Pyrococcus furiosus is an extremophile first discovered in the boiling hot, anaerobic conditions of the volcanic island Vulcano. This microscopic archaean loves scorching acidic habitats inhospitable to other life forms.
P. furiosus is hyperthermophilic. It enjoys temperatures above 100 °C (212 °F), the boiling point of water. This resourceful microbe can metabolize carbohydrates, peptides, and alcohols. It happily survives at 110 °C (212 °F), relying on anaerobic respiration.
In anaerobic respiration, cells break down sugars to generate energy as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the absence of oxygen. ATP facilitates and sustains processes in living cells.
These include muscle contraction, nerve impulse transmission, and chemical synthesis. Present in all known life forms, ATP is commonly called the "molecular unit of currency" for energy transfer within cells.
A glycoprotein, characteristic of archaea species, predominantly composes the flagella, thin tail-like structures, of P. furiosus. Flagella propel the organism through its environment. They have other uses, like establishing cell-to-cell connections during the stationary growth phase.
They also function as cable-like connectors to attach to various solid surfaces, like sand grains, in their natural habitat. This attachment can promote development of microcolonial biofilm structures. Biofilms are important to maintaining an optimal environment for organisms.
Vulcano: A Hotbed for Extremophiles
Vulcano, a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea north of Sicily, is named for the Roman god Vulcan. Steam and fumes rise from his forge deep in the earth. He creates fantastic weapons and armor for the gods. His helpers are the Cyclopes, who make lighting bolts for Jupiter.
P. furiosus is first isolated from marine hydrothermal vents of Vulcano. The island's hot springs also provide ideal anaerobic conditions, supporting an ecosystem significantly different from terrestrial life.
Biological Features of Pyrococcus furiosus
Pyrococcus furiosus is an anaerobic, heterotrophic, sulfur-reducing archaea. Like all heterotrophs it can't produce its own food, breaking down substances such as starches. It has several biological features contributing to its extremophilic lifestyle.
The cell structure includes a unique membrane composition rich in ether lipids, for stability and integrity in hyperthermophilic conditions. Metabolism of carbohydrates generates hydrogen, carbon dioxide and acetate, an acid. Acid production by P. furiosus lowers the pH of its environment.
Through genetic engineering of an alcohol dehydrogenase gene in P. furiosus, scientists use the archaea to achieve ethanol production from glucose. This is similar to the activity of fermentation by yeast in creating beer or wine.
P. furiosus is among the rare prokaryotic organisms with enzymes containing tungsten.
Tungsten (W), also called wolfram, occurs naturally on Earth as compounds with other elements. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all metals at 3,422 °C (6,192 °F).
Enzymes are proteins functioning as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions. The molecules enzymes act upon are known as substrates. The enzyme transforms them into different molecules or "products".
In anaerobic respiration cells make ATP from glucose. P. furiosus metabolizes substrates, especially carbohydrates, to generate energy. Byproducts are hydrogen gas and organic acids.
Hydrogen production is of particular interest in biofuels. Ability to convert carbohydrates into hydrogen under anaerobic conditions makes this archaean, specifically its enzymes, a possible natural resource.
Enzymes produced by Pyrococcus furiosus, particularly those involved in carbohydrate metabolism, are exceptionally stable and active at high temperatures. Known as thermophilic enzymes, these have diverse applications.
They're used in the food industry for processes such as starch hydrolysis, and in biofuel production. Researchers are exploring the potential of P. furiosus in genetic engineering and synthetic biology.
The enzymes efficiently break down complex polysaccharides into fermentable sugars, potentially transforming biofuel production methods. Due to their heat stability, P. furiosus enzymes can prosper in industrial settings where many regular enzymes fail.
Archaea and bacteria are the earliest forms of life on Earth, emerging c. 3.8 billion years ago. Conditions are hostile and anaerobic. Bacteria proliferation leads to immense production of oxygen by cyanobacteria.
Fossils of the first plants are found dating to the middle Ordovician period, about 460 million years ago. Humans, in comparison, have existed for 2 - 6 million years.
Astrobiology
While Pyrococcus furiosus provides valuable insights into life on Earth, it also raises the possibility of life beyond Earth. The study of extremophiles helps define potential environments where life may exist in the universe, especially in extreme conditions.
If life can thrive in the scorching hot springs of Vulcano, similar organisms may be found on other planets or moons. The ongoing search for extraterrestrial life gleans insight from extremophiles like P. furiosus.
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