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Deng A, Wang T, Wang J, Li L, Wang X, Liu L, Wen T. Adaptive mechanisms of Bacillus to near space extreme environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 886:163952. [PMID: 37164076 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Earth's near space is an extreme atmosphere environment with high levels of radiation, low atmospheric pressure and dramatic temperature fluctuations. The region is above the flight altitude of aircraft but below the orbit of satellites, which has special and Mars-like conditions for investigating the survival and evolution of life. Technical limitations including flight devices, payloads and technologies/methodologies hinder microbiological research in near space. In this study, we investigated microbial survival and adaptive strategies in near space using a scientific balloon fight mission and multi-omics analyses. Methods for sample preparation, storage, protector and vessel were optimized to prepare the exposed microbial samples. After 3 h 17 min of exposure at a float altitude of ~32 km, only Bacillus strains were alive with survival efficiencies of 0-10-6. Diverse mutants with significantly altered metabolites were generated, firstly proving that Earth's near space could be used as a new powerful microbial breeding platform. Multi-omics analyses of mutants revealed cascade changes at the genome, transcriptome and proteome levels. In response to environmental stresses, two mutants had similar proteome changes caused by different genomic mutations and mRNA expression levels. Metabolic network analysis combined with proteins' expression levels revealed that metabolic fluxes of EMP, PPP and purine synthesis-related pathways were significantly altered to increase/decrease inosine production. Further analysis showed that proteins related to translation, molecular chaperones, cell wall/membrane, sporulation, DNA replication/repair and anti-oxidation were significantly upregulated, enabling cells to efficiently repair DNA/protein damages and improve viability against environmental stress. Overall, these results revealed genetic and metabolic responses of Bacillus to the harsh conditions in near space, providing a research basis for bacterial adaptive mechanisms in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aihua Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Tiantian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junyue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xueliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Tingyi Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Savaid medical school, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; China Innovation Academy for Green Manufacture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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2
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Lorenz C, Bianchi E, Poggiali G, Alemanno G, Benesperi R, Brucato JR, Garland S, Helbert J, Loppi S, Lorek A, Maturilli A, Papini A, de Vera JP, Baqué M. Survivability of the lichen Xanthoria parietina in simulated Martian environmental conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4893. [PMID: 36966209 PMCID: PMC10039903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32008-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. is a widely spread foliose lichen showing high tolerance against UV-radiation thanks to parietin, a secondary lichen substance. We exposed samples of X. parietina under simulated Martian conditions for 30 days to explore its survivability. The lichen's vitality was monitored via chlorophyll a fluorescence that gives an indication for active light reaction of photosynthesis, performing in situ and after-treatment analyses. Raman spectroscopy and TEM were used to evaluate carotenoid preservation and possible variations in the photobiont's ultrastructure respectively. Significant differences in the photo-efficiency between UV irradiated samples and dark-kept samples were observed. Fluorescence values correlated with temperature and humidity day-night cycles. The photo-efficiency recovery showed that UV irradiation caused significant effects on the photosynthetic light reaction. Raman spectroscopy showed that the carotenoid signal from UV exposed samples decreased significantly after the exposure. TEM observations confirmed that UV exposed samples were the most affected by the treatment, showing chloroplastidial disorganization in photobionts' cells. Overall, X. parietina was able to survive the simulated Mars conditions, and for this reason it may be considered as a candidate for space long-term space exposure and evaluations of the parietin photodegradability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lorenz
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Bianchi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Poggiali
- LESIA-Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, 5 Place Jules Janssen, 92190, Meudon, France
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Alemanno
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Renato Benesperi
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - John Robert Brucato
- INAF-Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri, Largo E. Fermi 5, 50125, Florence, Italy.
