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Thweatt JL, Harman CE, Araújo MN, Marlow JJ, Oliver GC, Sabuda MC, Sevgen S, Wilpiszeki RL. Chapter 6: The Breadth and Limits of Life on Earth. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:S124-S142. [PMID: 38498824 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Scientific ideas about the potential existence of life elsewhere in the universe are predominantly informed by knowledge about life on Earth. Over the past ∼4 billion years, life on Earth has evolved into millions of unique species. Life now inhabits nearly every environmental niche on Earth that has been explored. Despite the wide variety of species and diverse biochemistry of modern life, many features, such as energy production mechanisms and nutrient requirements, are conserved across the Tree of Life. Such conserved features help define the operational parameters required by life and therefore help direct the exploration and evaluation of habitability in extraterrestrial environments. As new diversity in the Tree of Life continues to expand, so do the known limits of life on Earth and the range of environments considered habitable elsewhere. The metabolic processes used by organisms living on the edge of habitability provide insights into the types of environments that would be most suitable to hosting extraterrestrial life, crucial for planning and developing future astrobiology missions. This chapter will introduce readers to the breadth and limits of life on Earth and show how the study of life at the extremes can inform the broader field of astrobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Thweatt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA. (Former)
| | - C E Harman
- Planetary Systems Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - M N Araújo
- Biochemistry Department, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, Brazil
| | - Jeffrey J Marlow
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gina C Oliver
- Department of Geology, San Bernardino Valley College, San Bernardino, California, USA
| | - Mary C Sabuda
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Biotechnology Institute, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Serhat Sevgen
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Erdemli, Mersin, Turkey
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Zaccaria T, de Jonge MI, Domínguez-Andrés J, Netea MG, Beblo-Vranesevic K, Rettberg P. Survival of Environment-Derived Opportunistic Bacterial Pathogens to Martian Conditions: Is There a Concern for Human Missions to Mars? ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:100-113. [PMID: 38227836 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The health of astronauts during space travel to new celestial bodies in the Solar System is a critical factor in the planning of a mission. Despite cleaning and decontamination protocols, microorganisms from the Earth have been and will be identified on spacecraft. This raises concerns for human safety and planetary protection, especially if these microorganisms can evolve and adapt to the new environment. In this study, we examined the tolerance of clinically relevant nonfastidious bacterial species that originate from environmental sources (Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens) to simulated martian conditions. Our research showed changes in growth and survival of these species in the presence of perchlorates, under desiccating conditions, exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and exposure to martian atmospheric composition and pressure. In addition, our results demonstrate that growth was enhanced by the addition of a martian regolith simulant to the growth media. Additional future research is warranted to examine potential changes in the infectivity, pathogenicity, and virulence of these species with exposure to martian conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Zaccaria
- Research Group Astrobiology, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marien I de Jonge
- Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Jorge Domínguez-Andrés
- Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department for Immunology and Metabolism, Life and Medical Sciences Institute (LIMES), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Research Group Astrobiology, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Research Group Astrobiology, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Cologne, Germany
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Kumar S, Najar IN, Sharma P, Tamang S, Mondal K, Das S, Sherpa MT, Thakur N. Temperature - A critical abiotic paradigm that governs bacterial heterogeneity in natural ecological system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116547. [PMID: 37422118 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
