Microorganisms inhabiting Antarctic biocrusts develop several strategies to survive extreme environmental conditions such as severe cold and drought. However, the knowledge about adaptations of biocrusts microorganisms are limited. Here, we applied metagenomic sequencing to study biocrusts from east Antarctica. Biocrusts were dominated by cyanobacteria, actinobacteria and proteobacteria. Furthermore, the results provided insights into the presence and abundance of cold shock proteins (Csp), cold shock domain A proteins (CsdA), and antifreeze proteins (AFP) in these extreme environments. The metagenomic analysis revealed a high number of CsdA across the samples. The majority of the Csp recorded in the studied biocrusts were Csp A, C, and E. In addition, CsdA, Csp, and AFP primarily originated from proteobacteria and actinobacteria.

Centre for Polar Ecology University of South Bohemia Na Zlate Stoce 3 37005 Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic

Department of Biology Botanical Institute University of Cologne Zulpicher Str 47B 50674 Cologne Germany

Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Dukelska 135 37982 Trebon Czech Republic

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