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Microbial responses to microgravity and other low-shear environments.
Cheryl A Nickerson1, C Mark Ott, James W Wilson
1Program in Molecular Pathogenesis and Immunity, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SL38, Tulane University School of Medicine, 1430 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, LA 70112-2699, USA. cnicker@tulane.edu
Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews : MMBR
|June 10, 2004
Summary
Microbes adapt to environmental changes, with microgravity and low fluid shear significantly impacting their gene expression and physiology. Understanding these microbial responses to mechanical forces offers insights into mechanotransduction in all organisms.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Microbial adaptation is crucial for survival.
- Microgravity and low fluid shear are novel environmental stimuli regulating microbial gene expression, physiology, and pathogenesis.
- Low-shear environments are relevant to microbial life cycles on Earth and in space.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review research on microbial responses to microgravity and low-shear stress.
- To explore the potential for common mechanotransduction mechanisms.
- To understand how mechanical forces impact microbial parameters.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on microbial responses to spaceflight and ground-based low-shear conditions.
- Analysis of microbial gene expression, physiology, and pathogenesis under altered mechanical forces.
- Exploration of signal transduction pathways involved in mechanosensing.
Main Results:
- Microgravity and low fluid shear globally regulate microbial gene expression, physiology, and pathogenesis.
- Low-shear environments, both in space and on Earth, influence microbial behavior.
- Mechanisms of fluid shear signal transduction in microbes are not fully defined but show potential for conserved pathways.
Conclusions:
- Microbial responses to low-shear environments are significant and have implications for both spaceflight and terrestrial microbiology.
- Further research into microbial mechanotransduction may reveal conserved mechanisms applicable to higher organisms.
- Understanding microbial mechanosensing can provide insights into fundamental biological processes.