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Caro-Astorga J, Meyerowitz JT, Stork DA, Nattermann U, Piszkiewicz S, Vimercati L, Schwendner P, Hocher A, Cockell C, DeBenedictis E. Polyextremophile engineering: a review of organisms that push the limits of life. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1341701. [PMID: 38903795 PMCID: PMC11188471 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1341701] [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: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Nature exhibits an enormous diversity of organisms that thrive in extreme environments. From snow algae that reproduce at sub-zero temperatures to radiotrophic fungi that thrive in nuclear radiation at Chernobyl, extreme organisms raise many questions about the limits of life. Is there any environment where life could not "find a way"? Although many individual extremophilic organisms have been identified and studied, there remain outstanding questions about the limits of life and the extent to which extreme properties can be enhanced, combined or transferred to new organisms. In this review, we compile the current knowledge on the bioengineering of extremophile microbes. We summarize what is known about the basic mechanisms of extreme adaptations, compile synthetic biology's efforts to engineer extremophile organisms beyond what is found in nature, and highlight which adaptations can be combined. The basic science of extremophiles can be applied to engineered organisms tailored to specific biomanufacturing needs, such as growth in high temperatures or in the presence of unusual solvents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Devon A. Stork
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Una Nattermann
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Lara Vimercati
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States
| | | | - Antoine Hocher
- London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Erika DeBenedictis
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Pioneer Research Laboratories, San Francisco, CA, United States
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2
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Kamada H, Hata Y, Sugiura K, Sawada T, Serizawa T. Interfacial jamming of surface-alkylated synthetic nanocelluloses for structuring liquids. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 331:121896. [PMID: 38388029 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.121896] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Nanocelluloses derived from natural cellulose sources are promising sustainable nanomaterials. Previous studies have reported that nanocelluloses are strongly adsorbed onto liquid-liquid interfaces with the concurrent use of ligands and allow for the structuring of liquids, that is, the kinetic trapping of nonequilibrium shapes of liquids. However, the structuring of liquids using nanocelluloses alone has yet to be demonstrated, despite its great potential in the development of sustainable liquid-based materials that are biocompatible and environmentally friendly. Herein, we demonstrated the structuring of liquids using rectangular sheet-shaped synthetic nanocelluloses with surface alkyl groups. Synthetic nanocelluloses with ethyl, butyl, and hexyl groups on their surfaces were readily prepared following our previous reports via the self-assembly of enzymatically synthesized cello-oligosaccharides having the corresponding alkyl groups. Among the alkylated synthetic nanocelluloses, the hexylated nanocellulose was adsorbed and jammed at water-n-undecane interfaces to form interfacial assemblies, which acted substantially as an integrated film for structuring liquids. These phenomena were attributed to the unique structural characteristics of the surface-hexylated synthetic nanocelluloses; their sheet shape offered a large area for adsorption onto interfaces, and their controlled surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity enhanced the affinity for both liquid phases. Our findings promote the development of all-liquid devices using nanocelluloses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotaka Kamada
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Yuuki Hata
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Kai Sugiura
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Toshiki Sawada
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Takeshi Serizawa
- Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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Fagliarone C, Fernandez BG, Di Stefano G, Mosca C, Billi D. Insights into the chaotropic tolerance of the desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. 029 (Chroococcidiopsales, Cyanobacteria). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:185-194. [PMID: 38156502 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
The mechanism of perchlorate resistance of the desert cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029 was investigated by assessing whether the pathways associated with its desiccation tolerance might play a role against the destabilizing effects of this chaotropic agent. During 3 weeks of growth in the presence of 2.4 mM perchlorate, an upregulation of trehalose and sucrose biosynthetic pathways was detected. This suggested that in response to the water stress triggered by perchlorate salts, these two compatible solutes play a role in the stabilization of macromolecules and membranes as they do in response to dehydration. During the perchlorate exposure, the production of oxidizing species was observed by using an oxidant-sensing fluorochrome and determining the expression of the antioxidant defense genes, namely superoxide dismutases and catalases, while the presence of oxidative DNA damage was highlighted by the over-expression of genes of the base excision repair. The involvement of desiccation-tolerance mechanisms in the perchlorate resistance of this desert cyanobacterium is interesting since, so far, chaotropic-tolerant bacteria have been identified among halophiles. Hence, it is anticipated that desert microorganisms might possess an unrevealed capability of adapting to perchlorate concentrations exceeding those naturally occurring in dry environments. Furthermore, in the endeavor of supporting future human outposts on Mars, the identified mechanisms might contribute to enhance the perchlorate resistance of microorganisms relevant for biologically driven utilization of the perchlorate-rich soil of the red planet.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beatriz Gallego Fernandez
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Di Stefano
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Mosca
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Billi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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4
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Carré L, Gonzalez D, Girard É, Franzetti B. Effects of chaotropic salts on global proteome stability in halophilic archaea: Implications for life signatures on Mars. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2216-2230. [PMID: 37349893 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Halophilic archaea thriving in hypersaline environments, such as salt lakes, offer models for putative life in extraterrestrial brines such as those found on Mars. However, little is known about the effect of the chaotropic salts that could be found in such brines, such as MgCl2 , CaCl2 and (per)chlorate salts, on complex biological samples like cell lysates which could be expected to be more representative of biomarkers left behind putative extraterrestrial life forms. We used intrinsic fluorescence to study the salt dependence of proteomes extracted from five halophilic strains: Haloarcula marismortui, Halobacterium salinarum, Haloferax mediterranei, Halorubrum sodomense and Haloferax volcanii. These strains were isolated from Earth environments with different salt compositions. Among the five strains that were analysed, H. mediterranei stood out as a results of its high dependency on NaCl for its proteome stabilization. Interestingly, the results showed contrasting denaturation responses of the proteomes to chaotropic salts. In particular, the proteomes of strains that are most dependent or tolerant on MgCl2 for growth exhibited higher tolerance towards chaotropic salts that are abundant in terrestrial and Martian brines. These experiments bridge together global protein properties and environmental adaptation and help guide the search for protein-like biomarkers in extraterrestrial briny environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Carré
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Éric Girard
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
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Moors H, De Craen M, Smolders C, Provoost A, Leys N. The waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex: earth analogs to guide us, where to look for life in the universe. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1134760. [PMID: 37520359 PMCID: PMC10382021 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1134760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbes are the Earth life forms that have the highest degree of adaptability to survive, live, or even proliferate in very hostile environments. It is even stated that microbes can cope with any extreme physico-chemical condition and are, therefore, omnipresent all over the Earth: on all the continents, inside its crust and in all its waterbodies. However, our study suggests that there exists areas and even water rich environments on Earth where no life is possible. To support the fact that water rich environments can be lifeless, we performed an extensive survey of 10 different hyper extreme waterbodies of the halo-volcanic Dallol complex (Danakil depression, Ethiopia, Horn of Africa). In our study, we combined physico-chemical analyses, mineralogical investigations, XRD and SEM-EDX analyses, ATP measurements, 16S rDNA microbial community determinations, and microbial culturing techniques. According to our findings, we suggest that the individual physico-chemical parameters, water activity, and kosmo-chaotropicity, are the two most important factors that determine whether an environment is lifeless or capable of hosting specific extreme lifeforms. Besides, waterbodies that contained saturated levels of sodium chloride but at the same time possessed extreme low pH values, appeared to be poly-extreme environments in which no life could be detected. However, we clearly discovered a low diversity microbial community in waterbodies that were fully saturated with sodium chloride and only mildly acidic. Our results can be beneficial to more precisely classify whole or certain areas of planetary bodies, including water rich environments, as either potentially habitable or factual uninhabitable environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Moors
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke De Craen
- Research and Development Disposal, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Waste and Disposal (W&D), Mol, Belgium
- European Underground Research Infrastructure for Disposal of Nuclear Waste in Clay Environment, EIG EURIDICE, Mol, Belgium
| | - Carla Smolders
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Ann Provoost
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Center (SCK CEN), Nuclear Medical Applications Institute (NMA), Mol, Belgium
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Hallsworth JE, Udaondo Z, Pedrós‐Alió C, Höfer J, Benison KC, Lloyd KG, Cordero RJB, de Campos CBL, Yakimov MM, Amils R. Scientific novelty beyond the experiment. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:1131-1173. [PMID: 36786388 PMCID: PMC10221578 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Practical experiments drive important scientific discoveries in biology, but theory-based research studies also contribute novel-sometimes paradigm-changing-findings. Here, we appraise the roles of theory-based approaches focusing on the experiment-dominated wet-biology research areas of microbial growth and survival, cell physiology, host-pathogen interactions, and competitive or symbiotic interactions. Additional examples relate to analyses of genome-sequence data, climate change and planetary health, habitability, and astrobiology. We assess the importance of thought at each step of the research process; the roles of natural philosophy, and inconsistencies in logic and language, as drivers of scientific progress; the value of thought experiments; the use and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies, including their potential for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research; and other instances when theory is the most-direct and most-scientifically robust route to scientific novelty including the development of techniques for practical experimentation or fieldwork. We highlight the intrinsic need for human engagement in scientific innovation, an issue pertinent to the ongoing controversy over papers authored using/authored by artificial intelligence (such as the large language model/chatbot ChatGPT). Other issues discussed are the way in which aspects of language can bias thinking towards the spatial rather than the temporal (and how this biased thinking can lead to skewed scientific terminology); receptivity to research that is non-mainstream; and the importance of theory-based science in education and epistemology. Whereas we briefly highlight classic works (those by Oakes Ames, Francis H.C. Crick and James D. Watson, Charles R. Darwin, Albert Einstein, James E. Lovelock, Lynn Margulis, Gilbert Ryle, Erwin R.J.A. Schrödinger, Alan M. Turing, and others), the focus is on microbiology studies that are more-recent, discussing these in the context of the scientific process and the types of scientific novelty that they represent. These include several studies carried out during the 2020 to 2022 lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic when access to research laboratories was disallowed (or limited). We interviewed the authors of some of the featured microbiology-related papers and-although we ourselves are involved in laboratory experiments and practical fieldwork-also drew from our own research experiences showing that such studies can not only produce new scientific findings but can also transcend barriers between disciplines, act counter to scientific reductionism, integrate biological data across different timescales and levels of complexity, and circumvent constraints imposed by practical techniques. In relation to urgent research needs, we believe that climate change and other global challenges may require approaches beyond the experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological SciencesQueen's University BelfastBelfastUK
