Extremophiles: radiation resistance microbial reserves and therapeutic implications

Abstract

Summary Micro‐organisms with the ability to survive in extreme environmental conditions are known as ‘extremophiles’. Currently, extremophiles have caused a sensation in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industries with their novel compounds, known as ‘extremolytes’. The potential applications of extremolytes are being investigated for human therapeutics including anticancer drugs, antioxidants, cell cycle‐blocking agents, anticholesteric drugs, etc. It is hypothesized that the majority of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)‐resistant micro‐organisms can be used to develop anticancer drugs to prevent skin damage from UVR. The metabolites from UVR‐resistant microbes are a great source of potential therapeutic applications in humans. This article aims to discuss the potentials of extremolytes along with their therapeutic implications of UVR extremophiles. The major challenges of therapeutic development using extremophiles are also discussed.

Cave Cyanobacteria showing antibacterial activity

“…salinity, osmolality, desiccation, solar irradiance, barometric pressure, pH, temperature, nutrient limitation (Seufferheld et al, 2008;Dapkevicius, 2013) are considered as one of the most promising sources of biotechnologically useful compounds. As a result, several studies have been devoted to screening secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms inhabiting such environments (e.g., Harvey, 2000;Nicolaus et al, 2010;Chang et al, 2011;Singh & Gabani, 2011). Caves are considered as extreme environments in terms of nutrient limitation and insufficient light with rather understudied microorganisms; thus, caves are promising sources for successful natural product research, justifying their conservation and our effort of screening the isolated Cyanobacteria.…”

Bio-signature of Ultraviolet-Radiation-Resistant Extremophiles from Elevated Land

“…acidic, alkaline, high and low temperatures including intense ultraviolet radiation (UVR) requiring extreme endurance from the microorganisms that colonize them. Microorganisms thriving under these environments are referred as extremophiles [1,2,3]. Radiation prone environment (e.g.…”

“…Radiation prone environment (e.g. ultraviolet type C or gamma radiation) could be a good source for microorganisms with altered phenotypic and genotypic characteristics [2,3]. A number of physiological and biochemical processes have been reported to be affected by UVR [2,3,4].…”

“…ultraviolet type C or gamma radiation) could be a good source for microorganisms with altered phenotypic and genotypic characteristics [2,3]. A number of physiological and biochemical processes have been reported to be affected by UVR [2,3,4]. In bacteria, UVRmediated stress may increase resistance to the error-prone repair mechanism that led to cellular survival in the presence of unrepaired lesions during DNA replication [5,6].…”

“…UVR causes a variety of harmful health effects including premature aging and skin cancer in humans [2,7]. Genomic redundancy is supposed to be good for radiation resistance [8].…”