Descripciones mejoradas de Syndetics:

Microorganisms from extreme environments have attracted the attention of many scientists and are currently one of the main focuses of research due to the fascinating mechanisms that they display in order to live under extreme conditions.One of the basic aspects of study in extremophiles is to unravel the adaptation mechanisms of these microorganisms to the severe conditions of temperature, pH or salinity of extreme habitats, and certainly the results will permit interesting developments in the future.Moreover, the extensive studies carried out during recent years have made it possible to use them as cell f- tories to produce new compounds of biotechnological importance and to develop new strategies for industrial processes. Besides thermophiles, hyperthermophiles, alkaliphiles, acidophiles or p- chrophiles, one of the most interesting groups of extremophiles is costituted by the halophilic microorganisms.These organisms require high levels of salt to grow and are common inhabitants of hypersaline environments, such as lakes, salterns or saline soils.This book is devoted to the salt-loving mic- organisms and focuses on different aspects of halophilic Archaea, Bacteria and

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Foreword--Donn J. Kushner and His Contributions to the Study of Halophilism(p. 1)
• Introductory Chapter: Half a Lifetime in Soda Lakes(p. 17)
• 1 Trophic Ecology of Solar Salterns(p. 33)
• 1.1 Introduction(p. 33)
• 1.2 Descriptive Biological Studies of Salterns(p. 34)
• 1.3 Quantitative Biological Studies in Salterns(p. 37)
• 1.4 Salterns as Model Systems(p. 45)
• References(p. 46)
• 2 Microbial Molecular and Physiological Diversity in Hypersaline Environments(p. 49)
• 2.1 Introduction(p. 49)
• 2.2 Physiological/Metabolic Diversity(p. 49)
• 2.3 Molecular Diversity(p. 54)
• 2.4 Conclusions(p. 58)
• References(p. 59)
• 3 Red, Extremely Halophilic, but not Archaeal: The Physiology and Ecology of Salinibacter ruber, a Bacterium Isolated from Saltern Crystallizer Ponds(p. 63)
• 3.1 Introduction(p. 63)
• 3.2 Occurrence of Halophilic Bacteria in Spanish Saltern Crystallizer Ponds(p. 65)
• 3.3 Isolation and Characterization of Salinibacter ruber from Saltern Brines(p. 66)
• 3.4 Comparison of 16S rRNA Sequences from Salinibacter Cultures and Environmental Sequences(p. 68)
• 3.5 Physiological Properties of Salinibacter ruber(p. 70)
• 3.6 Characterization and Quantitation of the Salinibacter Pigment in Cultures and in Saltern Crystallizer Ponds(p. 71)
• 3.7 Final Comments(p. 74)
• References(p. 74)
• 4 The Potential Use of Signature Bases from 16S rRNA Gene Sequences to Aid the Assignment of Microbial Strains to Genera of Halobacteria(p. 77)
• 4.1 Introduction(p. 77)
• 4.2 Differentiation of Halobacteria at the Generic Level(p. 77)
• 4.3 Heterogeneity of 16S and 23S rRNA Gene Sequences(p. 79)
• 4.4 Signature Bases of the 16S rRNA Gene Sequences(p. 79)
• 4.5 Utility of Signature Bases in the Attribution at the Level of Genus(p. 82)
• 4.6 A Case Study--Halosimplex carlsbadense(p. 84)
• 4.7 Conclusions(p. 86)
• References(p. 87)
• 5 From Intraterrestrials to Extraterrestrials--Viable Haloarchaea in Ancient Salt Deposits(p. 89)
• 5.1 Introduction(p. 89)
• 5.2 Geological Setting, Stratigraphy and Rock Salt Samples(p. 90)
• 5.3 Cultured Subterranean Haloarchaea(p. 93)
