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Romanova DY, Moroz LL. Parallel evolution of gravity sensing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1346032. [PMID: 38516131 PMCID: PMC10954788 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1346032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Omnipresent gravity affects all living organisms; it was a vital factor in the past and the current bottleneck for future space exploration. However, little is known about the evolution of gravity sensing and the comparative biology of gravity reception. Here, by tracing the parallel evolution of gravity sensing, we encounter situations when assemblies of homologous modules result in the emergence of non-homologous structures with similar systemic properties. This is a perfect example to study homoplasy at all levels of biological organization. Apart from numerous practical implementations for bioengineering and astrobiology, the diversity of gravity signaling presents unique reference paradigms to understand hierarchical homology transitions to the convergent evolution of integrative systems. Second, by comparing gravisensory systems in major superclades of basal metazoans (ctenophores, sponges, placozoans, cnidarians, and bilaterians), we illuminate parallel evolution and alternative solutions implemented by basal metazoans toward spatial orientation, focusing on gravitational sensitivity and locomotory integrative systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Y. Romanova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of RAS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonid L. Moroz
- Departments of Neuroscience and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St. Augustine, FL, United States
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2
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Thiel CS, Vahlensieck C, Ullrich O. Assoziation schneller Reaktionen der Genexpression mit Änderungen der 3D-Chromatinkonformation in veränderter Schwerkraft. FLUGMEDIZIN · TROPENMEDIZIN · REISEMEDIZIN - FTR 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1928-0420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNGDie molekularen Prinzipien bei der Transduktion von Schwerkraftänderungen in zelluläre Antwort- und Anpassungsprozesse sind bisher weitgehend unbekannt. Wir konnten in humanen Jurkat-T-Zellen zeigen, dass Gene bei veränderter Schwerkraft in Clusterstrukturen („gravity-responsive chromosomal regions“, GRCRs) differenziell reguliert werden. Durch Kombination mit Hochdurchsatz-Chromatin-Konformationsanalysen (Hi-C) konnte eine hochsignifikante Assoziation von GRCRs mit strukturellen 3D-Chromatinveränderungen identifiziert werden, die vor allem auf den kleinen Chromosomen (chr16–chr22) kolokalisieren. Wir fanden weiterhin Hinweise auf einen mechanistischen Zusammenhang zwischen Spleißprozessen und differenzieller Genexpression bei veränderter Schwerkraft. Somit haben wir erste Belege dafür gefunden, dass Änderungen der Schwerkraft in den Zellkern übertragen werden und dort 3D-Chromosomen-Konformationsänderungen hervorrufen, die mit einer schnellen Transkriptionsantwort verbunden sind. Wir vermuten, dass die schnelle genomische Antwort auf veränderte Gravitationskräfte in der Organisation des Chromatins spezifisch codiert ist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora S. Thiel
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Universität Zürich, Schweiz
- Anatomisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Schweiz
- Raumfahrtmedizin, Fachbereich Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena
- Weltraumbiotechnologie, Fakultät für Maschinenbau, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
| | - Christian Vahlensieck
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Universität Zürich, Schweiz
- Anatomisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Schweiz
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation (UZH Space Hub), Universität Zürich, Schweiz
- Anatomisches Institut, Universität Zürich, Schweiz
- Raumfahrtmedizin, Fachbereich Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena
- Weltraumbiotechnologie, Fakultät für Maschinenbau, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
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3
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Häder DP, Hemmersbach R. Euglena, a Gravitactic Flagellate of Multiple Usages. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1522. [PMID: 36294957 PMCID: PMC9605500 DOI: 10.3390/life12101522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human exploration of space and other celestial bodies bears a multitude of challenges. The Earth-bound supply of material and food is restricted, and in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) is a prerequisite. Excellent candidates for delivering several services are unicellular algae, such as the space-approved flagellate Euglena gracilis. This review summarizes the main characteristics of this unicellular organism. Euglena has been exposed on various platforms that alter the impact of gravity to analyse its corresponding gravity-dependent physiological and molecular genetic responses. The sensory transduction chain of gravitaxis in E. gracilis has been identified. The molecular gravi-(mechano-)receptors are mechanosensory calcium channels (TRP channels). The inward gated calcium binds specifically to one of several calmodulins (CaM.2), which, in turn, activates an adenylyl cyclase. This enzyme uses ATP to produce cAMP, which induces protein kinase A, followed by the phosphorylation of a motor protein in the flagellum, initiating a course correction, and, finally, resulting in gravitaxis. During long space missions, a considerable amount of food, oxygen, and water has to be carried, and the exhaled carbon dioxide has to be removed. In this context, E. gracilis is an excellent candidate for biological life support systems, since it produces oxygen by photosynthesis, takes up carbon dioxide, and is even edible. Various species and mutants of Euglena are utilized as a producer of commercial food items, as well as a source of medicines, as it produces a number of vitamins, contains numerous trace elements, and synthesizes dietary proteins, lipids, and the reserve molecule paramylon. Euglena has anti-inflammatory, -oxidant, and -obesity properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donat-P. Häder
