极端微生物及其适应机理的研究进展

极端微生物是生物对极端环境适应的特殊种类 ,研究极端微生物的特性对探索生命的起源、微生物的育种及开发利用等具有重要意义。从嗜热微生物、嗜冷菌和耐冷菌、极端嗜酸微生物、嗜碱微生物、嗜盐微生物、嗜压微生物等方面总结了极端微生物及其适应机理的多样性以及其研究进展 ,旨在为极端微生物的开发利用提供一定的参考依据。     

极端微生物及其相关功能蛋白研究进展

极端微生物是一类能够适应特殊环境的微生物,相关功能蛋白在其适应极端环境过程中发挥着重要作用,探索极端微生物的特性及其相关的功能蛋白有助于深入了解生命的起源与进化,为蛋白酶在工业领域的应用提供一定理论依据。现概述耐辐射球菌、嗜盐菌、嗜热菌、嗜酸菌和嗜碱菌、嗜冷菌、嗜压菌的特性及其相关的功能蛋白质,从蛋白质水平阐述极端微生物对极端环境的适应机制。     

新的生命形式──极端微生物

近年来,在许多以前被认为是生命禁区的区域,发现了各式各样的新的生命形式。它们生存繁衍的理想场所恰恰是一些极端环境,如嗜热菌、嗜冷菌、嗜酸菌、嗜碱菌、嗜盐菌、嗜压菌等,这些统称为极端微生物（ｅｘｔｒｅｍｏｐｈｉｌｅｓ）。极端微生物具有独特的基因类型,特殊的生理机制及特殊的代谢产物,作为地球上的边缘生命现象,极端微生物颇为耐人寻味。它在生命起源、系统进化等方面将给人们许多重要的启示,在生命行为的原理上也将拓展人们的概念。极端微生物存在的原理,又具有极大的应用价值,极端微生物的特殊机制及特殊产物,将使…     

油藏微生物及其压力适应机制

目前我国油田开发主要处于高含水后期,微生物驱提高石油采收率技术(MEOR)以低成本、环境友好等独特的优势引起了石油工业界的重视。实际上,经过半个多世纪的发展,MEOR已经成为提高采收率的重要前沿技术。高压是油藏的主要环境特征,在影响油藏微生物生存与活性等方面具有重要作用。本文从油藏及其微生物的主要特征、微生物对高压环境的适应机制以及高压下微生物降解烃的代谢特征等方面进行了综述。介绍了对油藏微生物资源、群落结构、微生物在油水相中分布的认识,微生物乳化原油机制,以及微生物在油藏厌氧环境中协同代谢、受温度和压力影响的特点,并列举了MEOR的矿场应用。在高压适应机制上,微生物主要通过改变和调整细胞膜结构、增加胞内脂质组分和表达胞内特殊酶等作用来实现对压力的适应;在高压下烃降解微生物代谢速率低于常压,而且耐压菌和嗜压菌具有不同的烃降解效率。     

深海极端微生物菌群及代谢产物多样性的研究进展

海洋覆盖了地球表面积的四分之三,它不仅是生命的起源,而且还孕育了各种极端微生物。它们存在于海洋极端环境中,如热液喷口、热泉、咸湖和深海层等,由于生境太过恶劣,一度被认为是生命的禁区。随着人类对深海极端环境微生物研究的不断深入,已经探索到那里具有丰富的菌群资源和具有潜在价值的天然生物活性产物。这些极端微生物能够适应极高温、极低温、高压、高盐、高放射性和极度酸碱性等极端环境,具有特殊的生物多样性、遗传背景和代谢途径,能够产生各种具有特殊功能的酶类及其他活性物质,展现出巨大的研究价值和应用潜力。研究海洋极端微生物对探索生物多样性、新资源开发利用及对地球生物学研究等都具有重要意义。     

