Therapeutic Implications of Extremophiles

Abstract

Extremophiles use specific mechanisms to alter the primary and/or secondary metabolites (i.e., extremolytes) to thrive under harsh environmental conditions, which could be exploited in therapeutics. Extremolytes from thermophiles, i.e., stable proteins, stable amylase, and thermozymes, have potential implications in regulation of intracellular environment and metabolism, and in energy transduction. Extremolytes mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), scytonemin, bacterioruberin, ectoine from radiation-resistant extremophiles can help to protect from UVR and gamma radiations. Extremolytes from acidophiles have been considered to use in protein pumps, reduce the pH of the cells within the cell surfaces, and as probiotics. Halophile carries unprecedented properties of carotenoids, high-antioxidant composition, and reductases. Further, investigations on extremolytes will pave the way toward next-generation medical innovation.