• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2001.11a
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2001

Extremophiles are unique microorganisms that are adapted to survive in ecological niches such as high or low temperatures, extremes of pH, high salt concentrations and high pressure. These unusual microorganisms have unique biochemical features which can be exploited for use in the biotechnological industries. Due to the high biodiversity of extremophilic archaea and bacteria and their existence in various biotopes a variety of biocatalysts with different physicochemical properties have been discovered. The extreme molecular stability of their enzymes, membranes and the synthesis of unique organic compounds and polymers make extremophiles interesting candidates for basic and applied research. Some of the enzymes from extremophiles, especially hyperthermophilic marine microorganisms (growth above $85^{\circ}C$), have already been purified in our laboratory. These include the enzyme systems from Pyrococcus, Pyrodictium, Thermococcus and Thermotoga sp. that are involved in polysacharide modification and protein bioconversion. Only recently, the genome of the thermoalkaliphilic strain. Anaerobranca gottschalkii has been completely sequenced providing a unique resource of novel biocatalysts that are active at high temperature and pH. The gene encoding the branching enzyme from this organism was cloned and expressed in a mesophilic host and finally characterized. A novel glucoamylase was purified from an aerobic archaeon which shows optimal activity at $90^{\circ}C$ and pH 2.0. This thermoacidophilic archaeon Picrophilus oshimae grows optimally at pH 0.7 and $60^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, we were able to detect thermoactive proteases from two anaerobic isolates which are able to hydrolyze feather keratin completely at $80^{\circ}C$ forming amino acids and peptides. In addition, new marine psychrophilic isolates will be presented that are able to secrete enzymes such as lipases, proteases and amylases possessing high activity below the freezing point of water.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.248-255
• /
• 2019

This research confirmed the diversity and characterization of gut microorganisms isolated from the intestinal organs of Muraenesox cinereus, collected on the Samcheonpo Coast and Seocheon Coast in South Korea. To isolate strains, Marine agar medium was basically used and cultivated at $37^{\circ}C$ and pH7 for several days aerobically. After single colony isolation, totally 49 pure single-colonies were isolated and phylogenetic analysis was carried out based on the result of 16S rRNA gene DNA sequencing, indicating that isolated strains were divided into 3 phyla, 13 families, 15 genera, 34 species and 49 strains. Proteobacteria phylum, the main phyletic group, comprised 83.7% with 8 families, 8 genera and 26 species of Aeromonadaceae, Pseudoalteromonadaceae, Shewanellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Morganellaceae, Moraxellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Vibrionaceae. To confirm whether isolated strain can produce industrially useful enzyme or not, amylase, lipase, and protease enzyme assays were performed individually, showing that 39 strains possessed at least one enzyme activity. Especially the Aeromonas sp. strains showed all enzyme activity tested. This result indicated that isolated strains have shown the possibility of the industrial application. Therefore, this study has contributed for securing domestic genetic resources and the expansion of scientific knowledge of the gut microbial community in Muraenesox cinereus of South Korea.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.52 no.3
• /
• pp.233-254
• /
• 2024

The microorganisms that live under extreme conditions on Earth are known as extremophiles. They possess an extraordinary capability to endure extreme conditions, including salinity, temperature variations, pH, desiccation, and nutrient scarcity, among others. These organisms, including a vast array of bacteria, eukarya, and archaea, have evolved specialized structural and functional adaptations that make them capable of thriving in extremely selective environments in such a way that they showcase remarkable adaptations that push the limits of what we consider habitable. This capability results in valuable compounds with great potential for developing novel pharmaceuticals and biotechnological innovations. The present review paper aims to summarize current knowledge on the diversity of extremophilic microorganisms and the adaptive strategies employed to face such a range of extreme conditions. Particular attention will be given to temperature, salinity, pH, and desiccation adaptation. The review also highlights their potential applications, specifically focusing on pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.45-46
• /
• 2003

• ALGAE
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.189-204
• /
• 2016

Microalgal bioremediation of CO₂, nutrients, endocrine disruptors, hydrocarbons, pesticides, and cyanide compounds have evaluated comprehensively. Microalgal mitigation of nutrients originated from municipal wastewaters, surface waters, and livestock wastewaters has shown great applicability. Algal utilization on secondary and tertiary treatment processes might provide unique and elegant solution on the removing of substances originated from various sources. Microalgae have displayed 3 growth regimes (autotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic) through which different organic and inorganic substances are being utilized for growth and production of different metabolites. There are still some technology challenges requiring innovative solutions. Strain selection investigation should be directed towards identification of algal that are extremophiles. Understanding and manipulation of metabolic pathways of algae will possible unfold solution to utilization of algae for mitigation of dissolve organic nitrogen in wastewaters.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.149-152
• /
• 2002