| | - Stephen Garland
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Helbert
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Andreas Lorek
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandro Maturilli
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessio Papini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via la Pira 4, 50121, Florence, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- Microgravity User Support Center (MUSC), Space Operations and Astronaut Training, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mickaël Baqué
- Planetary Laboratories Department, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Ruthefordstraße 2, 12489, Berlin, Germany
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Huwe B, Fiedler A, Moritz S, Rabbow E, de Vera JP, Joshi J. Mosses in Low Earth Orbit: Implications for the Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:221-232. [PMID: 30742499 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As a part of the European Space Agency mission "EXPOSE-R2" on the International Space Station (ISS), the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment investigates the habitability of Mars and the limits of life. In preparation for the mission, experimental verification tests and scientific verification tests simulating different combinations of abiotic space- and Mars-like conditions were performed to analyze the resistance of a range of model organisms. The simulated abiotic space- and Mars-stressors were extreme temperatures, vacuum, and Mars-like surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in different atmospheres. We present for the first time simulated space exposure data of mosses using plantlets of the bryophyte genus Grimmia, which is adapted to high altitudinal extreme abiotic conditions at the Swiss Alps. Our preflight tests showed that severe UVR200-400nm irradiation with the maximal dose of 5 and 6.8 × 105 kJ·m-2, respectively, was the only stressor with a negative impact on the vitality with a 37% (terrestrial atmosphere) or 36% reduction (space- and Mars-like atmospheres) in photosynthetic activity. With every exposure to UVR200-400nm 105 kJ·m-2, the vitality of the bryophytes dropped by 6%. No effect was found, however, by any other stressor. As the mosses were still vital after doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) expected during the EXPOSE-R2 mission on ISS, we show that this earliest extant lineage of land plants is highly resistant to extreme abiotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Huwe
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Annelie Fiedler
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sophie Moritz
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Elke Rabbow
- 2 Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jean Pierre de Vera
- 3 Astrobiological Laboratories, Management and Infrastructure, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasmin Joshi
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- 4 Institute for Landscape and Open Space, Hochschule für Technik HSR Rapperswil, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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Hinojosa-Vidal E, Marco F, Martínez-Alberola F, Escaray FJ, García-Breijo FJ, Reig-Armiñana J, Carrasco P, Barreno E. Characterization of the responses to saline stress in the symbiotic green microalga Trebouxia sp. TR9. PLANTA 2018; 248:1473-1486. [PMID: 30132152 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-018-2993-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
For the first time we provide a study on the physiological, ultrastructural and molecular effects of salt stress on a terrestrial symbiotic green microalga, Trebouxia sp. TR9. Although tolerance to saline conditions has been thoroughly studied in plants and, to an extent, free-living microalgae, scientific data regarding salt stress on symbiotic lichen microalgae is scarce to non-existent. Since lichen phycobionts are capable of enduring harsh, restrictive and rapidly changing environments, it is interesting to study the metabolic machinery operating under these extreme conditions. We aim to determine the effects of prolonged exposure to high salt concentrations on the symbiotic phycobiont Trebouxia sp. TR9, isolated from the lichen Ramalina farinacea. Our results suggest that, when this alga is confronted with extreme saline conditions, the cellular structures are affected to an extent, with limited chlorophyll content loss and photosynthetic activity remaining after 72 h of exposure to 5 M NaCl. Furthermore, this organism displays a rather different molecular response compared to land plants and free-living halophile microalgae, with no noticeable increase in ABA levels and ABA-related gene expression until the external NaCl concentration is raised to 3 M NaCl. Despite this, the ABA transduction pathway seems functional, since the ABA-related genes tested are responsive to exogenous ABA. These observations could suggest that this symbiotic green alga may have developed alternative molecular pathways to cope with highly saline environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Hinojosa-Vidal
- Inst. "Cavanilles" de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Botánica, Fac. CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Francisco Marco
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Fernando Martínez-Alberola
- Inst. "Cavanilles" de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Botánica, Fac. CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | | | - Francisco J García-Breijo
- Dpto. Ecosistemas Agroforestales, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - José Reig-Armiñana
- Inst. "Cavanilles" de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Botánica, Fac. CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Pedro Carrasco
- Estructura de Recerca Interdisciplinar en Biotecnologia i Biomedicina (ERI BIOTECMED), Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Eva Barreno
- Inst. "Cavanilles" de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Botánica, Fac. CC. Biológicas, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner 50, 46100, Burjassot, Spain
