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Piersanti S, Rebora M, Turchetti B, Salerno G, Ruscetta M, Zucconi L, D'Alò F, Buzzini P, Sannino C. Microplastics in the diet of Hermetia illucens: Implications for development and midgut bacterial and fungal microbiota. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 186:259-270. [PMID: 38943817 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.06.021] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
In a world with a population exceeding 8 billion people and continuing to grow, pollution from food and plastic waste is causing long-term issues in ecosystems. Potential solutions may be found by exploiting insect-based bioconversion. In this context, we investigated the impact of polyvinyl chloride microparticles (PVC-MPs) on the development of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly; BSF) and its midgut bacterial and fungal microbiota. The impact of PVC-MPs was evaluated feeding BSF larvae with a PVC-MPs-supplemented diet. The larvae exposed to different PVC-MPs concentrations (2.5%, 5%, 10% and 20% w/w) developed into adults with no significant increase in pupal mortality. Faster development and smaller pupae were observed when 20% PVC-MPs was provided. The BSF larvae ingest PVC-MPs, resulting in a reduction in MPs size. Larvae exposed to PVC-MPs did not exhibit differences in gut morphology. Regarding the impact of PVC-MPs on the structure of both bacterial and fungal communities, the overall alpha- and beta-diversity did not exhibit significant changes. However, the presence of PVC-MPs significantly affected the relative abundances of Enterobacteriaceae and Paenibacillaceae among the bacteria and of Dipodascaceae and Plectospharellaceae among the fungi (including yeast and filamentous life forms), suggesting that PVC-MP contamination has a taxa-dependent impact. These results indicate that BSF larvae can tolerate PVC-MPs in their diet, supporting the potential use of these insects in organic waste management, even in the presence of high levels of PVC-MP contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Piersanti
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Manuela Rebora
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Benedetta Turchetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Gianandrea Salerno
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Mario Ruscetta
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Federica D'Alò
- Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems, National Research Council, Porano (TR), Italy.
| | - Pietro Buzzini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Ciro Sannino
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
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Lorenz C, Bianchi E, Alberini A, Poggiali G, Benesperi R, Papini A, Brucato JR. UV photo-degradation of the secondary lichen substance parietin: A multi-spectroscopic analysis in astrobiology perspective. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 41:191-201. [PMID: 38670647 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.03.004] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
The cortical anthraquinone yellow-orange pigment parietin is a secondary lichen substance providing UV-shielding properties that is produced by several lichen species. In our work, the secondary metabolite has been extracted from air-dried thalli of Xanthoria parietina. The aims of this study were to characterize parietin absorbance through UV-VIS spectrophotometry and with IR spectroscopy and to evaluate its photodegradability under UV radiation through in situ reflectance IR spectroscopy to understand to what extent the substance may have a photoprotective role. This allows us to relate parietin photo-degradability to the lichen UV tolerance in its natural terrestrial habitat and in extreme environments relevant for astrobiology such as Mars. Extracted crystals were UV irradiated for 5.59 h under N2 flux. After the UV irradiation, we assessed relevant degradations in the 1614, 1227, 1202, 1160 and 755 cm-1 bands. However, in light of Xanthoria parietina survivability in extreme conditions such as space- and Mars-simulated ones, we highlight parietin UV photo-resistance and its relevance for astrobiology as photo-protective substance and possible bio-hint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lorenz
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy; INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Florence, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrew Alberini
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Poggiali
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Florence, Italy; LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 5 place Jules Janssen, 92190 Meudon, France
| | - Renato Benesperi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Papini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via La Pira 4, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - John Robert Brucato
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125 Florence, Italy.
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Dittrich M, Paulo C, Knabe N, Sturm H, Zaitsev V, Gorbushina AA. Microscopic Raman study of fungal pigment using the genetically amenable rock inhabitant Knufia petricola as a model organism. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 303:123250. [PMID: 37625274 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123250] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Fungal pigments such as melanin and carotenoids are distinctive markers of animal and plant pathogenic fungi as well as their environmental relatives. These complex pigments play important roles in pathogenicity and stress tolerance while also being useful as biomarkers. Accordingly, it is important to be able to identify in situ the pigments in black fungi, a group of clinical and environmental importance. In this study, wild-type and genetically modified strains of Knufia petricola A95 and wild fungal cells attached to ancient rock were investigated for their spectroscopic and microscopic Raman features and morphological appearance. Knockout mutants of melanin synthesis genes pks1 (polyketide synthase), sdh1 (scytalone dehydratase), and both pks1 and the carotenoid synthesis gene phd1 (phytoene desaturase) were studied We applied two different Raman microscopes using two lasers, with 633 nm and 488 nm wavelengths. We analyzed and compared Raman spectra between the measured reference substances and the mutant and wild-type strains. In the wild strain WT:A95, the peaks close to melanin peals were found at 1353 cm-1 and 1611 cm-1. There are no characteristic melanin peaks at 1580-1600 cm-1 and around 1350 cm-1 at the spectrum of the Δpks1/Δphd1 mutant and the Δsdh1 mutant. The Δpks1 mutant spectrum has the peaks at the beta-carotene v2 C-C in-plane stretch at 1155 cm-1 and v3 C-CH3 deformation at 1005 cm-1. The peaks of carotenoids and melanin were found in all mutants and the wild strain, except the Δpks1/Δphd1 mutant. Raman spectra allow for discrimination between the various pigments. Hence, interactions between natural fungal melanin, as well as other protective pigments, and complex environmental matrices can be characterized on a range of spatial and temporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Dittrich
- University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada.
| | - Carlos Paulo
- University of Toronto Scarborough, 1065 Military Trail, Toronto, ON M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Nicole Knabe
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Heinz Sturm
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Vladimir Zaitsev
- Moscow State University, Physics Department, Leninskie Gory, 1-2, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Gorbushina
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany; Freie Universität Berlin, Malteserstrasse 74-100, Berlin, Germany
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4
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Berti L, Marvasi M, Perito B. Characterization of the Community of Black Meristematic Fungi Inhabiting the External White Marble of the Florence Cathedral. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:665. [PMID: 37367601 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Meristematic black fungi are a highly damaging group of microorganisms responsible for the deterioration of outdoor exposed monuments. Their resilience to various stresses poses significant challenges for removal efforts. This study focuses on the community of meristematic fungi inhabiting the external white marble of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, where they contribute to its darkening. Twenty-four strains were isolated from two differently exposed sites of the Cathedral, and their characterization was conducted. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS and LSU rDNA regions revealed a wide diversity of rock-inhabiting fungal strains within the sampled areas. Eight strains, belonging to different genera, were also tested for thermal preferences, salt tolerance, and acid production to investigate their tolerance to environmental stressors and their interaction with stone. All tested strains were able to grow in the range of 5-30 °C, in the presence 5% NaCl, and seven out of eight strains were positive for the production of acid. Their sensitivities to essential oils of thyme and oregano and to the commercial biocide Biotin T were also tested. The essential oils were found to be the most effective against black fungi growth, indicating the possibility of developing a treatment with a low environmental impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Berti
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
- Department of Sciences of Antiquity, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Marvasi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Brunella Perito
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy
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Rizk SM, Magdy M, De Leo F, Werner O, Rashed MAS, Ros RM, Urzì C. Culturable and unculturable potential heterotrophic microbiological threats to the oldest pyramids of the Memphis necropolis, Egypt. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1167083. [PMID: 37275160 PMCID: PMC10232867 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1167083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A large percentage of the world's tangible cultural heritage is made from stone; thus, it deteriorates due to physical, chemical, and/or biological factors. The current study explored the microbial community inhabiting two prehistoric sites with high cultural value in the Memphis necropolis of Egypt (Djoser and Lahun Pyramids) using amplicon-based metabarcoding and culture-dependent isolation methods. Samples were examined by epifluorescent microscopy for biological signs before environmental DNA extraction and in vitro cultivation. The metabarcoding analysis identified 644 bacterial species (452 genera) using the 16S rRNA and 204 fungal species (146 genera) using ITS. In comparison with the isolation approach, an additional 28 bacterial species (13 genera) and 34 fungal species (20 genera) were identified. A total of 19 bacterial and 16 fungal species were exclusively culture-dependent, while 92 bacterial and 122 fungal species were culture-independent. The most abundant stone-inhabiting bacteria in the current study were Blastococcus aggregatus, Blastococcus saxobsidens, and Blastococcus sp., among others. The most abundant rock-inhabiting fungi were Knufia karalitana and Pseudotaeniolina globosa, besides abundant unknown Sporormiaceae species. Based on previous reports, microorganisms associated with biodeterioration were detected on color-altered sites at both pyramids. These microorganisms are potentially dangerous as physical and chemical deterioration factors and require proper conservation plans from a microbiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samah Mohamed Rizk
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Magdy
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Filomena De Leo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Olaf Werner
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biology, Murcia University, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Rosa M. Ros
- Department of Plant Biology, Faculty of Biology, Murcia University, Murcia, Spain
| | - Clara Urzì
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical, and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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6
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Lorenz C, Bianchi E, Poggiali G, Alemanno G, Benesperi R, Brucato JR, Garland S, Helbert J, Loppi S, Lorek A, Maturilli A, Papini A, de Vera JP, Baqué M. Survivability of the lichen Xanthoria parietina in simulated Martian environmental conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4893. [PMID: 36966209 PMCID: PMC10039903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32008-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. is a widely spread foliose lichen showing high tolerance against UV-radiation thanks to parietin, a secondary lichen substance. We exposed samples of X. parietina under simulated Martian conditions for 30 days to explore its survivability. The lichen's vitality was monitored via chlorophyll a fluorescence that gives an indication for active light reaction of photosynthesis, performing in situ and after-treatment analyses. Raman spectroscopy and TEM were used to evaluate carotenoid preservation and possible variations in the photobiont's ultrastructure respectively. Significant differences in the photo-efficiency between UV irradiated samples and dark-kept samples were observed. Fluorescence values correlated with temperature and humidity day-night cycles. The photo-efficiency recovery showed that UV irradiation caused significant effects on the photosynthetic light reaction. Raman spectroscopy showed that the carotenoid signal from UV exposed samples decreased significantly after the exposure. TEM observations confirmed that UV exposed samples were the most affected by the treatment, showing chloroplastidial disorganization in photobionts' cells. Overall, X. parietina was able to survive the simulated Mars conditions, and for this reason it may be considered as a candidate for space long-term space exposure and evaluations of the parietin photodegradability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lorenz
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Poggiali
- LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 5 Place Jules Janssen, 92190, Meudon, France
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Alemanno
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renato Benesperi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - John Robert Brucato
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy.
