Thermophiles : Biology and Technology at High Temperatures

ISBN-13: 9780849392146 / Angielski / Twarda / 2007 / 353 str.

Robb Robb; Frank Robb; Garo Antranikian

Opis

This text reviews recent literature in the thermophile field written by international experts. Much is being learned from thermophiles, especially about biology at the molecular level and the genetic mechanisms that permit adaptation and survival. This book discusses protective strategies based on the resiliency of thermophiles. It also investigates molecular regulatory mechanisms, and protein synthesis. By studying this extreme example, its exaggerated response mechanisms, and its development over many short-lived generations, we can learn about diseases linked to improper protein folding, and also more fully understand the ingenious design of DNA, and all that such an understanding implies regarding survival in a changing environment.

Spis treści

OVERVIEW. The Challenges to Life at Extremely High Temperatures. MOLECULAR BASIS OF MOLECULAR THERMOSTABILITY. Membranes and Membrane Proteins. Transporter Gene Families in Thermophiles. Extrinsic Protein Stabilization. Intrinsic Protein Stability. Chaperonins. Heat Shock Proteins. METABOLISM AND ENERGETICS. Metabolite Channeling in Enzyme Complexes. Novel Pathways of Intermediary Metabolism. Iron Reduction at Temperatures Up to 121 C. TECHNOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THERMOPHILES AND THEIR ENZYMES. Applications of Unusual Natural Products from Thermophiles. High Pressure/High Temperature Applications. High Expression Strategies for Production of Thermostable Proteins. Bioleaching. Oil Well Microbiology. GENETIC MANIPULATION OF THERMOPHILES. DNA Repair and Mutagenesis in Archaea. Sulfolobus Plasmids and Cloning Vectors. Transposable Genetic Elements in Thermophilic Archaea. Genetic Analysis of Metabolism and Thermostability in Thermus. Establishing gene function by targeted mutagenesis. SIMPLE MODELS FOR COMPLEX FUNCTIONS. High Throughput Structural Determination of Proteins from Thermophiles. Novel Properties of DNA Polymerases/Nucleases from Thermophilic Archaea. MCM Proteins. DNA-Binding Proteins. Events and interactions at the DNA Replication Fork. Protein Phosphorylation at 80-90C. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION. Thermophile Diversity in Terrestrial Springs. Natural Population Structure: Measures of Gene Flow and Recombination.

O autorze

Frank Robb, Garabed Antranikian, Dennis Grogan, Arnold Driessen