Mechanisms of nucleic acid degradation and high hydrostatic pressure tolerance of a novel deep-sea wall-less bacterium

• DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00958-23
• Publication Date: 2023-08-08T13:00:26Z
• Authors: Rikuan Zheng; Chong Wang; Ruining Cai; Yeqi Shan; Chaomin Sun
• Keywords: Hydrostatic pressure; Degradation

Wall-less bacteria are broadly distributed in diverse habitats. They evolved from a common ancestor within the Firmicutes phylum through reductive evolution. Here, we report cultivation, characterization, and polyphasic taxonomic analysis of novel free-living wall-less bacterium, Hujiaoplasma nucleasis zrk29. We demonstrated that strain zrk29 had strong ability to degrade DNA RNA both under laboratory conditions deep sea. found nucleic acids induced release chronic bacteriophages which supported other marine metabolize without lysing host cells. also showed tolerated high hydrostatic pressure via two pathways: (i) by transporting cations into its cells increase intracellular osmotic (ii) adjusting unsaturated fatty acid chain content cell membrane phospholipids fluidity. This study extends our understanding provides useful model explore unique adaptation mechanisms deep-sea microbes. IMPORTANCE The physiology survival strategies Tenericutes bacterium-a typical bacterium-have fascinated scientists public, especially extreme environments where there is (HHP) limited availability nutrients. have isolated sediment it metabolizes with support bacteriophages. tolerates HHP stress increasing membrane. Our results provide insights highlight significant role play assisting adapt harsh conditions.