- Department of Botany, Emeritus from Friedrich-Alexander University, 91096 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- German Aerospace Center, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Gravitational Biology, Linder Hoehe, 51147 Cologne, Germany
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Schierwater B, Osigus HJ, Bergmann T, Blackstone NW, Hadrys H, Hauslage J, Humbert PO, Kamm K, Kvansakul M, Wysocki K, DeSalle R. The enigmatic Placozoa part 2: Exploring evolutionary controversies and promising questions on earth and in space. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100083. [PMID: 34490659 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens has been bridging gaps between research disciplines like no other animal. As outlined in part 1, placozoans have been subject of hot evolutionary debates and placozoans have challenged some fundamental evolutionary concepts. Here in part 2 we discuss the exceptional genetics of the phylum Placozoa and point out some challenging model system applications for the best known species, Trichoplax adhaerens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Schierwater
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Osigus
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tjard Bergmann
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Neil W Blackstone
- Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA
| | - Heike Hadrys
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jens Hauslage
- Gravitational Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Patrick O Humbert
- Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kai Kamm
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marc Kvansakul
- Department of Biochemistry & Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Research Centre for Molecular Cancer Prevention, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kathrin Wysocki
- Institute of Animal Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Rob DeSalle
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York, USA
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Gravitational Force-Induced 3D Chromosomal Conformational Changes Are Associated with Rapid Transcriptional Response in Human T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179426. [PMID: 34502336 PMCID: PMC8430767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying gravity perception in mammalian cells are unknown. We have recently discovered that the transcriptome of cells in the immune system, which is the most affected system during a spaceflight, responds rapidly and broadly to altered gravity. To pinpoint potential underlying mechanisms, we compared gene expression and three-dimensional (3D) chromosomal conformational changes in human Jurkat T cells during the short-term gravitational changes in parabolic flight and suborbital ballistic rocket flight experiments. We found that differential gene expression in gravity-responsive chromosomal regions, but not differentially regulated single genes, are highly conserved between different real altered gravity comparisons. These coupled gene expression effects in chromosomal regions could be explained by underlying chromatin structures. Based on a high-throughput chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) analysis in altered gravity, we found that small chromosomes (chr16–22, with the exception of chr18) showed increased intra- and interchromosomal interactions in altered gravity, whereby large chromosomes showed decreased interactions. Finally, we detected a nonrandom overlap between Hi-C-identified chromosomal interacting regions and gravity-responsive chromosomal regions (GRCRs). We therefore demonstrate the first evidence that gravitational force-induced 3D chromosomal conformational changes are associated with rapid transcriptional response in human T cells. We propose a general model of cellular sensitivity to gravitational forces, where gravitational forces acting on the cellular membrane are rapidly and mechanically transduced through the cytoskeleton into the nucleus, moving chromosome territories to new conformation states and their genes into more expressive or repressive environments, finally resulting in region-specific differential gene expression.
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Molecular response of Deinococcus radiodurans to simulated microgravity explored by proteometabolomic approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18462. [PMID: 31804539 PMCID: PMC6895123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regarding future space exploration missions and long-term exposure experiments, a detailed investigation of all factors present in the outer space environment and their effects on organisms of all life kingdoms is advantageous. Influenced by the multiple factors of outer space, the extremophilic bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans has been long-termly exposed outside the International Space Station in frames of the Tanpopo orbital mission. The study presented here aims to elucidate molecular key components in D. radiodurans, which are responsible for recognition and adaptation to simulated microgravity. D. radiodurans cultures were grown for two days on plates in a fast-rotating 2-D clinostat to minimize sedimentation, thus simulating reduced gravity conditions. Subsequently, metabolites and proteins were extracted and measured with mass spectrometry-based techniques. Our results emphasize the importance of certain signal transducer proteins, which showed higher abundances in cells grown under reduced gravity. These proteins activate a cellular signal cascade, which leads to differences in gene expressions. Proteins involved in stress response, repair mechanisms and proteins connected to the extracellular milieu and the cell envelope showed an increased abundance under simulated microgravity. Focusing on the expression of these proteins might present a strategy of cells to adapt to microgravity conditions.
