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The Dynamic Genomes of Acidophiles

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Polyextremophiles

Part of the book series: Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology ((COLE,volume 27))

Abstract

The large-scale sequencing of microbial genomes and environmental samples in the last decade has revealed a huge amount of genetic diversity in natural populations. Extremophilic species in which the genomes of independently isolated strains have been sequenced often show a high variance in gene content as well as the pervasive effects of genomic rearrangements due to recombination. On the other hand, metagenomic studies have highlighted the dynamic complexity of bacterial populations and the action of mobile elements (plasmids, phage, and transposons) in shaping the genetic makeup of these organisms. Here we review the lessons gained from studies of the genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes of acidophilic bacteria, with emphasis on what is known about the mechanisms that generate diversity and favor genetic exchange in acidic environments. Genome plasticity due to the combination of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and the activity of mobile genetic elements (mobilome) could be essential during ecological specialization and adaptation to extreme environments.

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Acknowledgments

Funding for this work was provided by grants ERC-250350/IPBSL (FJLS, VPG), CGL2010-17384 (FJLdS, MJG), AYA2011-24803 (VPG) and Consolider INGENIO CSD2007-0005 (MJG). EGT was a recipient of an INTA training fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Evolución Molecular, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, 28850, Spain

    Francisco J. López de Saro, Manuel J. Gómez, Enrique González-Tortuero & Víctor Parro

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  1. Francisco J. López de Saro
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  2. Manuel J. Gómez
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  3. Enrique González-Tortuero
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  4. Víctor Parro
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Correspondence to Francisco J. López de Saro .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Joseph Seckbach

  2. Dept. of Plant and Env. Sciences, Institute of Life Sciences The Hebrew Univ. of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Aharon Oren

  3. Dept. Mikrobiology, Universität Salzburg FB Molekulare Biologie, Salzburg, Austria

    Helga Stan-Lotter

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de Saro, F.J.L., Gómez, M.J., González-Tortuero, E., Parro, V. (2013). The Dynamic Genomes of Acidophiles. In: Seckbach, J., Oren, A., Stan-Lotter, H. (eds) Polyextremophiles. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 27. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6488-0_3

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