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Halotolerance in methanosarcina spp.: Role of N{sup {epsilon}}-acetyl-{beta}-lysine, {alpha}-glutamate, glycine betaine, and K{sup +} as compatible solutes for osmotic adaptation

Journal Article · · Applied and Environmental Microbiology
OSTI ID:223590
 [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, Baltimore, MD (United States)
  2. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)

The methanogenic Archaea, like the Bacteria and Eucarya, possess several osmoregulatory strategies that enable them to adapt to osmotic changes in their environment. The physiological responses of Methanosarcina species to different osmotic pressures were studied in extracellular osmolalities ranging from 0.3 to 2.0 osmol/kg. Regardless of the isolation source, the maximum rate of growth for species from freshwater, sewage, and marine sources occurred in extracellular osmolalities between 0.62 and 1.0 osmol/kg and decreased to minimal detectable growth as the solute concentration approached 2.0 osmol/kg. The distribution and concentration of compatible solutes in eight strains representing five Methanosarcina spp. were similar to those found in M. thermophila grown in extracellular osmolalities of 0.3 and 2.0 osmol/kg. Results of this study demonstrate that the mechanism of halotolerance in Methanosarcina spp. involves the regulation of K{sup +}, {alpha}-glutamate, N{sup {epsilon}}-acetyl-{beta}-lysine, and glycine betaine accumulation in response to the osmotic effects of extracellular solute.

OSTI ID:
223590
Journal Information:
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 61; ISSN AEMIDF; ISSN 0099-2240
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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