Dos Santos Alef, Schultz Júnia, Dal'Rio Isabella, Molodon Fluvio, Almeida Trapp Marilia, Guerra Tenório Bernardo, Stajich Jason E, de Melo Teixeira Marcus, Pilau Eduardo Jorge, Rosado Alexandre Soares, Rodrigues-Filho Edson
Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos 13565-905, Brazil.
Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia.
JACS Au. 2024 Dec 23;5(1):187-203. doi: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00869. eCollection 2025 Jan 27.
The exploration of our solar system for microbial extraterrestrial life is the primary goal of several space agencies. Mars has attracted substantial attention owing to its Earth-like geological history and potential niches for microbial life. This study evaluated the suitability of the polyextremophilic fungal strain LaBioMMi 1217 as a model eukaryote for astrobiology. Comprehensive genomic analysis, including taxonomic and functional characterization, revealed several genes conferring resistance to Martian-like stressors, such as osmotic pressure and ultraviolet radiation. When cultured in a synthetic Martian regolith (MGS-1), exhibited altered morphology and produced unique metabolites, including oxylipins, indolic acid derivatives, and siderophores, which might be potential biosignatures. Notably, oxylipins were detected using laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry, a technique slated for its use in the upcoming European Space Agency ExoMars mission. Our findings enhance the understanding of extremophilic fungal metabolism under Martian-like conditions, supporting the potential of black yeasts as viable eukaryotic models in astrobiological studies. Further research is necessary to validate these biosignatures and explore the broader applicability of in other extraterrestrial environments.
探索太阳系中的微生物外星生命是几个太空机构的主要目标。火星因其类地地质历史和微生物生命的潜在生态位而备受关注。本研究评估了多极端嗜热真菌菌株LaBioMMi 1217作为天体生物学模型真核生物的适用性。全面的基因组分析,包括分类学和功能表征,揭示了几个赋予对类似火星应激源(如渗透压和紫外线辐射)抗性的基因。当在合成火星风化层(MGS-1)中培养时,该菌株表现出形态改变并产生独特的代谢产物,包括氧脂、吲哚酸衍生物和铁载体,这些可能是潜在的生物标志物。值得注意的是,使用激光解吸电离质谱法检测到了氧脂,该技术计划用于即将到来的欧洲航天局火星外生物学任务。我们的研究结果增进了对类似火星条件下极端嗜热真菌代谢的理解,支持了黑酵母作为天体生物学研究中可行的真核生物模型的潜力。有必要进行进一步的研究来验证这些生物标志物,并探索其在其他外星环境中的更广泛适用性。