Strange proteins of organisms like harsh environments

Recently scientists have clarified the life of bacteria in harsh environments.

The study by Professor Peter Golyshin of Bangor University, together with an international research group, is published in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science of the USA, revealing how bacteria live in The harsh environment can still maintain the integrity of DNA.

Unlike other organisms, the protein in Ferroplasma acidiphilum , another organism that often thrives in dense acid conditions, is responsible for iron-based DNA repair and replication (DNA ligase). Similar proteins in other organisms need Magnesium and Potassium to work. The enzyme of Ferroplasma combines with iron atoms for a beautiful purple protein.

Electron micrograph of Ferroplasma acidiphilum.

Golyshin's laboratory-isolated protein is very unusual. In a dense acid environment, anyone thinks that the DNA structure for cell reproduction will be compromised and altered. The presence of iron has prevented this. Iron-containing molecules are the basic building blocks of DNA.

According to Professor Golyshin, they are: 'iron rivets' hold proteins together, ensuring precise DNA replication and assembly while restoring DNA fragments. The biochemical apparatus of this organism depends on those 'iron studs'.

Professor Golyshin explains: 'This is a significant information about life in harsh environments - this is important when you consider the hypothesis that many consider that life on earth begins in Such unfavorable conditions.

In the early days of life on earth, there were many iron-sulfur rich minerals; Iron can dissolve in very rich environments. New knowledge of iron-based organisms is a testament to this speculation about early life on earth. This also indicates that DNA can be effectively recovered under concentrated acid conditions, with a pH of 1.5-3 '.

Professor Victor de Lorenzo from the National Center for Biotechnology in Madrid (Spain), said: 'This study affects our understanding of how basic enzyme activities form. in the iron-rich environment that once dominated the beginning of life on earth. I would not be surprised to see these findings soon appear on mainstream biochemical and microbiological textbooks. '

The creature that is central to this study, Ferrorplasma, was discovered in a bioreactor. It is a member of the microbial community used in bio-metallurgy to extract metals from ore. In nature, it can be found in acidic, iron-rich environments, often in areas with hydrothermal activity and geological tectonics.