The Globins of Cold-Adapted Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis TAC125: From the Structure to the Physiological Functions - Advances in Microbial Physiology - page 336

Table 8.1 Molecular adaptations in cold-adapted bacteria
Molecular adaptations Explanation or consequence Reference

Protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS):
lower frequency of oxidisable amino acids;
oxidoreductases, superoxide dismutases, catalases,
peroxidases

Due to increased solubility
of O 2 at low temperatures
forming increased ROS

Rabus et al. (2004) , M´digue et al. (2005) , Meth´
et al. (2005) , Bakermans et al. (2007) , Duchaud
et al. (2007) , Ayub, Tribelli, and Lopez (2009)
and Piette et al. (2010)

Enzymes Maintain catalytic efficiency

at low temperatures

Georlette et al. (2004)

Membranes: increased unsaturation and decreased
chain length of fatty acids, carotenoids,
desaturases

Increase the fluidity of
membranes

Jagannadham, Rao, and Shivaji (1991) , Chauhan
and Shivaji (1994) and Ray et al. (1998)

Synthesis of specific elements: cold-shock
proteins, molecular chaperones, compatible
solutes

Maintain vital cellular
functions at cold
temperatures

Motohashi, Watanabe, Yohda, and Yoshida
(1999) , Cavicchioli, Thomas, and Curmi (2000) ,
Watanabe and Yoshida (2004) and Pegg (2007)

Molecular mechanisms involved in protein
flexibility Consequence Reference

Decreased number of H bonds and salt bridges Increased flexibility Feller and Gerday (1997)

Reduced proline and arginine content Increased molecular entropy Ray et al. (1998) , Russell (2000) , D'Amico et al.

(2002) , Cavicchioli, Siddiqui, Andrews, and
Sowers (2002) and Rodrigues and Tiedje (2008)

Reduced frequency of surface, inter-domain and
inter-subunit ionic linkages and ion-network

Increased conformational
flexibility and reduced
enthalphic contribution to
stability

D'Amico et al. (2006)