Abstract
Microbial therapeutic enzymes are the protagonists in the pharmacological treatment of different human diseases. The intrinsic enzymatic characteristics, such as high affinity and specificity to the corresponding substrate, enable effective therapies, with minimal adverse effects and complete remission. However, immunogenicity, short half-life, low enzymatic yield, and low selectivity regarding available enzyme drugs are currently the main obstacles to their development and the broad adherence to therapeutic protocols. By harboring adapted and still unexplored microbial life, environments of extreme conditions, such as Antarctica, become especially important in the prospecting and development of new enzymatic compounds that present higher yields and the possibility of genetic improvement. Antarctic microorganisms have adaptation mechanisms, such as more fluid cell membranes, production of antifreeze proteins and enzymes with more malleable structures, more robust, stable, selective catalytic sites for their respective substrates, and high antioxidant capacity. In this context, this review aims to explore enzymes synthesized by bacteria and fungi from Antarctica as potential drug producers, capable of providing therapeutic efficacy, less adverse effects, and lower production costs with highlight to L-Asparaginase, collagenase, superoxide dismutase and ribonucleases. In addition, this review highlights the unique biotechnological profile of these Antarctic extremophile microorganisms.
Highlights
The unexplored frozen Antarctica continent is a source of complex habitats for the development of different microbial species, including fungi, bacteria, and yeasts (Bowman 2018)
Concerning the psychrophilic microorganisms, those able to develop in environments with extreme cold, the synthesis of glycoproteins and antifreeze peptides prevents the crystallization of intracellular water, which is lethal to the cells (Morozkina et al 2010)
Enzymes produced by fungi and bacteria isolated from Antarctica have potential biotechnological value in therapeutics
Summary
The unexplored frozen Antarctica continent is a source of complex habitats for the development of different microbial species, including fungi, bacteria, and yeasts (Bowman 2018). Many microorganisms can thrive in this environment and a huge Antarctica microbial diversity are being revealed either by culture and unculture dependent methods (Duarte et al 2016, Pulschen et al 2017, Wentzel et al 2019, Ogaki et al 2020). The adaptation to the Antarctic environmental conditions is characteristic of microorganisms classified as extremophiles since they are able to develop mechanisms to deal with the “extremes” imposed by the environment. Extremophilic microorganisms are a rich source of enzymes resistant to high (thermophilic) and low (psychrophilic) temperatures, salinity (halophilic), pH variations (alkalophilic and acidophilic), and UV radiation (Thomas & Dieckmann 2002). Concerning the psychrophilic microorganisms, those able to develop in environments with extreme cold, the synthesis of glycoproteins and antifreeze peptides prevents the crystallization of intracellular water, which is lethal to the cells (Morozkina et al 2010)
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