Life in Extreme Environments: Material Properties of the Enzymes

Life on Earth has been found in many extremes of pressure P and temperature T. Understanding how life works at high P and high T has implications for the origin of life on Earth and for the search for extraterrestrial life. In addition, extremes of P and T are used in sterilization and food preservation. To understand how the proteins necessary for life can function at extremes, we use a combination of molecular dynamics simulations of enzymes in aqueous solution, combined with experimental data, to understand how their material properties affect their biochemical activity. We will discuss the effects of P and T on enzymes, evolutionary timescale adaptations in the material properties of enzymes for extremes, and rapid response changes in the intracellular environment to protect enzymes against extremes.