A baseline data has been presented here to prove that among the abiotic factors, temperature is the most critical factor that regulates and governs the bacterial diversity in a natural ecosystem. Present study in Yumesamdong hot springs riverine vicinity (Sikkim), parades a gamut of bacterial communities in it and hosts them from semi-frigid region (- 4-10 °C) to fervid region (50-60 °C) via an intermediate region (25-37 °C) within the same ecosystem. This is an extremely rare intriguing natural ecosystem that has no anthropogenic disturbances nor any artificial regulation of temperature. We scanned the bacterial flora through both the culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques in this naturally complex thermally graded habitat. High-throughput sequencing gave bacterial and archaeal phyla representatives of over 2000 species showcasing their biodiversity. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes and Chloroflexi were the predominant phyla. A concave down-curve significance was found in temperature-abundance correlation as the number of microbial taxa decreased when the temperature increased from warm (35 °C) to hot (60 °C). Firmicutes showed significant linear increase from cold to hot environment whereas Proteobacteria followed the opposite trend. No significant correlation was observed for physicochemical parameters against the bacterial diversity. However, only temperature has shown significant positive correlation to the predominant phyla at their respective thermal gradients. The antibiotic resistance patterns correlated with temperature gradient where the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was higher in case of mesophiles than that of psychrophiles and there was no resistance in thermophiles. The antibiotic resistant genes obtained were solely from mesophiles as it conferred high resistance at mesophilic conditions enabling them to adapt and metabolically compete for survival. Our study concludes that the temperature is a major factor that plays a significant contribution in shaping the bacterial community structure in any thermal gradient edifice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Ishfaq Nabi Najar
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Prayatna Sharma
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Sonia Tamang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Krishnendu Mondal
- Department of Microbiology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, 721102, India
| | - Sayak Das
- Department of Life Science & Bioinformatics, HK School of Life Sciences, Assam University, Silchar, 788011, Assam, India
| | - Mingma Thundu Sherpa
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
| | - Nagendra Thakur
- Department of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Sikkim University, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India.
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Milojevic T, Cramm MA, Hubert CRJ, Westall F. "Freezing" Thermophiles: From One Temperature Extreme to Another. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10122417. [PMID: 36557670 PMCID: PMC9782878 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10122417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
New detections of thermophiles in psychrobiotic (i.e., bearing cold-tolerant life forms) marine and terrestrial habitats including Arctic marine sediments, Antarctic accretion ice, permafrost, and elsewhere are continually being reported. These microorganisms present great opportunities for microbial ecologists to examine biogeographical processes for spore-formers and non-spore-formers alike, including dispersal histories connecting warm and cold biospheres. In this review, we examine different examples of thermophiles in cryobiotic locations, and highlight exploration of thermophiles at cold temperatures under laboratory conditions. The survival of thermophiles in psychrobiotic environments provokes novel considerations of physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying natural cryopreservation of microorganisms. Cultures of thermophiles maintained at low temperature may serve as a non-sporulating laboratory model for further exploration of metabolic potential of thermophiles at psychrobiotic temperatures, as well as for elucidating molecular mechanisms behind natural preservation and adaptation to psychrobiotic environments. These investigations are highly relevant for the search for life on other cold and icy planets in the Solar System, such as Mars, Europa and Enceladus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Milojevic
- Exobiology Group, CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, University of Orléans, Rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orléans, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-2-3825-5548
| | - Margaret Anne Cramm
- Geomicrobiology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Casey R. J. Hubert
- Geomicrobiology Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Frances Westall
- Exobiology Group, CNRS-Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Rue Charles Sadron, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orléans, France
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Toshchakov SV, Izotova AO, Vinogradova EN, Kachmazov GS, Tuaeva AY, Abaev VT, Evteeva MA, Gunitseva NM, Korzhenkov AA, Elcheninov AG, Patrushev MV, Kublanov IV. Culture-Independent Survey of Thermophilic Microbial Communities of the North Caucasus. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10121352. [PMID: 34943267 PMCID: PMC8698779 DOI: 10.3390/biology10121352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary The Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, located in the southern part of the North Caucasus, possess a number of hydrothermal habitats, including both subterranean thermal reservoirs and terrestrial hot springs. At the same time, reports on microbiology of numerous geothermal sites are rather scarce for the whole North Caucasus region. In this paper, we report on the first culture-independent metabarcoding study of thermal habitats in the North Caucasus, coupled with a chemical analysis of the elemental composition of water. The results of this work include the conclusions regarding key metabolic characteristics of these habitats as well as detection of few but abundant deep lineages of uncultivated microorganisms which could be regarded as endemic. This