ancestor (Commonote) before the emergence of Archaea and Bacteria.

Compressibilities and volume fluctuations of archaeal tetraether liposomes

Bipolar tetraether lipids (BTLs) are abundant in crenarchaeota, which thrive in both thermophilic and nonthermophilic environments, with wide-ranging growth temperatures (4-108°C). BTL liposomes can serve as membrane models to explore the role of BTLs in the thermal stability of the plasma membrane of crenarchaeota. In this study, we focus on the liposomes made of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE). PLFE is one of the main BTLs isolated from the thermoacidophilic crenarchaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Using molecular acoustics (ultrasound velocimetry and densimetry), pressure perturbation calorimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry, we have determined partial specific adiabatic and isothermal compressibility, their respective compressibility coefficients, partial specific volume, and relative volume fluctuations of PLFE large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) over a wide range of temperatures (20-85°C). The results are compared with those obtained from liposomes made of dipalmitoyl-L-α-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), a conventional monopolar diester lipid. We found that, in the entire temperature range examined, compressibilities of PLFE LUVs are low, comparable to those found in gel state of DPPC. Relative volume fluctuations of PLFE LUVs at any given temperature examined are 1.6-2.2 times more damped than those found in DPPC LUVs. Both compressibilities and relative volume fluctuations in PLFE LUVs are much less temperature-sensitive than those in DPPC liposomes. The isothermal compressibility coefficient (β(T)(lipid)) of PLFE LUVs changes from 3.59 × 10(-10) Pa(-1) at 25°C to 4.08 × 10(-10) Pa(-1) at 78°C. Volume fluctuations of PLFE LUVs change only 0.25% from 30°C to 80°C. The highly damped volume fluctuations and their low temperature sensitivity, echo that PLFE liposomes are rigid and tightly packed. To our knowledge, the data provide a deeper understanding of lipid packing in PLFE liposomes than has been previously reported, as well as a molecular explanation for the low solute permeation and limited membrane lateral motion. The obtained results may help to establish new strategies for rational design of stable BTL-based liposomes for drug/vaccine delivery.

Archaebacterial bipolar tetraether lipids: Physico-chemical and membrane properties

Bipolar tetraether lipids (BTL) are abundant in archaea and can be chemically synthesized. The structures of BTL are distinctly different from the lipids found in bacteria and eukaryotes. In aqueous solution, BTL can form extraordinarily stable liposomes with different sizes, lamellarities and membrane packing densities. BTL liposomes can serve as membrane models for understanding the structure-function relationship of the plasma membrane in thermoacidophiles and can be used for technological applications. This article reviews the separation, characterization and structures of BTL as well as the physical properties and technological applications of BTL liposomes. One of the structural features of BTL is the presence of cyclopentane rings in the lipid hydrocarbon core. Archaea use the cyclopentane ring as an adaptation strategy to cope with high growth temperature. Special attention of this article is focused on how the number of cyclopentane rings varies with environmental factors and affects membrane properties.

Cytoplasmic pH measurement and homeostasis in bacteria and archaea

Of all the molecular determinants for growth, the hydronium and hydroxide ions are found naturally in the widest concentration range, from acid mine drainage below pH 0 to soda lakes above pH 13. Most bacteria and archaea have mechanisms that maintain their internal, cytoplasmic pH within a narrower range than the pH outside the cell, termed "pH homeostasis." Some mechanisms of pH homeostasis are specific to particular species or groups of microorganisms while some common principles apply across the pH spectrum. The measurement of internal pH of microbes presents challenges, which are addressed by a range of techniques under varying growth conditions. This review compares and contrasts cytoplasmic pH homeostasis in acidophilic, neutralophilic, and alkaliphilic bacteria and archaea under conditions of growth, non-growth survival, and biofilms. We present diverse mechanisms of pH homeostasis including cell buffering, adaptations of membrane structure, active ion transport, and metabolic consumption of acids and bases.

Cationic detergent/sterol mixtures can form fluid lamellar phases and stable unilamellar vesicles

In recent studies, it has been shown that mixtures of palmitic acid (PA), and cholesterol or cholesterol sulfate (Schol), in a PA/sterol molar ratio of 30/70 lead to the formation of liquid-ordered (lo) lamellar phases. The extrusion of these systems gave large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) that displayed a very limited passive permeability, a property associated with their high sterol content. In this study, we showed that the formation of lo-phase bilayers was also possible when mixing a cationic detergent (cetylpyridinium chloride, CPC) and sterol in a 30/70 molar ratio. The existence of this phase was established using IR and 2H NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, 2H NMR allowed us to study the orientation and dynamics of CPC and cholesterol in these self-assemblies. The extrusion of the CPC/Schol bilayers leads to the formation of LUVs, and their passive permeability was found to be very limited, making them interesting candidates as nanovectors.

Bipolar tetraether archaeosomes exhibit unusual stability against autoclaving as studied by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy

The stability of liposomes made of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) isolated from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius against autoclaving has been studied by using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. PLFE lipids have structures distinctly different from those derived from eukaryotes and prokaryotes. PLFE lipids are bipolar tetraether molecules and may contain up to four cyclopentane rings in each of the two dibiphytanyl chains. In the pH range 4-10, PLFE-based archaeosomes, with and without polyethyleneglycol- and maleimide-lipids, are able to retain vesicle size, size distribution, and morphology through at least six autoclaving cycles. The cell growth temperature (65 degrees C vs. 78 degrees C), hence the number of cyclopentane rings in the hydrocarbon chains, does not affect this general conclusion. By contrast, at the same pH range, most conventional liposomes made of monopolar diester lipids and cholesterol or pegylated lipids cannot withhold vesicle size and size distribution against just one cycle of autoclaving. At pH<4, the particle size and polydispersity of PLFE-based archaeosomes increase with autoclaving cycles, suggesting that aggregation or membrane disruption may have occurred at extreme acidic conditions during heat sterilization. Under high salt conditions, dye leakage from PLFE archaeosomes due to autoclaving is significantly less than that from pegylated liposomes composed of conventional lipids. The ability to maintain vesicle integrity after multiple autoclaving cycles indicates the potential usefulness of utilizing PLFE-based archaeosomes as autoclavable and durable drug (including genes, peptides, vaccines, siRNA) delivery vehicles.

Stability and rupture of archaebacterial cell membrane: a model study

It is known that the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius can grow in hot springs at 65-80 degrees C and live in acidic environments (pH 2-3); however, the origin of its unusual thermal stability remains unclear. In this work, using a vesicle as a model, we study the thermal stability and rupture of archaebacterial cell membrane. We perform a simulation investigation of the structure-property relationship of monolayer membrane formed by bolaform lipids and compare it with that of bilayer membrane formed by monopolar lipids. The origin of the unusually thermal stability of archaebacterial cell and the mechanism for its rupture are presented in molecular details.

