Temperature spans for growth: Hypothesis and discussion

The observation that some Methanococcus thermoautotrophicum strains grow between 22 and 78 degree C, and thus in a temperature span of about 55 degree C, led to the question: What is the maximal span over which a single organism can grow? To the knowledge of the author, 55 degree C (reported here) i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Wiegel, J
Format: Conference Proceeding
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The observation that some Methanococcus thermoautotrophicum strains grow between 22 and 78 degree C, and thus in a temperature span of about 55 degree C, led to the question: What is the maximal span over which a single organism can grow? To the knowledge of the author, 55 degree C (reported here) is currently the most extended range. The ability to grow over such extended temperature ranges was connected with the observed broken Arrhenius plots and a hypothesis was forwarded. The hypothesis suggests that the organisms with an extended temperature range may possess two different enzyme sets for the otherwise limiting reactions: one set for the lower and one for the higher temperature range. The temperature ranges are indicated by the temperatures below and above the intermediary plateau in the Arrhenius graph. It should be possible to extend the growth temperature spans of some organisms in both directions, especially using the cryptic extreme thermophiles.
ISSN:0168-6445