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Nowak JS, Otzen DE. Helping proteins come in from the cold: 5 burning questions about cold-active enzymes. BBA ADVANCES 2023; 5:100104. [PMID: 38162634 PMCID: PMC10755280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2023.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Enzymes from psychrophilic (cold-loving) organisms have attracted considerable interest over the past decades for their potential in various low-temperature industrial processes. However, we still lack large-scale commercialization of their activities. Here, we review their properties, limitations and potential. Our review is structured around answers to 5 central questions: 1. How do cold-active enzymes achieve high catalytic rates at low temperatures? 2. How is protein flexibility connected to cold-activity? 3. What are the sequence-based and structural determinants for cold-activity? 4. How does the thermodynamic stability of psychrophilic enzymes reflect their cold-active capabilities? 5. How do we effectively identify novel cold-active enzymes, and can we apply them in an industrial context? We conclude that emerging screening technologies combined with big-data handling and analysis make it reasonable to expect a bright future for our understanding and exploitation of cold-active enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Stanislaw Nowak
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, DK – 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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2
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Ihtimanska MK, Kovalenko PA, Michailova PV, Parnikoza IY. Larval morphology of Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 (Diptera, Chironomidae, Orthocladiinae) from central part of the maritime Antarctic and deformities found in the larvae. Zootaxa 2023; 5311:405-416. [PMID: 37518636 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5311.3.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
The larval morphology of the endemic species Belgica antarctica Jacobs, collected in January and February (2022) from six sites of Antarctica, was studied. The mouth apparatus and the parapods of one hundred seventy-six larvae were analyzed. No differences were found in the morphology of these structures between individuals of different sites. However, differences (with the exception of the length of 2nd antennal segment) were estimated in the sizes of the morphological features, as 2023 measurements were made of fifteen kinds of these structures and larval body. Deformities of mentum, mandible, antennal blade and antennal segments in percentage were established in larvae of almost all of the studied sites. The reasons for the differences and deformities are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mila K Ihtimanska
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research; Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b.; 1000 Sofia; Bulgaria; Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics of National Academy of Science of Ukraine; 03143 Kyiv; Ukraine.
| | - Pavlo A Kovalenko
- Institute for Evolutionary Ecology; National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Lebedeva str. 37; 03143 Kyiv; Ukraine.
| | - Paraskeva V Michailova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research; Bulgarian Academy of Sciences; 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b.; 1000 Sofia; Bulgaria.
| | - Ivan Yu Parnikoza
- National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine; 01601 Kyiv; Ukraine.
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Contador Mejias T, Gañan M, Rendoll-Cárcamo J, Maturana CS, Benítez HA, Kennedy J, Rozzi R, Convey P. A polar insect's tale: Observations on the life cycle of Parochlus steinenii, the only winged midge native to Antarctica. Ecology 2023; 104:e3964. [PMID: 36565174 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.3964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Contador Mejias
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Melisa Gañan
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Javier Rendoll-Cárcamo
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Millennium Nucleus of Austral Invasive Salmonids (INVASAL), Concepción, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Claudia S Maturana
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile
| | - Hugo A Benítez
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Laboratorio de Ecología y Morfometría Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - James Kennedy
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Ricardo Rozzi
- Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, Wankara Laboratory, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA
| | - Peter Convey
- Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile.,Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile.,British Antarctic Survey, NERC, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Kim H, Kim HW, Lee JH, Park J, Lee H, Kim S, Shin SC. Gene family expansions in Antarctic winged midge as a strategy for adaptation to cold environments. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18263. [PMID: 36309574 PMCID: PMC9617917 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Parochlus steinenii is the only flying insect native to Antarctica. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying its adaptation to cold environments, we conducted comparative genomic analyses of P. steinenii and closely related lineages. In an analysis of gene family evolution, 68 rapidly evolving gene families, involved in the innate immune system, unfolded protein response, DNA packaging, protein folding, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis were detected. Some gene families were P. steinenii-specific and showed phylogenetic instability. Acyl-CoA delta desaturase and heat shock cognate protein 70 (Hsc70) were representative gene families, showing signatures of positive selection with multiple gene duplication events. Acyl-CoA delta desaturases may play pivotal roles in membrane fluidity, and expanded Hsc70 genes may function as chaperones or thermal sensors in cold environments. These findings suggest that multiple gene family expansions contributed to the adaptation of P. steinenii to cold environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heesoo Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Animal and Plant Research Department, Nakdonggang National Institute of Biological Resources (NNIBR), Sangju-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Woo Kim
- Research Unit of Cryogenic Novel Material, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Hyuck Lee
- Research Unit of Cryogenic Novel Material, Korea Polar Research Institute, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Joonho Park
- Department of Fine Chemistry, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoungseok Lee
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
- Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung Chul Shin
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Incheon, 21990, Republic of Korea.
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Michailova P, Ilkova J, Kovalenko PA, Gorobchyshyn VA, Kozeretska IA, Convey P. External Morphology of Larvae of Belgica antarctica Jacobs, 1900 (Diptera, Chironomidae) Obtained from Two Locations in Maritime Antarctica. INSECTS 2021; 12:792. [PMID: 34564232 PMCID: PMC8469298 DOI: 10.3390/insects12090792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The external morphology of the fourth-instar larva of the Antarctic endemic chironomid midge Belgica antarctica is described. Larvae were collected from Jougla Point (Wiencke Island) and an un-named island close to Enterprise Island, off the coast of the western Antarctic Peninsula. Light microscopy was used to examine and document photographically the structures of the mouthparts (mandible, mentum, premandible, labrum), antennae, pecten epipharyngis, clypeus, frontal apotome and posterior parapods. Measurements of the mouthparts are presented. The data obtained are compared with that available in the literature. A number of differences were identified relating to the size of the larvae, the number of teeth on the mandibles, the number of antennal segments and the length of the antennal blade. Malformations of the mandible and mentum are reported for the first time in this species. Features of larvae of taxonomic value that can be used to determine the species in larval stages are presented. These are of utility in using the larvae to reveal relationships with other species. Larvae are also important in ecological and genotoxicological studies, which require accurate species level identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskeva Michailova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Julia Ilkova
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1 Tzar Osvoboditel b., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; (P.M.); (J.I.)
| | - Pavlo A. Kovalenko
- State Institution Institute for Evolutionary Ecology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 37 Lebedeva Str., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Volodymyr A. Gorobchyshyn
- State Institution Institute for Evolutionary Ecology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 37 Lebedeva Str., 03143 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Iryna A. Kozeretska
- National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine, 16 Taras Shevchenko b., 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine;
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
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