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The upper temperature limit for eukaryotic organisms.

M R Tansey, T D Brock

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
    |September 1, 1972
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Eukaryotic organisms, including fungi and algae, have an upper temperature limit around 60°C. This limitation may stem from their inability to create stable, functional organellar membranes at higher temperatures.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Eukaryotic Biology
    • Extremophile Research

    Background:

    • Eukaryotic organisms are generally found in moderate temperature environments.
    • Previous research indicated a temperature limit for eukaryotic algae around 55-60°C.
    • Understanding thermal tolerance in eukaryotes is crucial for defining ecological boundaries.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To systematically investigate the upper temperature limit for fungal growth.
    • To determine if any eukaryotic organisms can thrive above 60°C.
    • To explore the potential reasons for thermal limitations in eukaryotes.

    Main Methods:

    • Conducted a systematic search for fungi in various heated habitats, including hot springs and thermal soils.
    • Utilized enrichment cultures at temperatures up to 62°C to identify thermotolerant fungi.

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  • Compared isolation success rates at different high-temperature thresholds (55-60°C vs. 62°C).

    • Main Results:

    • No fungi capable of growth at 62°C were isolated from the tested heated environments.
    • Fungi that can grow at temperatures between 55°C and 60°C were readily isolated.
    • Consistent with prior studies, eukaryotic algae were also absent from habitats above 55-60°C.

    Conclusions:

    • A near 60°C upper temperature limit for eukaryotic organisms is confirmed.
    • The inability to evolve thermostable and functional organellar membranes is proposed as the reason for this limitation.
    • This finding has implications for understanding the distribution and evolution of eukaryotic life in extreme thermal environments.