| | - Zulema Udaondo
- Department of Biomedical InformaticsUniversity of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLittle RockArkansasUSA
| | - Carlos Pedrós‐Alió
- Department of Systems BiologyCentro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC)MadridSpain
| | - Juan Höfer
- Escuela de Ciencias del MarPontificia Universidad Católica de ValparaísoValparaísoChile
| | - Kathleen C. Benison
- Department of Geology and GeographyWest Virginia UniversityMorgantownWest VirginiaUSA
| | - Karen G. Lloyd
- Microbiology DepartmentUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Radamés J. B. Cordero
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologyJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Claudia B. L. de Campos
- Institute of Science and TechnologyUniversidade Federal de Sao Paulo (UNIFESP)São José dos CamposSPBrazil
| | | | - Ricardo Amils
- Department of Molecular Biology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC‐UAM)Nicolás Cabrera n° 1, Universidad Autónoma de MadridMadridSpain
- Department of Planetology and HabitabilityCentro de Astrobiología (INTA‐CSIC)Torrejón de ArdozSpain
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7
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Noel D, Hallsworth JE, Gelhaye E, Darnet S, Sormani R, Morel-Rouhier M. Modes-of-action of antifungal compounds: Stressors and (target-site-specific) toxins, toxicants, or Toxin-stressors. Microb Biotechnol 2023. [PMID: 37191200 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungi and antifungal compounds are relevant to the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. However, the modes-of-action of antifungals-whether they are naturally occurring substances or anthropogenic fungicides-are often unknown or are misallocated in terms of their mechanistic category. Here, we consider the most effective approaches to identifying whether antifungal substances are cellular stressors, toxins/toxicants (that are target-site-specific), or have a hybrid mode-of-action as Toxin-stressors (that induce cellular stress yet are target-site-specific). This newly described 'toxin-stressor' category includes some photosensitisers that target the cell membrane and, once activated by light or ultraviolet radiation, cause oxidative damage. We provide a glossary of terms and a diagrammatic representation of diverse types of stressors, toxic substances, and Toxin-stressors, a classification that is pertinent to inhibitory substances not only for fungi but for all types of cellular life. A decision-tree approach can also be used to help differentiate toxic substances from cellular stressors (Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015 33: 228-259). For compounds that target specific sites in the cell, we evaluate the relative merits of using metabolite analyses, chemical genetics, chemoproteomics, transcriptomics, and the target-based drug-discovery approach (based on that used in pharmaceutical research), focusing on both ascomycete models and the less-studied basidiomycete fungi. Chemical genetic methods to elucidate modes-of-action currently have limited application for fungi where molecular tools are not yet available; we discuss ways to circumvent this bottleneck. We also discuss ecologically commonplace scenarios in which multiple substances act to limit the functionality of the fungal cell and a number of as-yet-unresolved questions about the modes-of-action of antifungal compounds pertaining to the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Eric Gelhaye
- Université de Lorraine, INRAE, IAM, Nancy, France
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8
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Separation of phosphorothioate oligonucleotide impurities by WAX HPLC under high organic content elution conditions. Anal Biochem 2022; 659:114956. [PMID: 36270331 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2022.114956] [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: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The separation of impurities in phosphorothioate diester (PS) oligonucleotides is complicated by (1) the presence of a very large number of diastereoisomers, e.g., 219 for a 20-mer oligonucleotide, (2) peak broadening due to the hydrophobic character of the sulfur atom, and (3) the chemical similarity of the impurities to the parent oligonucleotide and each other. Further difficulties arise due to the chemical nature of oligonucleotides, which display a complex mixture of ionic, hydrophobic, H-bonding, and other functionalities. To minimize hydrophobic interactions and peak broadening due to the PS modification, we have developed a novel method that combines a weak anion exchange (WAX) column with a mobile phase elution system designed to maximize separation by a single ionic/electrostatic interaction. We found that although chaotropes are helpful, the most significant beneficial effect of the hydrophilic WAX column is that high-organic, low-salt mobile phase is required for product elution. Separations are also benefitted by pH gradient effects on stationary phase electrostatic potential and analyte ionization. An extraordinary degree of separation is achieved by the new WAX method in comparison to SAX (strong anion exchange) chromatography. For the first time, the extent of deamination of PS oligonucleotides is directly determined by a chromatography-only method. The approach, representative results, and the mechanisms of separation are discussed.
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9
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Stephan MS, Dunsing V, Pramanik S, Chiantia S, Barbirz S, Robinson T, Dimova R. Biomimetic asymmetric bacterial membranes incorporating lipopolysaccharides. Biophys J 2022:S0006-3495(22)03927-3. [PMID: 36523159 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Gram-negative bacteria are equipped with a cell wall that contains a complex matrix of lipids, proteins, and glycans, which form a rigid layer protecting bacteria from the environment. Major components of this outer membrane are the high-molecular weight and amphiphilic lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). They form the extracellular part of a heterobilayer with phospholipids. Understanding LPS properties within the outer membrane is therefore important to develop new antimicrobial strategies. Model systems, such as giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), provide a suitable platform for exploring membrane properties and interactions. However, LPS molecules contain large polysaccharide parts that confer high water solubility, which makes LPS incorporation in artificial membranes difficult; this hindrance is exacerbated for LPS with long polysaccharide chains, i.e., the smooth LPS. Here, a novel emulsification step of the inverted emulsion method is introduced to incorporate LPS in the outer or the inner leaflet of GUVs, exclusively. We developed an approach to determine the LPS content on individual GUVs and quantify membrane asymmetry. The asymmetric membranes with outer leaflet LPS show incorporations of 1-16 mol % smooth LPS (corresponding to 16-79 wt %), while vesicles with inner leaflet LPS reach coverages of 2-7 mol % smooth LPS (28-60 wt %). Diffusion coefficient measurements in the obtained GUVs showed that increasing LPS concentrations in the membranes resulted in decreased diffusivity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentin Dunsing
- Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, IBDM, Turing Center for Living Systems, Marseille, France; University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Shreya Pramanik
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Salvatore Chiantia
- University of Potsdam, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stefanie Barbirz
- Department Humanmedizin, MSB Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tom Robinson
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Rumiana Dimova
- Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany.
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Acar M, Tatini D, Ninham BW, Rossi F, Marchettini N, Lo Nostro P. The Lyotropic Nature of Halates: An Experimental Study. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238519. [PMID: 36500616 PMCID: PMC9739596 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Unlike halides, where the kosmotropicity decreases from fluoride to iodide, the kosmotropic nature of halates apparently increases from chlorate to iodate, in spite of the lowering in the static ionic polarizability. In this paper, we present an experimental study that confirms the results of previous simulations. The lyotropic nature of aqueous solutions of sodium halates, i.e., NaClO3, NaBrO3, and NaIO3, is investigated through density, conductivity, viscosity, and refractive index measurements as a function of temperature and salt concentration. From the experimental data, we evaluate the activity coefficients and the salt polarizability and assess the anions' nature in terms of kosmotropicity/chaotropicity. The results clearly indicate that iodate behaves as a kosmotrope, while chlorate is a chaotrope, and bromate shows an intermediate nature. This experimental study confirms that, in the case of halates XO3-, the kosmotropic-chaotropic ranking reverses with respect to halides. We also discuss and revisit the role of the anion's polarizability in the interpretation of Hofmeister phenomena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mert Acar
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” and CSGI, University of Florence, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Duccio Tatini
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” and CSGI, University of Florence, 50019 Firenze, Italy
| | - Barry W. Ninham
- Materials Physics (Formerly Department of Applied Mathematics), Research School of Physics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
- School of Science, University of New South Wales, Northcott Drive, Campbell, Canberra, ACT 2612, Australia
| | - Federico Rossi
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Nadia Marchettini
- Department of Earth, Environmental and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pierandrea Lo Nostro
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” and CSGI, University of Florence, 50019 Firenze, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-055-4573010
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11
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Biophysical Manipulation of the Extracellular Environment by Eurotium halophilicum. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11121462. [PMID: 36558795 PMCID: PMC9781259 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11121462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Eurotium halophilicum is psychrotolerant, halophilic, and one of the most-extreme xerophiles in Earth's biosphere. We already know that this ascomycete grows close to 0 °C, at high NaCl, and-under some conditions-down to 0.651 water-activity. However, there is a paucity of information about how it achieves this extreme stress tolerance given the dynamic water regimes of the surface habitats on which it commonly occurs. Here, against the backdrop of global climate change, we investigated the biophysical interactions of E. halophilicum with its extracellular environment using samples taken from the surfaces of library books. The specific aims were to examine its morphology and extracellular environment (using scanning electron microscopy for visualisation and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to identify chemical elements) and investigate interactions with water, ions, and minerals (including analyses of temperature and relative humidity conditions and determinations of salt deliquescence and water activity of extracellular brine). We observed crystals identified as eugsterite (Na4Ca(SO4)3·2H2O) and mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O) embedded within extracellular polymeric substances and provide evidence that E. halophilicum uses salt deliquescence to maintain conditions consistent with its water-activity window for growth. In addition, it utilizes a covering of hair-like microfilaments that likely absorb water and maintain a layer of humid air adjacent to the hyphae. We believe that, along with compatible solutes used for osmotic adjustment, these adaptations allow the fungus to maintain hydration in both space and time. We discuss these findings in relation to the conservation of books and other artifacts within the built environment, spoilage of foods and feeds, the ecology of E. halophilicum in natural habitats, and the current episode of climate change.
