Lipids from microorganisms, and especially lipids from Archaea, are used as taxonomic markers. Unfortunately, knowledge is very limited due to the uncultivability of most Archaea, which greatly reduces the importance of the diversity of lipids and their ecological role. One possible solution is to use lipidomic analysis. Six radioactive sources were investigated, two of which are surface (Wettinquelle and Radonka) and four deep from the Svornost mine (Agricola, Behounek, C1, and Curie). A total of 15 core lipids and 82 intact polar lipids were identified from the membranes of microorganisms in six radioactive springs. Using shotgun lipidomics, typical Archaea lipids were identified in spring water, namely dialkyl glycerol tetraethers, archaeol, hydroxyarchaeol and dihydroxyarchaeol. Diverse groups of polar heads were formed in archaeal IPLs, whose polar heads are formed mainly by hexose, deoxyhexose, and phosphoglycerol. The analysis was performed using shotgun lipidomics and the structure of all molecular species was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. After acid hydrolysis, a mixture of polar compounds was obtained from the polar head. Further analysis by GC-MS confirmed that the carbohydrates were glucose and rhamnose. Analysis by HPLC-MS of diastereoisomers of 2-(polyhydroxyalkyl)-3-(O-tolylthiocarbamoyl)thiazolidine-4(R)-carboxylates revealed that both L-rhamnose and D-glucose are present in spring samples only in varying amounts. The glycoside composition depends on the type of spring, that is, Wettinquelle and Radonka springs are basically shallow groundwater, while the samples from the Svornost mine are deep groundwater and do not contain glycosides with rhamnose. This method enables quick screening for characteristic Archaea lipids, allowing decisions on whether to pursue further analyses, such as metagenomic analysis, to directly confirm the presence of Archaea.
- Klíčová slova
- d-glucose, l-rhamnose, Archaea, Glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers, Intact polar lipids, Radioactive springs,
- MeSH
- Archaea * chemie metabolismus MeSH
- horké prameny * mikrobiologie chemie MeSH
- lipidomika * metody MeSH
- membránové lipidy * chemie analýza MeSH
- plynová chromatografie s hmotnostně spektrometrickou detekcí MeSH
- tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- membránové lipidy * MeSH
Phosphatidylglycerol (1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-glycerol) (PG) is one of the most abundant lipids in biological membranes. However, the chirality of the carbon atom in glycerol phosphate differs among the three kingdoms: bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. It is commonly assumed that archaea, as well as bacteria and eukaryotes, produce only one isomer of PG. Archaeal membranes consist of phospholipids with glycerol-1-phosphate in the S configuration, while the phospholipids of the other two kingdoms contain glycerol-3-phosphate with (R) stereochemistry. Another chiral atom is found in glycerol with non-esterified hydroxy groups. Considering the high temperatures that accompanied the origin of life on Earth, it becomes obvious that it is necessary to clarify the importance of membrane lipids in early evolutionary times. To reconstruct the effect of high temperatures on membrane lipids, it is ideal to use microorganisms originating from a thermophilic environment analogous to the early Earth, such as the thermal groundwater of the famous spa town of Karlovy Vary. Here, we prepared all four isomers of PG, i.e., (R,S, R,R, S,R), and (S,S), by organic synthesis and analyzed the representation of individual molecular species in seven bacteria isolated from the Karlovy Vary thermal springs using chiral chromatography - mass spectrometry. Our results provide evidence that five of these strains produce all four isomers of PG and that this production is highly dependent on the cultivation temperature. Subsequent analysis by chiral chromatography revealed that the ratio of isomers, enantiomers, and diastereoisomers depends on the cultivation temperature of individual strains.
- Klíčová slova
- Chiral chromatography, Mass spectrometry, Membrane fluidity, Phosphatidylglycerols, Stereochemistry, Thermotolerant bacteria,
- MeSH
- Bacteria MeSH
- fosfatidylglyceroly * chemie MeSH
- horké prameny * mikrobiologie chemie MeSH
- stereoizomerie MeSH
- termotolerance MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- fosfatidylglyceroly * MeSH
Live-bearing fish have repeatedly adapted to life in sulfidic hot springs. A new study finds consistent changes in morphology, physiology and gene expression but no repeated genomic adaptation. This raises further questions about genetic redundancy, polygenic adaptation and the broader significance of repeated adaptation in natural systems.