Lipid-based nanoparticles as pharmaceutical drug carriers: from concepts to clinic

In recent years, various nanotechnology platforms in the area of medical biology, including both diagnostics and therapy, have gained remarkable attention. Moreover, research and development of engineered multifunctional nanoparticles as pharmaceutical drug carriers have spurred exponential growth in applications to medicine in the last decade. Design principles of these nanoparticles, including nanoemulsions, dendrimers, nano-gold, liposomes, drug-carrier conjugates, antibody-drug complexes, and magnetic nanoparticles, are primarily based on unique assemblies of synthetic, natural, or biological components, including but not limited to synthetic polymers, metal ions, oils, and lipids as their building blocks. However, the potential success of these particles in the clinic relies on consideration of important parameters such as nanoparticle fabrication strategies, their physical properties, drug loading efficiencies, drug release potential, and, most importantly, minimum toxicity of the carrier itself. Among these, lipid-based nanoparticles bear the advantage of being the least toxic for in vivo applications, and significant progress has been made in the area of DNA/RNA and drug delivery using lipid-based nanoassemblies. In this review, we will primarily focus on the recent advances and updates on lipid-based nanoparticles for their projected applications in drug delivery. We begin with a review of current activities in the field of liposomes (the so-called honorary nanoparticles), and challenging issues of targeting and triggering will be discussed in detail. We will further describe nanoparticles derived from a novel class of amphipathic lipids called bolaamphiphiles with unique lipid assembly features that have been recently examined as drug/DNA delivery vehicles. Finally, an overview of an emerging novel class of particles (based on lipid components other than phospholipids), solid lipid nanoparticles and nanostructured lipid carriers will be presented. We conclude with a few examples of clinically successful formulations of currently available lipid-based nanoparticles.

Factors controlling the distribution of archaeal tetraethers in terrestrial hot springs

Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) found in hot springs reflect the abundance and community structure of Archaea in these extreme environments. The relationships between GDGTs, archaeal communities, and physical or geochemical variables are underexamined to date and when reported often result in conflicting interpretations. Here, we examined profiles of GDGTs from pure cultures of Crenarchaeota and from terrestrial geothermal springs representing a wide distribution of locations, including Yellowstone National Park (United States), the Great Basin of Nevada and California (United States), Kamchatka (Russia), Tengchong thermal field (China), and Thailand. These samples had temperatures of 36.5 to 87 degrees C and pH values of 3.0 to 9.2. GDGT abundances also were determined for three soil samples adjacent to some of the hot springs. Principal component analysis identified four factors that accounted for most of the variance among nine individual GDGTs, temperature, and pH. Significant correlations were observed between pH and the GDGTs crenarchaeol and GDGT-4 (four cyclopentane rings, m/z 1,294); pH correlated positively with crenarchaeol and inversely with GDGT-4. Weaker correlations were observed between temperature and the four factors. Three of the four GDGTs used in the marine TEX(86) paleotemperature index (GDGT-1 to -3, but not crenarchaeol isomer) were associated with a single factor. No correlation was observed for GDGT-0 (acyclic caldarchaeol): it is effectively its own variable. The biosynthetic mechanisms and exact archaeal community structures leading to these relationships remain unknown. However, the data in general show promise for the continued development of GDGT lipid-based physiochemical proxies for archaeal evolution and for paleo-ecology or paleoclimate studies.

Archaeal and bacterial glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether lipids in hot springs of yellowstone national park

Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are core membrane lipids originally thought to be produced mainly by (hyper)thermophilic archaea. Environmental screening of low-temperature environments showed, however, the abundant presence of structurally diverse GDGTs from both bacterial and archaeal sources. In this study, we examined the occurrences and distribution of GDGTs in hot spring environments in Yellowstone National Park with high temperatures (47 to 83 degrees C) and mostly neutral to alkaline pHs. GDGTs with 0 to 4 cyclopentane moieties were dominant in all samples and are likely derived from both (hyper)thermophilic Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota. GDGTs with 4 to 8 cyclopentane moieties, likely derived from the crenarchaeotal order Sulfolobales and the euryarchaeotal order Thermoplasmatales, are usually present in much lower abundance, consistent with the relatively high pH values of the hot springs. The relative abundances of cyclopentane-containing GDGTs did not correlate with in situ temperature and pH, suggesting that other environmental and possibly genetic factors play a role as well. Crenarchaeol, a biomarker thought to be specific for nonthermophilic group I Crenarchaeota, was also found in most hot springs, though in relatively low concentrations, i.e., <5% of total GDGTs. Its abundance did not correlate with temperature, as has been reported previously. Instead, the cooccurrence of relatively abundant nonisoprenoid GDGTs thought to be derived from soil bacteria suggests a predominantly allochthonous source for crenarchaeol in these hot spring environments. Finally, the distribution of bacterial branched GDGTs suggests that they may be derived from the geothermally heated soils surrounding the hot springs.

Development of non-phospholipid liposomes containing a high cholesterol concentration

We present a novel formulation of non-phospholipid liposomes formed from cholesterol and palmitic acid. Despite the fact that these two lipidic species do not form individually fluid bilayers, we show that once mixed together, fluid bilayers can be obtained and, moreover, these can be extruded using classical extrusion processes to form liposomes. The chemical analysis indicates that these liposomes contain 70 mol % cholesterol, a content that is considerably higher that the saturation limit generally reported for phospholipid bilayers. These cholesterol-rich liposomes, formed with molecules that have low toxicity in vivo, display an improved impermeability relative to that of traditional phospholipid liposomes. In addition, because of the presence of palmitic acid, the stability of the liposomes is pH-dependent, and it is possible to trigger the release of encapsulated materials by pH stimuli.

