Microbial Extremophiles at the Limits of Life

@article{Pikuta2007MicrobialEA,
  title={Microbial Extremophiles at the Limits of Life},
  author={Elena V. Pikuta and Richard B. Hoover and Jane S Tang},
  journal={Critical Reviews in Microbiology},
  year={2007},
  volume={33},
  pages={183 - 209}
}
Prokaryotic extremophiles were the first representatives of life on Earth and they are responsible for the genesis of geological structures during the evolution and creation of all currently known ecosystems. Flexibility of the genome probably allowed life to adapt to a wide spectrum of extreme environments. As a result, modern prokaryotic diversity formed in a framework of physico-chemical factors, and it is composed of: thermophilic, psychrophilic, acidophilic, alkaliphilic, halophilic… 
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327 Citations
Highly Influential Citations
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Background Citations
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Methods Citations
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327 Citations

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity in hydrothermal continental systems.
TLDR
A characterization of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms that populate terrestrial hydrothermal systems are made andMicrobial mats are complex associations of microorganisms that help the colonization of more extreme systems.
Psychrophilic and Psychrotolerant Microbial Extremophiles in Polar Environments
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The psychrophilic lithoautotrophic homoacetogen isolated from the deep anoxic trough of Lake Untersee is an ideal candidate for life that might inhabit comets or the polar caps of Mars.
Marine Extremophiles: A Source of Hydrolases for Biotechnological Applications
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The most studied marine extremophiles are prokaryotes and in this review, the most studied archaea and bacteria extremophile and their hydrolases are presented, and their use for industrial applications is discussed.
Perspectives and Application of Halophilic Enzymes
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These poly extremophiles are excellent source of enzymes and metabolites possessing inherent ability to function in extreme conditions viz high salt, alkaline pH and facilitating catalysis for biotechnological application in food processing, industrial bioconversion and bioremediation.
Quorum Sensing in Extremophiles
Living at the Frontiers of Life: Extremophiles in Chile and Their Potential for Bioremediation
TLDR
Interestingly, the remarkable adaptative capabilities of extremophiles convert them into an attractive source of catalysts for bioremediation and industrial processes.
Potential of microbial extremophiles for biotechnological applications: An overview
The Multifaceted Life of Microbes: Survival in Varied Environments
The world of microorganisms comprises a vast diversity of living organisms, each with its individual set of genes, cellular components, and metabolic reactions that interact within the cell and…
Adaptivity of Archaeal and Bacterial Extremophiles
TLDR
Psychrophilic heterotrophic bacteria respond to sublethal temperature decrease by increased conformational flexibility of the macromolecules and elevated content of unsaturated fatty acids in the composition of their membrane lipids, which increase the growth rate.
Properties and Applications of Extremozymes from Deep-Sea Extremophilic Microorganisms: A Mini Review
TLDR
In the present review, recent advances in research regarding deep-sea extremophiles and the enzymes they produce are introduced and their potential industrial applications are discussed, with special emphasis on thermophilic, psychrophilic, halophilic and piezophilic enzymes.
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