study may represent a first step in closing the knowledge gap in extremophilic microbial communities of the North Caucasus. Abstract The Greater Caucasus is a part of seismically active Alpine–Himalayan orogenic belt and has been a center of significant volcanic activity during the Quaternary period. That led to the formation of the number of hydrothermal habitats, including subterranean thermal aquifers and surface hot springs. However, there are only a limited number of scientific works reporting on the microbial communities of these habitats. Moreover, all these reports concern only studies of specific microbial taxa, carried out using classical cultivation approaches. In this work, we present first culture-independent study of hydrotherms in the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, located in the southern part of the North Caucasus. Using 16S metabarcoding, we analyzed the composition of the microbial communities of two subterranean thermal aquifers and terrestrial hot springs of the Karmadon valley. Analysis of correlations between the chemical composition of water and the representation of key taxa allowed us to identify the key factors determining the formation of microbial communities. In addition, we were able to identify a significant number of highly abundant deep phylogenetic lineages. Our study represents a first glance on the thermophilic microbial communities of the North Caucasus and may serve as a basis for further microbiological studies of the extreme habitats of this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stepan V. Toshchakov
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-911-481-1809
| | - Anna O. Izotova
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Elizaveta N. Vinogradova
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1-12 Leninskie Gory, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Gennady S. Kachmazov
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, North Ossetian State University Named after K.L. Khetagurov, Vatutina str., 44-46, Vladikavkaz 362025, Russia; (G.S.K.); (V.T.A.)
| | - Albina Y. Tuaeva
- National Research Center Kurchatov Institute-GOSNIIGENETIKA, 1st Dorozhny Pr., 1, Moscow 117545, Russia;
| | - Vladimir T. Abaev
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, North Ossetian State University Named after K.L. Khetagurov, Vatutina str., 44-46, Vladikavkaz 362025, Russia; (G.S.K.); (V.T.A.)
| | - Martha A. Evteeva
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Natalia M. Gunitseva
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Aleksei A. Korzhenkov
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Alexander G. Elcheninov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology RAS, 60-let Oktyzbrya Av., 7/2, Moscow 119071, Russia; (A.G.E.); (I.V.K.)
| | - Maxim V. Patrushev
- Kurchatov Center for Genome Research, National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Ac. Kurchatov Square, 1, Moscow 123098, Russia; (A.O.I.); (E.N.V.); (M.A.E.); (N.M.G.); (A.A.K.); (M.V.P.)
| | - Ilya V. Kublanov
- Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Research Center of Biotechnology RAS, 60-let Oktyzbrya Av., 7/2, Moscow 119071, Russia; (A.G.E.); (I.V.K.)
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Chen S, Chen S, Wang J, Zhan Y, Wang Z, Fang Y, Wang X. Characterization of a gene cluster containing four genes relevant to biosynthesis of inner core of lipopolysaccharide in Cronobacter sakazakii. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2021; 69:1080-1093. [PMID: 33928676 DOI: 10.1002/bab.2179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Many genes in the biosynthetic pathway of lipopolysaccharide in Cronobacter sakazakii have not been identified. In this study, we demonstrate that an operon containing four genes ESA_RS18945, ESA_RS18950, ESA_RS18955, and ESA_RS18960 is responsible for L-glycero-D-mannoheptose addition on the inner core of lipopolysaccharide in C. sakazakii. The proteins encoded by these four genes are homologous to E. coli WaaQ, WaaC, WaaF, and WaaD. Lipopolysaccharide from the deletion mutants of ESA_RS18945, ESA_RS18950, ESA_RS18955, and ESA_RS18960 (named as △RS18945, △RS18950, △RS18955 and △RS18960, respectively) were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. △RS18945 synthesized lipopolysaccharide with similar length to the wildtype BAA-894, whereas △RS18950, △RS18955, and △RS18960 synthesized much shorter lipopolysaccharide. This suggests that the enzyme encoded by ESA_RS18945 might function as E. coli WaaQ on the sidechain of lipopolysaccharide. When E. coli WaaC, WaaF, and WaaD were overexpressed in △RS18950, △RS18955, and △RS18960, respectively, the full length of lipopolysaccharide was recovered. Mass spectrometry analysis indicates that △RS18950 and △RS18960 only synthesized Kdo2 -lipid A, confirming that enzymes encoded by ESA_RS18950 and ESA_RS18960 have similar functions to E. coli WaaC and WaaD, respectively. Hep-Kdo2 -lipid A with a phosphoethanolamine was produced in △RS18955, suggesting that the enzyme encoded by ESA_RS18955 has similar function to E. coli WaaF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Si Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jianli Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yi Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.,Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, School of Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
