Science and earth science

Polish Polar Research

Content

Polish Polar Research | 2024 | vol. 45 | No 3

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Abstract

Temperature rise together with resultant ice cover retreat in Svalbard, changes in hydrology and geomorphology of fjords and coastal waters is presented as forming force for the marine habitats. Satellite data show increase of habitat complexity following the tidal glaciers retreat and emergence of new (315 km) and complex shoreline. Most evident changes occur in the inner-fjord settings of the west coast of archipelago, while habitats of exposed marine shores and eastern sector of Svalbard remains little changed. It is hypothesized, that decrease in ice cover opens more space for life compared to the cold period.
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Authors and Affiliations

Jan Marcin Węsławski
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jacek A. Urbański
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences, Powstańców Warszawy 55,Sopot 81-712, Poland
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Abstract

Heat shock proteins 70 (Hsp70) are potential thermal stress markers as they play a pivotal role in safeguarding cells against heat shock-induced damage. The Hsp70s are present in several variants with each containing its peculiar importance due to their specific functions such as cell protection during elevated thermal stress. The present investigation evaluated the gene expression profiles of all Hsp70 genes in Glaciozyma antarctica PI12 during a heat wave condition. In this study, we exposed G. antarctica PI12 cells to a realistic heat wave to understand the impacts of the extraordinary, unprecedented heat waves that hit Antarctica at nearly 40°C above the average in 2022. The experiment was carried out through eight days where cells were exposed gradually at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 25 and 30°C. The gene expression profiles were obtained during the simulated heat wave along with non-stressed control treatments by real-time PCR. Out of the six Hsp70 genes in G. antarctica PI12, five were expressed under the conditions tested. Among the expressed genes, gahsp70-1, gahsp70-5, and gahsp70-6 showed significant upregulation. Specifically, their expression levels increased by five- to eightfold after exposure to heat shock at 4°C. Gene expression patterns at 20°C and 30°C also showed induction with the highest at 3.6 folds and 5.8 folds, respectively. These results indicate that the expression of Hsp70 genes in G. antarctica PI12 was inducible under thermal stress, indicating their importance in cells during the heat waves. These results conclude that the gene expression patterns of Hsp70 during heat waves contribute vital information on thermal adaptation in the Antarctic marine ecosystem under climate stress.
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Authors and Affiliations

Nur Athirah Yusof
1
Jennifer Charles Labo
1
Wan Nur Shuhaida Wan Mahadi
1
Makdi Masnoddin
2
Hyun Park
3
Clemente Michael Vui Ling Wong
1
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Biotechnology Research Institute, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  2. Preparatory Centre for Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
  3. Division of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea
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Abstract

A cold-active amylase was purified from Alteromonas sp. KS7913 isolated from the Chukchi Sea in the Arctic Ocean. After purification with use of ammonium sulfate precipitation, phenyl column chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography, 200.34 U mg−1 of purified amylase was obtained. The final yield was 3.4%, and the activity was 5.7-fold higher than that of the initial culture broth. KS7913 origin amylase showed a molecular weight of 70 kDa and optimal activity at 25℃, pH 7.0 in Tris-HCl buffer. The amylase was highly active, especially at 5℃, and maintained stability at basic conditions below 25℃. Copper and zinc ions inhibited enzyme activity, whereas manganese, barium, and calcium ions exhibited positive effects. This activity was maintained even in the presence of alcohol. The findings of this study supplement our understanding of cold-active amylases, and may have practical applications in low-temperature industries.
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Authors and Affiliations

Min Ju Kim
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jin A Kim
1
ORCID: ORCID
Ha Ju Park
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Joung Han Yim
1 2
ORCID: ORCID
Il Chan Kim
1
ORCID: ORCID
Se Jong Han
1 3
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Division of Life Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Songdomirae-ro 26, 21990, Incheon, South Korea
  2. Cryotech Inc., Songdomira-ro 26, 21990, Incheon, South Korea
  3. Department of Polar Sciences, University of Science and Technology, Gajeong-ro 217, 34113, Daejeon, South Korea
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Abstract

Extreme cold environments like glaciers, present substantial obstacles to the survival of organisms. Cryoconite, dark sediment covering glacier, provide unique niche for microorganisms. Therefore, we focused on understanding the diversity of fungi in Arctic ecosystems (Hansbreen, Spitsbergen), which is important in the analysis of the structure and of fungi populations. Due to a combination of two incubation temperatures (7°C or 24°C) and two media during isolation (potato dextrose agar, PDA or yeast extract peptone glucose, YPG), and classical/molecular identification approaches, we identified 20 different fungi (17 species and three unassigned species). Most belonged to filamentous fungi within the Ascomycota (19 isolates), with one identified as Basidiomycota-yeast. Regarding growth conditions, both media yielded greater number of fungal cultures at 24°C compared to 7°C. Additionally, PDA was more effective than YPG in isolating fungal cultures. On the other hand, the optimal temperature for achieving the highest CFU (colony–forming unit)/g of sediment was 7°C. The most frequently isolated species was Cladosporium cladosporioides, and to the best of our knowledge, we are the first to detect, the following species in an Arctic environment: Aspergillus jensenii, A. tennesseensis, Peziza varia, and Trichoderma paraviridescens. Additionally, there was a visible increase in the number of fungal propagules but a decrease in their biodiversity towards the upper parts of the glacier. Considering the Arctic amplification there is a need for further research on diversity and function of fungi in glacial ecosystems.
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Authors and Affiliations

Rafał Ogórek
1
ORCID: ORCID
Jakub Suchodolski
1
ORCID: ORCID
Agata Piecuch
1
ORCID: ORCID
Magdalena Cal
1
ORCID: ORCID
Klaudyna Spychała
1
ORCID: ORCID
Bartłomiej Dudek
2
ORCID: ORCID

  1. Department of Mycology and Genetics, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego Street 63/77,51-148 Wrocław, Poland
  2. Platform for Unique Models Application, Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Parasitology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland

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The quarterly Polish Polar Research invites original scientific papers dealing with all aspects of polar research. The journal aims to provide a forum for publication of high-quality research papers, which are of international interest.

We warmly welcome review papers and proposals for thematic Special Issues.

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