Functional reconstitution of the integral membrane enzyme, isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase, in synthetic bolalipid membrane vesicles

Three bipolar archaeal-type diglycerophosphocholine tetraether lipids (also known as bolalipids) have been prepared to determine (1) the influence of molecular structure on the physical properties of bolalipid membranes and (2) their impact on the functional reconstitution of Ste14p, a membrane-associated isoprenylcysteine carboxyl methyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Three bolalipids were synthesized: C20BAS, C32BAS, and C32phytBAS. These bolalipid structures differ in that the C20BAS derivative has a short sn-1 glyceryl diether C20H40 transmembrane alkyl chain and two ether-linked sn-2 n-decyl chains, whereas the C32BAS and C32phytBAS derivatives have a longer sn-1 diether C32H64 membrane-spanning chain and two ether-linked sn-2 n-hexadecyl or phytanyl chains, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and temperature-dependent 31P NMR was used to determine the gel-to-liquid crystalline phase transition temperatures of the bolalipids (C32BAS Tm > 85 degrees C; C32phytBAS Tm = 14 degrees C; and C20BAS Tm = 17 degrees C). The bolalipid lateral diffusion coefficients, determined by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching at 25 degrees C, were 1.5 x 10(-8) and 1.8 x 10(-9) cm2/s for C20BAS and C32phytBAS, respectively. The mobility of C32BAS could not be measured at this temperature. Ste14p activity was monitored by an in vitro methyltransferase assay in reconstituted vesicle dispersions composed of DMPC, C20BAS/E. coli polar lipid, C20BAS/POPC, C32phytBAS/E. coli polar lipid, and C32phytBAS/POPC. Ste14p activity was lost in vesicles composed of 75-100 mol % C20BAS and 0-100 mol % C32BAS but retained in vesicles with 0-50 mol % C20BAS and 0-100 mol % C32phytBAS. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed the presence of Ste14p in 100 mol % C20BAS and 100 mol % C32phytBAS vesicle dispersions, even though the lamellar liquid crystalline phase thickness of C20BAS is only 32 A. Because Ste14p activity was not affected by either the gel-to-liquid-crystal phase transition temperature of the lipid or the temperature of the assay, the low activity observed in 75-100 mol % C20BAS membranes can be attributed to hydrophobic mismatch between this bolalipid and the hydrophobic surface of Ste14p.

Membrane lipids of mesophilic anaerobic bacteria thriving in peats have typical archaeal traits

The 16S ribosomal DNA based distinction between the bacterial and archaeal domains of life is strongly supported by the membrane lipid composition of the two domains; Bacteria generally contain dialkyl glycerol diester lipids, whereas Archaea produce isoprenoid dialkyl glycerol diether and membrane-spanning glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids. Here we show that a new group of ecologically abundant membrane-spanning GDGT lipids, containing branched instead of isoprenoid carbon skeletons, are of a bacterial origin. This was revealed by examining the stereochemistry of the glycerol moieties of those branched tetraether membrane lipids, which was found to be the bacterial 1,2-di-O-alkyl-sn-glycerol stereoconfiguration and not the 2,3-di-O-alkyl-sn-glycerol stereoconfiguration as in archaeal membrane lipids. In addition, unequivocal evidence for the presence of cyclopentyl moieties in these bacterial membrane lipids was obtained by NMR. The biochemical traits of biosynthesis of tetraether membrane lipids and the formation of cyclopentyl moieties through internal cyclization, which were thought to be specific for the archaeal lineage of descent, thus also occur in the bacterial domain of life.

Pressure perturbation and differential scanning calorimetric studies of bipolar tetraether liposomes derived from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and pressure perturbation calorimetry (PPC) were used to characterize thermal phase transitions, membrane packing, and volumetric properties in multilamellar vesicles (MLVs) composed of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) isolated from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius grown at different temperatures. For PLFE MLVs derived from cells grown at 78 degrees C, the first DSC heating scan exhibits an endothermic transition at 46.7 degrees C, a small hump near 60 degrees C, and a broad exothermic transition at 78.5 degrees C, whereas the PPC scan reveals two transitions at approximately 45 degrees C and 60 degrees C. The endothermic peak at 46.7 degrees C is attributed to a lamellar-to-lamellar phase transition and has an unusually low DeltaH (3.5 kJ/mol) and DeltaV/V (0.1%) value, as compared to those for the main phase transitions of saturated diacyl monopolar diester lipids. This result may arise from the restricted trans-gauche conformational changes in the dibiphytanyl chain due to the presence of cyclopentane rings and branched methyl groups and due to the spanning of the lipid molecules over the whole membrane. The exothermic peak at 78.5 degrees C probably corresponds to a lamellar-to-cubic phase transition and exhibits a large and negative DeltaH value (-23.2 kJ/mol), which is uncommon for normal lamellar-to-cubic phospholipid phase transformations. This exothermic transition disappears in the subsequent heating scans and thus may involve a metastable phase, which is irreversible at the scan rate used. Further, there is no distinct peak in the plot of the thermal expansion coefficient alpha versus temperature near 78.5 degrees C, indicating that this lamellar-to-cubic phase transition is not accompanied by any significant volume change. For PLFE MLVs derived from cells grown at 65 degrees C, similar DSC and PPC profiles and thermal history responses were obtained. However, the lower growth temperature yields a higher DeltaV/V ( approximately 0.25%) and DeltaH (14 kJ/mol) value for the lamellar-to-lamellar phase transition measured at the same pH (2.1). A lower growth temperature also generates a less negative temperature dependence of alpha. The changes in DeltaV/V, DeltaH, and the temperature dependence of alpha can be attributed to the decrease in the number of cyclopentane rings in PLFE at the lower growth temperature. The relatively low DeltaV/V and small DeltaH involved in the phase transitions help to explain why PLFE liposomes are remarkably thermally stable and also echo the proposal that PLFE liposomes are generally rigid and tightly packed. These results help us to understand why, despite the occurrence of thermal-induced phase transitions, PLFE liposomes exhibit a remarkably low temperature sensitivity of proton permeation and dye leakage.

Mutants of Mycobacterium smegmatis unable to grow at acidic pH in the presence of the protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone

Mycobacterium smegmatis is able to grow and survive at acidic pH, and exhibits intracellular pH homeostasis under these conditions. In this study, the authors have identified low proton permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane, and high cytoplasmic buffering capacity, as determinants of intrinsic acid resistance of M. smegmatis. To identify genes encoding proteins involved in protecting cells from acid stress, a screening method was developed using the electrogenic protonophore carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). CCCP was used to suppress intrinsic acid resistance of M. smegmatis. The screen involved exposing cells to pH 5.0 in the presence of CCCP, and survivors were rescued at various time intervals on solid medium at pH 7.5. Cells capable of responding to intracellular acidification (due to CCCP-induced proton equilibration) will survive longer under these conditions than acid-sensitive cells. From a total pool of 5000 transposon (Tn611) insertion mutants screened, eight acid-sensitive M. smegmatis mutants were isolated. These acid-sensitive mutants were unable to grow at pH 5.0 in the presence of 1-5 microM CCCP, a concentration not lethal to the wild-type strain mc2155. The DNA flanking the site of Tn611 was identified using marker rescue in Escherichia coli, and DNA sequencing to identify the disrupted locus. Acid-sensitive mutants of M. smegmatis were disrupted in genes involved in phosphonate/phosphite assimilation, methionine biosynthesis, the PPE multigene family, xenobiotic-response regulation and lipid biosynthesis. Several of the acid-sensitive mutants were also defective in stationary-phase survival, suggesting that overlapping stress protection systems exist in M. smegmatis.

