Enhanced stress resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans cells in the dried state
Abstract
Liquid water is often regarded as a pre-requisite for life as we know it. However, some organisms can survive prolonged periods in a desiccated state and seem to resist other environmental stres-sors even better when water is absent. We tested this observation in Deinococcus radiodurans, a non-sporeforming soil bacterium well-known for its outstanding resistance to DNA damaging stressors, including high doses of UV and ionizing radiation, oxidants, and desiccation. Due to its polyextremophilic characteristics it has been regarded as a model organism in astrobiological research. To determine if the cellular changes imposed by the removal of water have an effect on the stress resistance of D. radiodurans, we compared the survival capacity of dried cells with that of hydrated cells after exposure to mono-and polychromatic UV radiation, -radiation, and heat shock (85C). In all cases, resistance was enhanced in dried cells. It is suggested that these effects are mainly due to a reduced oxidative stress in dried cells, as the metabolism is shut down and radical diffusion is very limited. Hence, desiccating conditions as encountered in space vacuum or on arid planets such as Mars may be beneficial instead of detrimental to the survival of some polyextremophilic microbes. Ongoing experiments aim to evaluate damage at a subcellular level in dried and hydrated cells after exposure to irradiation or heat shock.
- Publication:
-
38th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010cosp...38.3314B