Xerotolerant bacteria: surviving through a dry spell

Water is vital for many biological processes and is essential for all living organisms. However, numerous macroorganisms and microorganisms have adapted to survive in environments in which water is scarce; such organisms are collectively termed xerotolerant. With increasing global desertification du...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature reviews. Microbiology 2017-05, Vol.15 (5), p.285-296
Main Authors: Lebre, Pedro H, De Maayer, Pieter, Cowan, Don A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Physiological - physiology
Bacteria
Bacteria - metabolism
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
Cell Membrane - physiology
Cell regulation
Climate Change
Desert Climate
Deserts
Desiccation
DNA Damage - physiology
Evolutionary adaptation
Extreme environments
Metabolism
Metabolites
Microbiological research
Microorganisms
Observations
Organisms
Oxidation
Oxidative Stress - physiology
Physiology
Proteins
Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism
Water - metabolism
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Summary:Water is vital for many biological processes and is essential for all living organisms. However, numerous macroorganisms and microorganisms have adapted to survive in environments in which water is scarce; such organisms are collectively termed xerotolerant. With increasing global desertification due to climate change and human-driven desertification processes, it is becoming ever more important to understand how xerotolerant organisms cope with a lack of water. In this Review, we discuss the environmental, physiological and molecular adaptations that enable xerotolerant bacteria to survive in environments in which water is scarce and highlight insights from modern 'omics' technologies. Understanding xerotolerance will inform and hopefully aid efforts to regulate and even reverse desertification.
ISSN:1740-1526
1740-1534
DOI:10.1038/nrmicro.2017.16