Evaluation of the LIVE/DEAD BacLight kit for detection of extremophilic archaea and visualization of microorganisms in environmental hypersaline samples

Extremophilic archaea were stained with the LIVE/DEAD BacLight kit under conditions of high ionic strength and over a pH range of 2.0 to 9.3. The reliability of the kit was tested with haloarchaea following permeabilization of the cells. Microorganisms in hypersaline environmental samples were detectable with the kit, which suggests its potential application to future extraterrestrial halites.

Archaeal lipids forming a low energy-surface on air-water interface

Archaea or archaebacteria are the microorganism living in extreme environments such as hot springs and salt lakes. The membrane is featured universally by lipids which possess saturated polyisoprenoid chains in the hydrophobic moiety. This paper concerns the surface properties of Langmuir membranes made of archaeal lipid models (AL) bearing a phytanyl group or (3RS, 7R, 11R)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecyl group. All of the AL provide a Langmuir membrane on an air-water interface with an abnormally low surface tension (32-37 mN/m at 20-70 degrees C), while the conventional lipids having n-alkyl chains give membranes of 54-56 mN/m. The abnormally low energy surface of AL lipids is considered to arise from the bulky and fluid polyisoprenoid chain.

Calcium-induced aggregation of archaeal bipolar tetraether liposomes derived from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

Previously, we showed that the proton permeability of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) composed of polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) from the thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius was remarkably low and insensitive to temperature (Komatsu and Chong 1998). In this study, we used photon correlation spectroscopy to investigate the time dependence of PLFE SUV size as a function of Ca2+ concentration. In the absence of Ca2+, vesicle diameter changed little over 6 months. Addition of Ca2+, however, immediately induced formation of vesicle aggregates with an irregular shape, as revealed by confocal fluorescence microscopy. Aggregation was reversible upon addition of EDTA; however, the reversibility varied with temperature as well as incubation time with Ca2+. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy showed that, after a long period of incubation (2 weeks) with Ca2+, the PLFE vesicles had not just aggregated, but had fused or coalesced. The initial rate of vesicle aggregation varied sigmoidally with Ca2+ concentration. At pH 6.6, the threshold calcium concentration (Cr) for vesicle aggregation at 25 and 40 degrees C was 11 and 17 mM, respectively. At pH 3.0, the Cr at 25 degrees C increased to 25 mM. The temperature dependence of Cr may be attributable to changes in membrane surface potential, which was -22.0 and -13.2 mV at 25 and 40 degrees C, respectively, at pH 6.6, as determined by 2-(p-toluidinyl)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid fluorescence. The variation in surface potential with temperature is discussed in terms of changes in lipid conformation and membrane organization.

The archaeal respiratory supercomplex SoxM from S. acidocaldarius combines features of quinole and cytochrome c oxidases

The hyperthermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius has a unique respiratory system with at least two terminal oxidases. Genetic and preliminary biochemical studies suggested the existence of a unique respiratory supercomplex, SoxM. Here we show (i) that all respective genes are translated into polypeptides, and (ii) that the supercomplex can be separated from the alternative oxidase SoxABCD and in that way characterized in a catalytically competent form for the first time. It acts as a quinol oxidase and contains a total of seven metal redox centers. One of it--the blue copper protein sulfocyanin--functionally links two subcomplexes. One is a bb3-type terminal oxidase moiety containing CuA and CuB, whereas the other consists of a Rieske FeS-protein and a homolog to cytochrome b--in this case hosting two hemes As. Based on a 1:1 stoichiometry, 1 mol complex contains 6 mol Fe and 4 mol Cu. Its activity is completely inhibited by cyanide and strongly by aurachin-C and -D derivatives as inhibitors of the quinol binding site. These data suggest that the complex provides two proton pumping sites. Interestingly, subunit-II reveals an unusual pH dependence and is proposed to act as a pH sensor as well as a regulator of catalytic activity via a reversible transition between two states of the CuA ligation. This is a novel hint at how S. acidocaldarius can adapt to and survive in its extreme natural environment.

Supramolecular self-assembling properties of membrane-spanning archaeal tetraether glycolipid analogues

The self-assembling properties of a new series of archaeal tetraether glycolipid analogues 1-6 that are characterized by a bipolar architecture with two similar or different glycosidic and/or phosphate polar heads and a lipid core possessing a cyclopentane unit and/or branched chains were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, X-ray scattering, freeze-fracture electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Unsymmetrical phosphate derivatives 1 and 2 spontaneously formed thermostable multilamellar and unilamellar vesicles in which most of the bipolar lipids adopted a trans-membrane conformation, as revealed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. Supramolecular aggregates of neutral glycolipids 3-6 were found to depend on both the saccharidic polar heads and the chain composition. The presence of one glycosidic residue with rather marked hydrophilic properties, such as the lactosyl moiety, was required to allow the formation of multilamellar vesicles. Surprisingly, the introduction of a cyclopentane unit in the bridging chain was able to induce an apparent two-by-two membrane association: this unusual behaviour might be the result of unsymmetrical interfacial properties of the lipid layer caused by the presence of the cyclopentane unit.

Hydration and molecular motions in synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipid vesicle membranes

Proton permeation rates across membranes of a synthetic branch-chained glycolipid, 1,3-di-O-phytanyl-2-O-(beta-D-maltotriosyl)glycerol (Mal3(Phyt)2) as well as a branch-chained phospholipid, diphytanoylphosphatidylcholine (DPhPC) were lower than those of straight-chained lipids such as egg yolk phosphatidylcholine (EPC) by a factor of approximately 4 at pH 7.0 and 25 degrees C. To examine whether degrees of water penetration and molecular motions in Mal3(Phyt)2 membranes can account for the lower permeability, nanosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy was applied to various membranes of branch-chained lipids (Mal3(Phyt)2, DPhPC, and a tetraether lipid from an extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon Thermoplasma acidophilum), as well as straight-chained lipids (EPC, 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine (POPC), and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG)) using several fluorescent lipids. Degrees of hydration of glycolipids, Mal3(Phyt)2, and DGDG were lower than those of phospholipids, EPC, POPC, and DPhPC at the membrane-water interfaces. DPhPC showed the highest hydration among the lipids examined. Meanwhile, rotational and lateral diffusive motions of the fluorescent phospholipid in branch-chained lipid membranes were more restricted than those in straight-chained ones. The results suggest that the restricted motion of chain segments rather than the lower hydration accounts for the lower proton permeability of branch-chained lipid membranes.

