title: Life in extreme environments: single molecule force spectroscopy as a tool to explore proteins from extremophilic organisms.
abstract: Extremophiles are organisms which survive and thrive in extreme environments. The proteins from extremophilic single-celled organisms have received considerable attention as they are structurally stable and functionally active under extreme physical and chemical conditions. In this short article, we provide an introduction to extremophiles, the structural adaptations of proteins from extremophilic organisms and the exploitation of these proteins in industrial applications. We provide a review of recent developments which have utilized single molecule force spectroscopy to mechanically manipulate proteins from extremophilic organisms and the information which has been gained about their stability, flexibility and underlying energy landscapes.
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Katarzyna M
authors: KM
authors: Tych
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Toni
authors: T
authors: Hoffmann
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Batchelor
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Megan L
authors: ML
authors: Hughes
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Katherine E
authors: KE
authors: Kendrick
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Danielle L
authors: DL
authors: Walsh
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Wilson
authors: †Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: David J
authors: DJ
authors: Brockwell
authors: *School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
authors: Lorna
authors: L
authors: Dougan
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000235:genetics*; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000235:genetics*; D004777:Environment; D055550:Protein Stability; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D016945:Sulfolobus acidocaldarius / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins