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Maiti A, Erimban S, Daschakraborty S. Extreme makeover: the incredible cell membrane adaptations of extremophiles to harsh environments. Chem Commun (Camb) 2024. [PMID: 39190300 DOI: 10.1039/d4cc03114h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The existence of life beyond Earth has long captivated humanity, and the study of extremophiles-organisms surviving and thriving in extreme environments-provides crucial insights into this possibility. Extremophiles overcome severe challenges such as enzyme inactivity, protein denaturation, and damage of the cell membrane by adopting several strategies. This feature article focuses on the molecular strategies extremophiles use to maintain the cell membrane's structure and fluidity under external stress. Key strategies include homeoviscous adaptation (HVA), involving the regulation of lipid composition, and osmolyte-mediated adaptation (OMA), where small organic molecules protect the lipid membrane under stress. Proteins also have direct and indirect roles in protecting the lipid membrane. Examining the survival strategies of extremophiles provides scientists with crucial insights into how life can adapt and persist in harsh conditions, shedding light on the origins of life. This article examines HVA and OMA and their mechanisms in maintaining membrane stability, emphasizing our contributions to this field. It also provides a brief overview of the roles of proteins and concludes with recommendations for future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archita Maiti
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801106, India.
| | - Shakkira Erimban
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, 801106, India.
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2
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Rawat M, Chauhan M, Pandey A. Extremophiles and their expanding biotechnological applications. Arch Microbiol 2024; 206:247. [PMID: 38713374 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03981-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Microbial life is not restricted to any particular setting. Over the past several decades, it has been evident that microbial populations can exist in a wide range of environments, including those with extremes in temperature, pressure, salinity, and pH. Bacteria and Archaea are the two most reported types of microbes that can sustain in extreme environments, such as hot springs, ice caves, acid drainage, and salt marshes. Some can even grow in toxic waste, organic solvents, and heavy metals. These microbes are called extremophiles. There exist certain microorganisms that are found capable of thriving in two or more extreme physiological conditions simultaneously, and are regarded as polyextremophiles. Extremophiles possess several physiological and molecular adaptations including production of extremolytes, ice nucleating proteins, pigments, extremozymes and exopolysaccharides. These metabolites are used in many biotechnological industries for making biofuels, developing new medicines, food additives, cryoprotective agents etc. Further, the study of extremophiles holds great significance in astrobiology. The current review summarizes the diversity of microorganisms inhabiting challenging environments and the biotechnological and therapeutic applications of the active metabolites obtained as a response to stress conditions. Bioprospection of extremophiles provides a progressive direction with significant enhancement in economy. Moreover, the introduction to omics approach including whole genome sequencing, single cell genomics, proteomics, metagenomics etc., has made it possible to find many unique microbial communities that could be otherwise difficult to cultivate using traditional methods. These findings might be capable enough to state that discovery of extremophiles can bring evolution to biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manvi Rawat
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - Mansi Chauhan
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India
| | - Anita Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248002, India.
