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Microscopic tardigrades are one of the most amazing creatures living on our planet. They are special in that they can survive in the harshest environments, even in space, without any problems for their own health. They tolerate cold and heat, droughts and floods equally well, and can go into a long hibernation. But scientists are most interested in their ability to resist radiation.
For many years, scientists have been studying slow-moving animals to borrow their unique abilities. If we can do this, we can improve our food crops by increasing their resistance to disease and adverse weather conditions. But it is also potentially opens opportunities for genetic modification of people themselves, especially astronauts who, scientists hope, will one day fly to other planets and moons, where they will face challenges like cosmic radiation. A step in this direction was taken by Chinese scientists, it is reported 24 Channel with reference to research in Science magazine.
Opening details
When researchers from various institutions in China carefully studied the genome of a species called Hypsibius henanensis, discovered six years ago, they found a total of 14 genes that code for proteins. Of these, 701 genes (or 4 percent) are unique to tardigrades, also known as "water bears."
Among the experiments the scientists conducted was exposing these creatures to radiation to see how it would affect gene expression and protein production.
Studies of several species of tardigrades have documented that they are the most radiation-resistant animals on Earth. They demonstrate resistance to gamma radiation of 3000-5000 grays, which is approximately 1000 times the lethal dose for humans.
- the researchers write in their published article.
The team made three key observations:
- A gene called DODA1, which can be passed on from bacteria, produces pigments known as betalains that help neutralize harmful molecules produced by radiation.
- Second, the DNA was repaired much faster than usual thanks to the tardigrade-specific protein TRID1.
- Finally, under radiation, they had increased production of two other proteins, BCS1 and NDUFB8, which help with energy supply.
While some of these tricks were already known, such as high-speed DNA repair, a closer look at Hypsibius henanensis gave us more insight into what exactly was going on.
What's next
The scientists now want to test other species of tardigrades to see if they all rely on the same mechanism, or if this particular one is only relevant for Hypsibius henanensis. Currently, scientists know about 1500 species of tardigrades.
The new study coincides with the conclusion made about the species Hypsibius exemplaris: when radiation is detected, the creatures increase the activity of recovery genes. But it is not known whether two other factors are activated in them.
