Tag

Archaea

All articles tagged with #archaea

science14 days ago•29 min saved

New Enzyme ArmA Redefines Archaeal Cell Wall Structure

Researchers have identified ArmA, a new enzyme from the gut methanogen Methanobrevibacter smithii, which acts as the first specific hydrolase for archaeal peptidoglycan. By digesting this cell wall component, scientists revealed a previously unknown structure involving a novel sugar called N-acetylarmosamine. This discovery overturns a 50-year-old model of archaeal cell walls and provides a critical tool for studying methanogen biology, similar to how muramidases are used for bacteria.

via Nature|

#archaea #biochemistry #cell-biology

science1 month ago•6 min saved

Early metabolism reveals dual origins of life on Earth

Researchers mapped the full early metabolism network (420 reactions) and found that bacteria and archaea likely shifted to free-living cells independently, with LUCA possessing only about half of metabolic reactions while the rest were catalyzed by environmental metals; the study suggests a hybrid early metabolism combining metal catalysts and enzymes and proposes a pre-ATP energy source via phosphite reacting with palladium in hydrothermal-vent environments.

via ScienceDaily|

#archaea #bacteria #luca

science2 months ago•8 min saved

Two Separate Beginnings: Study Finds Bacteria and Archaea Metabolism Emerged Independently

A Science Advances study proposes life on Earth may have arisen twice, with bacteria and archaea independently evolving metabolism before LUCA, suggesting two roots of life rather than a single lineage; enzymes may have been preceded by environmental metals and four catalytic phases led proto-cells to free-living status after their split.

via ScienceAlert|

#archaea #bacteria #luca

science3 months ago•12 min saved

Ancient archaeal toolkit predates Earth's oxygen rise

A Nature study proposes that the archaeal host lineage behind eukaryotes was already assembling complex cellular machinery in largely anoxic oceans about 2.9 billion years ago, well before substantial atmospheric oxygen. This suggests parts of eukaryotic cellular complexity predate oxygen, and that later oxygen helped expansion rather than origin. It does not prove early multicellular life; instead it highlights a CALM model and relies on molecular dating and genome comparisons, with further data needed to confirm the timeline.

via Space Daily|

#anoxic-oceans #archaea #asgard-archaea

science5 months ago•35 min saved

Black Goo on a Ship Reveals a Hidden World of New Microbes

Routine maintenance on the Large Lake Observatory’s vessel Blue Heron uncovered a mysterious black goo in the rudder shaft. Microbiologists from the University of Minnesota Duluth found living, previously unknown archaea thriving in the anaerobic, semi-warm rudder environment, reconstructing 20 genomes and uncovering organisms that may belong to a new order of archaea and possibly a new bacterial phylum. Some microbes appear methane-producing, with potential biofuel implications. The team plans to publicly release the genomes and publish their findings soon, highlighting how life can persist in human-made habitats.

via Yahoo|

#anaerobic-microbes #archaea #microbial-genomes

science7 months ago•5 min saved

Archaea Decode UAG as Dual Roles, Expanding the Genetic Code

UC Berkeley researchers report that the methane-producing archaeon Methanosarcina acetivorans can interpret the UAG stop codon as either a termination signal or as the amino acid pyrrolysine, producing two protein forms from the same gene. The availability of pyrrolysine appears to influence the outcome, and about 200–300 genes may be affected, suggesting that genetic decoding can be context-dependent. This challenges the view of a single fixed genetic code and could inform new strategies for treating diseases caused by premature stop codons and expanding microbial biochemistry.

via ScienceDaily|

#archaea #codons #genetics

science9 months ago•2 min saved

Scientists Identify the Last Universal Common Ancestor of All Life on Earth

Scientists have identified a lineage of archaea called Asgard archaea, specifically Hodarchaeales, as the common ancestor of all eukaryotic life, shedding light on the origins of complex cells in organisms like animals, plants, and fungi.

via IFLScience|

#archaea #asgard-archaea #biology

science1 year ago•4 min saved

Scientists Find Organism That Challenges Life's Fundamentals

Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a microbe with a minimal genome and characteristics that blur the line between cellular life and viruses, challenging traditional definitions of life and suggesting a new branch in the tree of life, with significant implications for understanding microbial evolution.