| | - Stephen Garland
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Helbert
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andreas Lorek
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Maturilli
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessio Papini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mickaël Baqué
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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Cassaro A, Pacelli C, Onofri S. Survival, metabolic activity, and ultrastructural damages of Antarctic black fungus in perchlorates media. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:992077. [PMID: 36523839 PMCID: PMC9744811 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.992077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence from recent Mars landers identified the presence of perchlorates salts at 1 wt % in regolith and their widespread distribution on the Martian surface that has been hypothesized as a critical chemical hazard for putative life forms. However, the hypersaline environment may also potentially preserve life and its biomolecules over geological timescales. The high concentration of natural perchlorates is scarcely reported on Earth. The presence of perchlorates in soil and ice has been recorded in some extreme environments including the McMurdo Dry Valleys in Antarctica, one of the best terrestrial analogues for Mars. In the frame of "Life in space" Italian astrobiology project, the polyextremophilic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus, a eukaryotic test organism isolated from the Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities, has been tested for its resistance, when grown on different hypersaline substrata. In addition, C. antarcticus was grown on Martian relevant perchlorate medium (0.4 wt% of Mg(ClO4)2 and 0.6 wt% of Ca(ClO4)2) to investigate the possibility for the fungus to survive in Martian environment. Here, the results indicate a good survivability and metabolic activity recovery of the black fungus when grown on four Martian relevant perchlorates. A low percentage of damaged cellular membranes have been found, confirming the ultrastructural investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, Viterbo, Italy
- Human Spaceflight and Scientific Research Unit, Italian Space Agency, via del Politecnico, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, Viterbo, Italy
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8
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Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M. Unearthing terrestrial extreme microbiomes for searching terrestrial-like life in the Solar System. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:1101-1115. [PMID: 35568658 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of life elsewhere in the universe has fascinated humankind for ages. To the best of our knowledge, life, as we know it, is limited to planet Earth; yet current investigation suggests that life might be more common than previously thought. In this review, we explore extreme terrestrial analogue environments in the search for some notable examples of extreme organisms, including overlooked microbial groups such as viruses, fungi, and protists, associated with limits of life on Earth. This knowledge is integral to provide the foundational principles needed to predict what sort of Earth-like organisms we might find in the Solar System and beyond, and to understand the future and origins of life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012, Sevilla, Spain; Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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9
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Yang J, Hao Z, Zhang L, Fu Y, Liu H. Surface fungal diversity and several mycotoxin-related genes' expression profiles during the Lunar Palace 365 experiment. MICROBIOME 2022; 10:169. [PMID: 36224642 PMCID: PMC9555122 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-022-01350-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chinese Lunar Palace 1 (LP1) is a ground-based bio-regenerative life support system (BLSS) test bed integrating highly efficient plant cultivation, animal protein production, urine nitrogen recycling, and bioconversion of solid waste. To date, there has been no molecular method-based detailed investigation of the fungal community and mycotoxin potential in BLSS habitats. To ensure safe BLSS design for actual space missions, we analyzed the LP1 surface mycobiome and mycotoxin potential during the Lunar Palace 365 project through internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) amplicon sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) with primers specific for idh, ver1, nor1, tri5, and ITS1. RESULTS The LP1 system exhibited significant differences in fungal community diversity compared to other confined habitats, with higher fungal alpha diversity and different community structures. Significant differences existed in the surface fungal communities of the LP1 habitat due to the presence of different occupant groups. However, there was no significant difference between fungal communities in the plant cabin with various occupants. Source tracker analysis shows that most of the surface fungi in LP1 originated from plants. Regardless of differences in occupants or location, there were no significant differences in mycotoxin gene copy number. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals that plants are the most crucial source of the surface fungal microbiome; however, occupant turnover can induce significant perturbations in the surface fungal community in a BLSS. Growing plants reduced fungal fluctuations, maintaining a healthy balance in the surface fungal microbiome and mycotoxin potential. Moreover, our study provides data important to (i) future risk considerations in crewed space missions with long-term residency, (ii) an optimized design and planning of a space mission that incorporates crew shifts and plant growth, and (iii) the expansion of our knowledge of indoor fungal communities with plant growth, which is essential to maintain safe working and living environments. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlou Yang
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Zikai Hao
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Lantao Zhang
- China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, 100094 China
| | - Yuming Fu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- International Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083 China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory for Biomechanics and Mechanobiology of the Ministry of Education, Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- International Joint Research Center of Aerospace Biotechnology & Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191 China
- State Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083 China
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10
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Cordero RJB, Dragotakes Q, Friello PJ, Casadevall A. Melanin protects Cryptococcus neoformans from spaceflight effects. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 14:679-685. [PMID: 35852045 PMCID: PMC9326845 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
As human activity in space continues to increase, understanding how biological assets respond to spaceflight conditions is becoming more important. Spaceflight conditions include exposure to ionizing radiation, microgravity, spacecraft vibrations and hypervelocity; all of which can affect the viability of biological organisms. Previous studies have shown that melanin-producing fungi are capable of surviving the vacuum of space and Mars-simulated conditions in Low Earth Orbit. This survival has been associated in part with the protective effects of melanin, but a comparison of fungal viability in the presence or absence of melanin following spaceflight has never been tested. In this study, we evaluated the protective effects of melanin by comparing the viability of melanized and non-melanized clones of Cryptococcus neoformans yeasts following a roundtrip to the International Space Station. Yeast colonies were placed inside two MixStix silicone tubes; one stayed on Earth and the other was transported inside for 29 days before returning to Earth. Post-flight analysis based on colony-forming unit numbers shows that melanized yeast viability was 50% higher than non-melanized yeasts, while no difference was observed between the Earth-bound control samples. The results suggest that fungal melanin could increase the lifespan of biological assets in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radames J. B. Cordero
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | - Quigly Dragotakes
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
| | | | - Arturo Casadevall
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology DepartmentJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMD21205USA
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11
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Bland J, Gribble LA, Hamel MC, Wright JB, Moormann G, Bachand M, Wright G, Bachand GD. Evaluating changes in growth and pigmentation of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Paecilomyces variotii in response to gamma and ultraviolet irradiation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12142. [PMID: 35840596 PMCID: PMC9287308 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16063-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanin-containing fungi (black molds) have the capacity to thrive under extreme environmental conditions such as the elevated radiation levels inside the former Chernobyl reactors. These fungi have been hypothesized to grow toward and use gamma radiation as an energy source, but the literature does not clearly address which energies of the electromagnetic spectrum, if any, positively affect fungal growth. The goal of this work was to characterize the response of non-melanized and melanized fungi to two distinct electromagnetic wavelengths, i.e., ultraviolet (UV) and gamma ray, keeping absorption and other potentially confounding variables constant. Exposure to UV or gamma radiation induced significant changes in fungi pigmentation, but not growth rate of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Paecilomyces variotii. Specifically, increased pigmentation of both fungi was observed in samples exposed to UV, while decreased pigmentation was observed for gamma-irradiated samples. These results provide new insights into the role of electromagnetic energies on growth of fungi and provide an impetus to examine additional energies and types of radiation to develop a fundamental understanding of this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Bland
- Center for Global Security and Cooperation, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA.
| | - Lisa Astuto Gribble
- Center for Global Security and Cooperation, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Michael C Hamel
- Center for Global Security and Cooperation, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Jeremy B Wright
- Center for Monitoring Systems and Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Garrett Moormann
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Marlene Bachand
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - Ginger Wright
- Center for Global Security and Cooperation, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA
| | - George D Bachand
- Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, 87185, USA.