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Koschnitzki D, Moeller R, Leuko S, Przybyla B, Beblo-Vranesevic K, Wirth R, Huber H, Rachel R, Rettberg P. Questioning the radiation limits of life: Ignicoccus hospitalis between replication and VBNC. Arch Microbiol 2020; 203:1299-1308. [PMID: 33325001 PMCID: PMC8055635 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-020-02125-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Radiation of ionizing or non-ionizing nature has harmful effects on cellular components like DNA as radiation can compromise its proper integrity. To cope with damages caused by external stimuli including radiation, within living cells, several fast and efficient repair mechanisms have evolved. Previous studies addressing organismic radiation tolerance have shown that radiotolerance is a predominant property among extremophilic microorganisms including (hyper-) thermophilic archaea. The analysis of the ionizing radiation tolerance of the chemolithoautotrophic, obligate anaerobic, hyperthermophilic Crenarchaeon Ignicoccus hospitalis showed a D10-value of 4.7 kGy, fourfold exceeding the doses previously determined for other extremophilic archaea. The genome integrity of I. hospitalis after γ-ray exposure in relation to its survival was visualized by RAPD and qPCR. Furthermore, the discrimination between reproduction, and ongoing metabolic activity was possible for the first time indicating that a potential viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state may also account for I. hospitalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Koschnitzki
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Leuko
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bartos Przybyla
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Wirth
- Faculty for Biology and Preclinical Medicine, Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Centre, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Harald Huber
- Faculty for Biology and Preclinical Medicine, Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Centre, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Reinhard Rachel
- Faculty for Biology and Preclinical Medicine, Centre for Electron Microscopy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Hoehe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
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Podar PT, Yang Z, Björnsdóttir SH, Podar M. Comparative Analysis of Microbial Diversity Across Temperature Gradients in Hot Springs From Yellowstone and Iceland. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1625. [PMID: 32760379 PMCID: PMC7372906 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Geothermal hot springs are a natural setting to study microbial adaptation to a wide range of temperatures reaching up to boiling. Temperature gradients lead to distinct microbial communities that inhabit their optimum niches. We sampled three alkaline, high temperature (80-100°C) hot springs in Yellowstone and Iceland that had cooling outflows and whose microbial communities had not been studied previously. The microbial composition in sediments and mats was determined by DNA sequencing of rRNA gene amplicons. Over three dozen phyla of Archaea and Bacteria were identified, representing over 1700 distinct organisms. We observed a significant non-linear reduction in the number of microbial taxa as the temperature increased from warm (38°C) to boiling. At high taxonomic levels, the community structure was similar between the Yellowstone and Iceland hot springs. We identified potential endemism at the genus level, especially in thermophilic phototrophs, which may have been potentially driven by distinct environmental conditions and dispersal limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T. Podar
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | - Zamin Yang
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
| | | | - Mircea Podar
- Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, United States
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9
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Changes in soil taxonomic and functional diversity resulting from gamma irradiation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7894. [PMID: 31133738 PMCID: PMC6536540 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44441-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known of the effects of ionizing radiation exposure on soil biota. We exposed soil microcosms to weekly bursts of 60Co gamma radiation over six weeks, at three levels of exposure (0.1 kGy/hr/wk [low], 1 kGy/hr/wk [medium] and 3 kGy/hr/wk [high]). Soil DNA was extracted, and shotgun metagenomes were sequenced and characterised using MG-RAST. We hypothesized that with increasing radiation exposure there would be a decrease in both taxonomic and functional diversity. While bacterial diversity decreased, diversity of fungi and algae unexpectedly increased, perhaps because of release from competition. Despite the decrease in diversity of bacteria and of biota overall, functional gene diversity of algae, bacteria, fungi and total biota increased. Cycles of radiation exposure may increase the range of gene functional strategies viable in soil, a novel ecological example of the effects of stressors or disturbance events promoting some aspects of diversity. Moreover, repeated density-independent population crashes followed by population expansion may allow lottery effects, promoting coexistence. Radiation exposure produced large overall changes in community composition. Our study suggests several potential novel radiation-tolerant groups: in addition to Deinococcus-Thermus, which reached up to 20% relative abundance in the metagenome, the phyla Chloroflexi (bacteria), Chytridiomycota (fungi) and Nanoarcheota (archaea) may be considered as radiation-tolerant.
