Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments

Abstract Studying the survival of terrestrial microorganisms under Martian conditions, particularly in the presence of perchlorates, provides crucial insights for astrobiology. This research investigates the resilience of the extremophile black fungus Rhinocladiella similis to magnesium perchlorate...

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Main Authors: Alef dos Santos, Júnia Schultz, Felipe Oliveira Souza, Lucas Rodrigues Ribeiro, Thiago Verano Braga, Eduardo Jorge Pilau, Edson Rodrigues-Filho, Alexandre Soares Rosado
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Microgravity
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00475-y
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author Alef dos Santos
Júnia Schultz
Felipe Oliveira Souza
Lucas Rodrigues Ribeiro
Thiago Verano Braga
Eduardo Jorge Pilau
Edson Rodrigues-Filho
Alexandre Soares Rosado
author_facet Alef dos Santos
Júnia Schultz
Felipe Oliveira Souza
Lucas Rodrigues Ribeiro
Thiago Verano Braga
Eduardo Jorge Pilau
Edson Rodrigues-Filho
Alexandre Soares Rosado
author_sort Alef dos Santos
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Studying the survival of terrestrial microorganisms under Martian conditions, particularly in the presence of perchlorates, provides crucial insights for astrobiology. This research investigates the resilience of the extremophile black fungus Rhinocladiella similis to magnesium perchlorate and UV-C radiation. Results show R. similis, known for its tolerance to acidic conditions, exhibits remarkable resistance to UV-C radiation combined with perchlorate, as well as to high concentrations of magnesium perchlorate, surpassing Exophiala sp. strain 15Lv1, a eukaryotic model organism for Mars-like conditions. Growth curve analyses revealed both strains can thrive in perchlorate concentrations mimicking Martian perchlorate-rich environments, with R. similis adapting better to higher concentrations. Morphological and protein production changes were investigated, and mass spectrometry identified perchlorate-induced proteins, advancing molecular understanding of potential microbial life on Mars. These findings advance knowledge of extremophile capabilities, contributing to the search for life beyond Earth and informing the design of future Martian rovers equipped for biosignature detection.
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institution OA Journals
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series npj Microgravity
spelling doaj-art-1c76b0d1d6b94d89a56df0fff18b48a22025-08-20T01:53:14ZengNature Portfolionpj Microgravity2373-80652025-05-0111111310.1038/s41526-025-00475-ySurvival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environmentsAlef dos Santos0Júnia Schultz1Felipe Oliveira Souza2Lucas Rodrigues Ribeiro3Thiago Verano Braga4Eduardo Jorge Pilau5Edson Rodrigues-Filho6Alexandre Soares Rosado7Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São CarlosBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Chemistry, State University of MaringáNational Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT-Nanobiofar), Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanobiopharmaceutics (INCT-Nanobiofar), Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG)Department of Chemistry, State University of MaringáDepartment of Chemistry, Federal University of São CarlosBiological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Studying the survival of terrestrial microorganisms under Martian conditions, particularly in the presence of perchlorates, provides crucial insights for astrobiology. This research investigates the resilience of the extremophile black fungus Rhinocladiella similis to magnesium perchlorate and UV-C radiation. Results show R. similis, known for its tolerance to acidic conditions, exhibits remarkable resistance to UV-C radiation combined with perchlorate, as well as to high concentrations of magnesium perchlorate, surpassing Exophiala sp. strain 15Lv1, a eukaryotic model organism for Mars-like conditions. Growth curve analyses revealed both strains can thrive in perchlorate concentrations mimicking Martian perchlorate-rich environments, with R. similis adapting better to higher concentrations. Morphological and protein production changes were investigated, and mass spectrometry identified perchlorate-induced proteins, advancing molecular understanding of potential microbial life on Mars. These findings advance knowledge of extremophile capabilities, contributing to the search for life beyond Earth and informing the design of future Martian rovers equipped for biosignature detection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00475-y
spellingShingle Alef dos Santos
Júnia Schultz
Felipe Oliveira Souza
Lucas Rodrigues Ribeiro
Thiago Verano Braga
Eduardo Jorge Pilau
Edson Rodrigues-Filho
Alexandre Soares Rosado
Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
npj Microgravity
title Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
title_full Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
title_fullStr Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
title_full_unstemmed Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
title_short Survival strategies of Rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate-rich Mars like environments
title_sort survival strategies of rhinocladiella similis in perchlorate rich mars like environments
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-025-00475-y
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