Molecular Mechanisms of Water and Solute Transport across Archaebacterial Lipid Membranes

Archaebacteria thrive in environments characterized by anaeobiosis, saturated salt, and both high and low extremes of temperature and pH. The bulk of their membrane lipids are polar, characterized by the archaeal structural features typified by ether linkage of the glycerol backbone to isoprenoid chains of constant length, often fully saturated, and with sn-2,3 stereochemistry opposite that of glycerolipids of Bacteria and Eukarya. Also unique to these bacteria are macrocyclic archaeol and membrane spanning caldarchaeol lipids that are found in some extreme thermophiles and methanogens. To define the barrier function of archaebacterial membranes and to examine the effects of these unique structural features on permeabilities, we investigated the water, solute (urea and glycerol), proton, and ammonia permeability of liposomes formed by these lipids. Both the macrocyclic archaeol and caldarchaeol lipids reduced the water, ammonia, urea, and glycerol permeability of liposomes significantly (6-120-fold) compared with diphytanylphosphatidylcholine liposomes. The presence of the ether bond and phytanyl chains did not significantly affect these permeabilities. However, the apparent proton permeability was reduced 3-fold by the presence of an ether bond. The presence of macrocyclic archaeol and caldarchaeol structures further reduced apparent proton permeabilities by 10-17-fold. These results indicate that the limiting mobility of the midplane hydrocarbon region of the membranes formed by macrocyclic archaeol and caldarchaeol lipids play a significant role in reducing the permeability properties of the lipid membrane. In addition, it appears that substituting ether for ester bonds presents an additional barrier to proton flux.

Two-photon fluorescence microscopy studies of bipolar tetraether giant liposomes from thermoacidophilic archaebacteria Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

The effects of temperature and pH on Laurdan (6-lauroyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene) fluorescence intensity images of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) ( approximately 20-150 microm in diameter) composed of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) from the thermoacidophilic archaebacteria Sulfolobus acidocaldarius have been studied using two-photon excitation. PLFE GUVs made by the electroformation method were stable and well suited for microscopy studies. The generalized polarization (GP) of Laurdan fluorescence in the center cross section of the vesicles has been determined as a function of temperature at pH 7.23 and pH 2.68. At all of the temperatures and pHs examined, the GP values are low (below or close to 0), and the GP histograms show a broad distribution width (> 0.3). When excited with light polarized in the y direction, Laurdan fluorescence in the center cross section of the PLFE GUVs exhibits a photoselection effect showing much higher intensities in the x direction of the vesicles, a result opposite that previously obtained on monopolar diester phospholipids. This result indicates that the chromophore of Laurdan in PLFE GUVs is aligned parallel to the membrane surface. The x direction photoselection effect and the low GP values lead us to further propose that the Laurdan chromophore resides in the polar headgroup region of the PLFE liposomes, while the lauroyl tail inserts into the hydrocarbon core of the membrane. This unusual L-shaped disposition is presumably caused by the unique lipid structures and by the rigid and tight membrane packing in PLFE liposomes. The GP exhibited, at both pH values, a small but abrupt decrease near 50 degrees C, suggesting a conformational change in the polar headgroups of PLFE. This transition temperature fully agrees with the d-spacing data recently measured by small-angle x-ray diffraction and with the pyrene-labeled phosphatidylcholine and perylene fluorescence data previously obtained from PLFE multilamellar vesicles. Interestingly, the two-photon Laurdan fluorescence images showed snowflake-like lipid domains in PLFE GUVs at pH 7.23 and low temperatures (<20 degrees C in the cooling scan and <24 degrees C in the heating scan). These domains, attributable to lipid lateral separation, were stable and laterally immobile at low temperatures (<23 degrees C), again suggesting tight membrane packing in the PLFE GUVs.

Archaeal protein translocation crossing membranes in the third domain of life

Proper cell function relies on correct protein localization. As a first step in the delivery of extracytoplasmic proteins to their ultimate destinations, the hydrophobic barrier presented by lipid-based membranes must be overcome. In contrast to the well-defined bacterial and eukaryotic protein translocation systems, little is known about how proteins cross the membranes of archaea, the third and most recently described domain of life. In bacteria and eukaryotes, protein translocation occurs at proteinaceous sites comprised of evolutionarily conserved core components acting in concert with other, domain-specific elements. Examination of available archaeal genomes as well as cloning of individual genes from other archaeal strains reveals the presence of homologues to selected elements of the bacterial or eukaryotic translocation machines. Archaeal genomic searches, however, also reveal an apparent absence of other, important components of these two systems. Archaeal translocation may therefore represent a hybrid of the bacterial and eukaryotic models yet may also rely on components or themes particular to this domain of life. Indeed, considering the unique chemical composition of the archaeal membrane as well as the extreme conditions in which archaea thrive, the involvement of archaeal-specific translocation elements could be expected. Thus, understanding archaeal protein translocation could reveal the universal nature of certain features of protein translocation which, in some cases, may not be readily obvious from current comparisons of bacterial and eukaryotic systems. Alternatively, elucidation of archaeal translocation could uncover facets of the translocation process either not yet identified in bacteria or eukaryotes, or which are unique to archaea. In the following, the current status of our understanding of protein translocation in archaea is reviewed.

Molecular modeling of archaebacterial bipolar tetraether lipid membranes

Membranes composed of glycerol dialkylnonitol tetraether (GDNT) lipids from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius have been studied by molecular modeling. GDNT membranes containing eight cyclopentane rings in the molecule are packed much tighter than those without rings. When containing eight cyclopentane rings, the beta-D-galactosyl-D-glucose head-group of GDNT runs almost parallel to the membrane surface. However, when containing no rings, the head-group is oriented perpendicular to the membrane surface. Using molecular dynamics calculations, we have also conducted comparative studies of membrane packing between GDNT and various non-archaebacterial membranes. Compared to gel state dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and gel state distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) bilayers, the GDNT membrane with eight cyclopentane rings has a more negative interaction energy, thus a tighter membrane packing, while the GDNT without rings is less tightly packed than gel state DSPC. Based on the calculated interaction energies, the GDNT membranes (with and without rings) are much more tightly packed than DPhPC (an ester-linked diphytanyl PC) and DPhyPC (an ether-linked diphytanyl PC) bilayers. This suggests that the branched methyl group in the phytanyl chain is not the major contributor of the tight packing of GDNT membranes. The biological implication of this study is that the cyclopentane ring could increase GDNT membrane thermal stability. This explains why the number of cyclopentane rings in archaebacterial lipid increases with increasing growth temperature. Perhaps, through the ring-temperature compensation mechanism the plasma membrane of thermoacidophilic archaebacteria is able to maintain a tight and rigid structure, consequently, a constant proton gradient between the extracellular (pH 2.5) and intracellular compartment (pH 6.5), over a wide range of growth temperatures.