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10
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Senatore G, Mastroleo F, Leys N, Mauriello G. Effect of microgravity & space radiation on microbes. Future Microbiol 2018; 13:831-847. [PMID: 29745771 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2017-0251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the new challenges facing humanity is to reach increasingly further distant space targets. It is therefore of upmost importance to understand the behavior of microorganisms that will unavoidably reach the space environment together with the human body and equipment. Indeed, microorganisms could activate their stress defense mechanisms, modifying properties related to human pathogenesis. The host-microbe interactions, in fact, could be substantially affected under spaceflight conditions and the study of microorganisms' growth and activity is necessary for predicting these behaviors and assessing precautionary measures during spaceflight. This review gives an overview of the effects of microgravity and space radiation on microorganisms both in real and simulated conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Senatore
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK•CEN), 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Gianluigi Mauriello
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80055 Portici, Naples, Italy
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Beblo-Vranesevic K, Bohmeier M, Perras AK, Schwendner P, Rabbow E, Moissl-Eichinger C, Cockell CS, Vannier P, Marteinsson VT, Monaghan EP, Ehrenfreund P, Garcia-Descalzo L, Gómez F, Malki M, Amils R, Gaboyer F, Westall F, Cabezas P, Walter N, Rettberg P. Lack of correlation of desiccation and radiation tolerance in microorganisms from diverse extreme environments tested under anoxic conditions. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2018; 365:4883205. [PMID: 29474542 PMCID: PMC5939664 DOI: 10.1093/femsle/fny044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Four facultative anaerobic and two obligate anaerobic bacteria were isolated from extreme environments (deep subsurface halite mine, sulfidic anoxic spring, mineral-rich river) in the frame MASE (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration) project. The isolates were investigated under anoxic conditions for their survivability after desiccation up to 6 months and their tolerance to ionizing radiation up to 3000 Gy. The results indicated that tolerances to both stresses are strain-specific features. Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 showed a high desiccation tolerance but its radiation tolerance was very low. The most radiation-tolerant strains were Buttiauxella sp. MASE-IM-9 and Halanaerobium sp. MASE-BB-1. In both cases, cultivable cells were detectable after an exposure to 3 kGy of ionizing radiation, but cells only survived desiccation for 90 and 30 days, respectively. Although a correlation between desiccation and ionizing radiation resistance has been hypothesized for some aerobic microorganisms, our data showed that there was no correlation between tolerance to desiccation and ionizing radiation, suggesting that the physiological basis of both forms of tolerances is not necessarily linked. In addition, these results indicated that facultative and obligate anaerobic organisms living in extreme environments possess varied species-specific tolerances to extremes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - Maria Bohmeier
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra K Perras
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auerbruggerplatz 15, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Department of Microbiology and Archaea, University of Regensburg, Universitätsstr. 31, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Schwendner
- UK Center for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, EH9 3FD, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elke Rabbow
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auerbruggerplatz 15, 8010 Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Mozartgasse 12/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Charles S Cockell
- UK Center for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Peter Guthrie Tait Road, EH9 3FD, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Viggo T Marteinsson
- MATISProkaria, Vinlandsleid 12, 113 Reykjavík, Iceland
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Vatnsmýrarvegur 16, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Euan P Monaghan
- Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 Leiden, Netherland
| | - Pascale Ehrenfreund
- Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Niels Bohrweg 2, 2333 Leiden, Netherland
- Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, 1957 E Street, 20052 Washington DC, USA
| | - Laura Garcia-Descalzo
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial-Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Gómez
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial-Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28850 Madrid, Spain
| | - Moustafa Malki
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Calle Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Calle Nicolás Cabrera 1, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Frédéric Gaboyer
