Psychrophilic lifestyles: mechanisms of adaptation and biotechnological tools

Abstract

Cold-adapted microorganisms inhabiting permanently low temperature environments were initially just a biological curiosity but have emerged as rich sources of numerous valuable tools for application in a broad spectrum of innovative technologies. To overcome the multiple challenges inherent to life in their cold habitats, these microorganisms have developed a diverse array of highly sophisticated synergistic adaptations at all levels within their cells; from cell envelope and enzyme adaptation, to cryoprotectant and chaperone production, and novel metabolic capabilities. Basic research has provided valuable insights into how these microorganisms can thrive in their challenging habitat conditions and into the mechanisms of action of the various adaptive features employed, and such insights have served as a foundation for the knowledge-based development of numerous novel biotechnological tools. In this review, we describe the current knowledge of the adaptation strategies of cold-adapted organisms and the biotechnological perspectives and commercial tools emerging from this knowledge. Adaptive features and, where possible, applications, in relation to membrane fatty acids, membrane pigments, the cell wall peptidoglycan layer, the lipopolysaccharide component of the outer cell membrane, compatible solutes, anti-freeze and ice-nucleating proteins, extracellular polymeric substances, biosurfactants, chaperones, storage materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates and cyanophycins, and metabolic adjustments are presented and discussed.

Free-living psychrophilic bacteria of the genusPsychrobacterare descendants of pathobionts

“…Both ecotypes carry genes associated with virulence [84][85][86] as well as genes that are potentially related to psychrophilic lifestyles [87] (Table S6).…”

Cold Stress Response: An Overview in Chlamydomonas

“…Mesophilic green algae are a widely distributed group of eukaryotic photosynthetic organisms, but there is insufficient information about key physiological and molecular processes of their cold acclimation. In fact, the global cellular responses used by chlorophytes and other microorganisms to survive at low temperatures have been extensively investigated in the past few years with a focus on psychrophilic species (Margesin and Miteva, 2011;Cvetkovska et al, 2017;Collins and Margesin, 2019). The psychrophiles are characterized by the combination of several traits and the distantly related representatives often employ universal adaptations to permanently low temperatures, such as cold-adapted proteins, increased membrane fluidity, antifreeze proteins, and cryoprotectants (Siddiqui et al, 2013).…”

Culturable bacteria from an Alpine coniferous forest site: biodegradation potential of organic polymers and pollutants

“…With an increase of soil temperatures in Alpine regions, as predicted due to global climate change (Gobiet et al 2014), soil bacteria at the studied Alpine coniferous forest site could contribute to increased rates of SOM and litter degradation, which in turn could contribute to a positive feedback in climate warming. In addition, the demonstrated low temperature degradation potential and production of a range of enzymes could be useful for biotechnological application (Collins and Margesin 2019).…”

“…However, culture-dependent methods are still required to understand microbial functions, physiology, adaptation mechanisms, and community dynamics in their environment and to be able to detect and use microorganisms and their associated bioproducts for biotechnological applications (Gebbie et al 2020). Low-temperature environments present a large resource for the discovery of useful microorganisms with a wide range of potential biotechnological applications (Collins and Margesin 2019).…”