极瑞环境下的生命

极端微生物是依赖于一种或多种极端物化因子的特殊生命形式，在100℃以上或0℃以下、近饱和的盐度、pH〉10或PH〈2等极端环境下，具有极端的生命世界，已发现的极端生命形式包括嗜热菌、嗜冷菌、嗜碱菌、嗜酸菌、嗜盐菌、嗜压菌等，统称为极端微生物，它们构成了地球生命形式的独特风景线，其存在的原理与意义为更好地认知生命现象、发展生物技术提供了宝贵的知识源泉。     

极端嗜盐古菌蛋白类抗生素——嗜盐菌素

古菌(Archaea)是一类与细菌及真核生物显著不同的生命的第三种形式[1],大多生活在极端或特殊环境,主要包括产甲烷古菌(Methanogenic Achaea)、极端嗜盐古菌(Extremely Halophilic Archaea)和极端嗜热古菌(Extremely Thermophilic Archaea)等三大类.极端古菌是极端环境微生物的重要成员,也是极端环境微生物资源开发的重要领域.其中,嗜盐古菌可产生一类蛋白类抗生素,称为嗜盐菌素(halocin).     

多重极端环境中的生命:深海热液中的超嗜热古菌Thermococclaes

超嗜热古菌Thermococcales是一类在类早期地球环境深海热液系统中常见的优势微生物类群,同时也是一类很好地适应了热液系统中剧烈波动的理化因子的微生物,部分Thermococcales微生物具有惊人的生长跨度(超过40℃的温度生长跨度、超过5个pH单位的pH生长跨度以及超过80 MPa的压力生长跨度),同时与其他绝大多数微生物相比具有较小的基因组(2.3 Mb).有关Thermococcales在不同极端环境下的适应性研究发现,其特殊的代谢途径与多重极端环境适应相关,这些代谢途径包括:相容性溶质、能量代谢、膜脂、氨基酸代谢及抗氧化途径,进而发现可能存在应对多重极端环境的共同适应机制.研究Thermococcales的共同适应机制,可帮助探索深部生物圈这样低能、高温极端环境下(包括域外)微生物的生存策略,将为探究早期生命的代谢特点,进而更好地理解生命起源提供宝贵的模型和研究思路,也为合成生物学研究及工业化应用提供理论借鉴与生物材料.     

深海细菌及其适压机制

深海是以高压为主要特征的极端环境。在深海中适压生活的细菌在分类上多属于蛋白细菌(Pro-teobacteria)类群的γ分支。深海细菌对高压的适应可表现为嗜压或耐压,其适压的机制包括细胞膜脂成分中不饱和脂肪酸的增加,此外,细菌细胞的呼吸链系统也与耐压有关。     

深海微生物多样性

海洋面积约占地球总面积的70％,平均深度3,800 m,海底平均压力38 MPa,海水以下更是包含有物理化学性质迥异的多种地质结构,例如海洋沉积物、洋壳、热液口以及冷泉等.这些性质迥异的地质结构环境造就了丰富的生物多样性,构成了地球上最大的微生物生态系统.深海海水中最主要的微生物类群是α-,γ-变形菌(Alpha-&Gammaproteobacteria),以及海洋古菌群I(Marine Group I).深海沉积物中微生物含量与有机物含量和距离大陆板块的距离相关,以异养微生物为主.深海冷泉区富集了厌氧甲烷氧化古菌ANME和硫酸盐还原菌(Deltaproteobacteria);深海热液区由于具有化学物质的多样性和快速的动态变化而导致形成微生物的高度多样性.洋壳主要由基性、超基性岩构成,含有丰富的矿物,其中不乏参与铁、锰、硫等关键代谢反应的化能自养微生物.同时,由于环境中99％以上的微生物没有已培养的亲缘种,因此对深海微生物的多样性、生理功能特性以及生物地球化学作用的理解和研究仍然存在巨大的挑战.本文将尝试从不同的深海环境分区来综述深海海水、沉积物、洋壳,以及冷泉区和热液口等特殊生态环境中微生物的分布和多样性.     