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Frances Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Rue Charles Sadron, 45071 Orléans, France
| | - Patricia Cabezas
- European Science Foundation (ESF), Quai Lezay-Marnésia, 67080 Strasbourg, France
| | - Nicolas Walter
- European Science Foundation (ESF), Quai Lezay-Marnésia, 67080 Strasbourg, France
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
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12
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Beblo-Vranesevic K, Bohmeier M, Perras AK, Schwendner P, Rabbow E, Moissl-Eichinger C, Cockell CS, Pukall R, Vannier P, Marteinsson VT, Monaghan EP, Ehrenfreund P, Garcia-Descalzo L, Gómez F, Malki M, Amils R, Gaboyer F, Westall F, Cabezas P, Walter N, Rettberg P. The responses of an anaerobic microorganism, Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 to individual and combined simulated Martian stresses. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0185178. [PMID: 29069099 PMCID: PMC5656303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The limits of life of aerobic microorganisms are well understood, but the responses of anaerobic microorganisms to individual and combined extreme stressors are less well known. Motivated by an interest in understanding the survivability of anaerobic microorganisms under Martian conditions, we investigated the responses of a new isolate, Yersinia intermedia MASE-LG-1 to individual and combined stresses associated with the Martian surface. This organism belongs to an adaptable and persistent genus of anaerobic microorganisms found in many environments worldwide. The effects of desiccation, low pressure, ionizing radiation, varying temperature, osmotic pressure, and oxidizing chemical compounds were investigated. The strain showed a high tolerance to desiccation, with a decline of survivability by four orders of magnitude during a storage time of 85 days. Exposure to X-rays resulted in dose-dependent inactivation for exposure up to 600 Gy while applied doses above 750 Gy led to complete inactivation. The effects of the combination of desiccation and irradiation were additive and the survivability was influenced by the order in which they were imposed. Ionizing irradiation and subsequent desiccation was more deleterious than vice versa. By contrast, the presence of perchlorates was not found to significantly affect the survival of the Yersinia strain after ionizing radiation. These data show that the organism has the capacity to survive and grow in physical and chemical stresses, imposed individually or in combination that are associated with Martian environment. Eventually it lost its viability showing that many of the most adaptable anaerobic organisms on Earth would be killed on Mars today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Maria Bohmeier
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Alexandra K. Perras
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Microbiology and Archaea, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Schwendner
- School of Physics and Astronomy, UK Center for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Elke Rabbow
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Charles S. Cockell
- School of Physics and Astronomy, UK Center for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rüdiger Pukall
- German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Leibniz Institute DSMZ, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Viggo T. Marteinsson
- MATIS—Prokaria, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Pascale Ehrenfreund
- Leiden Observatory, Universiteit Leiden, Leiden, Netherland
- Space Policy Institute, George Washington University, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Laura Garcia-Descalzo
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial—Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Gómez
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial—Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CAB), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Frédéric Gaboyer
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Orléans, France
| | - Frances Westall
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Orléans, France
| | | | | | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
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13
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Beblo-Vranesevic K, Huber H, Rettberg P. High Tolerance of Hydrogenothermus marinus to Sodium Perchlorate. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:1369. [PMID: 28769918 PMCID: PMC5513930 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.01369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
On Mars, significant amounts (0.4-0.6%) of perchlorate ions were detected in dry soil by the Phoenix Wet Chemistry Laboratory and later confirmed with the Mars Science Laboratory. Therefore, the ability of Hydrogenothermus marinus, a desiccation tolerant bacterium, to survive and grow in the presence of perchlorates was determined. Results indicated that H. marinus was able to tolerate concentrations of sodium perchlorate up to 200 mM ( 1.6%) during cultivation without any changes in its growth pattern. After the addition of up to 440 mM ( 3.7%) sodium perchlorate, H. marinus showed significant changes in cell morphology; from single motile short rods to long cell chains up to 80 cells. Furthermore, it was shown that the known desiccation tolerance of H. marinus is highly influenced by a pre-treatment with different perchlorates; additive effects of desiccation and perchlorate treatments are visible in a reduced survival rate. These data demonstrate that thermophiles, especially H. marinus, have so far, unknown high tolerances against cell damaging treatments and may serve as model organisms for future space experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Radiation Biology Division, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.)Cologne, Germany