• 5.4 Molecular Analysis of Uncultured Haloarchaea(p. 94)
• 5.5 How Old Are These Cells?(p. 97)
• 5.6 Extraterrestrial Halite(p. 98)
• 5.7 Conclusions(p. 100)
• References(p. 100)
• 6 Fungi in the Salterns(p. 103)
• 6.1 Introduction(p. 103)
• 6.2 Isolation of Fungi from Salterns(p. 104)
• 6.3 Biodiversity of Fungi in the Salterns(p. 105)
• 6.4 Studies of Adaptations of Black Yeasts to Hypersaline Environments(p. 108)
• 6.5 Conclusions(p. 110)
• References(p. 111)
• 7 Physiological and Molecular Responses of Bacillus subtilis to Hypertonicity: Utilization of Evolutionarily Conserved Adaptation Strategies(p. 115)
• 7.1 Introduction(p. 115)
• 7.2 The Cell and the Surrounding Solvent(p. 116)
• 7.3 Microbial Strategies for Coping with Hyperosmotic Environments(p. 116)
• 7.4 Compatible Solutes: Characteristics and Physiological Functions(p. 117)
• 7.5 The Initial Stress Response of B. subtilis: Uptake of K[superscript +](p. 118)
• 7.6 Accumulation of Compatible Solutes by Bacillus spp. Through Biosynthesis(p. 120)
• 7.7 Acquisition of Preformed Compatible Solutes by B. subtilis from Environmental Resources(p. 125)
• 7.8 Expulsion of Compatible Solutes: Protection Against Extreme Turgor(p. 127)
• 7.9 Perspectives(p. 128)
• References(p. 130)
• 8 Genetics of Osmoadaptation by Accumulation of Compatible Solutes in the Moderate Halophile Chromohalobacter salexigens: Its Potential in Agriculture Under Osmotic Stress Conditions(p. 135)
• 8.1 Introduction(p. 135)
• 8.2 C. salexigens as a Model Organism for Osmoadaptation Studies in Moderate Halophiles(p. 138)
• 8.3 Osmoadaptation Mechanisms in C. salexigens(p. 139)
• 8.4 Transcriptional Regulation of the C. salexigens ect Genes(p. 143)
• 8.5 Overlapping Regulatory Networks Controlling the Intracellular Content of Compatible Solutes(p. 145)
• 8.6 Use of ect Genes for the Generation of Transgenic Agriculturally Important Organisms(p. 146)
• References(p. 150)
• 9 Osmoregulated Solute Transport in Halophilic Bacteria(p. 155)
• 9.1 Introduction(p. 155)
• 9.2 Compatible Solute Transport Systems of Nonhalophiles(p. 156)
• 9.3 Osmosensing by Osmoregulated Transporters(p. 156)
• 9.4 Osmoregulated Transport Systems in Halophilic Bacteria(p. 157)
• References(p. 163)
• 10 Molecular and Functional Adaptations Underlying the Exceptional Salt Tolerance of the Alga Dunaliella salina(p. 165)
• 10.1 Introduction(p. 165)
• 10.2 Results(p. 166)
• 10.3 Discussion(p. 173)
• References(p. 175)
• 11 Multienzyme Complexes in the Archaea: Predictions from Genome Sequences(p. 177)
• 11.1 Introduction(p. 177)
• 11.2 Dihydrolipoamide Dehydrogenase and Lipoic Acid in the Halophilic Archaea(p. 179)
• 11.3 2-Oxoacid Dehydrogenase Genes in the Halophilic Archaea(p. 180)
• 11.4 Functional Studies in Haloferax volcanii(p. 183)
• 11.5 2-Oxoacid Dehydrogenase Complex Genes in Other Archaea(p. 184)
• 11.6 Concluding Remarks(p. 188)
• References(p. 189)
• 12 Nitrate Assimilation in Halophilic Archaea(p. 193)
• 12.1 Introduction(p. 193)
• 12.2 Haloarchaeal Nitrate Reductases (Nas)(p. 196)
• 12.3 Haloarchaeal Nitrite Reductases(p. 199)
• 12.4 Concluding Remarks(p. 201)
• References(p. 201)
• 13 The Archaeal Cardiolipins of the Extreme Halophiles(p. 205)
• 13.1 Introduction(p. 205)
• 13.2 Two Cardiolipin Analogs in the Purple Membrane of Halobacterium salinarum(p. 207)
