title: Psychrophilic enzymes: hot topics in cold adaptation.
abstract: More than three-quarters of the Earth's surface is occupied by cold ecosystems, including the ocean depths, and polar and alpine regions. These permanently cold environments have been successfully colonized by a class of extremophilic microorganisms that are known as psychrophiles (which literally means cold-loving). The ability to thrive at temperatures that are close to, or below, the freezing point of water requires a vast array of adaptations to maintain the metabolic rates and sustained growth compatible with life in these severe environmental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry B6, University of Liège, B-4000 Liège-Sart Tilman, Belgium. gfeller@ulg.ac.be
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Feller
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerday
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003081:Cold Climate; D003080:Cold Temperature; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D000516:alpha-Amylases