| | - Harald Huber
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of RegensburgRegensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Division, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.)Cologne, Germany
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14
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Ranawat P, Rawat S. Radiation resistance in thermophiles: mechanisms and applications. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2017; 33:112. [DOI: 10.1007/s11274-017-2279-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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15
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Beblo-Vranesevic K, Galinski EA, Rachel R, Huber H, Rettberg P. Influence of osmotic stress on desiccation and irradiation tolerance of (hyper)-thermophilic microorganisms. Arch Microbiol 2016; 199:17-28. [PMID: 27443666 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-016-1269-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the influence of prior salt adaptation on the survival rate of (hyper)-thermophilic bacteria and archaea after desiccation and UV or ionizing irradiation treatment. Survival rates after desiccation of Hydrogenothermus marinus and Archaeoglobus fulgidus increased considerably when the cells were cultivated at higher salt concentrations before drying. By doubling the concentration of NaCl, a 30 times higher survival rate of H. marinus after desiccation was observed. Under salt stress, the compatible solute diglycerol phosphate in A. fulgidus and glucosylglycerate in H. marinus accumulated in the cytoplasm. Several different compatible solutes were added as protectants to A. fulgidus and H. marinus before desiccation treatment. Some of these had similar effects as intracellularly produced compatible solutes. The survival rates of H. marinus and A. fulgidus after exposure to UV-C (254 nm) or ionizing X-ray/gamma radiation were irrespective of the salt-induced synthesis or the addition of compatible solutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Beblo-Vranesevic
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Division, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany.
| | - Erwin A Galinski
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms University, Bonn, Germany
| | - Reinhard Rachel
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, Center for Electron Microscopy, University Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Harald Huber
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Division, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
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16
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Radiation Resistance in Extremophiles: Fending Off Multiple Attacks. CELLULAR ORIGIN, LIFE IN EXTREME HABITATS AND ASTROBIOLOGY 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-6488-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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17
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Role of Mn2+ and compatible solutes in the radiation resistance of thermophilic bacteria and archaea. ARCHAEA-AN INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2012; 2012:845756. [PMID: 23209374 PMCID: PMC3505630 DOI: 10.1155/2012/845756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Radiation-resistant bacteria have garnered a great deal of attention from scientists seeking to expose the mechanisms underlying their incredible survival abilities. Recent analyses showed that the resistance to ionizing radiation (IR) in the archaeon Halobacterium salinarum is dependent upon Mn-antioxidant complexes responsible for the scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by radiation. Here we examined the role of the compatible solutes trehalose, mannosylglycerate, and di-myo-inositol phosphate in the radiation resistance of aerobic and anaerobic thermophiles. We found that the IR resistance of the thermophilic bacteria Rubrobacter xylanophilus and Rubrobacter radiotolerans was highly correlated to the accumulation of high intracellular concentration of trehalose in association with Mn, supporting the model of Mn2+-dependent ROS scavenging in the aerobes. In contrast, the hyperthermophilic archaea Thermococcus gammatolerans and Pyrococcus furiosus did not contain significant amounts of intracellular Mn, and we found no significant antioxidant activity from mannosylglycerate and di-myo-inositol phosphate in vitro. We therefore propose that the low levels of IR-generated ROS under anaerobic conditions combined with highly constitutively expressed detoxification systems in these anaerobes are key to their radiation resistance and circumvent the need for the accumulation of Mn-antioxidant complexes in the cell.
