Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Surface Appendages of Archaea01:23

Surface Appendages of Archaea

708
Archaeal surface appendages are highly specialized structures essential for environmental adaptation, encompassing roles in adhesion, biofilm formation, and motility. Among these appendages, pili and archaella stand out for their distinct morphologies and functionalities, enabling archaea to thrive in diverse and often extreme environments.Pili: Adhesion and Biofilm FormationPili are filamentous structures assembled from pilin protein subunits, primarily contributing to adhesion and biofilm...
708
Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

1.3K
Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
1.3K
Overview of Archaea01:29

Overview of Archaea

1.2K
Archaea, named after the Archaean eon, represent a unique domain of life, distinct from bacteria and eukaryotes, with remarkable traits. Their cellular and molecular features, ecological adaptability, and industrial relevance highlight their importance in understanding life processes and leveraging biotechnology.Cellular and Molecular CharacteristicsA defining feature of archaea is their unique membrane composition. Archaeal membranes contain ether-linked isoprenoid lipids, which confer...
1.2K
Microbial Morphologies01:29

Microbial Morphologies

4.3K
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
4.3K
Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea01:27

Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea

2.1K
The plasma membrane is an essential cellular structure responsible for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the selective transport of molecules. While bacteria and archaea share the fundamental function of plasma membranes, their structural and molecular differences reflect adaptations to distinct ecological and physiological challenges.Bacterial Plasma MembranesBacterial plasma membranes are predominantly composed of phospholipids with fatty acid chains ester-linked to a glycerol...
2.1K
Viruses of Archaea01:29

Viruses of Archaea

541
Archaeal viruses play a crucial role in the ecosystems of extremophilic archaea, particularly those belonging to the phyla Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. By shaping host evolution and facilitating gene transfer, these viruses influence microbial communities and contribute to genetic diversity in extreme environments. The archaea they infect thrive in acidic hot springs and hydrothermal vents characterized by high temperatures and low pH. Archaeal viruses exhibit remarkable structural...
541

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

CsmR controls both, motility and cell shape, in Haloferax volcanii.

PLoS genetics·2026
Same author

A conserved oscillatory system that positions the divisome in Archaea.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) hydrolases counter increased SAM epimerisation in thermophilic archaea.

The FEBS journal·2026
Same author

Regulation of YAP activity by nuclear G-actin binding.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

Molecular structure of the ESCRT-III-based archaeal CdvAB cell division machinery.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Impact of changed c-di-AMP levels and hypoosmotic stress on the transcriptome of <i>Haloferax volcanii</i> and on RCK domain-containing proteins.

microLife·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach
09:57

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach

Published on: December 17, 2016

7.0K

Versatile cell surface structures of archaea.

Paushali Chaudhury1, Tessa E F Quax1, Sonja-Verena Albers1

  • 1Institute of Biology II, Molecular Biology of Archaea, University of Freiburg, Schänzlestr. 1, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.

Molecular Microbiology
|December 2, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Archaea utilize diverse surface structures, including abundant type IV pili (T4P), for habitat colonization and interaction. This review covers known archaeal surface structures and their roles in various cellular processes.

More Related Videos

From Constructs to Crystals &#8211; Towards Structure Determination of &#946;-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins
09:55

From Constructs to Crystals – Towards Structure Determination of β-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins

Published on: July 4, 2016

14.1K
Plunge Freezing: A Tool for the Ultrastructural and Immunolocalization Studies of Suspension Cells in Transmission Electron Microscopy
13:35

Plunge Freezing: A Tool for the Ultrastructural and Immunolocalization Studies of Suspension Cells in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: May 5, 2017

11.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach
09:57

Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach

Published on: December 17, 2016

7.0K
From Constructs to Crystals &#8211; Towards Structure Determination of &#946;-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins
09:55

From Constructs to Crystals – Towards Structure Determination of β-barrel Outer Membrane Proteins

Published on: July 4, 2016

14.1K
Plunge Freezing: A Tool for the Ultrastructural and Immunolocalization Studies of Suspension Cells in Transmission Electron Microscopy
13:35

Plunge Freezing: A Tool for the Ultrastructural and Immunolocalization Studies of Suspension Cells in Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: May 5, 2017

11.5K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Archaea inhabit diverse environments, employing surface appendages for colonization.
  • Type IV pili (T4P) are abundant in archaea, but unique non-T4 filaments also exist.
  • Archaeal surface structures are crucial for adhesion, DNA exchange, motility, and biofilm formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in the structural and functional characterization of archaeal surface structures.
  • To highlight the diverse roles these structures play in archaeal biology.
  • To explore potential novel functions of archaeal surface components.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of structural and functional studies on archaeal surface structures.
  • Analysis of genomic data for T4P components and potential novel structures.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on archaeal surface appendage roles.

Main Results:

  • Established the significant role of T4P and other filaments in archaeal surface functions.
  • Identified diverse processes mediated by archaeal surface structures, including viral attachment.
  • Highlighted the potential for undiscovered archaeal surface structures encoded in genomes.

Conclusions:

  • Archaeal surface structures are essential for adaptation and interaction with the environment.
  • Further research into archaeal surface components may reveal novel biological functions.
  • Understanding these structures is key to comprehending archaeal ecology and evolution.