Exploring the biotechnologial applications in the archaeal domain

Abstract

Archaea represent a considerable fraction of the prokaryotic world in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, indicating that organisms from this domain might have a large impact on global energy cycles. The extremophilic nature of many archaea has stimulated intense efforts to understand the physiological adaptations for living in extreme environments. Their unusual properties make them a potentially valuable resource in the development of novel biotechnological processes and industrial applications as new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, molecular probes, enzymes, and fine chemicals. In the present mini-review, we show and discuss some exclusive characteristics of Archaea domain and the current knowledge about the biotechnological uses of the archaeal enzymes. The topics are: archaeal characteristics, phylogenetic division, biotechnological applications, isolation and cultivation of new microbes, achievements in genomics, and metagenomic.

Biochemical characterization of a detergent-stable serine alkaline protease from Caldicoprobacter guelmensis

“…The SAPCG displayed activity over a broad range of pH (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13), with an optimum at pH 10 (Fig. 1C).…”

Purification and characterization of an extreme halothermophilic protease from a halophilic bacterium Chromohalobacter sp. TVSP101

“…These include the production of β-carotene, polyhydroxy alkanoates, enzymes and compatible solutes, enhanced oil recovery and degradation of toxic chemicals that can pollute hypersaline habitats. Additionally, halophiles produce exozymes such as amylases, proteases and nucleases of potential commercial values (1,11,12). Halophilic proteins are distinguished from their homologous proteins by exhibiting remarkable instability in solutions with low salt concentrations and by maintaining soluble and active conformations in high concentrations of salt upto 5 M NaCl (13,24).…”

Purification and characterization of halo-alkali-thermophilic protease from Halobacterium sp. strain HP25 isolated from raw salt, Lake Qarun, Fayoum, Egypt

“…In recent years, halophilic microorganisms have been explored for their biotechnological potential in different fields. Their unusual properties make them a potentially valuable resource in the development of novel biotechnological processes and industrial applications such as new pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutritional supplements, molecular probes, fine chemicals, biopolymers, carotenoids, compatible solutes, and enzymes (Rodriguez-Valera and Lillo 1992; Gomes and Steiner 2004;Alqueres et al 2007). Examples of well-adapted and widely distributed extremely halophilic microorganisms include species of the archaeal genus Halobacterium, which belongs to the family Halobacteriaceae of the order Halobacteriales.…”

“…Since halophilic proteases are adapted to extreme environments, they are unusually stable and, therefore, may be suitable candidates for industrial processes that are performed under harsh conditions. However, in spite of a growing interest in the use of halophilic enzymes for biotechnological applications, there are relatively few reports in the literature about their production and characterization (Bhatnagar et al 2005;Alqueres et al 2007;Oren 2010;Kumar et al 2012;Moreno et al 2013).…”