- MeSH
- biologická evoluce * MeSH
- fyziologická adaptace * genetika MeSH
- horké prameny * MeSH
- ryby genetika fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Northern glacial refugia are a hotly debated concept. The idea that many temperate organisms survived the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ~26.5 to 19 thousand years) in several sites across central and northern Europe stems from phylogeographic analyses, yet direct fossil evidence has thus far been missing. Here, we present the first unequivocal proof that thermophilous trees such as oak (Quercus), linden (Tilia), and common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) survived the LGM in Central Europe. The persistence of the refugium was promoted by a steady influx of hydrothermal waters that locally maintained a humid and warm microclimate. We reconstructed the geological and palaeohydrological factors responsible for the emergence of hot springs during the LGM and argue that refugia of this type, allowing the long-term survival and rapid post-LGM dispersal of temperate elements, were not exceptional in the European periglacial zone.
- MeSH
- dub (rod) genetika MeSH
- fylogeografie MeSH
- horké prameny * MeSH
- ledový příkrov MeSH
- pouštní klima MeSH
- refugium * MeSH
- stromy * genetika MeSH
- zkameněliny MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Evropa MeSH
Radon springs, characterized by their high concentrations of radon gas (Rn222), are extreme environments with unique physicochemical conditions distinct from conventional aquatic ecosystems. Our research aimed to investigate microbial life in radon springs, focusing on isolating extremophilic bacteria and assessing their resistance to adverse conditions. Our study revealed the prevalence of Actinomycetia species in the radon spring environment. We conducted various tests to evaluate the resistance of these isolates to oxidative stress, irradiation, desiccation, and metal ion content. These extremophilic bacteria showed overall higher resistance to these stresses compared to control strains. Lipidomic analysis was also employed to provide insights into the adaptive mechanisms of these bacteria which were found mainly in the correlations among individual clusters and changes in content of fatty acids (FA) as well as differences between content and type of FAs of environmental isolates and type strains.
- MeSH
- Bacteria MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- horké prameny * mikrobiologie MeSH
- přírodní prameny * MeSH
- radon * analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- radon * MeSH
Examinations of some deep-sea hydrothermal vent fishes from the western and eastern regions of the Pacific Ocean revealed the presence of three new species of Ascarophis van Beneden, 1871 (Nematoda: Cystidicolidae), all gastrointestinal parasites, namely: A. justinei n. sp. from Thermarces cerberus Rosenblatt & Cohen (type host) and Thermichthys hollisi Cohen, Rosemblatt & Moser (both Zoarcidae, Perciformes) and A. globuligera n. sp. from T. cerberus from the Northern East Pacific Rise, and A. monofilamentosa n. sp. from Pyrolicus manusanus Machida & Hashimoto (Zoarcidae, Perciformes) from the Manus Basin near Papua New Guinea. Specimens are described and illustrated based on light and scanning electron microscopical examinations. In addition to other morphological differences, all the three new species differ from each other by the structure of eggs: eggs bearing a lateral superficial swelling (A. globuligera n. sp.), eggs with one conspicuously long filament on one pole (A. monofilamentosa n. sp.) and eggs smooth, without any filaments or swellings (A. justinei n. sp.). The egg morphology of the two first-named species is unique within all species of Ascarophis, which indicates that all the three newly described species of Ascarophis are probably endemic to the respective hydrothermal vents as their fish hosts.
- MeSH
- druhová specificita MeSH
- hlístice * anatomie a histologie MeSH
- hydrotermální průduchy * MeSH
- Perciformes * MeSH
- ryby parazitologie MeSH
- Spiruroidea * anatomie a histologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Tichý oceán MeSH
Quantum dots (QDs) are usually seen as artificial semiconductor particles exhibiting optical and electronic properties interesting for nanotechnological applications. However, they may also play a role in prebiotic chemistry. Starting from zinc acetate, cadmium acetate, and mercaptosuccinic acid, we demonstrate the formation of ZnCd QDs upon UV irradiation in prebiotic liquid formamide. We show that ZnCd QDs are able to increase the yield of RNA nucleobase synthesis from formamide up to 300 times, suggesting they might have served as universal catalysts in a primordial milieu. Based on the experimentally observed peroxidase-like activity of ZnCd QDs upon irradiation with visible light, we propose that QDs could be relevant to a broad variety of processes relating to the emergence of terrestrial life.
