The search for traces of life: the protective effect of salt on biological macromolecules.
Trapping malate dehydrogenase from the extremely halophilic archaeon Haloarcula marismortui in "dry" salt crystals protects the enzyme against thermal denaturation. Similar protection was not observed for the homologous mesophilic enzyme. In the case of transfer RNA molecules, high salt concentration plays a protective role against thermal degradation allowing activity to be recovered. The results are discussed in the context of exploring the fate of cell-free biological macromolecules in the environment and that of orienting the search for traces of life in planetary exploration.
Tehei
Moeava
M
Institut de Biologie Structurale, 41 rue Jules Horowitz, 38027 Grenoble Cedex 1, France.
Franzetti
Bruno
B
Maurel
Marie-Christine
MC
Vergne
Jacques
J
Hountondji
Codjo
C
Zaccai
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D019843:Archaeal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D003460:Crystallization; D003890:Desiccation; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry; D019614:Haloarcula marismortui / Q000201:enzymology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D019369:Life; D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D009206:Myocardium / Q000201:enzymology; D009691:Nucleic Acid Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D011489:Protein Denaturation / Q000187:drug effects; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D012343:RNA, Transfer / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000494:pharmacology; D012623:Seawater; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055672:Static Electricity; D013552:Swine
D019843:Archaeal Proteins; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012343:RNA, Transfer; D008291:Malate Dehydrogenase