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Hawaz E, Tafesse M, Tesfaye A, Beyene D, Kiros S, Kebede G, Boekhout T, Theelen B, Groenewald M, Degefe A, Degu S, Admas A, Muleta D. Isolation and characterization of bioethanol producing wild yeasts from bio-wastes and co-products of sugar factories. ANN MICROBIOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s13213-022-01695-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose
Yeasts are widely used for the production of bioethanol from biomasses rich in sugar. The present study was aimed at isolating, screening, and characterizing fermentative wild yeast recovered from bio-waste and co-products of Ethiopian sugar factories for bioethanol production using sugarcane molasses as a substrate.
Method
The wild yeasts were identified according to their cellular morphology and D1/D2 and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequencing. Analysis of ethanol and by-product concentration was done by HPLC equipped with a UV detector. Higher alcohols, acetaldehyde, and methanol were analyzed using GC-MS equipped with a flame ionization detector (FID).
Result
Seven strains (Meyerozyma caribbica MJTm3, Meyerozyma caribbica MJTPm4, Meyerozyma caribbica SHJF, Saccharomyces cerevisiae TA2, Wickerhamomyces anomalus MJTPm2, Wickerhamomyces anomalus 4m10, and Wickerhamomyces anomalus HCJ2F) were found tolerant to 18% (v/v) ethanol, whereas one strain Meyerozyma caribbica MJTm3 tolerated 20%. These strains also showed tolerance to 45°C, 50% of sugar, and pH 2–10. Meyerozyma caribbica MJTm3 produced 12.7% (v/v) of alcohol with an actual ethanol concentration of 26 g L−1, an ethanol yield of 47%, 78% of theoretical yield, and a productivity of 0.54 g L−1 h−1 from 30 °Brix of molasses at 48 h incubation under laboratory scale. Based on the one variable at a time optimization (OVAT), the optimal parameters for maximum bioethanol production were at initial pH 5.5, 35 °Brix, 30°C, 15% inoculum size, 150 rpm, 4 g L−1 di-ammonium phosphate supplement, and 48 h incubation. Under these optimum conditions, 14% (v/v) alcohol, 42 g L−1 actual ethanol concentration, 69% ethanol yield, 89% of theoretical yield, and productivity of 0.88 g L−1 h−1 were obtained.
Conclusion
These results indicated that M. caribbica MJTm3 should further be evaluated, optimized, and improved for industrial bioethanol production due to its fermentation potential.
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Braga GÚL, Silva-Junior GJ, Brancini GTP, Hallsworth JE, Wainwright M. Photoantimicrobials in agriculture. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY. B, BIOLOGY 2022; 235:112548. [PMID: 36067596 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2022.112548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Classical approaches for controlling plant pathogens may be impaired by the development of pathogen resistance to chemical pesticides and by limited availability of effective antimicrobial agents. Recent increases in consumer awareness of and/or legislation regarding environmental and human health, and the urgent need to improve food security, are driving increased demand for safer antimicrobial strategies. Therefore, there is a need for a step change in the approaches used for controlling pre- and post-harvest diseases and foodborne human pathogens. The use of light-activated antimicrobial substances for the so-called antimicrobial photodynamic treatment is known to be effective not only in a clinical context, but also for use in agriculture to control plant-pathogenic fungi and bacteria, and to eliminate foodborne human pathogens from seeds, sprouted seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Here, we take a holistic approach to review and re-evaluate recent findings on: (i) the ecology of naturally-occurring photoantimicrobials, (ii) photodynamic processes including the light-activated antimicrobial activities of some plant metabolites, and (iii) fungus-induced photosensitization of plants. The inhibitory mechanisms of both natural and synthetic light-activated substances, known as photosensitizers, are discussed in the contexts of microbial stress biology and agricultural biotechnology. Their modes-of-antimicrobial action make them neither stressors nor toxins/toxicants (with specific modes of poisonous activity), but a hybrid/combination of both. We highlight the use of photoantimicrobials for the control of plant-pathogenic fungi and quantify their potential contribution to global food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilberto Ú L Braga
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | | | - Guilherme T P Brancini
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-903, Brazil.
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
| | - Mark Wainwright
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, United Kingdom.
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Active Microbial Airborne Dispersal and Biomorphs as Confounding Factors for Life Detection in the Cell-Degrading Brines of the Polyextreme Dallol Geothermal Field. mBio 2022; 13:e0030722. [PMID: 35384698 PMCID: PMC9040726 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00307-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the precise limits of life in polyextreme environments is challenging. Studies along gradients of polyextreme conditions in the Dallol proto-volcano area (Danakil salt desert, Ethiopia) showed the occurrence of archaea-dominated communities (up to 99%) in several hypersaline systems but strongly suggested that life did not thrive in the hyperacidic (pH ∼0), hypersaline (∼35% [wt/vol],) and sometimes hot (up to 108°C) ponds of the Dallol dome. However, it was recently claimed that archaea flourish in these brines based on the detection of one Nanohaloarchaeotas 16S rRNA gene and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments with archaea-specific probes. Here, we characterized the diversity of microorganisms in aerosols over Dallol, and we show that, in addition to typical bacteria from soil/dust, they transport halophilic archaea likely originating from neighboring hypersaline ecosystems. We also show that cells and DNA from cultures and natural local halophilic communities are rapidly destroyed upon contact with Dallol brine. Furthermore, we confirm the widespread occurrence of mineral particles, including silica-based biomorphs, in Dallol brines. FISH experiments using appropriate controls show that DNA fluorescent probes and dyes unspecifically bind to mineral precipitates in Dallol brines; cellular morphologies were unambiguously observed only in nearby hypersaline ecosystems. Our results show that airborne cell dispersal and unspecific binding of fluorescent probes are confounding factors likely affecting previous inferences of archaea thriving in Dallol. They highlight the need for controls and the consideration of alternative abiotic explanations before safely drawing conclusions about the presence of life in polyextreme terrestrial or extraterrestrial systems.
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15
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de Moura Ferreira MA, da Silveira FA, da Silveira WB. Ethanol stress responses in Kluyveromyces marxianus: current knowledge and perspectives. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:1341-1353. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-11799-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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16
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Applicability of Food Grade Modified Starches as a Carrier of Microelements. Processes (Basel) 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/pr10020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth in the human population and intensive, large-scale farming results in a lowering in the quality of nutrition. An oversupply of food energy is often accompanied with a deficiency in micronutrients. To address this problem, the food industry provides products enriched with bioactive substances. The main challenge of this technology is the even distribution of micronutrients in the matrix of the fortified food. A possible solution to this challenge is to use stable and effective carriers. The aim of this work was to verify the applicability of native potato starch and modified starches (commonly used in the food industry) as carriers for microelements. Adsorptions were carried out in starch suspensions at a temperature below gelatinisation. The native potato starch and the modified starches (E 1404, E 1412, E 1420, and E 1422) were assessed for their effectiveness in adsorbing copper, iron, and zinc sulphates or gluconates. Pasting characteristics were analysed using a Brabender viscograph and light microscopy. Furthermore, texture profile analysis of starch-based desserts was carried out with the use of the tested carriers. Starch in both its native and modified forms was able to effectively adsorb copper, iron, and zinc ions. Adsorption was more efficient when using modified starches containing hydrophilic carboxyl groups. The effectiveness of adsorption with oxidised starches increased with an increase in the degree of substitution. Starches containing more hydrophobic acetyl groups were less effective as adsorbents of microelements. The cation adsorption efficiency decreased in the order copper > iron > zinc, and sulphates were better adsorbed than gluconates. Copper ions influenced the pasting characteristics of the oxidised starches, and these effects were dependent on the degree of substitution with carboxyl groups. As observed by light microscopy, the presence of copper ions changes the interaction between the starch macromolecules and water. However, the above-mentioned changes did not significantly affect the texture of traditional sweet desserts. Starch, particularly its oxidised derivatives containing hydrophilic oxidised groups, can be recommended as a carrier of microelements for food fortification. The use of modified starches containing relatively hydrophobic acetyl groups is not appropriate because they absorb microelements less efficiently than native starch.
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17
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Nguyen K, Kumar P. Morphological Phenotypes, Cell Division, and Gene Expression of Escherichia coli under High Concentration of Sodium Sulfate. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10020274. [PMID: 35208727 PMCID: PMC8875244 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sodium and sulfate ions are among the suggested abundant ions on Europa, a moon of Jupiter. In order to investigate the potential habitability of Europa, we study the effects of sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) on a non-halophilic bacterium by subjecting Escherichia coli (E. coli) to a wide range of Na2SO4 concentrations (0–1.0 m). We discover that, as the concentration of sodium sulfate increases, the biomass doubling time increases and the cell growth is completely inhibited at 1.0 m Na2SO4. Furthermore, we find that E. coli exhibits three distinct morphological phenotypes—(i) shortened, (ii) normal, and (iii) elongated/filamented cells at 0.6 m and 0.8 m Na2SO4. We have examined the expression of different genes involved in sodium and sulfate transport (nhaA, nhaB, cysZ, sbp), osmotically driven transport of water (aqpZ), sulfate metabolism (cysN), fatty acid production (fabA), and a global transcriptional regulator (osmZ). Our results suggest that the expression of these genes is not affected significantly at high concentrations of sodium sulfate in the exponential growth phase. Using our experimental data and the existing data in the literature, we show that the osmotic pressure difference may play a major role in determining the growth inhibition of E. coli and B. subtilis at high concentrations of salt.