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12
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Blachowicz A, Romsdahl J, Chiang AJ, Masonjones S, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Torok T, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. The International Space Station Environment Triggers Molecular Responses in Aspergillus niger. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:893071. [PMID: 35847112 PMCID: PMC9280654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.893071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to immense phenotypic plasticity and adaptability, Aspergillus niger is a cosmopolitan fungus that thrives in versatile environments, including the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first report of genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic alterations observed in A. niger strain JSC-093350089 grown in a controlled experiment aboard the ISS. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that ISS conditions, including microgravity and enhanced irradiation, triggered non-synonymous point mutations in specific regions, chromosomes VIII and XII of the JSC-093350089 genome when compared to the ground-grown control. Proteome analysis showed altered abundance of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, stress response, and cellular amino acid and protein catabolic processes following growth aboard the ISS. Metabolome analysis further confirmed that space conditions altered molecular suite of ISS-grown A. niger JSC-093350089. After regrowing both strains on Earth, production of antioxidant—Pyranonigrin A was significantly induced in the ISS-flown, but not the ground control strain. In summary, the microgravity and enhanced irradiation triggered unique molecular responses in the A. niger JSC-093350089 suggesting adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Sawyer Masonjones
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Tamas Torok
- Ecology Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kasthuri Venkateswaran,
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13
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Sannino C, Cannone N, D'Alò F, Franzetti A, Gandolfi I, Pittino F, Turchetti B, Mezzasoma A, Zucconi L, Buzzini P, Guglielmin M, Onofri S. Fungal communities in European alpine soils are not affected by short-term in situ simulated warming than bacterial communities. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:4178-4192. [PMID: 35691701 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The impact of global warming on biological communities colonizing European alpine ecosystems was recently studied. Hexagonal open top chambers (OTCs) were used for simulating a short-term in situ warming (estimated around 1°C) in some alpine soils to predict the impact of ongoing climate change on resident microbial communities. Total microbial DNA was extracted from soils collected either inside or outside the OTCs over 3 years of study. Bacterial and fungal rRNA copies were quantified by qPCR. Metabarcoding sequencing of taxonomy target genes was performed (Illumina MiSeq) and processed by bioinformatic tools. Alpha- and beta-diversity were used to evaluate the structure of bacterial and fungal communities. qPCR suggests that, although fluctuations have been observed between soils collected either inside and outside the OTCs, the simulated warming induced a significant (p < 0.05) shift only for bacterial abundance. Likewise, significant (p < 0.05) changes in bacterial community structure were detected in soils collected inside the OTCs, with a clear increase of oligotrophic taxa. On the contrary, fungal diversity of soils collected either inside and outside the OTCs did not exhibit significant (p < 0.05) differences, suggesting that the temperature increase in OTCs compared to ambient conditions was not sufficient to change fungal communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro Sannino
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Cannone
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University, Varese, Italy
| | - Federica D'Alò
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Andrea Franzetti
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Gandolfi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Pittino
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (DISAT), University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Benedetta Turchetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Ambra Mezzasoma
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Pietro Buzzini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Mauro Guglielmin
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University, Varese, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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14
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Gevi F, Leo P, Cassaro A, Pacelli C, de Vera JPP, Rabbow E, Timperio AM, Onofri S. Metabolomic Profile of the Fungus Cryomyces antarcticus Under Simulated Martian and Space Conditions as Support for Life-Detection Missions on Mars. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:749396. [PMID: 35633719 PMCID: PMC9133366 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.749396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of traces of life beyond Earth (e.g., Mars, icy moons) is a challenging task because terrestrial chemical-based molecules may be destroyed by the harsh conditions experienced on extraterrestrial planetary surfaces. For this reason, studying the effects on biomolecules of extremophilic microorganisms through astrobiological ground-based space simulation experiments is significant to support the interpretation of the data that will be gained and collected during the ongoing and future space exploration missions. Here, the stability of the biomolecules of the cryptoendolithic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus, grown on two Martian regolith analogues and on Antarctic sandstone, were analysed through a metabolomic approach, after its exposure to Science Verification Tests (SVTs) performed in the frame of the European Space Agency (ESA) Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX) project. These tests are building a set of ground-based experiments performed before the space exposure aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The analysis aimed to investigate the effects of different mineral mixtures on fungal colonies and the stability of the biomolecules synthetised by the fungus under simulated Martian and space conditions. The identification of a specific group of molecules showing good stability after the treatments allow the creation of a molecular database that should support the analysis of future data sets that will be collected in the ongoing and next space exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Gevi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Patrick Leo
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Venice, Italy
| | - Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | | | | | - Elke Rabbow
- German Aerospace Centre, Institute of Aerospace Medicine (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Timperio
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
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15
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Cassaro A, Pacelli C, Baqué M, Cavalazzi B, Gasparotto G, Saladino R, Botta L, Böttger U, Rabbow E, de Vera JP, Onofri S. Investigation of fungal biomolecules after Low Earth Orbit exposure: a testbed for the next Moon missions. Environ Microbiol 2022; 24:2938-2950. [PMID: 35437941 PMCID: PMC9540993 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Moon is characterized by extremely harsh conditions due to ultraviolet irradiation, wide temperature extremes, vacuum resulting from the absence of an atmosphere and high ionizing radiation. Therefore, its surface may provide a unique platform to investigate the effects of such conditions. For lunar exploration with the Lunar Gateway platform, exposure experiments in Low Earth Orbit are useful testbeds to prepare for lunar space experiments and to understand how and if potential biomarkers are influenced by extra‐terrestrial conditions. During the BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) project, dried colonies of the fungus Cryomyces antarcticus grown on Lunar Regolith Analogue (LRA) were exposed to space conditions for 16 months aboard the EXPOSE‐R2 payload outside the International Space Station. In this study, we investigated the stability/degradation of fungal biomarkers in LRA after exposure to (i) simulated space and (ii) real space conditions, using Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and DNA amplification. The results demonstrated that fungal biomarkers were detectable after 16 months of real space exposure. This work will contribute to the interpretation of data from future biological experiments in the Cislunar orbit with the Lunar Gateway platform and/or on the lunar surface, in preparation for the next step of human exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100, Italy
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100, Italy.,Human Spaceflight and Scientific Research Unit, Italian Space Agency, via del Politecnico, Rome, 00133, Italy
| | - Mickael Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories Department, Rutherfordstraße 2, Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara Cavalazzi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, Bologna, 40126, Italy.,Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa.,Le Studium Loire Valley Institute for Advanced Studies, Rue Dupanloup 1, Orléans, France
| | - Giorgio Gasparotto
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100, Italy
| | - Ute Böttger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, Rutherfordstraße 2, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elke Rabbow
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Linder Höhe, Cologne, 51147, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- Space Operations and Astronaut Training, MUSC, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, Cologne, 51147, Germany
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università snc, Viterbo, 01100, Italy
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16
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Liu B, Fu R, Wu B, Liu X, Xiang M. Rock-inhabiting fungi: terminology, diversity, evolution and adaptation mechanisms. Mycology 2022; 13:1-31. [PMID: 35186410 PMCID: PMC8856086 DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2021.2002452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Rock-inhabiting fungi (RIF) constitute an ecological group associated with terrestrial rocks. This association is generally restricted to the persistent colonisation of rocks and peculiar morphological features based on melanisation and slow growth, which endow RIF with significance in eukaryotic biology, special status in ecology, and exotic potential in biotechnology. There is a need to achieve a better understanding of the hidden biodiversity, antistress biology, origin and convergent evolution of RIF, which will facilitate cultural relic preservation, exploitation of the biogeochemical cycle of rock elements and biotechnology applications. This review focuses on summarising the current knowledge of rock-inhabiting fungi, with particular reference to terminology, biodiversity and geographic distribution, origin and evolution, and stress adaptation mechanisms. We especially teased out the definition through summing up the terms related to rock-inhabting fungi, and also provided a checklist of rock-inhabiting fungal taxa recorded following updated classification schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingjie Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xingzhong Liu
- Department of Microbiology, College of Life Science, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meichun Xiang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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17
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Black Fungi and Stone Heritage Conservation: Ecological and Metabolic Assays for Evaluating Colonization Potential and Responses to Traditional Biocides. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12042038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Identifying species involved in biodeterioration processes is helpful, however further effort is needed to assess their ecological requirements and actual activity. Black fungi (BF) represent one of the most underestimated threats to stone cultural heritage in the Mediterranean basin; they are difficult to kill or remove due to their ability to grow inside the rock and cope with several stresses. Despite this, little is known about BF and factors favoring their growth on stone surfaces. Eighteen BF species were here investigated for temperature and salt tolerance, and metabolic traits by plate assays. The relation between some highly damaged monuments and their BF settlers was assessed using X-ray diffraction analysis, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and SEM. The sensitiveness to four commonly used traditional biocides was also tested. All strains were able to grow within the range of 5–25 °C and in the presence of 3.5% NaCl. Instrumental analyses were fundamental in discovering the relation between halophilic strains and weathered marble sculptures. The acid, cellulase, esterase, and protease production recorded proved BF’s potential to produce a chemical action on carbonate stones and likely affect other materials/historical artefacts. Besides, the use of carboxymethylcellulose and Tween 20 should be evaluated in restoration practice to prevent tertiary bioreceptivity. Agar diffusion tests helped identify the most resistant species to biocides, opening the perspective of its use as reference organisms in material testing procedures.
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18
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Kyriatzi A, Tzivras G, Pirintsos S, Kotzabasis K. Biotechnology under extreme conditions: Lichens after extreme UVB radiation and extreme temperatures produce large amounts of hydrogen. J Biotechnol 2021; 342:128-138. [PMID: 34743006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study demonstrates biotechnological applications of the lichen Pleurosticta acetabulum, specifically the production of large amounts of hydrogen even after the lichen exposure to extreme conditions such as a) extreme UVB radiation (1.7 mW/cm2 = 1000 J m-2 min-1) over different time periods (4, 20 & 70 h) and b) combined exposure of the lichen to high intensity UVB radiation and extreme low (-196 °C) or extreme high temperatures (+70 °C). The results highlight that the extremophilic and polyextremophilic behavior of lichens both in dehydrated and in regenerated form, under extreme conditions not necessarily recorded on earth, is compatible with their biotechnological uses. The lichen viability was measured using fluorescence induction techniques (OJIP-test), which record changes in the molecular structure and function of the photosynthetic mechanism, while its ability to produce molecular hydrogen was measured through thermal conductivity gas chromatography (GC-TCD) analysis. Hydrogen is a promising fuel for the future. The exciting result of a lichen micro-ecosystem is its ability to expel its moisture and remain in an inactive state, protecting itself from extreme conditions and maintaining its ability to high yield hydrogen production in a closed system, with the sole addition of water and without the need for additional energy. Our results expand the potential use of lichens for future biotechnological applications in extreme Earth environments, but also in environments on other planets, such as Mars, thus paving the way for astrobiotechnological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Kyriatzi
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Gerasimos Tzivras
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Stergios Pirintsos
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos University Campus, GR-74100 Rethymnon, Crete, Greece
| | - Kiriakos Kotzabasis
- Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Botanical Garden, University of Crete, Gallos University Campus, GR-74100 Rethymnon, Crete, Greece.