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3
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Malas J, Russo DC, Bollengier O, Malaska MJ, Lopes RMC, Kenig F, Meyer-Dombard DR. Biological functions at high pressure: transcriptome response of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to hydrostatic pressure relevant to Titan and other icy ocean worlds. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1293928. [PMID: 38414766 PMCID: PMC10896736 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1293928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is a key driver of life's evolution and diversification on Earth. Icy moons such as Titan, Europa, and Enceladus harbor potentially habitable high-pressure environments within their subsurface oceans. Titan, in particular, is modeled to have subsurface ocean pressures ≥ 150 MPa, which are above the highest pressures known to support life on Earth in natural ecosystems. Piezophiles are organisms that grow optimally at pressures higher than atmospheric (0.1 MPa) pressure and have specialized adaptations to the physical constraints of high-pressure environments - up to ~110 MPa at Challenger Deep, the highest pressure deep-sea habitat explored. While non-piezophilic microorganisms have been shown to survive short exposures at Titan relevant pressures, the mechanisms of their survival under such conditions remain largely unelucidated. To better understand these mechanisms, we have conducted a study of gene expression for Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 using a high-pressure experimental culturing system. MR-1 was subjected to short-term (15 min) and long-term (2 h) HHP of 158 MPa, a value consistent with pressures expected near the top of Titan's subsurface ocean. We show that MR-1 is metabolically active in situ at HHP and is capable of viable growth following 2 h exposure to 158 MPa, with minimal pressure training beforehand. We further find that MR-1 regulates 264 genes in response to short-term HHP, the majority of which are upregulated. Adaptations include upregulation of the genes argA, argB, argC, and argF involved in arginine biosynthesis and regulation of genes involved in membrane reconfiguration. MR-1 also utilizes stress response adaptations common to other environmental extremes such as genes encoding for the cold-shock protein CspG and antioxidant defense related genes. This study suggests Titan's ocean pressures may not limit life, as microorganisms could employ adaptations akin to those demonstrated by terrestrial organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Malas
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Daniel C. Russo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Olivier Bollengier
- Nantes Université, Univ Angers, Le Mans Université, CNRS, Laboratoire de Planétologie et Géosciences, LPG UMR 6112, Nantes, France
| | - Michael J. Malaska
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Rosaly M. C. Lopes
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Fabien Kenig
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - D'Arcy R. Meyer-Dombard
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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4
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Butterworth SJ, Barton F, Lloyd JR. Extremophilic microbial metabolism and radioactive waste disposal. Extremophiles 2023; 27:27. [PMID: 37839067 PMCID: PMC10577106 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-023-01312-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Decades of nuclear activities have left a legacy of hazardous radioactive waste, which must be isolated from the biosphere for over 100,000 years. The preferred option for safe waste disposal is a deep subsurface geological disposal facility (GDF). Due to the very long geological timescales required, and the complexity of materials to be disposed of (including a wide range of nutrients and electron donors/acceptors) microbial activity will likely play a pivotal role in the safe operation of these mega-facilities. A GDF environment provides many metabolic challenges to microbes that may inhabit the facility, including high temperature, pressure, radiation, alkalinity, and salinity, depending on the specific disposal concept employed. However, as our understanding of the boundaries of life is continuously challenged and expanded by the discovery of novel extremophiles in Earth's most inhospitable environments, it is becoming clear that microorganisms must be considered in GDF safety cases to ensure accurate predictions of long-term performance. This review explores extremophilic adaptations and how this knowledge can be applied to challenge our current assumptions on microbial activity in GDF environments. We conclude that regardless of concept, a GDF will consist of multiple extremes and it is of high importance to understand the limits of polyextremophiles under realistic environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jane Butterworth
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Franky Barton
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Jonathan Richard Lloyd
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Research Centre for Radwaste Disposal and Williamson Research Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
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Juárez-Jiménez B, Fenice M, Pasqualetti M, Muñoz-Palazon B, Correa-Galeote D, Braconcini M, Gorrasi S. Flow Cytometric Investigation of Salinicola halophilus S28 Physiological Response Provides Solid Evidence for Its Uncommon and High Ability to Face Salt-Stress Conditions. MICROBIOLOGY RESEARCH 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/microbiolres14020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In a previous work, some bacterial strains isolated from the Saline di Tarquinia marine salterns (Viterbo, Italy) showed very unusual growth profiles in relation to temperature and salinity variations when grown in solid media. In particular, Salinicola halophilus S28 showed optimal or suboptimal growth in a very wide range of NaCl concentrations, suggesting a great coping ability with salinity variations. These intriguing outcomes did not fit with the general Salinicola halophilus description as a moderately halophilic species. Therefore, this study profiles the actual physiological status of S28 cells subjected to different NaCl concentrations to provide evidence for the actual coping ability of strain S28 with broad salinity variations. Flow cytometry was selected as the evaluation method to study the physiological status of bacterial cells subjected to different salinity levels, monitoring the strain response at different growth phases over 72 h. Strain S28 showed maximal growth at 8% NaCl; however, it grew very well with no statistically significant differences at all salinity conditions (4–24% NaCl). Flow cytometric results provided clear evidence of its actual and strong ability to face increasing salinity, revealing a good physiological response up to 24% of NaCl. In addition, strain S28 showed very similar cell physiological status at all salinity levels, as also indicated by the flat growth profile revealed in the range of 4–24% NaCl. This is the first study regarding the physiological response during the growth of halophilic bacteria under different conditions of salinity via flow cytometry. This technique represents an effective tool for the investigation of the physiological status of each cell, even if it is somehow underrated and underused by microbiologists for this purpose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belén Juárez-Jiménez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Massimiliano Fenice