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18
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Abstract
Water is the cellular milieu, drives all biochemistry within Earth's biosphere and facilitates microbe-mediated decay processes. Instead of reviewing these topics, the current article focuses on the activities of water as a preservative-its capacity to maintain the long-term integrity and viability of microbial cells-and identifies the mechanisms by which this occurs. Water provides for, and maintains, cellular structures; buffers against thermodynamic extremes, at various scales; can mitigate events that are traumatic to the cell membrane, such as desiccation-rehydration, freeze-thawing and thermal shock; prevents microbial dehydration that can otherwise exacerbate oxidative damage; mitigates against biocidal factors (in some circumstances reducing ultraviolet radiation and diluting solute stressors or toxic substances); and is effective at electrostatic screening so prevents damage to the cell by the intense electrostatic fields of some ions. In addition, the water retained in desiccated cells (historically referred to as 'bound' water) plays key roles in biomacromolecular structures and their interactions even for fully hydrated cells. Assuming that the components of the cell membrane are chemically stable or at least repairable, and the environment is fairly constant, water molecules can apparently maintain membrane geometries over very long periods provided these configurations represent thermodynamically stable states. The spores and vegetative cells of many microbes survive longer in the presence of vapour-phase water (at moderate-to-high relative humidities) than under more-arid conditions. There are several mechanisms by which large bodies of water, when cooled during subzero weather conditions remain in a liquid state thus preventing potentially dangerous (freeze-thaw) transitions for their microbiome. Microbial life can be preserved in pure water, freshwater systems, seawater, brines, ice/permafrost, sugar-rich aqueous milieux and vapour-phase water according to laboratory-based studies carried out over periods of years to decades and some natural environments that have yielded cells that are apparently thousands, or even (for hypersaline fluid inclusions of mineralized NaCl) hundreds of millions, of years old. The term preservative has often been restricted to those substances used to extend the shelf life of foods (e.g. sodium benzoate, nitrites and sulphites) or those used to conserve dead organisms, such as ethanol or formaldehyde. For living microorganisms however, the ultimate preservative may actually be water. Implications of this role are discussed with reference to the ecology of halophiles, human pathogens and other microbes; food science; biotechnology; biosignatures for life and other aspects of astrobiology; and the large-scale release/reactivation of preserved microbes caused by global climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food SecuritySchool of Biological SciencesQueen’s University Belfast19 Chlorine GardensBelfastBT9 5DLUK
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19
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Abolghasemi-Dehaghani S, Gharanfoli M, Habibi-Rezaei M, Khavari-Nejad RA. Enhanced recovery yield by utilizing an improved purification method for recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone expressed in CHO cells: Applying CaptureSelect™-FSH affinity matrix. J LIQ CHROMATOGR R T 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/10826076.2021.1960857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohsen Gharanfoli
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehran Habibi-Rezaei
- Protein Biotechnology Research Lab (PBRL), School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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20
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Yaakoub H, Sanchez NS, Ongay-Larios L, Courdavault V, Calenda A, Bouchara JP, Coria R, Papon N. The high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway in fungi †. Crit Rev Microbiol 2021; 48:657-695. [PMID: 34893006 DOI: 10.1080/1040841x.2021.2011834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
While fungi are widely occupying nature, many species are responsible for devastating mycosis in humans. Such niche diversity explains how quick fungal adaptation is necessary to endow the capacity of withstanding fluctuating environments and to cope with host-imposed conditions. Among all the molecular mechanisms evolved by fungi, the most studied one is the activation of the phosphorelay signalling pathways, of which the high osmolarity glycerol (HOG) pathway constitutes one of the key molecular apparatus underpinning fungal adaptation and virulence. In this review, we summarize the seminal knowledge of the HOG pathway with its more recent developments. We specifically described the HOG-mediated stress adaptation, with a particular focus on osmotic and oxidative stress, and point out some lags in our understanding of its involvement in the virulence of pathogenic species including, the medically important fungi Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus, compared to the model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Finally, we also highlighted some possible applications of the HOG pathway modifications to improve the fungal-based production of natural products in the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Yaakoub
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
| | - Norma Silvia Sanchez
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Laura Ongay-Larios
- Unidad de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Vincent Courdavault
- EA2106 "Biomolécules et Biotechnologies Végétales", Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | | | | | - Roberto Coria
- Departamento de Genética Molecular, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nicolas Papon
- Univ Angers, Univ Brest, GEIHP, SFR ICAT, Angers, France
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21
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Carré L, Girard É, Franzetti B. Experimental study of proteome halophilicity using nanoDSF: a proof of concept. Extremophiles 2021; 26:1. [PMID: 34878593 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01250-z] [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: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Adaption to environmental conditions is reflected by protein adaptation. In particular, proteins of extremophiles display distinctive traits ensuring functional, structural and dynamical properties under permanently extreme physical and chemical conditions. While it has mostly been studied with approaches focusing on specific proteins, biophysical approaches have also confirmed this link between environmental and protein adaptation at the more complex and diverse scale of the proteome. However, studies of this type remain challenging and often require large amounts of biological material. We report here the use of nanoDSF as a tool to study proteome stability and solubility in cell lysates of the model halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui. Notably, our results show that, as with single halophilic protein studies, proteome stability was correlated to the concentration of NaCl or KCl under which the cells were lysed and hence the proteome exposed. This work highlights that adaptation to environmental conditions can be experimentally observed at the scale of the proteome. Still, we show that the biochemical properties of single halophilic proteins can only be partially extrapolated to the whole proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Carré
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
| | - Éric Girard
- Univ Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, IBS, Grenoble, France
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22
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Physicochemical Parameters Limiting Growth of Debaryomyces hansenii in Solutions of Hygroscopic Compounds and Their Effects on the Habitability of Martian Brines. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111194. [PMID: 34833070 PMCID: PMC8619379 DOI: 10.3390/life11111194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of liquid water is a prerequisite for all lifeforms on Earth. In hyperarid subzero environments like the Dry Valleys in Antarctica or the near-subsurface of Mars liquid water might be provided temporarily by hygroscopic substances that absorb water from the atmosphere and lower the freezing point of water. To evaluate the potential of hygroscopic compounds to serve as a habitat, it is necessary to explore the microbial tolerances towards these substances and their life-limiting properties. Here we present a study investigating the tolerances of the halotolerant yeast Debaryomyces hansenii to various solutes. Growth experiments were conducted via counting colony forming units (CFUs) after inoculation of a liquid growth medium containing a specific solute concentration. The lowest water activities (aw) enabling growth were determined to be ~0.83 in glycerol and fructose-rich media. For all other solutes the growth-enabling aw was higher, due to additional stress factors such as chaotropicity and ionic strength. Additionally, we found that the solute tolerances of D. hansenii correlate with both the eutectic freezing point depressions and the deliquescence relative humidities of the respective solutes. Our findings strongly impact our understanding of the habitability of solute-rich low aw environments on Earth and beyond.