Protein adaptation to high hydrostatic pressure: Computational analysis of the structural proteome

Hydrostatic pressure has a vital role in the biological adaptation of the piezophiles, organisms that live under high hydrostatic pressure. However, the mechanisms by which piezophiles are able to adapt their proteins to high hydrostatic pressure is not well understood. One proposed hypothesis is that the volume changes of unfolding (ΔV_Tot) for proteins from piezophiles is distinct from those of nonpiezophilic organisms. Since ΔV_Tot defines pressure dependence of stability, we performed a comprehensive computational analysis of this property for proteins from piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. In addition, we experimentally measured the ΔV_Tot of acylphosphatases and thioredoxins belonging to piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. Based on this analysis we concluded that there is no difference in ΔV_Tot for proteins from piezophilic and nonpiezophilic organisms. Finally, we put forward the hypothesis that increased concentrations of osmolytes can provide a systemic increase in pressure stability of proteins from piezophilic organisms and provide experimental thermodynamic evidence in support of this hypothesis.     

The unique 16S rRNA genes of piezophiles reflect both phylogeny and adaptation

In the ocean's most extreme depths, pressures of 70 to 110 megapascals prevent the growth of all but the most hyperpiezophilic (pressure-loving) organisms. The physiological adaptations required for growth under these conditions are considered to be substantial. Efforts to determine specific adaptations permitting growth at extreme pressures have thus far focused on relatively few gamma-proteobacteria, in part due to the technical difficulties of obtaining piezophilic bacteria in pure culture. Here, we present the molecular phylogenies of several new piezophiles of widely differing geographic origins. Included are results from an analysis of the first deep-trench bacterial isolates recovered from the southern hemisphere (9.9-km depth) and of the first gram-positive piezophilic strains. These new data allowed both phylogenetic and structural 16S rRNA comparisons among deep-ocean trench piezophiles and closely related strains not adapted to high pressure. Our results suggest that (i) the Circumpolar Deep Water acts as repository for hyperpiezophiles and drives their dissemination to deep trenches in the Pacific Ocean and (ii) the occurrence of elongated helices in the 16S rRNA genes increases with the extent of adaptation to growth at elevated pressure. These helix changes are believed to improve ribosome function under deep-sea conditions.     

Pressure effects on in vivo microbial processes

Pressures between 10 and 100 MPa can exert powerful effects on the growth and viability of organisms. Here I describe the effects of elevated pressure in this range on mesophilic (atmospheric pressure adapted) and piezophilic (high-pressure adapted) microorganisms. Examination of pressure effects on mesophiles makes use of this unique physical parameter to aid in the characterization of fundamental cellular processes, while in the case of piezophiles it provides information on the essence of the adaptation of life to high-pressure environments, which comprise the bulk of our biosphere. Research is presented on the isolation of pressure-resistant mutants, high-pressure regulation of gene expression, the role of membrane lipids and proteins in determining growth ability at high pressure, pressure effects on DNA replication and topology as well as on cell division, and the role of extrinsic factors in modulating enzyme activity at high pressure.     

The Unique 16S rRNA Genes of Piezophiles Reflect both Phylogeny and Adaptation

In the ocean's most extreme depths, pressures of 70 to 110 megapascals prevent the growth of all but the most hyperpiezophilic (pressure-loving) organisms. The physiological adaptations required for growth under these conditions are considered to be substantial. Efforts to determine specific adaptations permitting growth at extreme pressures have thus far focused on relatively few γ-proteobacteria, in part due to the technical difficulties of obtaining piezophilic bacteria in pure culture. Here, we present the molecular phylogenies of several new piezophiles of widely differing geographic origins. Included are results from an analysis of the first deep-trench bacterial isolates recovered from the southern hemisphere (9.9-km depth) and of the first gram-positive piezophilic strains. These new data allowed both phylogenetic and structural 16S rRNA comparisons among deep-ocean trench piezophiles and closely related strains not adapted to high pressure. Our results suggest that (i) the Circumpolar Deep Water acts as repository for hyperpiezophiles and drives their dissemination to deep trenches in the Pacific Ocean and (ii) the occurrence of elongated helices in the 16S rRNA genes increases with the extent of adaptation to growth at elevated pressure. These helix changes are believed to improve ribosome function under deep-sea conditions.     