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Laboratory of Applied Marine Microbiology, CoNISMa, University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marcella Pasqualetti
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Laboratory of Ecology of Marine Fungi, CoNISMa, University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Barbara Muñoz-Palazon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Andalucía, Spain
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - David Correa-Galeote
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Martina Braconcini
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Susanna Gorrasi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, Largo Università snc, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
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Identification of phenotypic and genotypic properties and cold adaptive mechanisms of novel freeze–thaw stress-resistant strain Pseudomonas mandelii from Antarctica. Polar Biol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-023-03114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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Tamby A, Sinninghe Damsté JS, Villanueva L. Microbial membrane lipid adaptations to high hydrostatic pressure in the marine environment. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 9:1058381. [PMID: 36685280 PMCID: PMC9853057 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.1058381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The deep-sea is characterized by extreme conditions, such as high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and near-freezing temperature. Piezophiles, microorganisms adapted to high pressure, have developed key strategies to maintain the integrity of their lipid membrane at these conditions. The abundance of specific membrane lipids, such as those containing unsaturated and branched-chain fatty acids, rises with increasing HHP. Nevertheless, this strategy is not universal among piezophiles, highlighting the need to further understand the effects of HHP on microbial lipid membranes. Challenges in the study of lipid membrane adaptations by piezophiles also involve methodological developments, cross-adaptation studies, and insight into slow-growing piezophiles. Moreover, the effects of HHP on piezophiles are often difficult to disentangle from effects caused by low temperature that are often characteristic of the deep sea. Here, we review the knowledge of membrane lipid adaptation strategies of piezophiles, and put it into the perspective of marine systems, highlighting the future challenges of research studying the effects of HHP on the microbial lipid composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandi Tamby
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Netherlands,*Correspondence: Anandi Tamby,
| | - Jaap S. Sinninghe Damsté
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Netherlands,Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Laura Villanueva
- Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB), NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Den Burg, Netherlands,Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Barbato M, Palma E, Marzocchi U, Cruz Viggi C, Rossetti S, Aulenta F, Scoma A. Snorkels enhance alkanes respiration at ambient and increased hydrostatic pressure (10 MPa) by either supporting the TCA cycle or limiting alternative routes for acetyl-CoA metabolism. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 316:115244. [PMID: 35598451 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The impact of piezosensitive microorganisms is generally underestimated in the ecology of underwater environments exposed to increasing hydrostatic pressure (HP), including the biodegradation of crude oil components. Yet, no isolated pressure-loving (piezophile) microorganism grows optimally on hydrocarbons, and no isolated piezophile at all has a HP optimum <10 MPa (e.g. 1000 m below sea water level). Piezosensitive heterotrophs are thus largely accountable for oil clean up < 10 MPa, however, they are affected by such a mild HP increase in ways which are not completely clear. In a first study, the application of a bioelectrochemical system (called "oil-spill snorkel") enhanced the alkane oxidation capacity in sediments collected at surface water but tested up to 10 MPa. Here, the fingerprint left on transcript abundance was studied to explore which metabolic routes are 1) supported by snorkels application and 2) negatively impacted by HP increase. Transcript abundance was comparable for beta-oxidation across all treatments (also at a taxonomical level), while the metabolism of acetyl-CoA was highly impacted: at either 0.1 or 10 MPa, snorkels supported acetyl-CoA oxidation within the TCA cycle, while in negative controls using non-conductive rods several alternative routes for acetyl-CoA were stimulated (including those leading to internal carbon reserves e.g. 2,3 butanediol and dihydroxyacetone). In general, increased HP had opposite effects as compared to snorkels, thus indicating that snorkels could enhance hydrocarbons oxidation by alleviating in part the stressing effects imposed by increased HP on the anaerobic, respiratory electron transport chain. 16S rRNA gene analysis of sediments and biofilms on snorkels suggest a crosstalk between oil-degrading, sulfate-reducing microorganisms and sulfur oxidizers. In fact, no sulfur was deposited on snorkels, however, iron, aluminum and phosphorous were found to preferentially deposit on snorkels at 10 MPa. This data indicates that a passive BES such as the oil-spill snorkel can mitigate the stress imposed by increased HP on piezosensitive microorganisms (up to 10 MPa) without being subjected to passivation. An improved setup applying these principles can further support this deep-sea bioremediation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barbato
- Engineered Microbial Systems (EMS) Lab, Industrial Biotechnology Section, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Microbiology Section, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Enza Palma
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Ugo Marzocchi
- Center for Electromicrobiology, Section for Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Center for Water Technology WATEC, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carolina Cruz Viggi
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Simona Rossetti
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Federico Aulenta
- Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council (CNR), Monterotondo, Italy.