The effect of pressure on the catalytic properties of glutamate racemase from Aquifex pyrophilus, an extremophilic bacterium, was investigated. The activation volume for the overall reaction $({\Delta}V^{\neq})$ and catalysis $({{Delta}V_{cat}}^{\neq})$ was -96.97 ml/mol and 4.97 ml/mol, respectively, while the reaction volume for the substrate binding (${\Delta}V_{K_m^-1}$) was -101.94 ml/mol. The large negative ${\Delta}V^{\neq}$ for the overall reaction indicated that the pressurization of glutamate racemase resulted in enhanced catalytic efficiencies. In addition, this value was also due to the large negative ${Delta}V_{K_m^-1}$ for the substrate binding. The negative value of ${Delta}V_{K_m^-1}$ implied that the conformational changes in the enzyme molecule occurred during the substrate binding process, thereby increasing the degree of hydration. The small value of ${{Delta}V_{cat}}^{\neq}$suggested that the pressure did not affect the glutamate racemase catalysis after the substrate binding.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.221-230
• /
• 2005

Recently there has been a rapid accumulation of knowledge of microbial life in cold and frozen ecosystems. This understanding has revealed the extensive diversity of psychrophilic prokaryotes. Cultivation-based and molecular-based surveys have been performed in Antarctic habitats ranging from glacial ice to continental shelf sediments. Results indicate that psychrophilic taxa permeate throughout the Bacteria while they represent a more mysterious element of diversity in the Archaea owing to a notable lack of cultured strains. In certain cold climate ecosystems the diversity of psychrophilic populations reach levels comparable to the richest temperate equivalents. Within these communities must exist tremendous genetic diversify that is potentially of fundamental and of practical value. So far this genetic pool has been hardly explored. Only recently have genomic data become available for various psychrophilic prokaryotes and more is required. This owes to the fact that psychrophilic microbes possess manifold mechanisms for cold adaptations, which not only Provide enhanced survival and Persistence but Probably also contributes to niche specialisation. These mechanisms, including cold-active and ice-active proteins, polyunsaturated lipids and exopolysaccharides also have a great interest to biotechnologists.

• Journal of Species Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.339-345
• /
• 2020

The Earth contains billions of microbial species, although the vast majority cannot be cultured in laboratories and are thus considered unidentified and uncharacterized. Extremophiles are microorganisms that thrive in extreme conditions, including temperature, salinity, and pH. Extremophilic microorganisms have provided important insights for biological, metabolic, and evolutionary studies. Between 2017 and 2019, as part of a comprehensive investigation to identify bacterial species in Korea, eight bacterial strains were isolated from marine and non-marine environments in Jeju Island. These strains were cultured under extreme salinity or pH conditions. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA) gene sequencing indicated that all eight strains belonged to the phyla Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Alphaproteobacteria. Based on their high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities(>98.7%) and the formation of strong monophyletic clades with their closest related species, all isolated strains were considered as an unrecorded strain, previously unidentified species. Gram stain reaction, culture conditions, colony and cell morphology, biochemical characteristics, isolation source, and National Institute of Biological Resources(NIBR) IDs are described in this article. The characterization of these unrecorded strains provides information on microorganisms living in Korea.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.263-271
• /
• 2007

The survival strategies of polar organisms at permanently or extremely cold temperatures and their application to cryobiology were reviewed here. In addition, ongoing studies on psychrophiles also were described. Psychrophiles are extremophiles that can grow and reproduce in cold temperatures, typically at -10 to $20^{\circ}C$. These organisms developed various mechanisms of adaptation to extremely cold environments. Polar organisms cope with these extreme physicochemical conditions using strategies such as avoidance, protection and partnership with other organisms. Understanding on the strategies adopted by polar organisms may provide insight on the physiological process that cells can go through during freezing. Cryopreservation may be able to take advantage of the findings described above. Currently, genomes of many cold-loving organisms have been sequenced and comparative genomics has revealed, at a molecular level, the characteristics of these organisms. The investigation of microorganisms on the polar glaciers may expand our understanding on the origin of life on Earth and other planets.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.483-491
• /
• 2021

Two putative genes, lip29 and est29, encoding lipolytic enzymes from the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermocatenulatus KCTC 3921 were cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant Lip29 and Est29 were purified 67.3-fold to homogeneity with specific activity of 2.27 U/mg and recovery of 5.8% and 14.4-fold with specific activity of 0.92 U/mg and recovery of 1.3%, respectively. The molecular mass of each purified enzyme was estimated to be 29 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The alignment analysis of amino acid sequences revealed that both enzymes belonged to GDSL lipase/esterase family including conserved blocks with SGNH catalytic residues which was mainly identified in plants before. While Est29 showed high specificity toward short-chain fatty acids (C4-C8), Lip29 showed strong lipolytic activity to long-chain fatty acids (C12-C16). The optimal activity of Lip29 toward p-nitrophenyl palmitate as a substrate was observed at 50℃ and pH 9.5, respectively, and its activity was maintained more than 24 h at optimal temperatures, indicating that Lip29 was thermostable. Lip29 exhibited high tolerance against detergents and metal ions. The homology modeling and substrate docking revealed that the long-chain substrates showed the greatest binding affinity toward enzyme. Based on the biochemical and insilico analyses, we present for the first time a GDSL-type lipase in the thermophilic bacteria group.