via Indian Defence Review|

#archaea #evolution #genome

science1 year ago•3 min saved

Marine Researcher Discovers New Lifeform in Black Goo Inside Ship

Marine researchers discovered a new species of archaea in a mysterious black goo found inside a ship's rudder, revealing an unexpected habitat for extremophiles and potential applications in biofuel production, highlighting the importance of exploratory science.

via Yahoo|

#archaea #bioinformatics #marine-biology

science1 year ago•2 min saved

Unusual Cell Defies Traditional Life Concepts

Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a tiny organism within plankton that blurs the line between living cells and viruses, possessing a stripped-down genome and relying heavily on its host for biological functions, challenging traditional definitions of life.

via ScienceAlert|

#archaea #cell-biology #genomics

science3 years ago•3 min saved

Unveiling the Hidden Potential of CRISPR-Cas System

Scientists led by Professor Dr. Alexander Probst have discovered that archaea, microorganisms similar to bacteria, use the CRISPR-Cas system to combat parasites. Through genomic analysis of over 7,000 genomes, the researchers found that archaea incorporate parasitic DNA into their own genomes. When attacked by parasites with matching DNA, the CRISPR system recognizes and decomposes the foreign genetic material. This finding not only sheds light on the defense mechanisms of microorganisms but also has implications for understanding symbiotic relationships and important metabolic processes in ecosystems.

via SciTechDaily|

#archaea #crispr-cas-system #genetic-engineering

science-and-technology3 years ago•3 min saved

CRISPR-Cas System: A New Defense Against Parasites

Researchers have discovered a new function of the CRISPR-Cas system, commonly known as "genetic scissors," used in genetic engineering. Microorganisms, specifically archaea, utilize this system to defend against parasites. By analyzing the genetic material of microbes in the Earth's deep crust, the researchers found that archaea incorporate parasitic DNA into their genomes. When attacked by parasites with matching DNA, the CRISPR system recognizes and decomposes the foreign genetic material. This finding not only helps distinguish between beneficial symbionts and harmful parasites but also provides insights into important metabolic processes in ecosystems.

via Phys.org|

#archaea #crispr-cas-system #genetic-engineering

science3 years ago•16 min saved

"CRISPR-Cas System: Unlocking the Potential of Microorganisms in Symbiosis and Parasite Defense"

Researchers have discovered a potential symbiotic relationship between uncultivated archaea and other microorganisms mediated by the CRISPR/Cas bacterial immune system. The study, published in Nature, suggests that these archaea may rely on CRISPR to target and interact with other microorganisms in their environment. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary adaptations and ecological roles of uncultivated archaea, providing insights into their genomic diversity and potential symbiotic interactions.

via Nature.com|

#archaea #crispr #genomics

science3 years ago•10 min saved

Evolutionary Progression from Archaea to Phage in Z-Genome Biosynthesis.

Researchers have discovered a third purine biosynthesis pathway in phages that replaces adenine with aminoadenine, a modification previously only found in Archaea. The pathway involves a novel enzyme, GpPurZ0, which catalyzes the conversion of IMP to 2-aminopurine ribonucleotide. The discovery suggests an evolutionary progression from Archaea to phages and expands our understanding of the diversity of DNA biosynthesis pathways.

via Nature.com|

#archaea #biosynthesis #dna

science3 years ago•8 min saved

Hyperthermophile's Plasmid Enables Genetic Modification of Archaea

Researchers have discovered a self-transmissible plasmid from a hyperthermophile that can facilitate genetic modification of diverse Archaea. Plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can replicate independently of the host genome and can carry genes that confer advantageous traits such as antibiotic resistance. The plasmid, named pTN1, was found in Thermococcus nautili, a hyperthermophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent. The discovery of pTN1 could lead to new tools for genetic modification of Archaea, which are important for biotechnology and environmental applications.

via Nature.com|

#archaea #conjugation #genetic-modification