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19
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Fujiwara D, Kawaguchi Y, Kinoshita I, Yatabe J, Narumi I, Hashimoto H, Yokobori SI, Yamagishi A. Mutation Analysis of the rpoB Gene in the Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1 Exposed to Space during the Tanpopo Experiment at the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1494-1504. [PMID: 34694920 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To investigate microbial viability and DNA damage, dried cell pellets of the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans were exposed to various space environmental conditions at the Exposure Facility of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Tanpopo mission. Mutation analysis was done by sequencing the rpoB gene encoding RNA polymerase β-subunit of the rifampicin-resistant mutants. Samples included bacteria exposed to the space environment with and without exposure to UV radiation as well as control samples held in the ISS cabin and at ground. The mutation sites of the rpoB gene obtained from the space-exposed and ISS/ground control samples were similar to the rpoB mutation sites previously reported in D. radiodurans. Most mutations were found at or near the rifampicin binding site in the RNA polymerase β-subunit. Mutation sites found in UV-exposed samples were mostly shared with non-exposed and ISS/ground control samples. These results suggest that most mutations found in our experiments were induced during procedures that were applied across all treatments: preparation, transfer from our laboratory to the ISS, return from the ISS, and storage before analysis. Some mutations may be enhanced by specific factors in the space experiments, but the mutations were also found in the spontaneous and control samples. Our experiment suggests that the dried cells of the microorganism D. radiodurans can travel without space-specific deterioration that may induce excess mutations relative to travel at Earth's surface. However, upon arrival at a recipient location, they must still be able to survive and repair the general damage induced during travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Kawaguchi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iori Kinoshita
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Yatabe
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Issay Narumi
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Hashimoto
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yokobori
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yamagishi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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20
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Yamagishi A, Yokobori SI, Kobayashi K, Mita H, Yabuta H, Tabata M, Higashide M, Yano H. Scientific Targets of Tanpopo: Astrobiology Exposure and Micrometeoroid Capture Experiments at the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility of the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1451-1460. [PMID: 34449275 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Tanpopo experiment was the first Japanese astrobiology mission on board the Japanese Experiment Module Exposed Facility on the International Space Station (ISS). The experiments were designed to address two important astrobiological topics, panspermia and the chemical evolution process toward the generation of life. These experiments also tested low-density aerogel and monitored the microdebris environment around low Earth orbit. The following six subthemes were identified to address these goals: (1) Capture of microbes in space: Estimation of the upper limit of microbe density in low Earth orbit; (2) Exposure of microbes in space: Estimation of the survival time course of microbes in the space environment; (3) Capture of cosmic dust on the ISS and analysis of organics: Detection of the possible presence of organic compounds in cosmic dust; (4) Alteration of organic compounds in space environments: Evaluation of decomposition time courses of organic compounds in space; (5) Space verification of the Tanpopo hyper-low-density aerogel: Durability and particle-capturing capability of aerogel; (6) Monitoring of the number of space debris: Time-dependent change in space debris environment. Subthemes 1 and 2 address the panspermia hypothesis, whereas 3 and 4 address the chemical evolution. The last two subthemes contribute to space technology development. Some of the results have been published previously or are included in this issue. This article summarizes the current status of the Tanpopo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yamagishi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yokobori
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kensei Kobayashi
- Department of Chemistry, Yokohama National University, Hodogayaku, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hajime Mita
- Department of Life, Environment and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Higashiku, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hikaru Yabuta
- Department of Earth and Planetary Systems Science, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Makoto Tabata
- Department of Physics, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masumi Higashide
- Research and Development Directorate, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Chofu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Yano
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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21
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Cassaro A, Pacelli C, Baqué M, de Vera JPP, Böttger U, Botta L, Saladino R, Rabbow E, Onofri S. Fungal Biomarkers Stability in Mars Regolith Analogues after Simulated Space and Mars-like Conditions. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7100859. [PMID: 34682280 PMCID: PMC8540304 DOI: 10.3390/jof7100859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of life on other planets and moons in our solar system is one of the most important challenges of this era. The second ExoMars mission will look for traces of extant or extinct life on Mars. The instruments on board the rover will be able to reach samples with eventual biomarkers until 2 m of depth under the planet’s surface. This exploration capacity offers the best chance to detect biomarkers which would be mainly preserved compared to samples on the surface which are directly exposed to harmful environmental conditions. Starting with the studies of the endolithic meristematic black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus, which has proved its high resistance under extreme conditions, we analyzed the stability and the resistance of fungal biomarkers after exposure to simulated space and Mars-like conditions, with Raman and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, two of the scientific payload instruments on board the rover.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.C.); (L.B.); (R.S.); (S.O.)
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.C.); (L.B.); (R.S.); (S.O.)
- Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-068567466
| | - Mickael Baqué
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera
- MUSC, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, 51147 Köln, Germany;
| | - Ute Böttger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Optical Sensor Systems, 12489 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Lorenzo Botta
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.C.); (L.B.); (R.S.); (S.O.)
| | - Raffaele Saladino
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.C.); (L.B.); (R.S.); (S.O.)
| | - Elke Rabbow
- Radiation Biology Division, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, DLR, Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, Germany;
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo Dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.C.); (L.B.); (R.S.); (S.O.)
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22
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Nayak T, Sengupta I, Dhal PK. A new era of radiation resistance bacteria in bioremediation and production of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential and other aspects: An in-perspective review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 237:106696. [PMID: 34265519 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microorganisms that survive in extreme environmental conditions are known as 'extremophiles'. Recently, extremophiles draw an impression in biotechnology/pharmaceutical researches/industries because of their novel molecules, known as 'extremolytes'. The intriguing phenomenon of microbial radiation resistance probably arose independently throughout their evolution of selective pressures (e.g. UV, X-ray, Gamma radiation etc.). Radiation produces multiple types of damage/oxidation to nucleic acids, proteins and other crucial cellular components. Most of the literature on microbial radiation resistance is based on acute γ-irradiation experiments performed in the laboratory, typically involving pure cultures isolation and their application on bioremediation/therapeutic field. There is much less information other than bioremediation and therapeutic application of such promising microbes we called as 'new era'. Here we discus origin and diversity of radiation resistance bacteria as well as selective mechanisms by which microorganisms can sustain in radiation rich environment. Potential uses of these radiations resistant microbes in the field of bioremediation, bioactive compounds and therapeutic industry. Last but not the least, which is the new aspect of radiation resistance microbes. Our review suggest that resistance to chronic radiation is not limited to rare specialized strains from extreme environments, but can occur among common microbial taxa, perhaps due to overlap molecular mechanisms of resistance to radiation and other stressors. These stress tolerance potential make them potential for radionuclides remediation, their extremolytes can be useful as anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative agents. In current scenario they can be useful in various fields from natural dye synthesis to nanoparticles production and anti-cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilak Nayak
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Indraneel Sengupta
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Paltu Kumar Dhal
- Department of Life Science and Biotechnology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, 700032, India.
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23
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Antarctica as a reservoir of planetary analogue environments. Extremophiles 2021; 25:437-458. [PMID: 34586500 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01245-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the main objectives of astrobiological research is the investigation of the habitability of other planetary bodies. Since space exploration missions are expensive and require long-term organization, the preliminary study of terrestrial environments is an essential step to prepare and support exploration missions. The Earth hosts a multitude of extreme environments whose characteristics resemble celestial bodies in our Solar System. In these environments, the physico-chemical properties partly match extraterrestrial environments and could clarify limits and adaptation mechanisms of life, the mineralogical or geochemical context, and support and interpret data sent back from planetary bodies. One of the best terrestrial analogues is Antarctica, whose conditions lie on the edge of habitability. It is characterized by a cold and dry climate (Onofri et al., Nova Hedwigia 68:175-182, 1999), low water availability, strong katabatic winds, salt concentration, desiccation, and high radiation. Thanks to the harsh conditions like those in other celestial bodies, Antarctica offers good terrestrial analogues for celestial body (Mars or icy moons; Léveillé, CR Palevol 8:637-648, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2009.03.005 , 2009). The continent could be distinguished into several habitats, each with characteristics similar to those existing on other bodies. Here, we reported a description of each simulated parameter within the habitats, in relation to each of the simulated extraterrestrial environments.