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Mayorova TD, Smith CL, Hammar K, Winters CA, Pivovarova NB, Aronova MA, Leapman RD, Reese TS. Cells containing aragonite crystals mediate responses to gravity in Trichoplax adhaerens (Placozoa), an animal lacking neurons and synapses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190905. [PMID: 29342202 PMCID: PMC5771587 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Trichoplax adhaerens has only six cell types. The function as well as the structure of crystal cells, the least numerous cell type, presented an enigma. Crystal cells are arrayed around the perimeter of the animal and each contains a birefringent crystal. Crystal cells resemble lithocytes in other animals so we looked for evidence they are gravity sensors. Confocal microscopy showed that their cup-shaped nuclei are oriented toward the edge of the animal, and that the crystal shifts downward under the influence of gravity. Some animals spontaneously lack crystal cells and these animals behaved differently upon being tilted vertically than animals with a typical number of crystal cells. EM revealed crystal cell contacts with fiber cells and epithelial cells but these contacts lacked features of synapses. EM spectroscopic analyses showed that crystals consist of the aragonite form of calcium carbonate. We thus provide behavioral evidence that Trichoplax are able to sense gravity, and that crystal cells are likely to be their gravity receptors. Moreover, because placozoans are thought to have evolved during Ediacaran or Cryogenian eras associated with aragonite seas, and their crystals are made of aragonite, they may have acquired gravity sensors during this early era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana D. Mayorova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Science, Moscow, Russia
| | - Carolyn L. Smith
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Katherine Hammar
- Central Microscopy Facility, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States of America
| | - Christine A. Winters
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Natalia B. Pivovarova
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maria A. Aronova
- Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Richard D. Leapman
- Laboratory of Cellular Imaging and Macromolecular Biophysics, National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, National Institutes of Health, Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Thomas S. Reese
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Häder DP, Braun M, Grimm D, Hemmersbach R. Gravireceptors in eukaryotes-a comparison of case studies on the cellular level. NPJ Microgravity 2017; 3:13. [PMID: 28649635 PMCID: PMC5460273 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-017-0018-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We have selected five evolutionary very different biological systems ranging from unicellular protists via algae and higher plants to human cells showing responses to the gravity vector of the Earth in order to compare their graviperception mechanisms. All these systems use a mass, which may either by a heavy statolith or the whole content of the cell heavier than the surrounding medium to operate on a gravireceptor either by exerting pressure or by pulling on a cytoskeletal element. In many cases the receptor seems to be a mechanosensitive ion channel activated by the gravitational force which allows a gated ion flux across the membrane when activated. This has been identified in many systems to be a calcium current, which in turn activates subsequent elements of the sensory transduction chain, such as calmodulin, which in turn results in the activation of ubiquitous enzymes, gene expression activation or silencing. Naturally, the subsequent responses to the gravity stimulus differ widely between the systems ranging from orientational movement and directed growth to physiological reactions and adaptation to the environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donat-P. Häder
- Erlangen-Nürnberg, Dept. Biol. Neue Str. 9, Emeritus from Friedrich-Alexander Universität, Möhrendorf, 91096 Germany
| | - Markus Braun
- Gravitational Biology, Universität Bonn, Kirschallee 1, Bonn, 53115 Germany
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Pharmacology, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, DK 8000 Denmark
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Gravitational Biology, DLR (German Aerospace Center), Cologne, Linder Höhe 51147 Germany
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Häder DP, Hemmersbach R. Gravitaxis in Euglena. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 979:237-266. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-54910-1_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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10
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Plattner H. Signalling in ciliates: long- and short-range signals and molecular determinants for cellular dynamics. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 92:60-107. [PMID: 26487631 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
In ciliates, unicellular representatives of the bikont branch of evolution, inter- and intracellular signalling pathways have been analysed mainly in Paramecium tetraurelia, Paramecium multimicronucleatum and Tetrahymena thermophila and in part also in Euplotes raikovi. Electrophysiology of ciliary activity in Paramecium spp. is a most successful example. Established signalling mechanisms include plasmalemmal ion channels, recently established intracellular Ca2+ -release channels, as well as signalling by cyclic nucleotides and Ca2+ . Ca2+ -binding proteins (calmodulin, centrin) and Ca2+ -activated enzymes (kinases, phosphatases) are involved. Many organelles are endowed with specific molecules cooperating in signalling for intracellular transport and targeted delivery. Among them are recently specified soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNAREs), monomeric GTPases, H+ -ATPase/pump, actin, etc. Little specification is available for some key signal transducers including mechanosensitive Ca2+ -channels, exocyst complexes and Ca2+ -sensor proteins for vesicle-vesicle/membrane interactions. The existence of heterotrimeric G-proteins and of G-protein-coupled receptors is still under considerable debate. Serine/threonine kinases dominate by far over tyrosine kinases (some predicted by phosphoproteomic analyses). Besides short-range signalling, long-range signalling also exists, e.g. as firmly installed microtubular transport rails within epigenetically determined patterns, thus facilitating targeted vesicle delivery. By envisaging widely different phenomena of signalling and subcellular dynamics, it will be shown (i) that important pathways of signalling and cellular dynamics are established already in ciliates, (ii) that some mechanisms diverge from higher eukaryotes and (iii) that considerable uncertainties still exist about some essential aspects of signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Plattner