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18
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Survival of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic microorganisms after exposure to UV-C, ionizing radiation and desiccation. Arch Microbiol 2011; 193:797-809. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-011-0718-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Revised: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2011] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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19
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Bauermeister A, Moeller R, Reitz G, Sommer S, Rettberg P. Effect of relative humidity on Deinococcus radiodurans' resistance to prolonged desiccation, heat, ionizing, germicidal, and environmentally relevant UV radiation. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2011; 61:715-722. [PMID: 21161207 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-010-9785-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
To test the effect of humidity on the radiation resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans, air-dried cells were irradiated with germicidal 254 nm UV, and simulated environmental UV or γ-radiation and survival was compared to cells in suspension. It was observed that desiccated cells exhibited higher levels of resistance than cells in suspension toward UV or γ-radiation as well as after 85°C heat shock. It was also shown that low relative humidity improves survival during long-term storage of desiccated D. radiodurans cells. It can be concluded that periods or environments in which cells exist in a dehydrated state are beneficial for D. radiodurans' survival exposed to various other stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Bauermeister
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne (Koeln), Germany
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20
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Extremophiles: from abyssal to terrestrial ecosystems and possibly beyond. Naturwissenschaften 2011; 98:253-79. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-011-0775-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2010] [Revised: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 02/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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21
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Moissl-Eichinger C. Archaea in artificial environments: their presence in global spacecraft clean rooms and impact on planetary protection. ISME JOURNAL 2010; 5:209-19. [PMID: 20703318 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2010.124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The presence and role of Archaea in artificial, human-controlled environments is still unclear. The search for Archaea has been focused on natural biotopes where they have been found in overwhelming numbers, and with amazing properties. However, they are considered as one of the major group of microorganisms that might be able to survive a space flight, or even to thrive on other planets. Although still concentrating on aerobic, bacterial spores as a proxy for spacecraft cleanliness, space agencies are beginning to consider Archaea as a possible contamination source that could affect future searches for life on other planets. This study reports on the discovery of archaeal 16S rRNA gene signatures not only in US American spacecraft assembly clean rooms but also in facilities in Europe and South America. Molecular methods revealed the presence of Crenarchaeota in all clean rooms sampled, while signatures derived from methanogens and a halophile appeared only sporadically. Although no Archaeon was successfully enriched in our multiassay cultivation approach thus far, samples from a European clean room revealed positive archaeal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) signals of rod-shaped microorganisms, representing the first visualization of Archaea in clean room environments. The molecular and visual detection of Archaea was supported by the first quantitative PCR studies of clean rooms, estimating the overall quantity of Archaea therein. The significant presence of Archaea in these extreme environments in distinct geographical locations suggests a larger role for these microorganisms not only in natural biotopes, but also in human controlled and rigorously cleaned environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Institute for Microbiology and Archaea Center, Universitaet Regensburg, Universitaetsstrasse 31, Regensburg, Germany.
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22
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Wassmann M, Moeller R, Reitz G, Rettberg P. Adaptation of Bacillus subtilis cells to Archean-like UV climate: relevant hints of microbial evolution to remarkably increased radiation resistance. ASTROBIOLOGY 2010; 10:605-615. [PMID: 20735251 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2009.0455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In a precursory study for the space experiment ADAPT ("Molecular adaptation strategies of microorganisms to different space and planetary UV climate conditions"), cells of Bacillus subtilis 168 were continuously cultured for 700 generations under periodic polychromatic UV irradiation (200-400 nm) to model the suggested UV radiation environment on early Earth at the origin of the first microbial ecosystem during the Archean eon when Earth lacked a significant ozone layer. Populations that evolved under UV stress were about 3-fold more resistant than the ancestral and non-UV-evolved populations. UV-evolved cells were 7-fold more resistant to ionizing radiation than their non-UV-exposed evolved relatives and ancestor. In addition to the acquired increased UV resistance, further changes in microbial stress response to hydrogen peroxide, increased salinity, and desiccation were observed in UV-evolved cells. This indicates that UV-sensitive ancestral cells are capable of adapting to periodically applied UV stress via the evolution of cells with an increased UV resistance level and further enhanced responses to other environmental stressors, which thereby allows them to survive and reproduce under extreme UV radiation as a selection pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Wassmann
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Research Group Astrobiology, Cologne, Germany
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