Archaeal Lipids: Innovative Materials for Biotechnological Applications

Abstract

International audienc

Archaeal and bacterial assemblages in the Oxygen Minimum Zone of the upwelling ecosystem off Central Chile as determined by organic biomarkers

“…However, an increase of 1-3 cyclopentane-containing iGDGTs was observed during the upwelling season, contrary to the expected increase cyclization with temperature, concluded from environmental observations (De Rosa et al 1986;Uda et al 2001;Macalady et al 2004;Boyd et al 2011), and cultures of marine Thaumarchaeota (Wuchter et al 2004;Schouten et al 2007) and thermophilic Archaea (Gliozzi et al 1983;Ward et al 1985;De Rosa & Gambacorta 1988;Uda et al 2001). The addition of pentacyclic rings in the trans-membrane portions of the lipids imply an enhanced membrane packing and reduced fl uidity (Benvegnu et al 2008) resulting in an molecular adaptive advantage to Archaea thriving in warmer and thermophilic environments, which suggest that the temperature is not the only environmental variable controlling the iGDGTs distribution in the study site. Variations in the distribution of iGDGTs in marine environments could also respond to nutrient regime and energy stress, as well as to variation in the relative contribution of Thaumarchaeota and Euryarchaeota (Pearson & Ingalls 2013).…”

Role of Alcohols in Growth, Lipid Composition, and Membrane Fluidity of Yeasts, Bacteria, and Archaea

“…Indeed, the insertion of more complex lipids, such as ergosterol in the case of yeasts, has been shown to reinforce the membrane, potentially producing a more viable candidate for biofuel production (11). Archaea, which often live in extreme environments, synthesize membranes that contribute to their resilience and could thus serve as more tolerant biofuel producers (5,20). The present study was designed to establish the effects of ethanol, butanol, and isobutanol on the membranes of several types of organisms, including archaea, yeasts, and bacteria, and to determine whether unique lipid profiles conferred resilience.…”

Biosynthetic Mechanism forL-Gulose in Main Polar Lipids ofThermoplasma acidophilumand Possible Resemblance to Plant Ascorbic Acid Biosynthesis

“…13,14) The relationship between the tolerance of Thermoplasmata for harsh conditions and its lipids has attracted great attention from microbiologists and material scientists. [15][16][17][18] The uniqueness of Thermoplasmata lipids includes the structure of the polar head groups (Fig. 1).…”