| | - Alberto Scoma
- Engineered Microbial Systems (EMS) Lab, Industrial Biotechnology Section, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE), Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Microbiology Section, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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9
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A Review on Biotechnological Approaches Applied for Marine Hydrocarbon Spills Remediation. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071289. [PMID: 35889007 PMCID: PMC9324126 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for petroleum products generates needs for innovative and reliable methods for cleaning up crude oil spills. Annually, several oil spills occur around the world, which brings numerous ecological and environmental disasters on the surface of deep seawaters like oceans. Biological and physico-chemical remediation technologies can be efficient in terms of spill cleanup and microorganisms—mainly bacteria—are the main ones responsible for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) degradation such as crude oil. Currently, biodegradation is considered as one of the most sustainable and efficient techniques for the removal of PHCs. However, environmental factors associated with the functioning and performance of microorganisms involved in hydrocarbon-degradation have remained relatively unclear. This has limited our understanding on how to select and inoculate microorganisms within technologies of cleaning and to optimize physico-chemical remediation and degradation methods. This review article presents the latest discoveries in bioremediation techniques such as biostimulation, bioaugmentation, and biosurfactants as well as immobilization strategies for increasing the efficiency. Besides, environmental affecting factors and microbial strains engaged in bioremediation and biodegradation of PHCs in marines are discussed.
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Wang C, Hao L, Sun X, Yang Y, Yin Q, Li M. Response mechanism of psychrotolerant Bacillus cereus D2 towards Ni (II) toxicity and involvement of amino acids in Ni (II) toxicity reduction. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128363. [PMID: 35183050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The toxic effect of Nickel (Ni (II)) on humans and animals has been previously addressed. Owing to the important application of psychrotolerant bacteria in Ni (II) damage remediation in contamination sites at low temperatures, the response mechanism of psychrotolerant bacteria to Ni (II) toxicity must be elucidated. Therefore, the effect of Ni (II) toxicity on a psychrotolerant Bacillus cereus D2 was studied, showing a way to alleviate the Ni (II) toxicity in strain D2. The results showed that strain D2 growth was completely inhibited at a concentration of 100 mg/L of Ni (II). The main effects of Ni (II) toxicity on strain D2 were membrane damage and reactive oxygen species-dependent oxidative stress. Additionally, Ni (II) toxicity resulted in dysregulation of the cell cycle in strain D2. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis showed that the biosynthesis of amino acids and ABC transporters were significantly affected, and the relative abundance of seven important amino acids changed in a concentration-dependent manner. Addition of 20 mM or 5 mM amino acids to 100 mg/L Ni (II)-treated strain D2 restored its growth. This study provides insights into the way to alleviate the Ni (II) toxicity in strain D2, thus contributing to the development of bioremediation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wang
- College of Resource and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China; College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Linlin Hao
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Xiaotong Sun
- College of Animal Science, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130062, China
| | - Yi Yang
- College of Resource and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Qiuxia Yin
- College of Resource and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Mingtang Li
- College of Resource and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China.
