Combined Environmental Stress Responses and Their Influence on Bacterioruberin Biosynthesis: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18375548Keywords:
Bacterioruberin, Haloarchaea, Hypersaline stress, Oxidative stress, pH, Carotenoid biosynthesis, Nutrient limitation, Stress synergyAbstract
Haloarchaea inhabit hypersaline environments that impose multiple stresses, including extreme salinity, intense solar radiation, temperature fluctuations, oxidative stress and nutrient scarcity. These extremophilic archaea have evolved unique adaptations such as the salt in strategy, hyperacidic proteins and the production of the rare C₅₀ carotenoid bacterioruberin (BR). BR stabilizes membranes, scavenges reactive oxygen species and shields cells against ultraviolet light. Understanding how combined environmental stresses influence BR biosynthesis is essential for optimizing its biotechnological production and for elucidating haloarchaeal stress physiology. This review synthesizes literature from 2000-2025 on haloarchaeal stress responses and BR regulation. Firstly, discussed the biochemical properties and functions of BR, then examine the individual effects of salinity, light intensity, temperature, oxidative stress, nutrient limitation and pH on BR production. Studies show that high salinity (12―25 % NaCl) and moderately alkaline pH (ca. 8–9) favour haloarchaeal growth, but BR accumulation is maximized under moderate salinity (∼12.5 %), nutrient limitation, low carbon to nitrogen ratios and oxidative or photooxidative stress. Light stimulates carotenoid biosynthesis in some species but not others. Synergistic and antagonistic interactions among stresses and summarize molecular regulation of BR biosynthesis were analysed, highlighting the crtD/lyeJ/cruF gene cluster and stress responsive regulators like RosR. Although numerous studies optimise individual parameters, few systematically evaluate multi factor stress interactions. Meta synthesis reveals common trends and methodological limitations, guiding future research. Finally, biotechnological strategies to enhance BR production were explored and propose future research directions in systems biology and synthetic biology.
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