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23
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Belilla J, Iniesto M, Moreira D, Benzerara K, López-García JM, López-Archilla AI, Reboul G, Deschamps P, Gérard E, López-García P. Archaeal overdominance close to life-limiting conditions in geothermally influenced hypersaline lakes at the Danakil Depression, Ethiopia. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:7168-7182. [PMID: 34519149 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The Dallol protovolcanic area on the Danakil Depression (Afar region, Ethiopia) exhibits unique hydrothermal manifestations in hypersaline context, yielding varied polyextreme physicochemical conditions. Previous studies identified a wide archaeal diversity in less extreme brines but failed to identify microorganisms thriving in either high-chaotropicity, low-water-activity brines or hyperacidic-hypersaline Na-Fe-rich brines. Recently, we accessed several small lakes under intense degassing activity adjacent to the Round Mountain, west to the Dallol dome [Western Canyon Lakes (WCL); WCL1-5]. They exhibited intermediate parameter combinations (pH ~ 5, 34%-41% (weight/volume) NaCl-dominated salts with relatively high levels of chaotropic Mg-Ca salts) that should allow to better constrain life limits. These lakes were overwhelmingly dominated by Archaea, encompassing up to 99% of prokaryotic 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences in metabarcoding studies. The majority belonged to Halobacteriota and Nanohaloarchaeota, the latter representing up to half of prokaryotic sequences. Optical and epifluorescence microscopy showed active cells in natural samples and diverse morphotypes in enrichment cultures. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed tiny cells (200-300 nm diameter) epibiotically associated with somewhat larger cells (0.6-1 μm) but also the presence of silica-dominated precipitates of similar size and shape, highlighting the difficulty of distinguishing microbes from mineral biomorphs in this kind of low-biomass systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Belilla
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Miguel Iniesto
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Guillaume Reboul
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Philippe Deschamps
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | | | - Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
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24
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Bosch J, Varliero G, Hallsworth JE, Dallas TD, Hopkins D, Frey B, Kong W, Lebre P, Makhalanyane TP, Cowan DA. Microbial anhydrobiosis. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:6377-6390. [PMID: 34347349 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The loss of cellular water (desiccation) and the resulting low cytosolic water activity are major stress factors for life. Numerous prokaryotic and eukaryotic taxa have evolved molecular and physiological adaptions to periods of low water availability or water-limited environments that occur across the terrestrial Earth. The changes within cells during the processes of desiccation and rehydration, from the activation (and inactivation) of biosynthetic pathways to the accumulation of compatible solutes, have been studied in considerable detail. However, relatively little is known on the metabolic status of organisms in the desiccated state; that is, in the sometimes extended periods between the drying and rewetting phases. During these periods, which can extend beyond decades and which we term 'anhydrobiosis', organismal survival could be dependent on a continued supply of energy to maintain the basal metabolic processes necessary for critical functions such as macromolecular repair. Here, we review the state of knowledge relating to the function of microorganisms during the anhydrobiotic state, highlighting substantial gaps in our understanding of qualitative and quantitative aspects of molecular and biochemical processes in desiccated cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Bosch
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Gilda Varliero
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Tiffany D Dallas
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT9 5DL, UK
| | | | - Beat Frey
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, 8903, Switzerland
| | - Weidong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System Science (LATPES), Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Pedro Lebre
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Thulani P Makhalanyane
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
| | - Don A Cowan
- Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
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25
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Guyot S, Pottier L, Bertheau L, Dumont J, Dorelle Hondjuila Miokono E, Dupont S, Ragon M, Denimal E, Marin A, Hallsworth JE, Beney L, Gervais P. Increased xerotolerance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during an osmotic pressure ramp over several generations. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 14:1445-1461. [PMID: 33739621 PMCID: PMC8313259 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Although mechanisms involved in response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to osmotic challenge are well described for low and sudden stresses, little is known about how cells respond to a gradual increase of the osmotic pressure (reduced water activity; aw ) over several generations as it could encounter during drying in nature or in food processes. Using glycerol as a stressor, we propagated S. cerevisiae through a ramp of the osmotic pressure (up to high molar concentrations to achieve testing-to-destruction) at the rate of 1.5 MPa day-1 from 1.38 to 58.5 MPa (0.990-0.635 aw ). Cultivability (measured at 1.38 MPa and at the harvest osmotic pressure) and glucose consumption compared with the corresponding sudden stress showed that yeasts were able to grow until about 10.5 MPa (0.926 aw ) and to survive until about 58.5 MPa, whereas glucose consumption occurred until 13.5 MPa (about 0.915 aw ). Nevertheless, the ramp conferred an advantage since yeasts harvested at 10.5 and 34.5 MPa (0.778 aw ) showed a greater cultivability than glycerol-shocked cells after a subsequent shock at 200 MPa (0.234 aw ) for 2 days. FTIR analysis revealed structural changes in wall and proteins in the range 1.38-10.5 MPa, which would be likely to be involved in the resistance at extreme osmotic pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Guyot
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Laurence Pottier
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Lucie Bertheau
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Jennifer Dumont
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | | | - Sébastien Dupont
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Mélanie Ragon
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Emmanuel Denimal
- Direction des Systèmes d'Information, AgroSup Dijon, 26 Boulevard Docteur Petitjean, Dijon, 21000, France
| | - Ambroise Marin
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Laurent Beney
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
| | - Patrick Gervais
- Univ. Bourgogne Franche-Comté, AgroSup Dijon, PAM UMR A 02.102, Dijon, F-21000, France
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26
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Oliveira LA, Macedo MM, Rodrigues JLS, Lima ES, Hamill PG, Dallas TD, Lima MP, Souza ES, Hallsworth JE, Souza JVB. Plant metabolite 5-pentadecyl resorcinol is produced by the Amazonian fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum LM 5679. BRAZ J BIOL 2021; 82:e241863. [PMID: 34133562 DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.241863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the classic studies of Alexander Flemming, Penicillium strains have been known as a rich source of antimicrobial substances. Recent studies have identified novel metabolites produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum that have antibacterial, antifouling and pharmaceutical activities. Here, we report the isolation of a P. sclerotiorum (LM 5679) from Amazonian soil and carry out a culture-based study to determine whether it can produce any novel secondary metabolite(s) that are not thus-far reported for this genus. Using a submerged culture system, secondary metabolites were recovered by solvent extract followed by thin-layer chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy. One novel secondary metabolite was isolated from P. sclerotiorum (LM 5679); the phenolic compound 5-pentadecyl resorcinol widely known as an antifungal, that is produced by diverse plant species. This metabolite was not reported previously in any Penicillium species and was only found once before in fungi (that time, in a Fusarium). Here, we discuss the known activities of 5-pentadecyl resorcinol in the context of its mode-of-action as a hydrophobic (chaotropicity-mediated) stressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Oliveira
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - M M Macedo
- Centro Universitário do Norte - UNINORTE, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - J L S Rodrigues
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Departamento de Produtos Naturais, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - E S Lima
- Universidade Federal do Amazonas - UFAM, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - P G Hamill
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - T D Dallas
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - M P Lima
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Departamento de Produtos Naturais, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - E S Souza
- Universidade do Estado do Amazonas - UEA, Manaus, AM, Brasil
| | - J E Hallsworth
- Queen's University Belfast, Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Belfast, UK
| | - J V B Souza
- Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia - INPA, Laboratório de Micologia, Manaus, AM, Brasil
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27
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Jeandupeux E, Alameh MG, Ghattas M, De Crescenzo G, Lavertu M. Poly(2-Propylacrylic Acid) Increases In Vitro Bioactivity of Chitosan/mRNA Nanoparticles. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:3439-3449. [PMID: 34090900 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chitosan-based nanoparticles have been extensively studied for the delivery of nucleic acids. Previous results suggest that these nanoparticles have limited ability to escape the endosome, one of the main cellular barriers hindering nucleic acid delivery. Escape can be improved by the addition of endosomolytic agents during the formulation process or by developing delivery systems with intrinsic properties to disrupt endosomal membranes. In this study, Poly(2-Propylacrylic Acid) (PPAA), an anionic synthetic polymer with known membrane lytic activity was added to the binary chitosan/mRNA nanoparticles to improve bioactivity. The ionization behavior of PPAA was characterized to identify conditions in which PPAA is sufficiently charged to interact electrostatically with chitosan and thus form nanoparticles. The physicochemical characteristics (hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, ζ-potential) and the in vitro transfection efficiency (bioactivity) of this new family of CS/mRNA/PPAA ternary nanoparticles were evaluated. The addition of PPAA to CS/mRNA nanoparticles was shown to be an efficient strategy to augment in vitro bioactivity. The optimal formulation reached an expression level ~86% of the commercial lipid control at pH 6.5 without any signs of metabolic toxicity. In this paper, we report the effect of salt and pH on the ionization behavior of PPAA and demonstrate 1) successful incorporation of PPAA into/onto nanoparticles, 2) improved bioactivity with PPAA, and 3) that the kosmotropic effects of trehalose play a minimal role in the apparent increase in bioactivity in presence of trehalose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Jeandupeux
- Polytechnique Montreal, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Majed Ghattas
- Polytechnique Montreal, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gregory De Crescenzo
- Polytechnique Montreal, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada; Polytechnique Montreal, Department of Chemical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marc Lavertu
- Polytechnique Montreal, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada; Polytechnique Montreal, Department of Chemical Engineering, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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28
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MAGEA4 Coated Extracellular Vesicles Are Stable and Can Be Assembled In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105208. [PMID: 34069064 PMCID: PMC8155938 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are valued candidates for the development of new tools for medical applications. Vesicles carrying melanoma-associated antigen A (MAGEA) proteins, a subfamily of cancer-testis antigens, are particularly promising tools in the fight against cancer. Here, we have studied the biophysical and chemical properties of MAGEA4-EVs and show that they are stable under common storage conditions such as keeping at +4 °C and -80 °C for at least 3 weeks after purification. The MAGEA4-EVs can be freeze-thawed two times without losing MAGEA4 in detectable quantities. The attachment of MAGEA4 to the surface of EVs cannot be disrupted by high salt concentrations or chelators, but the vesicles are sensitive to high pH. The MAGEA4 protein can bind to the surface of EVs in vitro, using robust passive incubation. In addition, EVs can be loaded with recombinant proteins fused to the MAGEA4 open reading frame within the cells and also in vitro. The high stability of MAGEA4-EVs ensures their potential for the development of EV-based anti-cancer applications.