• 13.3 Occurrence of Archaeal Cardiolipins in Various Strains of Extreme Halophiles(p. 210)
• 13.4 The Role of Archaeal Cardiolipins in Extreme Halophiles(p. 211)
• References(p. 212)
• 14 Understanding Archaeal Protein Translocation: Haloferax volcanii as a Model System(p. 215)
• 14.1 Introduction(p. 215)
• 14.2 An Overview of Archaeal Protein Translocation(p. 215)
• 14.3 Biochemical Reconstitution of Archaeal Translocation Using Haloferax volcanii as a Model System(p. 221)
• 14.4 Conclusions and Future Directions(p. 226)
• References(p. 226)
• 15 Gas Vesicle Genes in Halophilic Archaea and Bacteria(p. 229)
• 15.1 Introduction(p. 229)
• 15.2 Comparison of Genes Involved in Gas Vesicle Formation(p. 230)
• 15.3 Regulation of gvp Gene Expression in Halophilic Archaea(p. 236)
• 15.4 Conclusions(p. 239)
• References(p. 239)
• 16 Extremely Halophilic Archaea: Insights into Their Response to Environmental Conditions(p. 243)
• 16.1 Introduction to Haloarchaea and Their Specialized World(p. 243)
• 16.2 Haloarchaeal Mechanisms Involved in Environmental Responses Are Not Yet Completely Understood(p. 245)
• 16.3 Global Response: A Contribution to the Knowledge of Adaptation Mechanisms in Haloarchaea(p. 246)
• 16.4 Adaptation to Osmotic Stress and to High Temperature Must Involve Certain Common Protection Mechanisms. A Possible Role of Molecular Chaperones(p. 248)
• 16.5 DNA Structure as a Global Regulatory Mechanism Allowing a Coordinate Response to Environmental Conditions(p. 249)
• 16.6 Future Perspectives(p. 250)
• References(p. 251)
• 17 Genome Sequences of the Head-Tail Haloviruses HF1 and HF2(p. 255)
• References(p. 261)
• 18 Reporter Gene Systems for Halophilic Microorganisms(p. 263)
• 18.1 Introduction(p. 263)
• 18.2 Conventional Gene Reporters(p. 264)
• 18.3 Non-conventional Gene Reporters(p. 265)
• 18.4 Gene Reporters for Moderately Halophilic Bacteria(p. 266)
• 18.5 Gene Reporters for Halophilic Archea(p. 268)
• 18.6 Conclusions and Perspectives(p. 270)
• References(p. 270)
• 19 Industrial Enzymes: Do Halophiles and Alkaliphiles Have a Role to Play?(p. 275)
• 19.1 Introduction(p. 275)
• 19.2 Industrial Enzymes(p. 276)
• 19.3 Laundry Enzymes(p. 277)
• 19.4 Textile Enzymes(p. 281)
• 19.5 Future Prospects(p. 283)
• References(p. 284)
• 20 Extracellular Hydrolytic Enzymes Produced by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria(p. 285)
• 20.1 Introduction(p. 285)
• 20.2 Moderately Halophilic Bacteria as a Source of Extracellular Enzymes(p. 286)
• 20.3 Future Prospects(p. 292)
• References(p. 293)
• 21 Moderately Halophilic, Exopolysaccharide-Producing Bacteria(p. 297)
• 21.1 Introduction(p. 297)
• 21.2 Studies on Exopolysaccharide-Producing; Halophilic Bacteria(p. 299)
• 21.3 Conclusions and Future Prospects(p. 310)
• References(p. 311)
• 22 Biotransformation of Toxic Organic and Inorganic Contaminants by Halophilic Bacteria(p. 315)
• 22.1 Introduction(p. 315)
• 22.2 Biodegradation and Biotransformation of Contaminants Under Hypersaline Conditions--A Literature Review(p. 316)
• 22.3 Degradation of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons in Great Salt Lake, Utah, and Soap Lake, Washington--Recent Results(p. 324)
• 22.4 Epilogue(p. 328)
• References(p. 328)
• Epilogue: Cum Grano Salis--Salt in the History and Life of Mankind. An Overview with Emphasis on Europe(p. 333)
• Subject Index(p. 343)