- Klíčová slova
- Formamide, Metal ions, Nanoparticle world, Nanozymes, Origin of life, Thiols, UV-induced nanoparticles,
- MeSH
- formamidy MeSH
- horké prameny * MeSH
- katalýza MeSH
- kvantové tečky * chemie MeSH
- peroxidasa MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- formamidy MeSH
- peroxidasa MeSH
Fungi are considered to be the most resilient and economically important microbial community that can easily survive and optimally grow under a wide range of growth conditions. Thermophilic fungi from the geothermal sources have been less pondered upon and lie unexplored. Here, a microbiome approach was conducted to understand the concealed world of the environmental mycobiota from the two hot springs of North Sikkim district located in North-east India. The solfataric muds from the hot springs were analyzed. In both the samples, on the basis of genus level classification, genus Fusarium had the highest abundance followed by Colletotrichum, Pochonia, Pyricularia, Neurospora, etc. Analyzing the predicted genes, the functional proteins of New Yume Samdung mycobiome were found to be dominated by the genera Fusarium (22%), Trichoderma (12%), and Aspergillus (11%), whereas in the case of Old Yume Samdung, it was dominated by the genera Aspergillus (11%), Saccharomyces (6%), and Fusarium (5%). Interestingly, in the studied mycobiome, environmental yeasts were also detected. From the functional metagenomics, sulfate adenylatetransferase (SAT) proteins for sulfur assimilation were found in some of the fungal reads. Toxin protein reads such as AM-toxin biosynthesis proteins, AF-toxin biosynthesis proteins, Gliotoxin biosynthesis proteins, and aflatoxin biosynthesis proteins were detected in the mycobiomes.
- MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- horké prameny * mikrobiologie MeSH
- houby * fyziologie MeSH
- metagenomika MeSH
- mykobiom * fyziologie MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Sikkim MeSH
Microbial mats in hot springs form a dynamic ecosystem and support the growth of diverse communities with broad-ranging metabolic capacity. In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to analyse microbial communities in mat samples from two hot springs in Al Aridhah, Saudi Arabia. Putative metabolic pathways of the microbial communities were identified using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt). Filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria associated with phylum Chloroflexi were abundant (> 50 %) in both hot springs at 48 °C. Chloroflexi were mainly represented by taxa Chloroflexus followed by Roseiflexus. Cyanobacteria of genus Arthrospira constituted 3.4 % of microbial mats. Heterotrophic microorganisms were mainly represented by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes. Archaea were detected at a lower relative abundance (< 1 %). Metabolic pathways associated with membrane transport, carbon fixation, methane metabolism, amino acid biosynthesis, and degradation of aromatic compounds were commonly found in microbial mats of both hot springs. In addition, pathways for production of secondary metabolites and antimicrobial compounds were predicted to be present in microbial mats. In conclusion, microbial communities in the hot springs of Al Aridhah were composed of diverse bacteria, with taxa of Chloroflexus being dominant.
- MeSH
- Bacteria klasifikace MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- fylogeneze * MeSH
- horké prameny mikrobiologie MeSH
- metabolické sítě a dráhy MeSH
- RNA ribozomální 16S genetika MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Saudská Arábie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- RNA ribozomální 16S MeSH
The primordial origin of abiotic nitrogen fixation, which is not dependent on prokaryotes, reflects the importance of available nitrogenous compounds as an essential requirement for the emergence of life and evolutionary biodiversity. It has been hypothesized that synthesis of oxidized nitrogen in the form of nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-), occurred in the prebiotic anoxic Hadean atmosphere. The sustained influx of atmospheric NO3- and NO2- into prebiotic Hadean oceans have been proposed to provide the essential substrates for abiotic synthesis of compounds such as ammonia (NH3) within oceanic alkaline hydrothermal vents in the seafloor. Because NH3 is an essential chemical precursor for nitrogen-containing molecular components of proteins and nucleic acids, abiotic production in high concentrations within Hadean oceanic alkaline hydrothermal vents is required for the emergence of diverse life forms. The chemical evolution of nitrogenous compounds includes the functional development of alkaloids. This commentary aims to critically discuss the possible origin of nitrogen-containing alkaloids and evolutionary processes in higher organisms, including the diverse biomedical mechanisms involved.
- MeSH
- alkaloidy * MeSH
- biodiverzita * MeSH
- biologická evoluce * MeSH
- hydrotermální průduchy * MeSH
- oceány a moře MeSH
- Publikační typ
- úvodníky MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- oceány a moře MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alkaloidy * MeSH
