If you’re trying to survive in the frigid Antarctic wilderness, you need all the help you can get, and it looks like some marine worms are doing just that by forming relationships with bacteria that produce a sort of natural antifreeze.
These bacteria eventually take up residence inside the earthworm, and in return for their hospitality, the worm secretes a protein substance that helps protect it from the icy water temperatures.
According to the research team, made up of researchers from several Italian institutions, this is an important step in understanding microbes and the relationships they have with organisms that mutually benefit them.
“Marine multicellular organisms coexist closely with microbiota, which provide important functions to their hosts, such as nutrition, defense mechanisms and even additional metabolic pathways.” write The researchers stated in their published paper:
The team visited several coastal areas in Antarctica, took sediment samples and discovered three species of insects: Polychaetes (Leitoscolopoulos Geminus, Aferrocaeta Palmeriand Aglaophamus trisophilus The average water temperature was -1°C, too cold for these worms to survive on their own.
Enter Meiotherms and Anoxybacillus Bacteria work from within the earthworm’s body to fight freezing.
Specifically, the proteins in these bacteria produce chemicals. Proline and GlycolIt lowers the freezing point of the liquid inside, preventing ice from forming inside the cells. antifreeze It also does so in liquids.
Other organisms living in these extreme environments can produce similar antifreeze proteins themselves. Icefish is one example.These bugs appear to need a little symbiotic help from local bacteria.
“These findings suggest that the bacterial core members of Antarctic polychaetes are driven by biological interactions between the host and associated bacteria.” write The researchers:
The researchers think this relationship has been going on for many years, with generations of the marine worms passing on the bacteria to successive generations, perhaps helping the species to colonize Antarctica, but more work is needed to confirm this.
As for how this new knowledge might be applied, one area where it could be put to use is Cryopreservation field: It keeps cells alive even at sub-zero temperatures, and of course it also gives new insight into the delicate balance of Antarctic marine life, which continues to be threatened by rising temperatures.
We know that living in these conditions requires a variety of adaptations to make the most of available resources and combat conditions that make life in the icy wilderness impossible.
“The findings of this study open up a broader perspective for understanding the mechanisms of adaptation and cold tolerance of marine invertebrates mediated by related bacteria.” write The researchers:
This study Scientific advances.