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, PO Box M625, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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Simon M, Plattner H. Unicellular Eukaryotes as Models in Cell and Molecular Biology. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 309:141-98. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800255-1.00003-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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12
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Herranz R, Anken R, Boonstra J, Braun M, Christianen PC, de Geest M, Hauslage J, Hilbig R, Hill RJ, Lebert M, Medina FJ, Vagt N, Ullrich O, van Loon JJ, Hemmersbach R. Ground-based facilities for simulation of microgravity: organism-specific recommendations for their use, and recommended terminology. ASTROBIOLOGY 2013; 13:1-17. [PMID: 23252378 PMCID: PMC3549630 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Research in microgravity is indispensable to disclose the impact of gravity on biological processes and organisms. However, research in the near-Earth orbit is severely constrained by the limited number of flight opportunities. Ground-based simulators of microgravity are valuable tools for preparing spaceflight experiments, but they also facilitate stand-alone studies and thus provide additional and cost-efficient platforms for gravitational research. The various microgravity simulators that are frequently used by gravitational biologists are based on different physical principles. This comparative study gives an overview of the most frequently used microgravity simulators and demonstrates their individual capacities and limitations. The range of applicability of the various ground-based microgravity simulators for biological specimens was carefully evaluated by using organisms that have been studied extensively under the conditions of real microgravity in space. In addition, current heterogeneous terminology is discussed critically, and recommendations are given for appropriate selection of adequate simulators and consistent use of nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralf Anken
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes Boonstra
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Markus Braun
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter C.M. Christianen
- High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML), Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten de Geest
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Hauslage
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Hilbig
- Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Richard J.A. Hill
- School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Lebert
- Biology Department, Cell Biology, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Vagt
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC) @ ACTA, University of Amsterdam & VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam; Department of Oral Cell Biology, Research Institute MOVE, Amsterdam; European Space Agency (ESA), TEC-MMG, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
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Fisahn J, Yazdanbakhsh N, Klingele E, Barlow P. Arabidopsis thaliana root growth kinetics and lunisolar tidal acceleration. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2012; 195:346-355. [PMID: 22583121 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04162.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
• All living organisms on Earth are continually exposed to diurnal variations in the gravitational tidal force due to the Sun and Moon. • Elongation of primary roots of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings maintained at a constant temperature was monitored for periods of up to 14 d using high temporal- and spatial-resolution video imaging. The time-course of the half-hourly elongation rates exhibited an oscillation which was maintained when the roots were placed in the free-running condition of continuous illumination. • Correlation between the root growth kinetics collected from seedlings initially raised under several light protocols but whose roots were subsequently in the free-running condition and the lunisolar tidal profiles enabled us to identify that the latter is the probable exogenous determinant of the rhythmic variation in root elongation rate. Similar observations and correlations using roots of Arabidopsis starch mutants suggest a central function of starch metabolism in the response to the lunisolar tide. The periodicity of the lunisolar tidal signal and the concomitant adjustments in root growth rate indicate that an exogenous timer exists for the modulation of root growth and development. • We propose that, in addition to the sensitivity to Earthly 1G gravity, which is inherent to all animals and plants, there is another type of responsiveness which is attuned to the natural diurnal variations of the lunisolar tidal force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Fisahn
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Nima Yazdanbakhsh
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Mühlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Emile Klingele
- Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry, ETH-Hönggerberg, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Barlow
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
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Montagnes D, Roberts E, Lukeš J, Lowe C. The rise of model protozoa. Trends Microbiol 2012; 20:184-91. [PMID: 22342867 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2012.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
It is timely to evaluate the role of protozoa as model organisms given their diversity, abundance and versatility as well as the economic and ethical pressures placed on animal-based experimentation. We first define the term model organism and then examine through examples why protozoa make good models. Our examples reflect major issues including evolution, ecology, population and community biology, disease, the role of organelles, ageing, space travel, toxicity and teaching. We conclude by recognising that although protozoa may in some cases not completely mimic tissue- or whole-animal-level processes, they are extremely flexible and their use should be embraced. Finally, we offer advice on obtaining emergent model protozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Montagnes
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, BioScience Building, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.
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