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Ceron-Chafla P, García-Timermans C, de Vrieze J, Ganigué R, Boon N, Rabaey K, van Lier JB, Lindeboom REF. Pre-incubation conditions determine the fermentation pattern and microbial community structure in fermenters at mild hydrostatic pressure. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:1792-1807. [PMID: 35312065 PMCID: PMC9325544 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28085] [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: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Fermentation at elevated hydrostatic pressure is a novel strategy targeting product selectivity. However, the role of inoculum history and cross-resistance, that is, acquired tolerance from incubation under distinctive environmental stress, remains unclear in high-pressure operation. In our here presented work, we studied fermentation and microbial community responses of halotolerant marine sediment inoculum (MSI) and anaerobic digester inoculum (ADI), pre-incubated in serum bottles at different temperatures and subsequently exposed to mild hydrostatic pressure (MHP; < 10 MPa) in stainless steel reactors. Results showed that MHP effects on microbial growth, activity, and community structure were strongly temperature-dependent. At moderate temperature (20°C), biomass yield and fermentation were not limited by MHP; suggesting a cross-resistance effect from incubation temperature and halotolerance. Low temperatures (10°C) and MHP imposed kinetic and bioenergetic limitations, constraining growth and product formation. Fermentation remained favorable in MSI at 28°C and ADI at 37°C, despite reduced biomass yield resulting from maintenance and decay proportionally increasing with temperature. Microbial community structure was modified by temperature during the enrichment, and slight differences observed after MHP-exposure did not compromise functionality. Results showed that the relation incubation temperature-halotolerance proved to be a modifier of microbial responses to MHP and could be potentially exploited in fermentations to modulate product/biomass ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Ceron-Chafla
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Cristina García-Timermans
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jo de Vrieze
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Division of Soil and Water Management, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Bio- and Chemical Systems Technology, Reactor Engineering and Safety (CREaS), Department of Chemical Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nico Boon
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Korneel Rabaey
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jules B van Lier
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Ralph E F Lindeboom
- Sanitary Engineering Section, Department of Water Management, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
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12
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Fan S, Wang M, Ding W, Li YX, Zhang YZ, Zhang W. Scientific and technological progress in the microbial exploration of the hadal zone. MARINE LIFE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 4:127-137. [PMID: 37073349 PMCID: PMC10077178 DOI: 10.1007/s42995-021-00110-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The hadal zone is the deepest point in the ocean with a depth that exceeds 6000 m. Exploration of the biological communities in hadal zone began in the 1950s (the first wave of hadal exploration) and substantial advances have been made since the turn of the twenty-first century (the second wave of hadal exploration), resulting in a focus on the hadal sphere as a research hotspot because of its unique physical and chemical conditions. A variety of prokaryotes are found in the hadal zone. The mechanisms used by these prokaryotes to manage the high hydrostatic pressures and acquire energy from the environment are of substantial interest. Moreover, the symbioses between microbes and hadal animals have barely been studied. In addition, equipment has been developed that can now mimic hadal environments in the laboratory and allow cultivation of microbes under simulated in situ pressure. This review provides a brief summary of recent progress in the mechanisms by which microbes adapt to high hydrostatic pressures, manage limited energy resources and coexist with animals in the hadal zone, as well as technical developments in the exploration of hadal microbial life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shen Fan
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Meng Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
| | - Wei Ding
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yong-Xin Li
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu-Zhong Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao, 266237 China
| | - Weipeng Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003 China
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13
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Scoma A. Functional groups in microbial ecology: updated definitions of piezophiles as suggested by hydrostatic pressure dependence on temperature. THE ISME JOURNAL 2021; 15:1871-1878. [PMID: 33782568 PMCID: PMC8245400 DOI: 10.1038/s41396-021-00930-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Scoma
- grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Engineered Microbial Systems Laboratory (EMS-Lab), Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE), Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark ,grid.7048.b0000 0001 1956 2722Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