Archaeobacterial ether lipid liposomes (archaeosomes) as novel vaccine and drug delivery systems

Liposomes are artificial, spherical, closed vesicles consisting of one or more lipid bilayer(s). Liposomes made from ester phospholipids have been studied extensively over the last 3 decades as artificial membrane models. Considerable interest has been generated for applications of liposomes in medicine, including their use as diagnostic reagents, as carrier vehicles in vaccine formulations, or as delivery systems for drugs, genes, or cancer imaging agents. The objective of this article is to review the properties and potential applications of novel liposomes made from the membrane lipids of Archaeobacteria (Archaea). These lipids are unique and distinct from those encountered in Eukarya and Bacteria. Polar glycerolipids make up the bulk of the membrane lipids, with the remaining neutral lipids being primarily squalenes and other hydrocarbons. The polar lipids consist of regularly branched, and usually fully saturated, phytanyl chains of 20, 25, or 40 carbon length, with the 20 and 40 being most common. The phytanyl chains are attached via ether bonds to the sn-2,3 carbons of the glycerol backbone(s). It has been shown only recently that total polar lipids of archaeobacteria, and purified lipid fractions therefrom, can form liposomes. We refer to liposomes made with any lipid composition that includes ether lipids characteristic of Archaeobacteria as archaeosomes to distinguish them from vesicles made from the conventional lipids obtained from eukaryotic or eubacterial sources or their synthetic analogs. In general, archaeosomes demonstrate relatively higher stabilities to oxidative stress, high temperature, alkaline pH, action of phospholipases, bile salts, and serum proteins. Some archaeosome formulations can be sterilized by autoclaving, without problems such as fusion or aggregation of the vesicles. The uptake of archaeosomes by phagocytic cells can be up to 50-fold greater than that of conventional liposome formulations. Studies in mice have indicated that systemic administration of several test antigens entrapped within certain archaeosome compositions give humoral immune responses that are comparable to those obtained with the potent but toxic Freund's adjuvant. Archaeosome compositions can be selected to give a prolonged, sustained immune response, and the generation of a memory response. Tissue distribution studies of archaeosomes administered via various systemic and peroral routes indicate potential for targeting to specific organs. All in vitro and in vivo studies performed to date indicate that archaeosomes are safe and do not invoke any noticeable toxicity in mice. The stability, tissue distribution profiles, and adjuvant activity of archaeosome formulations indicate that they may offer a superior alternative to the use of conventional liposomes, at least for some biotechnology applications.

Studies of archaebacterial bipolar tetraether liposomes by perylene fluorescence

Membrane packing and dynamics of bipolar tetraether liposomes composed of the polar lipid fraction E (PLFE) from the thermoacidophilic archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius have been studied by perylene fluorescence. At a probe-to-PLFE lipid ratio of 1:400, we have detected an unusual fluorescence intensity increase with increasing temperature, while the fluorescence lifetime changed little. As the ratio was decreased, the intensity anomaly was diminished. At 1:3200 and 1:6400, the anomaly disappeared. A remarkable perylene intensity anomaly was also observed in bilayers composed of saturated monopolar diester phosphatidylcholines at their main phase transition temperatures. These results suggest that the intensity anomaly may be due to probe aggregation caused by tight membrane packing. At the same probe-to-lipid ratio (1:400), however, 1, 2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC) and 1, 2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DPhPG) liposomes did not exhibit any intensity anomaly with increasing temperature. This suggests that DPhPC and DPhPG liposomes are more loosely packed than PLFE liposomes; thus the branched methyl groups are not the contributing factor of the tight membrane packing found in PLFE liposomes. Using a multiexcitation method, we have also determined the average (R), in-plane (R(ip)), and out-of-plane (R(op)) rotational rates of perylene in PLFE liposomes at various temperatures (20-65 degrees C). R and R(ip), determined at two different probe-to-lipid ratios (1:400 and 1:3200), both undergo an abrupt increase when the temperature is elevated to approximately 48 degrees C. These data suggest that PLFE liposomes are rigid and tightly packed at low temperatures, but they begin to possess appreciable "membrane fluidity" at temperatures close to the minimum growth temperature ( approximately 50 degrees C) of thermoacidophilic archaebacteria.

Synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipid vesicle membrane as a novel matrix for functional reconstitution of cyanobacterial photosystem II complex

The vesicles composed of synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipid and natural sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol at 9:1 molar ratio were successfully applied to functional reconstitution of photosystem II complex (PS II) from a thermophilic cyanobacterium. The synthetic glycolipid employed was one of our model archaeal diether lipids, 1, 3-di-O-phytanyl-2-O-(beta-D-maltotriosyl)glycerol. The light-induced oxygen-evolving activity of PS II reconstituted in the glycolipid vesicles was approximately 6-fold higher than that reconstituted in several phosphatidylcholine vesicles. The present results reveal the first evidence that a well-designed synthetic glycolipid is effective for the functional reconstitution of complicated and labile membrane protein complexes, such as PS II.

Formation and characterization of planar lipid bilayer membranes from synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipids

The formability, current-voltage characteristics and stability of the planar lipid bilayer membranes from the synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipids, 1, 3-di-O-phytanyl-2-O-(beta-glycosyl)glycerols (Glc(Phyt)(2), Mal(N)(Phyt)(2)) were studied. The single bilayer membranes were successfully formed from the glycolipid bearing a maltotriosyl group (Mal(3)(Phyt)(2)) by the folding method among the synthetic glycolipids examined. The membrane conductance of Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers in 100 mM KCl solution was significantly lower than that of natural phospholipid, soybean phospholipids (SBPL) bilayers, and comparable to that of 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC) bilayers. From the permeation measurements of lipophilic ions through Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) and DPhPC bilayers, it could be presumed that the carbonyl groups in glycerol backbone of the lipid molecule are not necessarily required for the total dipole potential barrier against cations in Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayer. The stability of Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers against long-term standing and external electric field change was rather high, compared with SBPL bilayers. Furthermore, a preliminary experiment over the functional incorporation of membrane proteins was demonstrated employing the channel proteins derived from octopus retina microvilli vesicles. The channel proteins were functionally incorporated into Mal(3)(Phyt)(2) bilayers in the presence of a negatively charged glycolipid. From these observations, synthetic phytanyl-chained glycolipid bilayers are promising materials for reconstitution and transport studies of membrane proteins.

