Xerotolerant bacteria: surviving through a dry spell.
Water is vital for many biological processes and is essential for all living organisms. However, numerous macroorganisms and microorganisms have adapted to survive in environments in which water is scarce; such organisms are collectively termed xerotolerant. With increasing global desertification due to climate change and human-driven desertification processes, it is becoming ever more important to understand how xerotolerant organisms cope with a lack of water. In this Review, we discuss the environmental, physiological and molecular adaptations that enable xerotolerant bacteria to survive in environments in which water is scarce and highlight insights from modern 'omics' technologies. Understanding xerotolerance will inform and hopefully aid efforts to regulate and even reverse desertification.
Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics (CMEG), Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa.
Pedro H
PH
Lebre
School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Pieter
P
De Maayer
Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics (CMEG), Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa.
Don A
DA
Cowan
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D057231:Climate Change; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000502:physiology; D003889:Desert Climate; D003890:Desiccation; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014867:Water