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24
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Species concepts of Dothideomycetes: classification, phylogenetic inconsistencies and taxonomic standardization. FUNGAL DIVERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13225-021-00485-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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25
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Understanding the way eumelanin works: A unique example of properties and skills driven by molecular heterogeneity. POLYMER 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.123952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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26
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Fahrion J, Mastroleo F, Dussap CG, Leys N. Use of Photobioreactors in Regenerative Life Support Systems for Human Space Exploration. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:699525. [PMID: 34276632 PMCID: PMC8281973 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.699525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are still many challenges to overcome for human space exploration beyond low Earth orbit (LEO) (e.g., to the Moon) and for long-term missions (e.g., to Mars). One of the biggest problems is the reliable air, water and food supply for the crew. Bioregenerative life support systems (BLSS) aim to overcome these challenges using bioreactors for waste treatment, air and water revitalization as well as food production. In this review we focus on the microbial photosynthetic bioprocess and photobioreactors in space, which allow removal of toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) and production of oxygen (O2) and edible biomass. This paper gives an overview of the conducted space experiments in LEO with photobioreactors and the precursor work (on ground and in space) for BLSS projects over the last 30 years. We discuss the different hardware approaches as well as the organisms tested for these bioreactors. Even though a lot of experiments showed successful biological air revitalization on ground, the transfer to the space environment is far from trivial. For example, gas-liquid transfer phenomena are different under microgravity conditions which inevitably can affect the cultivation process and the oxygen production. In this review, we also highlight the missing expertise in this research field to pave the way for future space photobioreactor development and we point to future experiments needed to master the challenge of a fully functional BLSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Fahrion
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Claude-Gilles Dussap
- CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut Pascal, Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Natalie Leys
- Interdisciplinary Biosciences Group, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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27
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Pacelli C, Alessia C, Siong LM, Lorenzo A, Moeller R, Fujimori A, Igor S, Silvano O. Insights into the Survival Capabilities of Cryomyces antarcticus Hydrated Colonies after Exposure to Fe Particle Radiation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:495. [PMID: 34206448 PMCID: PMC8304246 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The modern concept of the evolution of Mars assumes that life could potentially have originated on the planet Mars, possibly during the end of the late heavy bombardment, and could then be transferred to other planets. Since then, physical and chemical conditions on Mars changed and now strongly limit the presence of terrestrial-like life forms. These adverse conditions include scarcity of liquid water (although brine solutions may exist), low temperature and atmospheric pressure, and cosmic radiation. Ionizing radiation is very important among these life-constraining factors because it damages DNA and other cellular components, particularly in liquid conditions where radiation-induced reactive oxidants diffuse freely. Here, we investigated the impact of high doses (up to 2 kGy) of densely-ionizing (197.6 keV/µm), space-relevant iron ions (corresponding on the irradiation that reach the uppermost layer of the Mars subsurface) on the survival of an extremophilic terrestrial organism-Cryomyces antarcticus-in liquid medium and under atmospheric conditions, through different techniques. Results showed that it survived in a metabolically active state when subjected to high doses of Fe ions and was able to repair eventual DNA damages. It implies that some terrestrial life forms can withstand prolonged exposure to space-relevant ion radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pacelli
- Italian Space Agency, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Cassaro Alessia
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Loke M. Siong
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany;
| | - Aureli Lorenzo
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51147 Cologne (Köln), Germany;
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, NIRS/QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan;
| | - Shuryak Igor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Onofri Silvano
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
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28
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Kreusch MG, Duarte RTD. Photoprotective compounds and radioresistance in pigmented and non-pigmented yeasts. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:3521-3532. [PMID: 33900423 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11271-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Ultraviolet radiation, continuously reaching our planet's surface, is a type of electromagnetic energy within the wavelength range of 10 to 400 nm. Despite essential for all life on Earth, ultraviolet radiation may have severe adverse cellular effects, including DNA dimerization and production of reactive oxygen species. Radioresistant microorganisms can survive under high doses of ultraviolet radiation, enduring the direct and indirect effects on nucleic acids and other biomolecules. The synthesis and accumulation of photoprotective compounds are among the main strategies employed by radioresistant yeast species to bear the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. A correlation between pigments and resistance to ultraviolet radiation has been widely recognized in these microorganisms; however, there is still some debate on this topic, with non-pigmented strains sometimes being more resistant than their pigmented counterparts. In this review, we explore the role of photoprotective compounds-specifically, melanin, carotenoids, and mycosporines-and compare the differences found in resistance between pigmented and non-pigmented yeasts. We also discuss the biotechnological potential of these photoprotective compounds, with special emphasis on those produced by non-pigmented yeast strains, such as phytoene and phytofluene. The use of "-omics" approaches should further unveil the radioresistance mechanisms of non-pigmented yeasts, opening new opportunities for both research and commercial applications. KEY POINTS: • Updated knowledge on photoprotective compounds from radioresistant yeasts. • Differences on radioresistance between pigmented and non-pigmented yeasts. • Future prospects over the study of non-pigmented photoprotective compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Gabi Kreusch
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Rubens Tadeu Delgado Duarte
- Laboratory of Molecular Ecology and Extremophiles, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
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29
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Carr EC, Harris SD, Herr JR, Riekhof WR. Lichens and biofilms: Common collective growth imparts similar developmental strategies. ALGAL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2021.102217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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30
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Tesei D, Chiang AJ, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Mohan GBM, Sterflinger K, Venkateswaran K. Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Proteome and Secretome of the Polyextremotolerant Black Fungus Knufia chersonesos. Front Genet 2021; 12:638708. [PMID: 33815472 PMCID: PMC8012687 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.638708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Black fungi are a group of melanotic microfungi characterized by remarkable polyextremotolerance. Due to a broad ecological plasticity and adaptations at the cellular level, it is predicted that they may survive in a variety of extreme environments, including harsh niches on Earth and Mars, and in outer space. However, the molecular mechanisms aiding survival, especially in space, are yet to be fully elucidated. Based on these premises, the rock-inhabiting black fungus Knufia chersonesos (Wt) and its non-melanized mutant (Mut) were exposed to simulated microgravity-one of the prevalent features characterizing space conditions-by growing the cultures in high-aspect-ratio vessels (HARVs). Qualitative and quantitative proteomic analyses were performed on the mycelia and supernatant of culture medium (secretome) to assess alterations in cell physiology in response to low-shear simulated microgravity (LSSMG) and to ultimately evaluate the role of cell-wall melanization in stress survival. Differential expression was observed for proteins involved in carbohydrate and lipid metabolic processes, transport, and ribosome biogenesis and translation via ribosomal translational machinery. However, no evidence of significant activation of stress components or starvation response was detected, except for the scytalone dehydratase, enzyme involved in the synthesis of dihydroxynaphthalene (DNH) melanin, which was found to be upregulated in the secretome of the wild type and downregulated in the mutant. Differences in protein modulation were observed between K. chersonesos Wt and Mut, with several proteins being downregulated under LSSMG in the Mut when compared to the Wt. Lastly, no major morphological alterations were observed following exposure to LSSMG. Similarly, the strains' survivability was not negatively affected. This study is the first to characterize the response to simulated microgravity in black fungi, which might have implications on future astrobiological missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Tesei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Ganesh Babu Malli Mohan
- Department of Biotechnology, Centre for Research and Infectious Diseases, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, India
| | - Katja Sterflinger
- Institute for Natural Sciences and Technology in the Arts, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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31
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Culture-Dependent and Amplicon Sequencing Approaches Reveal Diversity and Distribution of Black Fungi in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Communities. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030213. [PMID: 33809619 PMCID: PMC8001563 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the harshest environmental conditions of the Antarctic desert, normally incompatible with active life, microbes are adapted to exploit the cryptoendolithic habitat (i.e., pore spaces of rocks) and represent the predominant life-forms. In the rocky niche, microbes take advantage of the thermal buffering, physical stability, protection against UV radiation, excessive solar radiation, and water retention-of paramount importance in one of the driest environments on Earth. In this work, high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches have been combined, for the first time, to untangle the diversity and distribution of black fungi in the Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities, hosting some of the most extreme-tolerant microorganisms. Rock samples were collected in a vast area, along an altitudinal gradient and opposite sun exposure-known to influence microbial diversity-with the aim to compare and integrate results gained with the two approaches. Among black fungi, Friedmanniomyces endolithicus was confirmed as the most abundant taxon. Despite the much stronger power of the high-throughput sequencing, several species were not retrieved with DNA sequencing and were detectable by cultivation only. We conclude that both culture-dependent and -independent analyses are needed for a complete overview of black fungi diversity. The reason why some species remain undetectable with molecular methods are speculated upon. The effect of environmental parameters such as sun exposure on relative abundance was clearer if based on the wider biodiversity detected with the molecular approach.
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32
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Coleine C, Biagioli F, de Vera JP, Onofri S, Selbmann L. Endolithic microbial composition in Helliwell Hills, a newly investigated Mars-like area in Antarctica. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4002-4016. [PMID: 33538384 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The diversity and composition of Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the Mars-analogue site of Helliwell Hills (Northern Victoria Land, Continental Antarctica) are investigated, for the first time, applying both culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing approaches. The study includes all the domains of the tree of life: Eukaryotes, Bacteria and Archaea to give a complete overview of biodiversity and community structure. Furthermore, to explore the geographic distribution of endoliths throughout the Victoria Land (Continental Antarctica), we compared the fungal and bacterial community composition and structure of endolithically colonized rocks, collected in >30 sites in 10 years of Italian Antarctic Expeditions. Compared with the fungi and other eukaryotes, the prokaryotic communities were richer in species, more diverse and highly heterogeneous. Despite the diverse community compositions, shared populations were found and were dominant in all sites. Local diversification was observed and included prokaryotes as members of Alphaproteobacteria and Crenarchaeota (Archaea), the last detected for the first time in these cryptoendolithic communities. Few eukaryotes, namely lichen-forming fungal species as Lecidella grenii, were detected in Helliwell Hills only. These findings suggest that geographic distance and isolation in these remote areas may promote the establishment of peculiar locally diversified microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federico Biagioli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jean Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories, Research Group Astrobiological Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.,Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
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33
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Bioprospecting for Biomolecules from Different Fungal Communities: An Introduction. Fungal Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-85603-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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34
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Aureli L, Pacelli C, Cassaro A, Fujimori A, Moeller R, Onofri S. Iron Ion Particle Radiation Resistance of Dried Colonies of Cryomyces antarcticus Embedded in Martian Regolith Analogues. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E306. [PMID: 33255166 PMCID: PMC7761078 DOI: 10.3390/life10120306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Among the celestial bodies in the Solar System, Mars currently represents the main target for the search for life beyond Earth. However, its surface is constantly exposed to high doses of cosmic rays (CRs) that may pose a threat to any biological system. For this reason, investigations into the limits of resistance of life to space relevant radiation is fundamental to speculate on the chance of finding extraterrestrial organisms on Mars. In the present work, as part of the STARLIFE project, the responses of dried colonies of the black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus Culture Collection of Fungi from Extreme Environments (CCFEE) 515 to the exposure to accelerated iron (LET: 200 keV/μm) ions, which mimic part of CRs spectrum, were investigated. Samples were exposed to the iron ions up to 1000 Gy in the presence of Martian regolith analogues. Our results showed an extraordinary resistance of the fungus in terms of survival, recovery of metabolic activity and DNA integrity. These experiments give new insights into the survival probability of possible terrestrial-like life forms on the present or past Martian surface and shallow subsurface environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Aureli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.C.); (S.O.)
| | - Claudia Pacelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.C.); (S.O.)
- Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.C.); (S.O.)
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Chiba 263-8555, Japan;
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology, DLR, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany;
- Natural Sciences Department, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), von-Liebig-Straße 20, D-53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (A.C.); (S.O.)
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35
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Coleine C, Stajich JE, de Los Ríos A, Selbmann L. Beyond the extremes: Rocks as ultimate refuge for fungi in drylands. Mycologia 2020; 113:108-133. [PMID: 33232202 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2020.1816761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In an era of rapid climate change and expansion of desertification, the extremely harsh conditions of drylands are a true challenge for microbial life. Under drought conditions, where most life forms cannot survive, rocks represent the main refuge for life. Indeed, the endolithic habitat provides thermal buffering, physical stability, and protection against incident ultraviolet (UV) radiation and solar radiation and, to some extent, ensures water retention to microorganisms. The study of these highly specialized extreme-tolerant and extremophiles may provide tools for understanding microbial interactions and processes that allow them to keep their metabolic machinery active under conditions of dryness and oligotrophy that are typically incompatible with active life, up to the dry limits for life. Despite lithobiontic communities being studied all over the world, a comprehensive understanding of their ecology, evolution, and adaptation is still nascent. Herein, we survey the fungal component of these microbial ecosystems. We first provide an overview of the main defined groups (i.e., lichen-forming fungi, black fungi, and yeasts) of the most known and studied Antarctic endolithic communities that are almost the only life forms ensuring ecosystem functionality in the ice-free areas of the continent. For each group, we discuss their main traits and their diversity. Then, we focus on the fungal taxonomy and ecology of other worldwide endolithic communities. Finally, we highlight the utmost importance of a global rock survey in order to have a comprehensive view of the diversity, distribution, and functionality of these fungi in drylands, to obtain tools in desert area management, and as early alarm systems to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, 900 University Ave , Riverside, California 92521
| | - Asunción de Los Ríos
- Department of Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish National Resource Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.,Italian National Antarctic Museum, Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
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36
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Mhatre S, Wood JM, Sielaff AC, Mora M, Duller S, Singh NK, Karouia F, Moissl-Eichinger C, Venkateswaran K. Assessing the Risk of Transfer of Microorganisms at the International Space Station Due to Cargo Delivery by Commercial Resupply Vehicles. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:566412. [PMID: 33240227 PMCID: PMC7677455 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.566412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With increasing numbers of interplanetary missions, there is a need to establish robust protocols to ensure the protection of extraterrestrial planets being visited from contamination by terrestrial life forms. The current study is the first report comparing the commercial resupply vehicle (CRV) microbiome with the International Space Station (ISS) microbiome to understand the risks of contamination, thus serving as a model system for future planetary missions. RESULTS Samples obtained from the internal surfaces and ground support equipment of three CRV missions were subjected to various molecular techniques for microbial diversity analysis. In total, 25 samples were collected with eight defined locations from each CRV mission prior to launch. In general, the internal surfaces of vehicles were clean, with an order of magnitude fewer microbes compared to ground support equipment. The first CRV mission had a larger microbial population than subsequent CRV missions, which were clean as compared to the initial CRV locations sampled. Cultivation assays showed the presence of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes and members of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. As expected, shotgun metagenome analyses revealed the presence of more microbial taxa compared to cultivation-based assays. The internal locations of the CRV microbiome reportedly showed the presence of microorganisms capable of tolerating ultraviolet radiation (e.g., Bacillus firmus) and clustered separately from the ISS microbiome. CONCLUSIONS The metagenome sequence comparison of the CRV microbiome with the ISS microbiome revealed significant differences showing that CRV microbiomes were a negligible part of the ISS environmental microbiome. These findings suggest that the maintenance protocols in cleaning CRV surfaces are highly effective in controlling the contaminating microbial population during cargo transfer to the ISS via the CRV route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snehit Mhatre
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jason M. Wood
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Aleksandra Checinska Sielaff
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Maximilian Mora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefanie Duller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nitin Kumar Singh
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Fathi Karouia
- Space Bioscience Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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Ott E, Kawaguchi Y, Kölbl D, Rabbow E, Rettberg P, Mora M, Moissl-Eichinger C, Weckwerth W, Yamagishi A, Milojevic T. Molecular repertoire of Deinococcus radiodurans after 1 year of exposure outside the International Space Station within the Tanpopo mission. MICROBIOME 2020; 8:150. [PMID: 33121542 PMCID: PMC7597052 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-020-00927-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extraordinarily resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans withstands harsh environmental conditions present in outer space. Deinococcus radiodurans was exposed for 1 year outside the International Space Station within Tanpopo orbital mission to investigate microbial survival and space travel. In addition, a ground-based simulation experiment with conditions, mirroring those from low Earth orbit, was performed. METHODS We monitored Deinococcus radiodurans cells during early stage of recovery after low Earth orbit exposure using electron microscopy tools. Furthermore, proteomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to identify molecular mechanisms responsible for the survival of Deinococcus radiodurans in low Earth orbit. RESULTS D. radiodurans cells exposed to low Earth orbit conditions do not exhibit any morphological damage. However, an accumulation of numerous outer-membrane-associated vesicles was observed. On levels of proteins and transcripts, a multi-faceted response was detected to alleviate cell stress. The UvrABC endonuclease excision repair mechanism was triggered to cope with DNA damage. Defense against reactive oxygen species is mirrored by the increased abundance of catalases and is accompanied by the increased abundance of putrescine, which works as reactive oxygen species scavenging molecule. In addition, several proteins and mRNAs, responsible for regulatory and transporting functions showed increased abundances. The decrease in primary metabolites indicates alternations in the energy status, which is needed to repair damaged molecules. CONCLUSION Low Earth orbit induced molecular rearrangements trigger multiple components of metabolic stress response and regulatory networks in exposed microbial cells. Presented results show that the non-sporulating bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans survived long-term low Earth orbit exposure if wavelength below 200 nm are not present, which mirrors the UV spectrum of Mars, where CO2 effectively provides a shield below 190 nm. These results should be considered in the context of planetary protection concerns and the development of new sterilization techniques for future space missions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel Ott
- Space Biochemistry Group, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuko Kawaguchi
- Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), Chiba Institute of Technology (CIT), Chiba, Japan
| | - Denise Kölbl
- Space Biochemistry Group, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elke Rabbow
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center, Cologne, Germany
| | - Maximilian Mora
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christine Moissl-Eichinger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfram Weckwerth
- Department of Ecogenomics and Systems Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Vienna Metabolomics Center (VIME), University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Akihiko Yamagishi
- Department of Life Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Tetyana Milojevic
- Space Biochemistry Group, Department of Biophysical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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Kawaguchi Y, Shibuya M, Kinoshita I, Yatabe J, Narumi I, Shibata H, Hayashi R, Fujiwara D, Murano Y, Hashimoto H, Imai E, Kodaira S, Uchihori Y, Nakagawa K, Mita H, Yokobori SI, Yamagishi A. DNA Damage and Survival Time Course of Deinococcal Cell Pellets During 3 Years of Exposure to Outer Space. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:2050. [PMID: 32983036 PMCID: PMC7479814 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.02050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The hypothesis called “panspermia” proposes an interplanetary transfer of life. Experiments have exposed extremophilic organisms to outer space to test microbe survivability and the panspermia hypothesis. Microbes inside shielding material with sufficient thickness to protect them from UV-irradiation can survive in space. This process has been called “lithopanspermia,” meaning rocky panspermia. We previously proposed sub-millimeter cell pellets (aggregates) could survive in the harsh space environment based on an on-ground laboratory experiment. To test our hypothesis, we placed dried cell pellets of the radioresistant bacteria Deinococcus spp. in aluminum plate wells in exposure panels attached to the outside of the International Space Station (ISS). We exposed microbial cell pellets with different thickness to space environments. The results indicated the importance of the aggregated form of cells for surviving in harsh space environment. We also analyzed the samples exposed to space from 1 to 3 years. The experimental design enabled us to get and extrapolate the survival time course to predict the survival time of Deinococcus radiodurans. Dried deinococcal cell pellets of 500 μm thickness were alive after 3 years of space exposure and repaired DNA damage at cultivation. Thus, cell pellets 1 mm in diameter have sufficient protection from UV and are estimated to endure the space environment for 2–8 years, extrapolating the survival curve and considering the illumination efficiency of the space experiment. Comparison of the survival of different DNA repair-deficient mutants suggested that cell aggregates exposed in space for 3 years suffered DNA damage, which is most efficiently repaired by the uvrA gene and uvdE gene products, which are responsible for nucleotide excision repair and UV-damage excision repair. Collectively, these results support the possibility of microbial cell aggregates (pellets) as an ark for interplanetary transfer of microbes within several years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kawaguchi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Mio Shibuya
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Iori Kinoshita
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Jun Yatabe
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Issay Narumi
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, Oura-gun, Japan
| | - Hiromi Shibata
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Risako Hayashi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Daisuke Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Yuka Murano
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Hashimoto
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Eiichi Imai
- Department of Bioengineering, Nagaoka University of Technology, Nagaoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kodaira
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yukio Uchihori
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazumichi Nakagawa
- The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Hajime Mita
- Department of Life, Environment and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yokobori
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yamagishi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Japan.,Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Japan
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Pacelli C, Cassaro A, Aureli L, Moeller R, Fujimori A, Onofri S. The Responses of the Black Fungus Cryomyces Antarcticus to High Doses of Accelerated Helium Ions Radiation within Martian Regolith Simulants and Their Relevance for Mars. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E130. [PMID: 32752063 PMCID: PMC7459982 DOI: 10.3390/life10080130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the primary current astrobiological goals is to understand the limits of microbial resistance to extraterrestrial conditions. Much attention is paid to ionizing radiation, since it can prevent the preservation and spread of life outside the Earth. The aim of this research was to study the impact of accelerated He ions (150 MeV/n, up to 1 kGy) as a component of the galactic cosmic rays on the black fungus C. antarcticus when mixed with Antarctic sandstones-the substratum of its natural habitat-and two Martian regolith simulants, which mimics two different evolutionary stages of Mars. The high dose of 1 kGy was used to assess the effect of dose accumulation in dormant cells within minerals, under long-term irradiation estimated on a geological time scale. The data obtained suggests that viable Earth-like microorganisms can be preserved in the dormant state in the near-surface scenario for approximately 322,000 and 110,000 Earth years within Martian regolith that mimic early and present Mars environmental conditions, respectively. In addition, the results of the study indicate the possibility of maintaining traces within regolith, as demonstrated by the identification of melanin pigments through UltraViolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometric approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pacelli
- Italian Space Agency, Via del Politecnico snc, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (S.O.)
| | - Alessia Cassaro
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (S.O.)
| | - Lorenzo Aureli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (S.O.)