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29
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Hallsworth JE. Mars' surface is not universally biocidal. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3345-3350. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast 19 Chlorine Gardens Belfast BT9 7BL UK
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30
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Hallsworth JE, Mancinelli RL, Conley CA, Dallas TD, Rinaldi T, Davila AF, Benison KC, Rapoport A, Cavalazzi B, Selbmann L, Changela H, Westall F, Yakimov MM, Amils R, Madigan MT. Astrobiology of life on Earth. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3335-3344. [PMID: 33817931 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Astrobiology is mistakenly regarded by some as a field confined to studies of life beyond Earth. Here, we consider life on Earth through an astrobiological lens. Whereas classical studies of microbiology historically focused on various anthropocentric sub-fields (such as fermented foods or commensals and pathogens of crop plants, livestock and humans), addressing key biological questions via astrobiological approaches can further our understanding of all life on Earth. We highlight potential implications of this approach through the articles in this Environmental Microbiology special issue 'Ecophysiology of Extremophiles'. They report on the microbiology of places/processes including low-temperature environments and chemically diverse saline- and hypersaline habitats; aspects of sulphur metabolism in hypersaline lakes, dysoxic marine waters, and thermal acidic springs; biology of extremophile viruses; the survival of terrestrial extremophiles on the surface of Mars; biological soils crusts and rock-associated microbes of deserts; subsurface and deep biosphere, including a salticle formed within Triassic halite; and interactions of microbes with igneous and sedimentary rocks. These studies, some of which we highlight here, contribute to our understanding of the spatiotemporal reach of Earth'sfunctional biosphere, and the tenacity of terrestrial life. Their findings will help set the stage for future work focused on the constraints for life, and how organisms adapt and evolve to circumvent these constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Rocco L Mancinelli
- Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA, 94035, USA
| | | | - Tiffany D Dallas
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Teresa Rinaldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | | | - Kathleen C Benison
- Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506-6300, USA
| | - Alexander Rapoport
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str., 1-537, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Barbara Cavalazzi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, 01100, Italy.,Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, 16128, Italy
| | - Hitesh Changela
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China.,Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Frances Westall
- CNRS, Ctr Biophys Mol UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron, CS 80054, Orleans, F-45071, France
| | - Michail M Yakimov
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, IRBIM-CNR, Messina, 98122, Italy
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSICUAM), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain.,Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28055, Spain
| | - Michael T Madigan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
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31
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Klempay B, Arandia-Gorostidi N, Dekas AE, Bartlett DH, Carr CE, Doran PT, Dutta A, Erazo N, Fisher LA, Glass JB, Pontefract A, Som SM, Wilson JM, Schmidt BE, Bowman JS. Microbial diversity and activity in Southern California salterns and bitterns: analogues for remnant ocean worlds. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3825-3839. [PMID: 33621409 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Concurrent osmotic and chaotropic stress make MgCl2 -rich brines extremely inhospitable environments. Understanding the limits of life in these brines is essential to the search for extraterrestrial life on contemporary and relict ocean worlds, like Mars, which could host similar environments. We sequenced environmental 16S rRNA genes and quantified microbial activity across a broad range of salinity and chaotropicity at a Mars-analogue salt harvesting facility in Southern California, where seawater is evaporated in a series of ponds ranging from kosmotropic NaCl brines to highly chaotropic MgCl2 brines. Within NaCl brines, we observed a proliferation of specialized halophilic Euryarchaeota, which corresponded closely with the dominant taxa found in salterns around the world. These communities were characterized by very slow growth rates and high biomass accumulation. As salinity and chaotropicity increased, we found that the MgCl2 -rich brines eventually exceeded the limits of microbial activity. We found evidence that exogenous genetic material is preserved in these chaotropic brines, producing an unexpected increase in diversity in the presumably sterile MgCl2 -saturated brines. Because of their high potential for biomarker preservation, chaotropic brines could therefore serve as repositories of genetic biomarkers from nearby environments (both on Earth and beyond) making them prime targets for future life-detection missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Klempay
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | | - Anne E Dekas
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Douglas H Bartlett
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Christopher E Carr
- Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.,School of Earth and Atmospheric Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Peter T Doran
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
| | - Avishek Dutta
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Natalia Erazo
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Luke A Fisher
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Jennifer B Glass
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | | | - Sanjoy M Som
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98154, USA
| | - Jesse M Wilson
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Britney E Schmidt
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Jeff S Bowman
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
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32
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Fisher LA, Pontefract A, Som S, Carr CE, Klempay B, Schmidt B, Bowman J, Bartlett DH. Current state of athalassohaline deep‐sea hypersaline anoxic basin research—recommendations for future work and relevance to astrobiology. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3360-3369. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luke A. Fisher
- Marine Biology Research Division Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093‐0202 USA
| | | | - Sanjoy Som
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science Seattle WA 98104 USA
| | - Christopher E. Carr
- Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332 USA
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332 USA
| | - Benjamin Klempay
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093‐0218 USA
| | - Britney Schmidt
- Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332 USA
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Integrative Oceanography Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093‐0218 USA
- Center for Microbiome Innovation University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093‐0218 USA
| | - Douglas H. Bartlett
- Marine Biology Research Division Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego La Jolla CA 92093‐0202 USA
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33
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Martínez JM, Escudero C, Rodríguez N, Rubin S, Amils R. Subsurface and surface halophile communities of the chaotropic Salar de Uyuni. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3987-4001. [PMID: 33511754 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Salar de Uyuni (SdU) is the biggest athalosaline environment on Earth, holding a high percentage of the known world Li reserves. Due to its hypersalinity, temperature and humidity fluctuations, high exposure to UV radiation, and its elevated concentration of chaotropic agents like MgCl2 , LiCl and NaBr, SdU is considered a polyextreme environment. Here, we report the prokaryotic abundance and diversity of 46 samples obtained in different seasons and geographical areas. The identified bacterial community was found to be more heterogeneous than the archaeal community, with both communities varying geographically. A seasonal difference has been detected for archaea. Salinibacter, Halonotius and Halorubrum were the most abundant genera in Salar de Uyuni. Different unclassified archaea were also detected. In addition, the diversity of two subsurface samples obtained at 20 and 80 m depth was evaluated and compared with the surface data, generating an evolutionary record of a multilayer hypersaline ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Martínez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Cristina Escudero
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28055, Spain
| | - Nuria Rodríguez
- Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28055, Spain
| | - Sergio Rubin
- Université Catholique de Louvain, Earth and Life Institute, Georges Lamaitre Center for Earth and Climate Research, Gante, Belgium.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, CNIB, Cochabamba, Bolivia
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSIC-UAM), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain.,Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28055, Spain
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34
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Hiller S. Molecular chaperones and their denaturing effect on client proteins. JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR NMR 2021; 75:1-8. [PMID: 33136251 PMCID: PMC7897196 DOI: 10.1007/s10858-020-00353-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Advanced NMR methods combined with biophysical techniques have recently provided unprecedented insight into structure and dynamics of molecular chaperones and their interaction with client proteins. These studies showed that several molecular chaperones are able to dissolve aggregation-prone polypeptides in aqueous solution. Furthermore, chaperone-bound clients often feature fluid-like backbone dynamics and chaperones have a denaturing effect on clients. Interestingly, these effects that chaperones have on client proteins resemble the effects of known chaotropic substances. Following this analogy, chaotropicity could be a fruitful concept to describe, quantify and rationalize molecular chaperone function. In addition, the observations raise the possibility that at least some molecular chaperones might share functional similarities with chaotropes. We discuss these concepts and outline future research in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hiller
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstr. 70, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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35
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Pavankumar TL, Mittal P, Hallsworth JE. Molecular insights into the ecology of a psychrotolerant
Pseudomonas syringae. Environ Microbiol 2020; 23:3665-3681. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Theetha L. Pavankumar
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Briggs Hall, One Shields Avenue University of California Davis CA USA
| | - Pragya Mittal
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South, Edinburgh, EH42XU, Scotland UK
| | - John E. Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences Queen's University Belfast 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL Northern Ireland UK
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36
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Abstract
Bioethanol is the largest biotechnology product and the most dominant biofuel globally. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most favored microorganism employed for its industrial production. However, obtaining maximum yields from an ethanol fermentation remains a technical challenge, since cellular stresses detrimentally impact on the efficiency of yeast cell growth and metabolism. Ethanol fermentation stresses potentially include osmotic, chaotropic, oxidative, and heat stress, as well as shifts in pH. Well-developed stress responses and tolerance mechanisms make S. cerevisiae industrious, with bioprocessing techniques also being deployed at industrial scale for the optimization of fermentation parameters and the effective management of inhibition issues. Overlap exists between yeast responses to different forms of stress. This review outlines yeast fermentation stresses and known mechanisms conferring stress tolerance, with their further elucidation and improvement possessing the potential to improve fermentation efficiency.