Bioenergetics of the Archaea

In the late 1970s, on the basis of rRNA phylogeny, Archaea (archaebacteria) was identified as a distinct domain of life besides Bacteria (eubacteria) and Eucarya. Though forming a separate domain, Archaea display an enormous diversity of lifestyles and metabolic capabilities. Many archaeal species are adapted to extreme environments with respect to salinity, temperatures around the boiling point of water, and/or extremely alkaline or acidic pH. This has posed the challenge of studying the molecular and mechanistic bases on which these organisms can cope with such adverse conditions. This review considers our cumulative knowledge on archaeal mechanisms of primary energy conservation, in relationship to those of bacteria and eucarya. Although the universal principle of chemiosmotic energy conservation also holds for Archaea, distinct features have been discovered with respect to novel ion-transducing, membrane-residing protein complexes and the use of novel cofactors in bioenergetics of methanogenesis. From aerobically respiring Archaea, unusual electron-transporting supercomplexes could be isolated and functionally resolved, and a proposal on the organization of archaeal electron transport chains has been presented. The unique functions of archaeal rhodopsins as sensory systems and as proton or chloride pumps have been elucidated on the basis of recent structural information on the atomic scale. Whereas components of methanogenesis and of phototrophic energy transduction in halobacteria appear to be unique to Archaea, respiratory complexes and the ATP synthase exhibit some chimeric features with respect to their evolutionary origin. Nevertheless, archaeal ATP synthases are to be considered distinct members of this family of secondary energy transducers. A major challenge to future investigations is the development of archaeal genetic transformation systems, in order to gain access to the regulation of bioenergetic systems and to overproducers of archaeal membrane proteins as a prerequisite for their crystallization.

Temperature-sensitive motility of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius influences population distribution in extreme environments

A three-dimensional tracking microscope was used to quantify the effects of temperature (50 to 80 degrees C) and pH (2 to 4) on the motility of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, a thermoacidophilic archaeon. Swimming speed and run time increased with temperature but remained relatively unchanged with increasing pH. These results were consistent with reported changes in the rate of respiration of S. acidocaldarius as a function of temperature and pH. Cells exhibited a forward-biased turn angle distribution with a mean of 54 degrees. Cell trajectories during a run were in the shape of right-handed helices. A cellular dynamics simulation was used to test the hypothesis that a population of S. acidocaldarius cells could distribute preferentially in a spatial temperature gradient due to variation in swimming speed. Simulation results showed that a population of cells could migrate from a higher to a lower temperature in the presence of sharp temperature gradients. This simulation result was achieved without incorporating the ability of cells to sense a temporal thermal gradient; thus, the response was not thermotactic. We postulate that this temperature-sensitive motility is one survival mechanism of S. acidocaldarius that allows this organism to move away from lethal hot spots in its hydrothermal environment.

Homeostasis of the membrane proton permeability in Bacillus subtilis grown at different temperatures

Bacillus subtilis was grown at its growth temperature limits and at various temperatures in between the lower and upper growth temperature boundary. Liposomes were made of the extracted membrane lipids derived from these cells. The headgroup composition of the cytoplasmic membrane lipids did not differ significantly at the lower (13 degrees C) and upper (50 degrees C) temperature boundary. The averaged lipid acyl chain length, degree of saturation, and ratio of iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids increased with the temperature. At the temperature of growth, the membranes were in a liquid-crystalline phase, but liposomes derived from cells grown at 13 degrees C were almost threefold more viscous than those derived from 50 degrees C grown cells. The temperature dependence of the proton permeability of the liposomes was determined using the acid-pulse method with monitoring of the outside pH with the fluorescent probe pyranine. The proton permeability of each liposome preparation increased with the temperature. However, the proton permeability of the liposomes at the growth temperature of the cells from which the lipids were derived was almost constant. These data indicate that the growth temperature dependent variation in lipid acyl chain composition permits maintenance of the proton permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane. This 'homeo-proton permeability adaptation' precludes futile cycling of protons at higher growth temperatures and allows cells to sustain the proton motive force as a driving force for essential energy transducing processes.

Biooxidation capacity of the extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon metallosphaera sedula under bioenergetic challenge

The biooxidation capacity of an extremely thermoacidophilic archaeon Metallosphaera sedula (DSMZ 5348) was examined under bioenergetic challenges imparted by thermal or chemical stress in regard to its potential use in microbial bioleaching processes. Within the normal growth temperature range of M. sedula (70-79 degrees C) at pH 2.0, upward temperature shifts resulted in bioleaching rates that followed an Arrhenius-like dependence. When the cells were subjected to supraoptimal temperatures through gradual thermal acclimation at 81 degrees C (Han et al., 1997), cell densities were reduced but 3 to 5 times faster specific leaching rates (Fe3+ released from iron pyrite/cell/h) could be achieved by the stressed cells compared to cells at 79 degrees C and 73 degrees C, respectively. The respiration capacity of M. sedula growing at 74 degrees C was challenged by poisoning the cells with uncouplers to generate chemical stress. When the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol (5-10 μM) was added to a growing culture of M. sedula on iron pyrite, there was little effect on specific leaching rates compared to a culture with no protonophore at 74 degrees C; 25 μM levels proved to be toxic to M. sedula. However, a significant stimulation in specific rate was observed when the cells were subjected to 1 μM nigericin (+135%) and 2 μM (+63%); 5 μM levels of the ionophore completely arrested cell growth. The ionophore effect was further investigated in continuous culture growing on ferrous sulfate at 74 degrees C. When 1 μM nigericin was added as a pulse to a continuous culture, a 30% increase in specific iron oxidation rate was observed for short intervals, indicating a potential positive impact on leaching when periodic chemical stress is applied. This study suggests that biooxidation rates can be increased by strategic exposure of extreme thermoacidophiles to chemical or thermal stress, and this approach should be considered for improving process performance. Copyright 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Lateral diffusion of the total polar lipids from Thermoplasma acidophilum in multilamellar liposomes

31P NMR lineshapes of multilamellar liposomes composed mostly of a bilayer-spanning tetraether lipid are consistent with rapid axially symmetric motion about the bilayer normal. The residual chemical shift anisotropy of 36 ppm is comparable to that seen for diacylphosphatidylglycerol systems and suggests comparable headgroup motion. The lateral diffusion rates for Thermoplasma acidophilum total polar lipids in mutilamellar liposomes was measured by two dimensional exchange NMR as a function of temperature. At 55 degrees C, near the growth temperature, the rate of lateral diffusion, DL, is comparable to that of diester phospholipids in the Lalpha liquid crystalline phase, having a value of 2 x 10(-8) cm2/s. DL decreases with temperature reaching a value of 8-6 x 10(-9) cm2/s at 30 degrees C. The activation energy Ea for lateral diffusion is estimated to be 10 kcal/mol (approximately 42 kJ/mol). The lateral diffusion rates indicate that the tetraether liposomes have a membrane viscosity at 30 degrees C which is considerably higher than that of diester phospholipids in the liquid crystalline phase.

