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Microbial heroes among grass and trees: How does Bacillus subtilis survive in extreme environments?
Bacillus subtilis, known as grass-based bacteria or hay bacteria, is undoubtedly one of nature's unknown heroes. As a Gram-positive bacterium, B. subtilis widely exists in soil, humans and the intestines of various animals. Its ability to withstand extreme environments makes it a model organism for scientific research.
B. subtilis is a rod-shaped bacterium that forms hard endospores, which allows it to withstand extreme environmental conditions such as high temperatures, lack of water, and changes in pH.
In nature, B. subtilis usually occurs in the upper layers of soil and is considered a normal commensal in the human intestine. Studies have shown that as many as 10^6 spores can be found per gram of soil, and the number in human feces is also high. The tolerance of these microorganisms is not accidental; their ability to form endospores is key to their survival in adverse environments.
The endospores of B. subtilis can remain viable in nutrient-deficient environments and survive for decades, tolerating extreme environmental conditions such as drought, salinity, extreme pH, and radiation.
In addition to its role in nature, B. subtilis also makes a contribution that cannot be ignored in human life. Since the 20th century, its potential as an immune stimulant has been discovered to help treat gastrointestinal and urinary tract diseases. With the deepening of scientific research, the application background of this bacteria has become more and more extensive, ranging from agriculture to medicine.
To understand the secret of its survival, scientists discovered that B. subtilis undergoes a mutagenesis process under environmental stress, forming endospores to preserve the genome. Under adversity, the bacterium undergoes a series of physiological changes, such as producing flagella to facilitate movement, exploiting surrounding DNA, or producing antibiotics to exclude competitors.
Under adverse environmental conditions, such as when nutrients are scarce, B. subtilis undergoes sporulation, a process that has become a model for studying sporulation.
Specifically, B. subtilis reproduces in various ways, such as symmetric or asymmetric division, and survives through endosporulation under conditions of nutritional deficiencies. This kind of tolerance allows it to find new survival opportunities in extreme environments.
Compared with other bacteria, the genome of B. subtilis has approximately 4,100 genes, most of which are related to cell metabolism. Different genome architectures facilitate their evolution and adaptation in adverse environments. Relevant studies have shown that its genome shows considerable diversity in different environments, which further confirms its status as an important member of the earth's microbial ecosystem.
Through continuous scientific research, B. subtilis has become an important model organism for understanding the basic characteristics of Gram-positive bacteria, especially its tolerance and adaptation mechanisms.
In addition to biological research, B. subtilis also plays an important role in industry and agriculture. Its excellent fermentation properties make it possible to produce various enzymes and can be used as soil inoculants in agriculture to provide beneficial effects on plant growth. Further genetic modification and production technology will continue to expand the scope of use of this bacteria, and even show potential in the production of new types of food.
However, as the application of B. subtilis increases, safety considerations become increasingly important. Regulations in many countries have assessed its safety in agriculture and human health and confirmed that B. subtilis will not cause harm to organisms when used under appropriate circumstances.
The many advantages of B. subtilis make it a model of survival and prosperity in nature, and it is this ability that has allowed it to continue to reproduce in various environments on Earth for centuries.
After all, in the current rapidly changing environment, can Bacillus subtilis continue to be the driving force for us to explore the microbial world and resolve future survival challenges?