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37
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Madigan MT, Kempher ML, Bender KS, Jung DO, Sattley WM, Lindemann SR, Konopka AE, Dohnalkova AC, Fredrickson JK. A green sulfur bacterium from epsomitic Hot Lake, Washington, USA. Can J Microbiol 2020; 67:332-341. [PMID: 33136441 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2020-0462] [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] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hot Lake is a small heliothermal and hypersaline lake in far north-central Washington State (USA) and is limnologically unusual because MgSO4 rather than NaCl is the dominant salt. In late summer, the Hot Lake metalimnion becomes distinctly green from blooms of planktonic phototrophs. In a study undertaken over 60 years ago, these blooms were predicted to include green sulfur bacteria, but no cultures were obtained. We sampled Hot Lake and established enrichment cultures for phototrophic sulfur bacteria in MgSO4-rich sulfidic media. Most enrichments turned green or red within 2 weeks, and from green-colored enrichments, pure cultures of a lobed green sulfur bacterium (phylum Chlorobi) were isolated. Phylogenetic analyses showed the organism to be a species of the prosthecate green sulfur bacterium Prosthecochloris. Cultures of this Hot Lake phototroph were halophilic and tolerated high levels of sulfide and MgSO4. In addition, unlike all recognized species of Prosthecochloris, the Hot Lake isolates grew at temperatures up to 45 °C, indicating an adaptation to the warm summer temperatures of the lake. Photoautotrophy by Hot Lake green sulfur bacteria may contribute dissolved organic matter to anoxic zones of the lake, and their diazotrophic capacity may provide a key source of bioavailable nitrogen, as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Madigan
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Megan L Kempher
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Sciences, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
| | - Kelly S Bender
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Deborah O Jung
- Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - W Matthew Sattley
- Division of Natural Sciences, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN 46953, USA
| | - Stephen R Lindemann
- Department of Food Science, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Allan E Konopka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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38
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Timson DJ, Eardley J. Destressing Yeast for Higher Biofuel Yields: Can Excess Chaotropicity Be Mitigated? Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2020; 192:1368-1375. [PMID: 32803494 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-020-03406-7] [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: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Biofuels have the capacity to contribute to carbon dioxide emission reduction and to energy security as oil reserves diminish and/or become concentrated in politically unstable regions. However, challenges exist in obtaining the maximum yield from industrial fermentations. One challenge arises from the nature of alcohols. These compounds are chaotropic (i.e. causes disorder in the system) which causes stress in the microbes producing the biofuel. Brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) typically cannot grow at ethanol concentration much above 17% (v/v). Mitigation of these properties has the potential to increase yield. Previously, we have explored the effects of chaotropes on model enzyme systems and attempted (largely unsuccessfully) to offset these effects by kosmotropes (compounds which increase the order of the system, i.e. the "opposite" of chaotropes). Here we present some theoretical results which suggest that high molecular mass polyethylene glycols may be the most effective kosmotropic additives in terms of both efficacy and cost. The assumptions and limitations of these calculations are also presented. A deeper understanding of the effects of chaotropes on biofuel-producing microbes is likely to inform improvements in bioethanol yields and enable more rational approaches to the "neutralisation" of chaotropicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Timson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Huxley Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
| | - Joshua Eardley
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Huxley Building, Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK
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39
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Stevens AH, Cockell CS. A Systematic Study of the Limits of Life in Mixed Ion Solutions: Physicochemical Parameters Do Not Predict Habitability. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1478. [PMID: 32670258 PMCID: PMC7332579 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated what defines the limits of life in mixed ion solutions. Better understanding these limits should allow us to better predict the habitability of extreme environments on the Earth and extraterrestrial environments. We systematically examined the response of Bacillus subtilis, a well characterized non-halophile model organism, to a range of solutions made from single and mixed salts up to their solubility limits and measured at what concentration growth was arrested, specifically exploring Na, Mg, and Ca cations and Cl, SO4, and ClO4 anions. We measured the physicochemical properties of the solutions to identify which properties correlated with the limits of growth. Individual salts imposed a growth limit specific to the combination of cation and anion, although we generally observe that chloride salts allow growth at lower water activity than sulfate salts, with perchlorate restricting growth even at the highest measured water activity. Growth was limited at a wide range of ionic strength, with no apparently correlation. Despite the theoretically counteracting disordering effects (chaotropic) of perchlorates and ordering effects (kosmotropic) effects of sulfates, when these salts were combined they instead additively narrowed the window for growth in both the Na and Mg cation systems, in the same manner as the combined effects of two chaotropic Ca salts. Our results imply that away from hard limits that might be imposed by physicochemical properties such as water activity, ionic strength or chaotropicity in highly concentrated brines, these properties do not set the limits of life. Instead these limits are highly specific to the salts and organisms in question. This specificity means that the habitability of extreme environments cannot be predicted, even with accurate measurements of the physicochemical conditions present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam H. Stevens
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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The roles and applications of chaotropes and kosmotropes in industrial fermentation processes. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2020; 36:89. [PMID: 32507915 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-020-02865-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chaotropicity has long been recognised as a property of some compounds. Chaotropes tend to disrupt non-covalent interactions in biological macromolecules (e.g. proteins and nucleic acids) and supramolecular assemblies (e.g. phospholipid membranes). This results in the destabilisation and unfolding of these macromolecules and assemblies. Unsurprisingly, these compounds are typically harmful to living cells since they act against multiple targets, comprising cellular integrity and function. Kosmotropes are the opposite of chaotropes and these compounds promote the ordering and rigidification of biological macromolecules and assemblies. Since many biological macromolecules have optimum levels of flexibility, kosmotropes can also inhibit their activity and can be harmful to cells. Some products of industrial fermentations, most notably alcohols, are chaotropic. This property can be a limiting factor on rates of production and yields. It has been hypothesised that the addition of kosmotropes may mitigate the chaotropicity of some fermentation products. Some microbes naturally adapt to chaotropic environments by producing kosmotropic compatible solutes. Exploitation of this in industrial fermentations has been hampered by scientific and economic issues. The cost of the kosmotropes and their removal during purification needs to be considered. We lack a complete understanding of the chemistry of chaotropicity and a robust, quantitative framework for estimating overall chaotropicities of mixtures. This makes it difficult to predict the amount of kosmotrope required to neutralise the chaotropicity. This review considers examples of industrial fermentations where chaotropicity is an issue and suggests possible mitigations.
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FTIR Spectroscopy Study of the Secondary Structure Changes in Human Serum Albumin and Trypsin under Neutral Salts. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040606. [PMID: 32295172 PMCID: PMC7226448 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of neutral salts on protein conformation was first analyzed by Hofmeister in 1888, however, even today this phenomenon is not completely understood. To clarify this effect, we studied changes in the secondary structure of two proteins: human serum albumin with predominantly α-helical structure and porcine pancreas β-trypsin with the typical β-structural arrangement in aqueous solutions of neutral salts (KSCN, KCl, (NH4)2SO4). The changes in the secondary structure were studied at 23 °C and 80 °C by using the second derivative deconvolution method of the IR spectra. Our results demonstrated that the ability of the salts to stabilize/destabilize these two proteins correlates with the Hofmeister series of ions. At the same time, some exceptions were also observed. The destabilization of the native structures of both α-helical albumin and β-structural trypsin upon interaction with neutral salts leads to the formation of intermolecular β-sheets typical for amyloid fibrils or amorphous aggregates. Thus, our quantitative FTIR-spectroscopy analysis allowed us to further clarify the mechanisms and complexity of the neutral salt actions on protein structures which may lead to strategies preventing unwelcome misfolding of proteins.
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Microbiome and ecology of a hot spring-microbialite system on the Trans-Himalayan Plateau. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5917. [PMID: 32246033 PMCID: PMC7125080 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62797-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Little is known about life in the boron-rich hot springs of Trans-Himalayas. Here, we explore the geomicrobiology of a 4438-m-high spring which emanates ~70 °C-water from a boratic microbialite called Shivlinga. Due to low atmospheric pressure, the vent-water is close to boiling point so can entropically destabilize biomacromolecular systems. Starting from the vent, Shivlinga’s geomicrobiology was revealed along the thermal gradients of an outflow-channel and a progressively-drying mineral matrix that has no running water; ecosystem constraints were then considered in relation to those of entropically comparable environments. The spring-water chemistry and sinter mineralogy were dominated by borates, sodium, thiosulfate, sulfate, sulfite, sulfide, bicarbonate, and other macromolecule-stabilizing (kosmotropic) substances. Microbial diversity was high along both of the hydrothermal gradients. Bacteria, Eukarya and Archaea constituted >98%, ~1% and <1% of Shivlinga’s microbiome, respectively. Temperature constrained the biodiversity at ~50 °C and ~60 °C, but not below 46 °C. Along each thermal gradient, in the vent-to-apron trajectory, communities were dominated by Aquificae/Deinococcus-Thermus, then Chlorobi/Chloroflexi/Cyanobacteria, and finally Bacteroidetes/Proteobacteria/Firmicutes. Interestingly, sites of >45 °C were inhabited by phylogenetic relatives of taxa for which laboratory growth is not known at >45 °C. Shivlinga’s geomicrobiology highlights the possibility that the system’s kosmotrope-dominated chemistry mitigates against the biomacromolecule-disordering effects of its thermal water.
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Hamill PG, Stevenson A, McMullan PE, Williams JP, Lewis ADR, S S, Stevenson KE, Farnsworth KD, Khroustalyova G, Takemoto JY, Quinn JP, Rapoport A, Hallsworth JE. Microbial lag phase can be indicative of, or independent from, cellular stress. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5948. [PMID: 32246056 PMCID: PMC7125082 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-62552-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Measures of microbial growth, used as indicators of cellular stress, are sometimes quantified at a single time-point. In reality, these measurements are compound representations of length of lag, exponential growth-rate, and other factors. Here, we investigate whether length of lag phase can act as a proxy for stress, using a number of model systems (Aspergillus penicillioides; Bacillus subtilis; Escherichia coli; Eurotium amstelodami, E. echinulatum, E. halophilicum, and E. repens; Mrakia frigida; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Xerochrysium xerophilum; Xeromyces bisporus) exposed to mechanistically distinct types of cellular stress including low water activity, other solute-induced stresses, and dehydration-rehydration cycles. Lag phase was neither proportional to germination rate for X. bisporus (FRR3443) in glycerol-supplemented media (r2 = 0.012), nor to exponential growth-rates for other microbes. In some cases, growth-rates varied greatly with stressor concentration even when lag remained constant. By contrast, there were strong correlations for B. subtilis in media supplemented with polyethylene-glycol 6000 or 600 (r2 = 0.925 and 0.961), and for other microbial species. We also analysed data from independent studies of food-spoilage fungi under glycerol stress (Aspergillus aculeatinus and A. sclerotiicarbonarius); mesophilic/psychrotolerant bacteria under diverse, solute-induced stresses (Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus); and fungal enzymes under acid-stress (Terfezia claveryi lipoxygenase and Agaricus bisporus tyrosinase). These datasets also exhibited diversity, with some strong- and moderate correlations between length of lag and exponential growth-rates; and sometimes none. In conclusion, lag phase is not a reliable measure of stress because length of lag and growth-rate inhibition are sometimes highly correlated, and sometimes not at all.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip G Hamill
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Andrew Stevenson
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Phillip E McMullan
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - James P Williams
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Abiann D R Lewis
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Sudharsan S
- Department of Chemistry, PGP College of Arts and Science, NH-7, Karur Main Road, Paramathi, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, 637 207, India
| | - Kath E Stevenson
- Special Collections and Archives, McClay Library, Queen's University Belfast, 10 College Park Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1LP, Northern Ireland
| | - Keith D Farnsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Galina Khroustalyova
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str., 1-537, LV-1004, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jon Y Takemoto
- Utah State University, Department of Biology, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT, 84322, USA
| | - John P Quinn
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland
| | - Alexander Rapoport
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str., 1-537, LV-1004, Riga, Latvia
| | - John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 5DL, Northern Ireland.
