Analysis of Bacteriohopanoids from Thermophilic Bacteria by Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Background: Hopanoids modify plasma membrane properties in bacteria and are often compared to sterols that modulate membrane fluidity in eukaryotes. In some microorganisms, they can also allow adaptations to extreme environments. Methods: Hopanoids were identified by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in fourteen strains of thermophilic bacteria belonging to five genera, i.e., Alicyclobacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, and Thermus. The bacteria were cultivated at temperatures from 42 to 70 °C. Results: Regardless of the source of origin, the strains have the same tendency to adapt the hopanoid content depending on the cultivation temperature. In the case of aminopentol, its content increases; aminotetrol does not show a significant change; and in the case of aminotriol the content decreases by almost a third. The content of bacteriohopanetetrol and bacteriohopanetetrol glycoside decreases with increasing temperature, while in the case of adenosylhopane the opposite trend was found. Conclusions: Changes in hopanoid content can be explained by increased biosynthesis, where adenosylhopane is the first intermediate in the biosynthesis of the hopanoid side chain.

Prokaryotes of renowned Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad) thermal springs: phylogenetic and cultivation analysis

“…The first study by Pěčková et al (1991) used a culture-dependent approach and was exclusively focused on one bacterial genus, Thermus [ 28 ]. The other two studies [ 29 , 30 ] focused on the analysis of specific biomolecules from a few selected isolates. However, a complete picture of the microbial life inhabiting the Karlovy Vary thermal springs has remained missing thus far.…”

Secondary Metabolites and Biosynthetic Gene Clusters Analysis of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent-Derived Streptomyces sp. SCSIO ZS0520

“…N-acetyl-aminobacteriohopanetriol belongs to the bacteriophopane family. These triterpenes exist in many thermophilic bacteria, such as Alicyclobacillus, Brevibacillus, Geobacillus, Meiothermus, and Thermus [15]. Bacteriohopanetriols can insert themselves into the phospholipid bilayer to act as membrane reinforcers in prokaryotic systems, allowing adaption to extreme environments, such as low pH or high temperatures [16,17].…”