Cowan D A
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University College London, UK.
Trends Biotechnol. 1992 Sep;10(9):315-23. doi: 10.1016/0167-7799(92)90257-v.
The Archaea, designated since 1979 as a separate Super-Kingdom (the highest taxonomic order), are a highly novel group of microorganisms which look much like bacteria but have many molecular and genetic characteristics that are more typical of eukaryotes. These unusual organisms can be conveniently divided according to their 'extreme' environmental niche, into three broad phenotypes: the thermophiles, methanogens and extreme halophiles. Each group has unique biochemical features which can be exploited for use in the biotechnological industries. The extreme molecular stability of thermophile enzymes, the novel C1 pathways of the methanogens and the synthesis of organic polymers by some halophiles are all currently or potentially valuable examples of the biotechnology of the Archaea.
古菌自1979年起被指定为一个独立的超级王国（最高的分类阶元），是一类非常新颖的微生物，它们看起来很像细菌，但具有许多更典型的真核生物的分子和遗传特征。这些不寻常的生物可以根据其“极端”的环境生态位方便地分为三种广泛的表型：嗜热菌、产甲烷菌和极端嗜盐菌。每组都有独特的生化特征，可用于生物技术产业。嗜热菌酶的极端分子稳定性、产甲烷菌的新型C1途径以及一些嗜盐菌合成有机聚合物，都是目前或潜在有价值的古菌生物技术实例。