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Shotwell RF, Hays LE, Beaty DW, Goreva Y, Kieft TL, Mellon MT, Moridis G, Peterson LD, Spycher N. Can an Off-Nominal Landing by an MMRTG-Powered Spacecraft Induce a Special Region on Mars When No Ice Is Present? ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1315-1338. [PMID: 31657948 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work aims at addressing whether a catastrophic failure of an entry, descent, and landing event of a Multimission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator-based lander could embed the heat sources into the martian subsurface and create a local environment that (1) would temporarily satisfy the conditions for a martian Special Region and (2) could establish a transport mechanism through which introduced terrestrial organisms could be mobilized to naturally occurring Special Regions elsewhere on Mars. Two models were run, a primary model by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a secondary model by researchers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, both of which were based on selected starting conditions for various surface composition cases that establish the worst-case scenario, including geological data collected by the Mars Science Laboratory at Gale Crater. The summary outputs of both modeling efforts showed similar results: that the introduction of the modeled heat source could temporarily create the conditions established for a Special Region, but that there would be no transport mechanism by which an introduced terrestrial microbe, even if it was active during the temporarily induced Special Region conditions, could be transported to a naturally occurring Special Region of Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Shotwell
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Lindsay E Hays
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - David W Beaty
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Yulia Goreva
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Thomas L Kieft
- Biology Department, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, New Mexico
| | - Michael T Mellon
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland
| | - George Moridis
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California
| | - Lee D Peterson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
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Heinz J, Waajen AC, Airo A, Alibrandi A, Schirmack J, Schulze-Makuch D. Bacterial Growth in Chloride and Perchlorate Brines: Halotolerances and Salt Stress Responses of Planococcus halocryophilus. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1377-1387. [PMID: 31386567 PMCID: PMC6818489 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Extraterrestrial environments encompass physicochemical conditions and habitats that are unknown on Earth, such as perchlorate-rich brines that can be at least temporarily stable on the martian surface. To better understand the potential for life in these cold briny environments, we determined the maximum salt concentrations suitable for growth (MSCg) of six different chloride and perchlorate salts at 25°C and 4°C for the extremotolerant cold- and salt-adapted bacterial strain Planococcus halocryophilus. Growth was measured through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts, while cellular and colonial phenotypic stress responses were observed through visible light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy. Our data show the following: (1) The tolerance to high salt concentrations can be increased through a stepwise inoculation toward higher concentrations. (2) Ion-specific factors are more relevant for the growth limitation of P. halocryophilus in saline solutions than single physicochemical parameters like ionic strength or water activity. (3) P. halocryophilus shows the highest microbial sodium perchlorate tolerance described so far. However, (4) MSCg values are higher for all chlorides compared to perchlorates. (5) The MSCg for calcium chloride was increased by lowering the temperature from 25°C to 4°C, while sodium- and magnesium-containing salts can be tolerated at 25°C to higher concentrations than at 4°C. (6) Depending on salt type and concentration, P. halocryophilus cells show distinct phenotypic stress responses such as novel types of colony morphology on agar plates and biofilm-like cell clustering, encrustation, and development of intercellular nanofilaments. This study, taken in context with previous work on the survival of extremophiles in Mars-like environments, suggests that high-concentrated perchlorate brines on Mars might not be habitable to any present organism on Earth, but extremophilic microorganisms might be able to evolve thriving in such environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Heinz
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Annemiek C. Waajen
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alessandro Airo
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Armando Alibrandi
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janosch Schirmack
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dirk Schulze-Makuch
- Center of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrobiology Research Group, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- School of the Environment, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
- GFZ German Center for Geoscience, Section Geomicrobiology, Potsdam, Germany
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Department of Experimental Limnology, Stechlin, Germany
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Belilla J, Moreira D, Jardillier L, Reboul G, Benzerara K, López-García JM, Bertolino P, López-Archilla AI, López-García P. Hyperdiverse archaea near life limits at the polyextreme geothermal Dallol area. Nat Ecol Evol 2019; 3:1552-1561. [PMID: 31666740 PMCID: PMC6837875 DOI: 10.1038/s41559-019-1005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Microbial life has adapted to various individual extreme conditions; yet, organisms simultaneously adapted to very low pH, high salt and high temperature are unknown. We combined environmental 16S/18S rRNA-gene metabarcoding, cultural approaches, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, scanning electron microscopy and chemical analyses to study samples along such unique polyextreme gradients in the Dallol-Danakil area (Ethiopia). We identify two physicochemical barriers to life in the presence of surface liquid water defined by: i) high chaotropicity-low water activity in Mg2+/Ca2+-dominated brines and ii) hyperacidity-salt combinations (pH~0/NaCl-dominated salt-saturation). When detected, life was dominated by highly diverse ultrasmall archaea widely distributed across phyla with and without previously known halophilic members. We hypothesize that high cytoplasmic K+-level was an original archaeal adaptation to hyperthermophily, subsequently exapted during multiple transitions to extreme halophily. We detect active silica encrustment/fossilization of cells but also abiotic biomorphs of varied chemistry. Our work helps circumscribing habitability and calls for cautionary interpretations of morphological biosignatures on Earth and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Belilla
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - David Moreira
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Ludwig Jardillier
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Guillaume Reboul
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | - Karim Benzerara
- Institut de Minéralogie, de Physique des Matériaux et de Cosmochimie, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | | | - Paola Bertolino
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France
| | | | - Purificación López-García
- Ecologie Systématique Evolution, CNRS, Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Orsay, France.
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van den Brule T, Punt M, Teertstra W, Houbraken J, Wösten H, Dijksterhuis J. The most heat-resistant conidia observed to date are formed by distinct strains of Paecilomyces variotii. Environ Microbiol 2019; 22:986-999. [PMID: 31444981 PMCID: PMC7065192 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fungi colonize habitats by means of spores. These cells are stress‐resistant compared with growing fungal cells. Fungal conidia, asexual spores, formed by cosmopolitan fungal genera like Penicillium, Aspergillus and Peacilomyces are dispersed by air. They are present in places where food products are stored and as a result, they cause food spoilage. Here, we determined the heterogeneity of heat resistance of conidia between and within strains of Paecilomyces variotii, a spoiler of foods such as margarine, fruit juices, canned fruits and non‐carbonized sodas. Out of 108 strains, 31 isolates showed a conidial survival >10% after a 10‐min‐heat treatment at 59°C. Three strains with different conidial heat resistance were selected for further phenotyping. Conidia of DTO 212‐C5 and DTO 032‐I3 showed 0.3% and 2.6% survival in the screening respectively, while survival of DTO 217‐A2 conidia was >10%. The decimal reduction times of these strains at 60°C (D60 value) were 3.7 ± 0.08, 5.5 ± 0.35 and 22.9 ± 2.00 min respectively. Further in‐depth analysis revealed that the three strains showed differences in morphology, spore size distributions, compatible solute compositions and growth under salt stress. Conidia of DTO 217‐A2 are the most heat‐resistant reported so far. The ecological consequences of this heterogeneity of resistance, including food spoilage, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom van den Brule
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied and Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Maarten Punt
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Molecular Microbiology, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wieke Teertstra
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Molecular Microbiology, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Houbraken
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied and Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Han Wösten
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Utrecht University, Molecular Microbiology, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Dijksterhuis
- TiFN, P.O. Box 557, 6700 AN, Wageningen, The Netherlands.,Department of Applied and Industrial Mycology, Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Eardley J, Dedi C, Dymond M, Hallsworth JE, Timson DJ. Evidence for chaotropicity/kosmotropicity offset in a yeast growth model. Biotechnol Lett 2019; 41:1309-1318. [DOI: 10.1007/s10529-019-02737-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cubillos CF, Paredes A, Yáñez C, Palma J, Severino E, Vejar D, Grágeda M, Dorador C. Insights Into the Microbiology of the Chaotropic Brines of Salar de Atacama, Chile. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1611. [PMID: 31354691 PMCID: PMC6637823 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Microbial life inhabiting hypersaline environments belong to a limited group of extremophile or extremotolerant taxa. Natural or artificial hypersaline environments are not limited to high concentrations of NaCl, and under such conditions, specific adaptation mechanisms are necessary to permit microbial survival and growth. Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile include three large salars (salt flats) which globally, represent the largest lithium reserves, and are commonly referred to as the Lithium Triangle Zone. To date, a large amount of information has been generated regarding chemical, geological, meteorological and economical perspectives of these salars. However, there is a remarkable lack of information regarding the biology of these unique environments. Here, we report the presence of two bacterial strains (isolates LIBR002 and LIBR003) from one of the most hypersaline lithium-dominated man-made environments (total salinity 556 g/L; 11.7 M LiCl) reported to date. Both isolates were classified to the Bacillus genera, but displayed differences in 16S rRNA gene and fatty acid profiles. Our results also revealed that the isolates are lithium-tolerant and that they are phylogenetically differentiated from those Bacillus associated with high NaCl concentration environments, and form a new clade from the Lithium Triangle Zone. To determine osmoadaptation strategies in these microorganisms, both isolates were characterized using morphological, metabolic and physiological attributes. We suggest that our characterization of bacterial isolates from a highly lithium-enriched environment has revealed that even at such extreme salinities with high concentrations of chaotropic solutes, scope for microbial life exists. These conditions have previously been considered to limit the development of life, and our work extends the window of life beyond high concentrations of MgCl2, as previously reported, to LiCl. Our results can be used to further the understanding of salt tolerance, most especially for LiCl-dominated brines, and likely have value as models for the understanding of putative extra-terrestrial (e.g., Martian) life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina F. Cubillos
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Process, Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrián Paredes
- Laboratorio Química Biológica, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Carolina Yáñez
- Laboratorio Microbiología, Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Jenifer Palma
- Departamento de Ciencias de los Alimentos, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Esteban Severino
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Drina Vejar
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mario Grágeda
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Mineral Process, Center for Advanced Study of Lithium and Industrial Minerals, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Cristina Dorador
- Laboratorio de Complejidad Microbiana y Ecología Funcional, Instituto Antofagasta, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Centre for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
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