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14
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Wang H, Zhang Y, Bartlett DH, Xiao X. Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Common Adaptation Mechanisms Under Different Stresses for Moderately Piezophilic Bacteria. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2021; 81:617-629. [PMID: 32995929 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01609-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Piezophiles, by the commonly accepted definition, grow faster under high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) than under ambient pressure and are believed to exist only in pressurized environments where life has adapted to HHP during evolution. However, recent findings suggest that piezophiles have developed a common adaptation strategy to cope with multiple types of stresses including HHP. These results raise a question on the ecological niches of piezophiles: are piezophiles restricted to habitats with HHP? In this study, we observed that the bacterial strains Sporosarcina psychrophila DSM 6497 and Lysinibacillus sphaericus LMG 22257, which were isolated from surface environments and then transferred under ambient pressure for half a century, possess moderately piezophilic characteristics with optimal growth pressures of 7 and 20 MPa, respectively. Their tolerance to HHP was further enhanced by MgCl2 supplementation under the highest tested pressure of 50 MPa. Transcriptomic analysis was performed to compare gene expression with and without MgCl2 supplementation under 50 MPa for S. psychrophila DSM 6497. Among 4390 genes or transcripts obtained, 915 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. These DEGs are primarily associated with the antioxidant defense system, intracellular compatible solute accumulation, and membrane lipid biosynthesis, which have been reported to be essential for cells to cope with HHP. These findings indicate no in situ pressure barrier for piezophile isolation, and cells may adopt a common adaptation strategy to cope with different stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Douglas H Bartlett
- Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering, School of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China
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15
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Enhanced Hydrocarbons Biodegradation at Deep-Sea Hydrostatic Pressure with Microbial Electrochemical Snorkels. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11020263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In anaerobic sediments, microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons is limited by the rapid depletion of electron acceptors (e.g., ferric oxide, sulfate) and accumulation of toxic metabolites (e.g., sulfide, following sulfate reduction). Deep-sea sediments are increasingly impacted by oil contamination, and the elevated hydrostatic pressure (HP) they are subjected to represents an additional limitation for microbial metabolism. While the use of electrodes to support electrobioremediation in oil-contaminated sediments has been described, there is no evidence on their applicability for deep-sea sediments. Here, we tested a passive bioelectrochemical system named ”oil-spill snorkel” with two crude oils carrying different alkane contents (4 vs. 15%), at increased or ambient HP (10 vs. 0.1 MPa). Snorkels enhanced alkanes biodegradation at both 10 and 0.1 MPa within only seven weeks, as compared to nonconductive glass controls. Microprofiles in anaerobic, contaminated sediments indicated that snorkels kept sulfide concentration to low titers. Bulk-sediment analysis confirmed that sulfide oxidation by snorkels largely regenerated sulfate. Hence, the sole application of snorkels could eliminate a toxicity factor and replenish a spent electron acceptor at increased HP. Both aspects are crucial for petroleum decontamination of the deep sea, a remote environment featured by low metabolic activity.
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16
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Barbato M, Scoma A. Mild hydrostatic-pressure (15 MPa) affects the assembly, but not the growth, of oil-degrading coastal microbial communities tested under limiting conditions (5°C, no added nutrients). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:5894919. [PMID: 32816016 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrostatic pressures (HP) <30-40 MPa are often considered mild, and their impact on petroleum biodegradation seldom considered. However, the frequent use of nutrient-rich media in lab-scale high-pressure reactors may exaggerate HP importance by resulting in a strong growth stimulation as compared to oligotrophic marine environments. Here, we tested coastal seawater microbial communities, presumably enriched in pressure-sensitive microorganisms. Limiting environmental conditions for growth were applied (i.e. low temperature [5°C], no added nutrients) and HP tested at 0.1 and 15 MPa, using crude oils from three different reservoirs. The cell number was not affected by HP contrary to the microbial community composition (based on 16S rRNA gene and 16S rRNA sequences). The most predominant genera were Zhongshania, Pseudomonas and Colwellia. The enrichment of Zhongshania was crude-oil dependent and comparable at 0.1 and 15 MPa, thus showing a piezotolerant phenotype under the present conditions; Pseudomonas' was crude-oil dependent at 0.1 MPa but unclear at 15 MPa. Colwellia was selectively enriched in the absence of crude oil and suppressed at 15 MPa. HP shaped the assemblage of oil-degrading communities even at mild levels (i.e. 15 MPa), and should thus be considered as a fundamental factor to assess oil bioremediation along the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Barbato