Glutamate optimizes enzymatic activity under high hydrostatic pressure in Desulfovibrio species: effects on the ubiquitous thioredoxin system

Extremophiles - In piezophilic microorganisms, enzymes are optimized to perform under high hydrostatic pressure. The two major reported mechanisms responsible for such adaptation in bacterial...     

Diversity of piezophilic microorganisms in the closed ocean Japan Sea

Deep-sea sediment samples were collected at a depth of 3,064 m in the Japan Sea. Microorganisms in the sediment sample were cultivated under several pressure conditions, and the high-pressure adapted microbes were isolated. Two of the isolates exhibited piezophilic growth profiles. This is the first report to show the presence of piezophiles in the Japan Sea.     

Biosynthesis and dietary uptake of polyunsaturated fatty acids by piezophilic bacteria

The biochemistry of piezophilic bacteria is unique in that piezophiles produce polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). A pertinent question is if piezophilic bacteria synthesize PUFA de novo, through dietary uptake, or both. This study was undertaken to examine the biosynthesis and cellular uptake of PUFAs by piezophilic bacteria. A moderately piezophilic (Shewanella violacea DSS12) and two hyperpiezophilic bacteria (S. benthica DB21MT-2 and Moritella yayanosii DB21MT-5) were grown under 50 MPa (megapascal) and 100 MPa, respectively, in media containing marine broth 2216 supplemented with arachidonic acid (AA, sodium salt) and/or antibiotic cerulenin. There was active uptake and cellular incorporation of AA in the hyperpiezophilic bacteria DB21MT-2 (14.7% of total fatty acids) and DB21MT-5 (1.4%), but no uptake was observed in DSS12. When cells were treated with cerulenin, all three strains incorporated AA into cell membranes (13–19%). The biosynthesis of monounsaturated fatty acids was significantly inhibited (10–37%) by the addition of cerulenin, whereas the concentrations of PUFAs increased by 2–4 times. These results suggest that piezophilic bacteria biosynthesize and/or incorporate dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids that are important for their growth and piezoadaptation. The significance of these findings is also discussed in the context of phenotypic classification of piezophiles.     

Pressure response in deep-sea piezophilic bacteria

Several piezophilic bacteria have been isolated from deep-sea environments under high hydrostatic pressure. Taxonomic studies of the isolates showed that the piezophilic bacteria are not widely distributed in terms of taxonomic positions, and all were assigned to particular branches of the Proteobacteria gamma-subgroup. A pressure-regulated operon from piezophilic bacteria of the genus Shewanella, S. benthica and S. violacea, was cloned and sequenced, and downstream of this operon another pressure regulated operon, cydD-C, was found. The cydD gene was found to be essential for the bacterial growth under high-pressure conditions, and the product of this gene was found to play a role in their respiratory system. Results obtained later indicated that the respiratory system in piezophilic bacteria may be important for survival in a high-pressure environment, and more studies focusing on other components of the respiratory chain have been conducted. These studies suggested that piezophilic bacteria are capable of changing their respiratory system in response to pressure conditions, and a proposed respiratory chain model has been suggested in this regard.     

Pressure-regulated metabolism in microorganisms.

There has been a renewal of interest in the survival strategies employed by deep-sea, high-pressure-adapted (piezophilic) microorganisms as well as in the effects of high pressure on mesophilic, 1-atmosphere-pressure-adapted microorganisms. This is partly the result of a greater appreciation of the adaptations of microorganisms to life in extreme environments and partly the result of the development of new techniques for examining physiological and molecular processes as a function of pressure.