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Review
. 2022 Nov 24;11(23):3225.
doi: 10.3390/plants11233225.

Metabolites Facilitating Adaptation of Desert Cyanobacteria to Extremely Arid Environments

Siarhei A Dabravolski  1 , Stanislav V Isayenkov  2
Affiliations
Review

Metabolites Facilitating Adaptation of Desert Cyanobacteria to Extremely Arid Environments

Siarhei A Dabravolski et al. Plants (Basel). .

Abstract

Desert is one of the harshest environments on the planet, characterized by exposure to daily fluctuations of extreme conditions (such as high temperature, low nitrogen, low water, high salt, etc.). However, some cyanobacteria are able to live and flourish in such conditions, form communities, and facilitate survival of other organisms. Therefore, to ensure survival, desert cyanobacteria must develop sophisticated and comprehensive adaptation strategies to enhance their tolerance to multiple simultaneous stresses. In this review, we discuss the metabolic pathways used by desert cyanobacteria to adapt to extreme arid conditions. In particular, we focus on the extracellular polysaccharides and compatible solutes biosynthesis pathways and their evolution and special features. We also discuss the role of desert cyanobacteria in the improvement of soil properties and their ecological and environmental impact on soil communities. Finally, we summarize recent achievements in the application of desert cyanobacteria to prevent soil erosion and desertification.

Keywords: compatible solutes; cyanobacteria; extracellular polysaccharides; trehalose.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Biosynthesis pathway for the MAAs. 4-DG (4-deoxygadusol), MG (mycosporine–glycine). mysA (dimethyl 4-degadusol synthase), mysB (O-methyltransferase), mysC (ATP-grasp ligase), mysD (D-Ala–D-Ala ligase), mysH (dehydrogenase/reductase and a nonheme iron(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenase).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The trehalose biosynthetic pathways. TreY (maltooligosyl–trehalose synthase), TreZ (maltooligosyl–trehalose trehalohydrolase), TreS (trehatose synthase), TreH (trehalase), TreP (trehalose phosphorylase), TreT (trehalose glycosyl-transferring synthase).
Figure 3
Figure 3
The main EPS and compatible solute features that distinguish desiccation-tolerant cyanobacteria from desiccation-sensitive species.
Figure 4
Figure 4
A hypothetical scheme exhibiting the potential roles of desert cyanobacteria. Potential application of desert cyanobacteria to solve ecological problems is shown in orange; future space exploration areas are shown in cyan; convenient ways to use desert cyanobacteria for sustainable agriculture and environmental management are shown in blue.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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