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny munkegade 116, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Biological and Chemical Engineering Section (BCE), Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Alberto Scoma
- Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Ny munkegade 116, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Biological and Chemical Engineering Section (BCE), Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
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17
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Van Landuyt J, Cimmino L, Dumolin C, Chatzigiannidou I, Taveirne F, Mattelin V, Zhang Y, Vandamme P, Scoma A, Williamson A, Boon N. Microbial enrichment, functional characterization and isolation from a cold seep yield piezotolerant obligate hydrocarbon degraders. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2020; 96:5841521. [PMID: 32436568 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiaa097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep-sea environments can become contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. The effects of hydrostatic pressure (HP) in the deep sea on microbial oil degradation are poorly understood. Here, we performed long-term enrichments (100 days) from a natural cold seep while providing optimal conditions to sustain high hydrocarbon degradation rates. Through enrichments performed at increased HP and ambient pressure (AP) and by using control enrichments with marine broth, we demonstrated that both pressure and carbon source can have a big impact on the community structure. In contrast to previous studies, hydrocarbonoclastic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) remained dominant at both AP and increased HP, suggesting piezotolerance of these OTUs over the tested pressure range. Twenty-three isolates were obtained after isolation and dereplication. After recultivation at increased HP, an Alcanivorax sp. showed promising piezotolerance in axenic culture. Furthermore, preliminary co-cultivation tests indicated synergistic growth between some isolates, which shows promise for future synthetic community construction. Overall, more insights into the effect of increased HP on oil-degrading communities were obtained as well as several interesting isolates, e.g. a piezotolerant hydrocarbonoclastic bacterium for future deep-sea bioaugmentation investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josefien Van Landuyt
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lorenzo Cimmino
- Laboratory for Environmental Biotechnology, ENAC-IIE, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Charles Dumolin
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ioanna Chatzigiannidou
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Felix Taveirne
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Valérie Mattelin
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Rd, 200240 Shanghai, China
| | - Peter Vandamme
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Ghent University, K. L. Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alberto Scoma
- Engineered Microbial Systems (EMS) Laboratory, Section of Biological and Chemical Engineering (BCE), Department of Engineering, Aarhus University, Hangøvej 2, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Adam Williamson
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nico Boon
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Oliver GC, Cario A, Rogers KL. Rate and Extent of Growth of a Model Extremophile, Archaeoglobus fulgidus, Under High Hydrostatic Pressures. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1023. [PMID: 32595611 PMCID: PMC7303961 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) batch cultivation of a model extremophile, Archaeoglobus fulgidus type strain VC-16, was performed to explore how elevated pressures might affect microbial growth and physiology in the deep marine biosphere. Though commonly identified in high-temperature and high-pressure marine environments (up to 2-5 km below sea level, 20-50 MPa pressures), A. fulgidus growth at elevated pressure has not been characterized previously. Here, exponential growth of A. fulgidus was observed up to 60 MPa when supported by the heterotrophic metabolism of lactate oxidation coupled to sulfate reduction, and up to 40 MPa for autotrophic CO2 fixation coupled to thiosulfate reduction via H2. Maximum growth rates for this heterotrophic metabolism were observed at 20 MPa, suggesting that A. fulgidus is a moderate piezophile under these conditions. However, only piezotolerance was observed for autotrophy, as growth rates remained nearly constant from 0.3 to 40 MPa. Experiments described below show that A. fulgidus continues both heterotrophic sulfate reduction and autotrophic thiosulfate reduction nearly unaffected by increasing pressure up to 30 MPa and 40 MPa, respectively. As these pressures encompass a variety of subsurface marine environments, A. fulgidus serves as a model extremophile for exploring the effects of elevated pressure on microbial metabolisms in the deep subsurface. Further, these results exemplify the need for high-pressure cultivation of deep-sea and subsurface microorganisms to better reflect in situ physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina C. Oliver
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Anaïs Cario
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Karyn L. Rogers
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
- Rensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
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