Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments

This is initial investigation of gene signatures responsible for adapting microscopic life to the extreme Earth environments. We present preliminary results on identification of the clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) common to several hyperthermophiles and exclusion of those common to a mesophile...

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Main Authors: Filipović, M. D., Ognjanović, S., Ognjanović, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Astronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Belgrade 2008-06-01
Series:Serbian Astronomical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:http://saj.matf.bg.ac.rs/176/pdf/081-086.pdf
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author Filipović, M. D.
Ognjanović, S.
Ognjanović, M.
author_facet Filipović, M. D.
Ognjanović, S.
Ognjanović, M.
author_sort Filipović, M. D.
collection DOAJ
description This is initial investigation of gene signatures responsible for adapting microscopic life to the extreme Earth environments. We present preliminary results on identification of the clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) common to several hyperthermophiles and exclusion of those common to a mesophile (non-hyperthermophile): {it Escherichia coli (E. coli K12)}, will yield a group of proteins possibly involved in adaptation to life under extreme temperatures. Comparative genome analyses represent a powerful tool in discovery of novel genes responsible for adaptation to specific extreme environments. Methanogens stand out as the only group of organisms that have species capable of growth at 0D C ({it Metarhizium frigidum (M.~frigidum)} and {it Methanococcoides burtonii (M.~burtonii)}) and 110D C ({it Methanopyrus kandleri (M.~kandleri)}). Although not all the components of heat adaptation can be attributed to novel genes, the {it chaperones} known as heat shock proteins stabilize the enzymes under elevated temperature. However, highly conserved {it chaperons} found in bacteria and eukaryots are not present in hyperthermophilic Archea, rather, they have a unique {it chaperone TF55}. Our aim was to use software which we specifically developed for extremophile genome comparative analyses in order to search for additional novel genes involved in hyperthermophile adaptation. The followinghyperthermophile genomes incorporated in this software were used forthese studies: {it Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (M.~jannaschii), M.~kandleri, Archaeoglobus fulgidus (A.~fulgidus)} and threespecies of {it Pyrococcus}. Common genes were annotated and groupedaccording to their roles in cellular processes where such informationwas available and proteins not previously implicated in theheat-adaptation of hyperthermophiles were identified. Additionalexperimental data are needed in order to learn more about theseproteins. To address non-gene based components of thermaladaptation, all sequenced extremophiles were analysed for their GCcontents and aminoacid hydrophobicity. Finally, we develop a prediction model for optimal growth temperature.
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spelling doaj.art-598f8ec974c24aa6a92b6127c551b46b2022-12-22T03:22:05ZengAstronomical Observatory, Department of Astronomy, BelgradeSerbian Astronomical Journal1450-698X2008-06-011768186Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space EnvironmentsFilipović, M. D.Ognjanović, S.Ognjanović, M.This is initial investigation of gene signatures responsible for adapting microscopic life to the extreme Earth environments. We present preliminary results on identification of the clusters of orthologous groups (COGs) common to several hyperthermophiles and exclusion of those common to a mesophile (non-hyperthermophile): {it Escherichia coli (E. coli K12)}, will yield a group of proteins possibly involved in adaptation to life under extreme temperatures. Comparative genome analyses represent a powerful tool in discovery of novel genes responsible for adaptation to specific extreme environments. Methanogens stand out as the only group of organisms that have species capable of growth at 0D C ({it Metarhizium frigidum (M.~frigidum)} and {it Methanococcoides burtonii (M.~burtonii)}) and 110D C ({it Methanopyrus kandleri (M.~kandleri)}). Although not all the components of heat adaptation can be attributed to novel genes, the {it chaperones} known as heat shock proteins stabilize the enzymes under elevated temperature. However, highly conserved {it chaperons} found in bacteria and eukaryots are not present in hyperthermophilic Archea, rather, they have a unique {it chaperone TF55}. Our aim was to use software which we specifically developed for extremophile genome comparative analyses in order to search for additional novel genes involved in hyperthermophile adaptation. The followinghyperthermophile genomes incorporated in this software were used forthese studies: {it Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (M.~jannaschii), M.~kandleri, Archaeoglobus fulgidus (A.~fulgidus)} and threespecies of {it Pyrococcus}. Common genes were annotated and groupedaccording to their roles in cellular processes where such informationwas available and proteins not previously implicated in theheat-adaptation of hyperthermophiles were identified. Additionalexperimental data are needed in order to learn more about theseproteins. To address non-gene based components of thermaladaptation, all sequenced extremophiles were analysed for their GCcontents and aminoacid hydrophobicity. Finally, we develop a prediction model for optimal growth temperature.http://saj.matf.bg.ac.rs/176/pdf/081-086.pdfAstrobiology
spellingShingle Filipović, M. D.
Ognjanović, S.
Ognjanović, M.
Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
Serbian Astronomical Journal
Astrobiology
title Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
title_full Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
title_fullStr Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
title_full_unstemmed Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
title_short Evidence of Molecular Adaptation to Extreme Environments and Applicability to Space Environments
title_sort evidence of molecular adaptation to extreme environments and applicability to space environments
topic Astrobiology
url http://saj.matf.bg.ac.rs/176/pdf/081-086.pdf
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