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Cernava T, Vasfiu Q, Erlacher A, Aschenbrenner IA, Francesconi K, Grube M, Berg G. Adaptions of Lichen Microbiota Functioning Under Persistent Exposure to Arsenic Contamination. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2959. [PMID: 30555453 PMCID: PMC6283889 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Host-associated microbiota play an important role in the health and persistence of more complex organisms. In this study, metagenomic analyses were used to reveal microbial community adaptations in three lichen samples as a response to different arsenic concentrations at the sampling sites. Elevated arsenic concentrations at a former mining site expanded the spectrum and number of relevant functions in the lichen-associated microorganisms. Apparent changes affected the abundance of numerous detoxification-related genes, they were substantially enhanced in arsenic-polluted samples. Complementary quantifications of the arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase (arsM) gene showed that its abundance is not strictly responding to the environmental arsenic concentrations. The analyzed samples contained rather low numbers of the arsM gene with a maximum of 202 gene copies μl-1 in total community DNA extracts. In addition, bacterial isolates were screened for the presence of arsM. Positive isolates were exposed to different As(III) and As(V) concentrations and tolerated up to 30 mM inorganic arsenic in fluid media, while no substantial biotransformations were observed. Obtained data deepens our understanding related to adaptions of whole microbial communities to adverse environmental conditions. Moreover, this study provides the first evidence that the integrity of bacteria in the lichen holobiont is maintained by acquisition of specific resistances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Cernava
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Qerimane Vasfiu
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Erlacher
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Kevin Francesconi
- Institute of Chemistry, NAWI Graz, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martin Grube
- Institute of Biology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Gabriele Berg
- Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
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Brandt A, Meeßen J, Jänicke RU, Raguse M, Ott S. Simulated Space Radiation: Impact of Four Different Types of High-Dose Ionizing Radiation on the Lichen Xanthoria elegans. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:136-144. [PMID: 28206821 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study addresses the viability of the lichen Xanthoria elegans after high-dose ionizing irradiation in the frame of the STARLIFE campaign. The first set of experiments was intended to resemble several types of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) as present beyond the magnetic shield of Earth. In the second set of experiments, γ radiation up to 113 kGy was applied to test the limit of lichen resistance to ionizing radiation. Entire thalli of Xanthoria elegans were irradiated in the anhydrobiotic state. After STARLIFE 1, the metabolic activity of both symbionts was quantified by live/dead staining with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The photosynthetic activity was measured after the respective irradiation to assess the ability of the symbiotic green algae to restore photosynthesis after irradiation. The STARLIFE campaign complements the results of the LIFE experiments at the EXPOSE-E facility on the International Space Station by testing the model organism Xanthoria elegans on its resistance to hazardous radiation that might be accumulated during long-term space exposure. In addition, the photosynthetic activity of metabolically active lichen was investigated after X-ray irradiation up to 100 Gy (3.3 Gy/min). Since previous astrobiological experiments were mostly performed with anhydrobiotic lichen, these experiments will broaden our knowledge on the correlation of physiological state and astrobiological stressors. Key Words: Astrobiology-Extremotolerance-Gamma rays-Ionizing radiation-Lichens-Viability. Astrobiology 17, 136-144.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette Brandt
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Joachim Meeßen
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Reiner U Jänicke
- 2 Laboratory of Molecular Radiooncology, University of Düsseldorf , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marina Raguse
- 3 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Sieglinde Ott
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
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Meeßen J, Backhaus T, Brandt A, Raguse M, Böttger U, de Vera JP, de la Torre R. The Effect of High-Dose Ionizing Radiation on the Isolated Photobiont of the Astrobiological Model Lichen Circinaria gyrosa. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:154-162. [PMID: 28206823 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lichen symbioses between fungi and algae represent successful life strategies to colonize the most extreme terrestrial habitats. Consequently, space exposure and simulation experiments have demonstrated lichens' high capacity for survival, and thus, they have become models in astrobiological research with which to discern the limits and limitations of terrestrial life. In a series of ground-based irradiation experiments, the STARLIFE campaign investigated the resistance of astrobiological model organisms to galactic cosmic radiation, which is one of the lethal stressors of extraterrestrial environments. Since previous studies have identified that the alga is the more sensitive lichen symbiont, we chose the isolated photobiont Trebouxia sp. of the astrobiological model Circinaria gyrosa as a subject in the campaign. Therein, γ radiation was used to exemplify the deleterious effects of low linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation at extremely high doses up to 113 kGy in the context of astrobiology. The effects were analyzed by chlorophyll a fluorescence of photosystem II (PSII), cultivation assays, live/dead staining and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and Raman laser spectroscopy (RLS). The results demonstrate dose-dependent impairment of photosynthesis, the cessation of cell proliferation, cellular damage, a decrease in metabolic activity, and degradation of photosynthetic pigments. While previous investigations on other extraterrestrial stressors have demonstrated a high potential of resistance, results of this study reveal the limits of photobiont resistance to ionizing radiation and characterize γ radiation-induced damages. This study also supports parallel STARLIFE studies on the lichens Circinaria gyrosa and Xanthoria elegans, both of which harbor a Trebouxia sp. photobiont. Key Words: Astrobiology-Gamma rays-Extremotolerance-Ionizing radiation-Lichens-Photobiont. Astrobiology 17, 154-162.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Meeßen
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Theresa Backhaus
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annette Brandt
- 1 Institute of Botany, Heinrich-Heine-University (HHU) , Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marina Raguse
- 2 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Ute Böttger
- 3 Institute of Optical Sensor Systems , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- 4 Institute of Planetary Research , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Rosa de la Torre
- 5 Departamento de Observación de la Tierra, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA) , Madrid, Spain
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