Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
FEMS Microbiol Ecol. 2010 Jul 1;73(1):1-16. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2010.00876.x. Epub 2010 Mar 30.
We are becoming increasingly aware of the role played by archaea in the biogeochemical cycling of the elements. Metabolism of metals is linked to fundamental metabolic functions, including nitrogen fixation, energy production, and cellular processes based on oxidoreductions. Comparative genomic analyses have shown that genes for metabolism, resistance, and detoxification of metals are widespread throughout the archaeal domain. Archaea share with other organisms strategies allowing them to utilize essential metals and maintain metal ions within a physiological range, although comparative proteomics show, in a few cases, preferences for specific genetic traits related to metals. A more in-depth understanding of the physiology of acidophilic archaea might lead to the development of new strategies for the bioremediation of metal-polluted sites and other applications, such as biomining.
我们越来越意识到古菌在元素的生物地球化学循环中所扮演的角色。金属代谢与包括固氮、能量产生和基于氧化还原的细胞过程在内的基本代谢功能有关。比较基因组分析表明，代谢、金属抗性和解毒相关的基因在古菌域中广泛存在。古菌与其他生物体共享策略，使它们能够利用必需的金属，并将金属离子维持在生理范围内，尽管比较蛋白质组学显示，在少数情况下，它们对与金属相关的特定遗传特征有偏好。更深入地了解嗜酸古菌的生理学可能会为生物修复金属污染地点和其他应用（如生物采矿）开发新的策略。
