Abstract
This review focuses on the molecular signatures of protein structures in relation to evolution and survival in global warming. It is based on the premise that the power of evolutionary selection may lead to thermotolerant organisms that will repopulate the planet and continue life in general, but perhaps with different kinds of flora and fauna. Our focus is on molecular mechanisms, whereby known examples of thermoresistance and their physicochemical characteristics were noted. A comparison of interactions of diverse residues in proteins from thermophilic and mesophilic organisms, as well as reverse genetic studies, revealed a set of imprecise molecular signatures that pointed to major roles of hydrophobicity, solvent accessibility, disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic and π-electron interactions, and an overall condensed packing of the higher-order structure, especially in the hydrophobic regions. Regardless of mutations, specialized protein chaperones may play a cardinal role. In evolutionary terms, thermoresistance to global warming will likely occur in stepwise mutational changes, conforming to the molecular signatures, such that each “intermediate” fits a temporary niche through punctuated equilibrium, while maintaining protein functionality. Finally, the population response of different species to global warming may vary substantially, and, as such, some may evolve while others will undergo catastrophic mass extinction.
Highlights
The rapidly accelerating pace of climate change is most pronounced as a rapid rise in global temperature and the serious harm it is inflicting on the environment and life, threatening our very existence on Earth [1,2,3,4,5,6]
Some investigators use the terms “extreme thermophile” and/or “hyperthermophile” in describing those that grow at significantly higher temperatures, some approaching that of boiling water
All high-temperature organisms belong to the larger family of “extremophiles”, defined as organisms residing in environmental conditions that are extreme in some respect, such as extreme cold (Arctic and Antarctic), alkaline or acidic pH, high salinity or pressure, and desiccation
Summary
The rapidly accelerating pace of climate change is most pronounced as a rapid rise in global temperature and the serious harm it is inflicting on the environment and life, threatening our very existence on Earth [1,2,3,4,5,6]. It is safe to assume that global warming is here to stay, and, we must find ways to survive it Considering this premise, it is important to understand how high temperatures affect living beings, and how they cope with it. The residents of extreme cold, the psychrophiles, as they are called, are defined as living below 15 ◦C; while they present an interesting contrast to the thermophiles in terms of both habitat and molecular mechanism, they are beyond the scope of this review. An organism can be a crossover extremophile or “polyextremophile”, surviving and growing under multiple extreme conditions, such as cold and pressure, or heat and acidity [15]. Unless otherwise mentioned, all types of thermoresistant and thermophilic organisms are addressed synonymously, or referred to as thermophiles, for the sake of brevity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