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Space Microbiology Research Group, DLR, Linder Höhe, D-51147 Köln, Germany; or
- Department of Natural Science, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), von-Liebig-Straße 20, D-53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, NIRS/QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan;
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.A.); (S.O.)
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Abstract
This study provides the first assessment of monitoring cultivable and viable microorganisms on surfaces within a submerged, closed, analog habitat. The results of the analyses presented herein suggest that the surface material plays a role in microbial community structure, as the microbial populations differed between LDP and metal/glass surfaces. The metal/glass surfaces had less-complex community, lower bioburden, and more closely resembled the controls. These results indicated that material choice is crucial when building closed habitats, even if they are simply analogs. Finally, while a few species were associated with previously cultivated isolates from the International Space Station and MIR spacecraft, the majority of the microbial ecology of the submerged analog habitat differs greatly from that of previously studied analog habitats. Microbial contamination during long-term confinements of space exploration presents potential risks for both crew members and spacecraft life support systems. A novel swab kit was used to sample various surfaces from a submerged, closed, analog habitat to characterize the microbial populations. Samples were collected from various locations across the habitat which were constructed from various surface materials (linoleum, dry wall, particle board, glass, and metal), and microbial populations were examined by culture, quantitative PCR (qPCR), microbiome 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and shotgun metagenomics. Propidium monoazide (PMA)-treated samples identified the viable/intact microbial population of the habitat. The cultivable microbial population ranged from below the detection limit to 106 CFU/sample, and their identity was characterized using Sanger sequencing. Both 16S rRNA amplicon and shotgun sequencing were used to characterize the microbial dynamics, community profiles, and functional attributes (metabolism, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance). The 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed abundance of viable (after PMA treatment) Actinobacteria (Brevibacterium, Nesternkonia, Mycobacterium, Pseudonocardia, and Corynebacterium), Firmicutes (Virgibacillus, Staphylococcus, and Oceanobacillus), and Proteobacteria (especially Acinetobacter) on linoleum, dry wall, and particle board (LDP) surfaces, while members of Firmicutes (Leuconostocaceae) and Proteobacteria (Enterobacteriaceae) were high on the glass/metal surfaces. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling determined from both 16S rRNA and metagenomic analyses revealed differential microbial species on LDP surfaces and glass/metal surfaces. The shotgun metagenomic sequencing of samples after PMA treatment showed bacterial predominance of viable Brevibacterium (53.6%), Brachybacterium (7.8%), Pseudonocardia (9.9%), Mycobacterium (3.7%), and Staphylococcus (2.1%), while fungal analyses revealed Aspergillus and Penicillium dominance. IMPORTANCE This study provides the first assessment of monitoring cultivable and viable microorganisms on surfaces within a submerged, closed, analog habitat. The results of the analyses presented herein suggest that the surface material plays a role in microbial community structure, as the microbial populations differed between LDP and metal/glass surfaces. The metal/glass surfaces had less-complex community, lower bioburden, and more closely resembled the controls. These results indicated that material choice is crucial when building closed habitats, even if they are simply analogs. Finally, while a few species were associated with previously cultivated isolates from the International Space Station and MIR spacecraft, the majority of the microbial ecology of the submerged analog habitat differs greatly from that of previously studied analog habitats.
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Vimercati L, Bueno de Mesquita CP, Schmidt SK. Limited Response of Indigenous Microbes to Water and Nutrient Pulses in High-Elevation Atacama Soils: Implications for the Cold-Dry Limits of Life on Earth. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E1061. [PMID: 32708721 PMCID: PMC7409055 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8071061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Soils on the world's highest volcanoes in the Atacama region represent some of the harshest ecosystems yet discovered on Earth. Life in these environments must cope with high UV flux, extreme diurnal freeze-thaw cycles, low atmospheric pressure and extremely low nutrient and water availability. Only a limited spectrum of bacterial and fungal lineages seems to have overcome the harshness of this environment and may have evolved the ability to function in situ. However, these communities may lay dormant for most of the time and spring to life only when enough water and nutrients become available during occasional snowfalls and aeolian depositions. We applied water and nutrients to high-elevation soils (5100 meters above sea level) from Volcán Llullaillaco, both in lab microcosms and in the field, to investigate how microbial communities respond when resource limitations are alleviated. The dominant taxon in these soils, the extremophilic yeast Naganishia sp., increased in relative sequence abundance and colony-forming unit counts after water + nutrient additions in microcosms, and marginally in the field after only 6 days. Among bacteria, only a Noviherbaspirillum sp. (Oxalobacteraceae) significantly increased in relative abundance both in the lab and field in response to water addition but not in response to water and nutrients together, indicating that it might be an oligotroph uniquely suited to this extreme environment. The community structure of both bacteria and eukaryotes changed significantly with water and water + nutrient additions in the microcosms and taxonomic richness declined with amendments to water and nutrients. These results indicate that only a fraction of the detected community is able to become active when water and nutrients limitations are alleviated in lab microcosms, and that water alone can dramatically change community structure. Our study sheds light on which extremophilic organisms are likely to respond when favorable conditions occur in extreme earthly environments and perhaps in extraterrestrial environments as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Vimercati
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, USA; (L.V.); (C.P.B.d.M.)
| | - Clifton P. Bueno de Mesquita
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, USA; (L.V.); (C.P.B.d.M.)
- Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0450, USA
| | - Steven K. Schmidt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0334, USA; (L.V.); (C.P.B.d.M.)
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Pacelli C, Cassaro A, Maturilli A, Timperio AM, Gevi F, Cavalazzi B, Stefan M, Ghica D, Onofri S. Multidisciplinary characterization of melanin pigments from the black fungus Cryomyces antarcticus. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 104:6385-6395. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-10666-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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de la Torre Noetzel R, Ortega García MV, Miller AZ, Bassy O, Granja C, Cubero B, Jordão L, Martínez Frías J, Rabbow E, Backhaus T, Ott S, García Sancho L, de Vera JPP. Lichen Vitality After a Space Flight on Board the EXPOSE-R2 Facility Outside the International Space Station: Results of the Biology and Mars Experiment. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:583-600. [PMID: 32364796 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As part of the Biology and Mars Experiment (BIOMEX; ILSRA 2009-0834), samples of the lichen Circinaria gyrosa were placed on the exposure platform EXPOSE-R2, on the International Space Station (ISS) and exposed to space and to a Mars-simulated environment for 18 months (2014-2016) to study: (1) resistance to space and Mars-like conditions and (2) biomarkers for use in future space missions (Exo-Mars). When the experiment returned (June 2016), initial analysis showed rapid recovery of photosystem II activity in the samples exposed exclusively to space vacuum and a Mars-like atmosphere. Significantly reduced recovery levels were observed in Sun-exposed samples, and electron and fluorescence microscopy (transmission electron microscope and field emission scanning electron microscope) data indicated that this was attributable to the combined effects of space radiation and space vacuum, as unirradiated samples exhibited less marked morphological changes compared with Sun-exposed samples. Polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that there was DNA damage in lichen exposed to harsh space and Mars-like environmental conditions, with ultraviolet radiation combined with space vacuum causing the most damage. These findings contribute to the characterization of space- and Mars-resistant organisms that are relevant to Mars habitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa de la Torre Noetzel
- Departamentos de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Victoria Ortega García
- Departamentos de Sistemas de Defensa NBQ y Materiales Energéticos, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Zélia Miller
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
- HERCULES Laboratory, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Olga Bassy
- ISDEFE (ISDEFE as External Consultant for INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Granja
- Departamentos de Sistemas de Defensa NBQ y Materiales Energéticos, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Beatriz Cubero
- Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS-CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Luisa Jordão
- INSA-Instituto Nacional Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, Lisboa, Portugal
| | | | - Elke Rabbow
- DLR-German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Theresa Backhaus
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf (HHU), Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Sieglinde Ott
- Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University Duesseldorf (HHU), Duesseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Jean-Pierre Paul de Vera
- DLR-German Aerospace Center, Management and Infrastructure, Astrobiology Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
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Alder-Rangel A, Idnurm A, Brand AC, Brown AJP, Gorbushina A, Kelliher CM, Campos CB, Levin DE, Bell-Pedersen D, Dadachova E, Bauer FF, Gadd GM, Braus GH, Braga GUL, Brancini GTP, Walker GM, Druzhinina I, Pócsi I, Dijksterhuis J, Aguirre J, Hallsworth JE, Schumacher J, Wong KH, Selbmann L, Corrochano LM, Kupiec M, Momany M, Molin M, Requena N, Yarden O, Cordero RJB, Fischer R, Pascon RC, Mancinelli RL, Emri T, Basso TO, Rangel DEN. The Third International Symposium on Fungal Stress - ISFUS. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:235-252. [PMID: 32389286 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a normal part of life for fungi, which can survive in environments considered inhospitable or hostile for other organisms. Due to the ability of fungi to respond to, survive in, and transform the environment, even under severe stresses, many researchers are exploring the mechanisms that enable fungi to adapt to stress. The International Symposium on Fungal Stress (ISFUS) brings together leading scientists from around the world who research fungal stress. This article discusses presentations given at the third ISFUS, held in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil in 2019, thereby summarizing the state-of-the-art knowledge on fungal stress, a field that includes microbiology, agriculture, ecology, biotechnology, medicine, and astrobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexander Idnurm
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexandra C Brand
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, England, UK
| | - Alistair J P Brown
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Exeter, England, UK
| | - Anna Gorbushina
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, Materials and the Environment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina M Kelliher
- Department of Molecular & Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Claudia B Campos
- Departamento de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - David E Levin
- Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Bell-Pedersen
