The essence of being extremophilic: the role of the unique archaeal membrane lipids |
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| Authors: | Jack L. C. M. van de Vossenberg Arnold J. M. Driessen W. N. Konings |
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| Affiliation: | (1) Department of Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands Tel. +31-50-3632150; Fax +31-50-3632154 e-mail: W.N.Konings@biol.rug.nl, NL |
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| Abstract: | In extreme environments, mainly Archaea are encountered. The archaeal cytoplasmic membrane contains unique ether lipids that cannot easily be degraded, are temperature- and mechanically resistant, and highly salt tolerant. Moreover, thermophilic and extreme acidophilic Archaea possess membrane-spanning tetraether lipids that form a rigid monolayer membrane which is nearly impermeable to ions and protons. These properties make the archaeal lipid membranes more suitable for life and survival in extreme environments than the ester-type bilayer lipids of Bacteria or Eukarya. Received: January 22, 1998 / Accepted: February 16, 1998 |
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| Keywords: | Cytoplasmic membrane Permeability Solute transport Bioenergetics |
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