Adaptation of microorganisms and their transport systems to high temperatures

Growth of Bacteria and Archaea has been observed at temperatures up to 95 and 110 degrees C, respectively. These thermophiles are adapted to environments of high temperature by changes in the membrane lipid composition, higher thermostabilities of the (membrane) proteins, higher turnover rates of the energy transducing enzymes, and/or the (exclusive) use of sodium-ions rather than protons as coupling ion in energy transduction. The proton permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria and archaea was observed to increase with the temperature. This increased proton permeability limits the maximum temperature of growth of bacteria. Higher growth temperatures can be reached by an increased proton pumping activity by using the less permeable sodium ions as coupling ions or by changing the lipid composition of the cytoplasmic membrane. The Na+/H+/glutamate transport proteins of the thermophiles Bacillus stearothermophilus (GltTBs) and Bacillus caldotenax (GltTBc) were studied extensively. These transportproteins have unique features. Transport of L-glutamate occurs in symport with 1 Na+ and 1 H+ when the transport proteins are expressed in their natural environment. The sodium ion dependency of the GltT transporters of these Bacillus strains was found to increase with temperature. However, when the GltT proteins are expressed in the mesophile Escherichia coli, electrogenic symport of L-glutamate occurs with > or = 2 H+. These observations suggest that the conformation of the transport proteins in the E. coli and the Bacillus membranes differs, and that the conformation influences the coupling ion selectivity. The Na+/H+/glutamate transport proteins of B. stearothermophilus (GltTBs) and B. caldotenax (GltTBc) are homologous to transport systems of glutamate and structurally related compounds from mesophilic organisms. Both sodium, as well as proton coupled transporters, belong to this family of carboxylate transporters (FCT).

Adsorption of biological molecules to a solid support for scanning probe microscopy

Scanning probe microscopes are now established tools to study the surface structure of biological macromolecules under physiological conditions. Sample preparation methods for this microscopy all have the objective to attach the specimen firmly to a support. Here we analyse the commonly used method of adsorbing biological specimens to freshly cleaved mica. This is facilitated by adjusting the electrolyte concentration and the pH of the buffer solution. Native macromolecular systems absorbed to mica in this way can be reproducibly imaged at submolecular resolution.

The archaeal SoxABCD complex is a proton pump in Sulfolobus acidocaldarius

The thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius expresses a very unusual quinol oxidase, which contains four heme a redox centers and one copper atom. The enzyme was solubilized with dodecyl maltoside and purified to homogeneity by a combination of hydrophobic interaction and anion exchange chromatography. The oxidase complex consists of four polypeptide subunits with apparent molecular masses of 64, 39, 27, and 14 kDa that are encoded by the soxABCD operon (Lübben, M., Kolmerer, B., and Saraste, M. (1992) EMBO J. 11, 805-812). The optical spectra and redox potentials of the SoxABCD complex have been characterized, and the absorption coefficients of the contributing cytochromes a587 and aa3 were determined. The EPR spectra indicate the presence of three low spin and one high spin heme species, the latter associated with the binuclear heme CuB site. Standard midpoint potentials of the cytochrome a587 heme centers were determined as +210 and +270 mV, respectively. The maximum turnover of the complex (1300 s-1 at 65 degrees C) was found to be about three times greater than that of the previously studied isolated cytochrome aa3 subunit alone (Gleissner, M., Elferink, M. G., Driessen, A. J., Konings, W. N., Anemüller, S., and Schäfer, G. (1994) Eur. J. Biochem. 224, 983-990). With N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine as a reductant, the SoxABCD complex reconstituted into liposomes generates a proton motive force. A new method is described by co-reconstitution of SoxABCD with a Sulfolobus Rieske FeS-protein (SoxL), allowing energization by cytochrome c. It is based on the finding that this Rieske protein can equilibrate electrons between cytochrome c and quinones reversibly (Schmidt, C. L., Anemüller, S., Teixeira, M., and Schäfer, G. (1995) FEBS Lett. 359, 239-243). With this system, generating no scalar protons, the stoichiometry of proton translocation could be determined. A net H+/e- ratio >1 was determined, identifying the SoxABCD complex as a proton-pumping quinol oxidase. According to structural analysis, the cytochrome aa3 moiety of the complex does not contain the signature of a H+ pumping channel as identified in Rhodobacter sphaeroides or Paracoccus denitrificans. Therefore, for H+ translocation, a mechanism different from that in typical heme-copper oxidases of the aa3 or bo3 type is discussed.

Turnover number of Escherichia coli F0F1 ATP synthase for ATP synthesis in membrane vesicles

The rate of ATP synthesized by the ATP synthase (F0F1-ATPase) is limited by the rate of energy production via the respiratory chain, when measured in everted membrane vesicles of an Escherichia coli atp wild-type strain. After energization of the membranes with NADH, fractional inactivation of F0F1 by the covalent inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide allowed the rate of ATP synthesis/mol remaining active ATP synthase complexes to increase; the active ATP synthase complexes were calculated using ATP hydrolysis rates as the defining parameter. In addition, variation of the assay temperature revealed an increase of the ATP synthesis rate up to a temperature of 37 degrees C, the optimal growth temperature of E. coli. In parallel, the amount of F0F1 complexes present in membrane vesicles was determined by immunoquantitation to be 3.3 +/- 0.3% of the membrane protein for cells grown in rich medium and 6.6 +/- 0.3% for cells grown in minimal medium with glycerol as sole carbon and energy source. Based on these data, a turnover number for ATP synthesis of 270 +/- 40 s(-1) could be determined in the presence of 5% active F0F1 complexes. Therefore, these studies demonstrate that the ATP synthase complex of E. coli has, with respect to maximum rates, the same capacity as the corresponding enzymes of eukaryotic organells.