Lessons from Extremophiles: Functional Adaptations and Genomic Innovations across the Eukaryotic Tree of Life

Abstract

From hydrothermal vents, to glaciers, to deserts, research in extreme environments has reshaped our understanding of how and where life can persist. Contained within the genomes of extremophilic organisms are the blueprints for a toolkit to tackle the multitude of challenges of survival in inhospitable environments. As new sequencing technologies have rapidly developed, so too has our understanding of the molecular and genomic mechanisms that have facilitated the success of extremophiles. Although eukaryotic extremophiles remain relatively understudied compared to bacteria and archaea, an increasing number of studies have begun to leverage ’omics tools to shed light on eukaryotic life in harsh conditions. In this perspective paper, we highlight a diverse breadth of research on extremophilic lineages across the eukaryotic tree of life, from microbes to macrobes, that are collectively reshaping our understanding of molecular innovations at life's extremes. These studies are not only advancing our understanding of evolution and biological processes but are also offering a valuable roadmap on how emerging technologies can be applied to identify cellular mechanisms of adaptation to cope with life in stressful conditions, including high and low temperatures, limited water availability, and heavy metal habitats. We shed light on patterns of molecular and organismal adaptation across the eukaryotic tree of life and discuss a few promising research directions, including investigations into the role of horizontal gene transfer in eukaryotic extremophiles and the importance of increasing phylogenetic diversity of model systems.