These newly discovered cells breathe in two ways

The team members have passed the process of identifying the elements and molecules on which the elements and molecules could grow. They already knew that it could use oxygen, so they tested other groups in the laboratory. When oxygen is absent, RSW1 can process hydrogen gas and primary sulfur – the chemicals that you will find from the volcanic vent veil – and the creation of hydrogen sulfide as a product. However, while cells were technically alive in this case, they did not grow or repeat them. They were making a small amount of energy – enough to survive, nothing more. “The cell was sitting there, revolving around its wheels without getting any real metabolism or biomass,” said Buid.

Then the team added the oxygen back to the mixture. As expected, bacteria grew faster. However, to surprise researchers, RSW1 also still produces hydrogen sulfide gas, as if it was anaerobic. In fact, it seems that bacteria are breathing both air and anaerobic, and benefit from both the energy of both processes. This dual breathing went beyond previous reports: the cell was not only produced sulfide in the presence of oxygen, but it also performed both processes at the same time. Bacteria simply should not be able to do so.

Boyd said: “This is good in this path.” What is really happening here? “

Breathing in two ways

RSW1 seems to have a hybrid metabolism, managing an anaerobic sulfur position at the same time that it runs an air method using oxygen.

“In order for the organism be able to bridge both metabolism,” he said. Rangani MoralEnvironmental biologist at Nevada University, Las Vegas, who did not participate in the research. She said that anaerobic organisms are usually when anaerobic organisms are exposed to oxygen, the harmful molecules known as interactive oxygen compounds create stress. “So this does not happen really interesting.”

In the west of the Spring Thermal Road (left) in the Yellowston National Park, researchers areolated an unusual microbe of gray -colored membranes (right).

Photo: Eric Boyd; Quanta magazine

In the west of the Spring Thermal Road (left) in the Yellowston National Park, researchers areolated an unusual microbe of gray -colored membranes (right).Photo: Eric Boyd; Quanta magazine

The Boyd team noted that the bacteria grew better when they run both metabolism. It may be an advantage in its unique environment: oxygen is not equally distributed in hot springs such as those in which RSW1 lives. In constantly changing conditions, where oxygen can be shower only one moment until it disappears, the hedge may be in metabolic stakes a very adaptive feature.

Other microbes have been observed that two ways are breathed simultaneously: anaerobic with nitrates and air with oxygen. But these processes use completely different chemical paths, and when they are associated together, they tend to provide an active cost of microbes. In contrast, sulfur/oxygen metabolism in RSW1 enhances cells instead of pulling them down.

This type of double breathing may have evaded detection yet because it was impossible. “You have no reason to search” something like this. In addition, oxygen and sulfide react quickly to each other; He added that unless you see sulfide as a secondary product, you would completely miss.

Moraly said it is possible, in fact, that dual metabolism microbes are widely scattered. She pointed to many habitats and living organisms in weak gradients between oxygen -rich areas and oxygen -free. An example of this in submerged deposits, which can harbor cable bacteria. These dated microbes are directed in a way that one end of their bodies can use air breathing in oxidized water while the other side is buried in the depth of oxidation and use anaerobic respiration. Cable bacteria flourish in their unstable division by physically separating their air and anaerobic processes. But it seems that the RSW1 for multiple intervention while retreating in the street spring.

It is still not known how RSW1 bacteria managed to protect their anaerobic machines from oxygen. Moraly said that the cells may create super chemicals within themselves, which can surround, isolate and “dismantle” oxygen, and that their use quickly by simply confronting them, therefore there is no opportunity for gas to interfere with sulfur -based breathing.

“RSW1 and any other microbes have a dual metabolism that make interesting models of how microbial life develops during the great oxygen event. “This should be a chaotic time for microbes on this planet,” he said. As a slow drip of oxygen that has been nominated in the atmosphere and the sea, any life shape can deal with a cross brush with the new toxic gas-or even its use in its active-was more advantageous. At that time of transition, metabolism may be better than one.

The original story Recal it with permission from Quanta magazineAn independent editorial publication for Simonz Foundation Its mission is to enhance the general understanding of science by covering research developments and trends in mathematics, physical sciences and life.