- Center for Biological Clocks Research, Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ekaterina Dadachova
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Florian F Bauer
- Institute for Wine Biotechnology, Department of Viticulture and Oenology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, South Africa
| | - Geoffrey M Gadd
- Geomicrobiology Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | - Gerhard H Braus
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Genetics and Goettingen Center for Molecular Biosciences, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gilberto U L Braga
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme T P Brancini
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Graeme M Walker
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, Scotland, UK
| | | | - István Pócsi
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Jan Dijksterhuis
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jesús Aguirre
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Julia Schumacher
- Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung, Materials and the Environment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Koon Ho Wong
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Martin Kupiec
- School of Molecular Cell Biology and Biotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michelle Momany
- Fungal Biology Group & Plant Biology Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Mikael Molin
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Natalia Requena
- Molecular Phytopathology Department, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Oded Yarden
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jeruslaem, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Radamés J B Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Reinhard Fischer
- Department of Microbiology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Renata C Pascon
- Biological Sciences Department, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Tamas Emri
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Thiago O Basso
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Escola Politécnica, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Schultzhaus Z, Romsdahl J, Chen A, Tschirhart T, Kim S, Leary D, Wang Z. The response of the melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis to gamma radiation exposure. Environ Microbiol 2020; 22:1310-1326. [PMID: 32011087 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The melanized yeast Exophiala dermatitidis is resistant to many environmental stresses and is used as a model for understanding the diverse roles of melanin in fungi. Here, we describe the extent of resistance of E. dermatitidis to acute γ-radiation exposure and the major mechanisms it uses to recover from this stress. We find that melanin does not protect E. dermatitidis from γ-radiation. Instead, environmental factors such as nutrient availability, culture age and culture density are much greater determinants of cell survival after exposure. We also observe a dramatic transcriptomic response to γ-radiation that mobilizes pathways involved in morphological development, protein degradation and DNA repair, and is unaffected by the presence of melanin. Together, these results suggest that the ability of E. dermatitidis to survive γ-radiation exposure is determined by the prior and the current metabolic state of the cells as well as DNA repair mechanisms, and that small changes in these conditions can lead to large effects in radiation resistance, which should be taken into account when understanding how diverse fungi recover from this unique stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Schultzhaus
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, National Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate, National Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Chen
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tanya Tschirhart
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Seongwon Kim
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Dagmar Leary
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC, USA
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47
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Coleine C, Pombubpa N, Zucconi L, Onofri S, Stajich JE, Selbmann L. Endolithic Fungal Species Markers for Harshest Conditions in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E13. [PMID: 32041249 PMCID: PMC7175349 DOI: 10.3390/life10020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbial communities that inhabit lithic niches inside sandstone in the Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys of life's limits on Earth. The cryptoendolithic communities survive in these ice-free areas that have the lowest temperatures on Earth coupled with strong thermal fluctuations, extreme aridity, oligotrophy and high levels of solar and UV radiation. In this study, based on DNA metabarcoding, targeting the fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer region 1 (ITS1) and multivariate statistical analyses, we supply the first comprehensive overview onto the fungal diversity and composition of these communities sampled over a broad geographic area of the Antarctic hyper-arid cold desert. Six locations with surfaces that experience variable sun exposure were sampled to compare communities from a common area across a gradient of environmental pressure. The Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) identified were primarily members of the Ascomycota phylum, comprised mostly of the Lecanoromycetes and Dothideomycetes classes. The fungal species Friedmanniomyces endolithicus, endemic to Antarctica, was found to be a marker species to the harshest conditions occurring in the shady, south exposed rock surfaces. Analysis of community composition showed that sun exposure was an environmental property that explained community diversity and structured endolithic colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (C.C.); (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Nuttapon Pombubpa
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (C.C.); (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (C.C.); (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA;
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (C.C.); (L.Z.); (S.O.)
- Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, 16166 Genoa, Italy
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48
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Kashyap Jagadeesh M, Rao Valluri S, Kari V, Kubska K, Kaczmarek Ł. Indexing Exoplanets with Physical Conditions Potentially Suitable for Rock-Dependent Extremophiles. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10020010. [PMID: 31991857 PMCID: PMC7175269 DOI: 10.3390/life10020010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for different life forms elsewhere in the universe is a fascinating area of research in astrophysics and astrobiology. Currently, according to the NASA Exoplanet Archive database, 3876 exoplanets have been discovered. The Earth Similarity Index (ESI) is defined as the geometric mean of radius, density, escape velocity, and surface temperature and ranges from 0 (dissimilar to Earth) to 1 (similar to Earth). The ESI was created to index exoplanets on the basis of their similarity to Earth. In this paper, we examined rocky exoplanets whose physical conditions are potentially suitable for the survival of rock-dependent extremophiles, such as the cyanobacteria Chroococcidiopsis and the lichen Acarospora. The Rock Similarity Index (RSI) is first introduced and then applied to 1659 rocky exoplanets. The RSI represents a measure for Earth-like planets on which physical conditions are potentially suitable for rocky extremophiles that can survive in Earth-like extreme habitats (i.e., hot deserts and cold, frozen lands).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhu Kashyap Jagadeesh
- Department of Physics, Christ (Deemed to be university), Bengaluru, Karnataka 560029, India
- Correspondence:
| | - Sagarika Rao Valluri
- Department of Electronics and Communication, RNSIT, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560098, India;
| | - Vani Kari
- Department of Biotechnology, Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysuru, Karnataka 570006, India;
| | - Katarzyna Kubska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań 61-614, Poland; (K.K.)
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, Poznań 61-614, Poland; (K.K.)
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49
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Phinney NH, Solhaug KA, Gauslaa Y. Photobiont-dependent humidity threshold for chlorolichen photosystem II activation. PLANTA 2019; 250:2023-2031. [PMID: 31542811 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-019-03282-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Photobiont type influences the relative humidity threshold at which photosystem II activates in green algal lichens. Water vapor uptake alone can activate photosynthesis in lichens with green algal photobionts. However, the minimum relative humidity needed for activation is insufficiently known. The objective of this study was to quantify the humidity threshold for photosystem II (PSII) activation in a range of chlorolichen species associated with photobionts from Trebouxiaceae, Coccomyxaceae and Trentepohliaceae. These lichens exhibit distribution, habitat and substrate patterns that are likely coupled to their efficiency in utilizing water vapor at lower levels of relative humidity (RH) for photosynthesis. Using chlorophyll fluorescence imaging during water uptake from humid air of 25 species of chlorolichens representing the above photobiont groups, we monitored PSII activation within controlled chambers with constant RH at five levels ranging from 75.6 to 95.4%. The results demonstrate clear photobiont-specific activation patterns: the trentepohlioid lichens activated PSII at significantly lower RH (75.6%) than trebouxioid (81.7%) and coccomyxoid (92.0%) lichens. These responses are consistent with a preference for warm and sheltered habitats for trentepohlioid lichens, with cool and moist habitats for the coccomyxoid lichens, and with a more widespread occurrence of the trebouxioid lichens. Within each photobiont group, lichen species exposed to marine aerosols in their source habitats seemed to be activated at lower RH than lichens sampled from inland sites. High osmolyte concentration may therefore play a role in lowering a photobiont's activation threshold. We conclude that photobiont type influences water vapor-driven photosynthetic activation of lichens, thereby shaping the ecological niches in which they occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan H Phinney
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway.
| | - Knut Asbjørn Solhaug
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
| | - Yngvar Gauslaa
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, 1432, Ås, Norway
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50
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Miki K, Kawashima S, Takahashi Y, Yonemura S. Potential survival of the lichen Caloplaca flavovirescens under high helium-beam doses. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2019; 58:449-454. [PMID: 31222610 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-019-00803-3] [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: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Testing the limits of survivability in space is the primary focus in astrobiological research. Although a number of previous studies have examined terrestrial life survival in an extraterrestrial environment, only a few have investigated how life systems respond to high doses of alpha cosmic ray, the main component of cosmic rays. We used respiration and photosynthetic rates as indicators of the vital signs of the lichen Caloplaca flavovirescens, which is a symbiotic life form including fungi and algae. Our experiment demonstrated that the photosynthetic rate decreased with increased helium-beam doses, whereas the respiration rate was relatively unaffected. Specifically, under a helium-beam dose greater than 10 Gy, the respiration rate remained nearly constant regardless of further increases in the radiation rate. Our results indicate that the different metabolic systems of terrestrial life forms might exhibit different survival characteristics when they are in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Miki
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - S Kawashima
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan.
| | - Y Takahashi
- Department of Astrophysics, Interactive Symbiosphere Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yamagata, 990-8560, Japan
| | - S Yonemura
- Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, NARO, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604, Japan
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