1
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Galas S, Le Goff E, Cazevieille C, Tanaka A, Cuq P, Baghdiguian S, Kunieda T, Godefroy N, Richaud M. A comparative ultrastructure study of the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus in the hydrated state, after desiccation and during the process of rehydration. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302552. [PMID: 38843161 PMCID: PMC11156355 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades can survive hostile environments such as desiccation by adopting a state of anhydrobiosis. Numerous tardigrade species have been described thus far, and recent genome and transcriptome analyses revealed that several distinct strategies were employed to cope with harsh environments depending on the evolutionary lineages. Detailed analyses at the cellular and subcellular levels are essential to complete these data. In this work, we analyzed a tardigrade species that can withstand rapid dehydration, Ramazzottius varieornatus. Surprisingly, we noted an absence of the anhydrobiotic-specific extracellular structure previously described for the Hypsibius exemplaris species. Both Ramazzottius varieornatus and Hypsibius exemplaris belong to the same evolutionary class of Eutardigrada. Nevertheless, our observations reveal discrepancies in the anhydrobiotic structures correlated with the variation in the anhydrobiotic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Galas
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Emilie Le Goff
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Akihiro Tanaka
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Pierre Cuq
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Takekazu Kunieda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nelly Godefroy
- ISEM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Myriam Richaud
- IBMM, University of Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
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2
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Belott CJ, Gusev OA, Kikawada T, Menze MA. Membraneless and membrane-bound organelles in an anhydrobiotic cell line are protected from desiccation-induced damage. Cell Stress Chaperones 2024; 29:425-436. [PMID: 38608858 PMCID: PMC11061232 DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2024.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Anhydrobiotic species can survive virtually complete water loss by entering a reversible ametabolic glassy state that may persist for years in ambient conditions. The Pv11 cell line was derived from the egg mass of the anhydrobiotic midge, Polypedilum vanderplanki, and is currently the only available anhydrobiotic cell line. Our results demonstrate that the necessary preconditioning for Pv11 cells to enter anhydrobiosis causes autophagy and reduces mitochondrial respiration by over 70%. We speculate that reorganizing cellular bioenergetics to create and conserve energy stores may be valuable to successfully recover after rehydration. Furthermore, mitochondria in preconditioned cells lose their membrane potential during desiccation but rapidly restore it within 30 min upon rehydration, demonstrating that the inner mitochondrial membrane integrity is well-preserved. Strikingly, the nucleolus remains visible immediately upon rehydration in preconditioned cells while absent in control cells. In contrast, a preconditioning-induced membraneless organelle reformed after rehydration, demonstrating that membraneless organelles in Pv11 cells can be either stabilized or recovered. Staining the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus revealed that these organelles fragment during preconditioning. We hypothesize that this process reduces sheering stress caused by rapid changes in cellular volume during desiccation and rehydration. Additionally, preconditioning was found to cause the filamentous-actin (F-actin) network to disassemble significantly and reduce the fusion of adjacent plasma membranes. This study offers several exciting avenues for future studies in the animal model and Pv11 cell line that will further our understanding of anhydrobiosis and may lead to advancements in storing sensitive biologics at ambient temperatures for months or years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton J Belott
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA; Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Oleg A Gusev
- Extreme Biology Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Tatarstan, Russia; Molecular Biomimetics Group, Life Improvement by Future Technologies (LIFT) Center, Moscow, Russia; Intractable Disease Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Kikawada
- Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Michael A Menze
- Department of Biology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA
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3
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Vecchi M, Stec D, Rebecchi L, Michalczyk Ł, Calhim S. Ecology explains anhydrobiotic performance across tardigrades, but the shared evolutionary history matters more. J Anim Ecol 2024; 93:307-318. [PMID: 37994566 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.14031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Desiccation stress is lethal to most animals. However, some microinvertebrate groups have evolved coping strategies, such as the ability to undergo anhydrobiosis (i.e. survival despite the loss of almost all body water). Tardigrades are one such group, where the molecular mechanisms of anhydrobiosis have been more thoroughly studied. Despite the ecological, evolutionary and biotechnological importance of anhydrobiosis, little is known about its inter- and intra-specific variability nor its relationship with natural habitat conditions or phylogenetic history. We developed a new index-anhydrobiotic recovery index (ARI)-to evaluate the anhydrobiotic performance of tardigrade populations from the family Macrobiotidae. Moreover, we compared the explanatory role of habitat humidity and phylogenetic history on this trait using a variance partitioning approach. We found that ARI is correlated with both microhabitat humidity and yearly rainfall, but it is mostly driven by phylogenetic niche conservatism (i.e. a high portion of ARI variation is explained by phylogeny alone). Finally, we showed that anhydrobiotic performance is highly variable, even between closely related species, and that their response to local ecological conditions is tightly linked to their phylogenetic history. This study not only presents key insights into an emerging model system, but also provides a new methodological approach for wider scale studies of the ecological and evolutionary implications of anhydrobiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vecchi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - D Stec
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - L Rebecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Ł Michalczyk
- Department of Invertebrate Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - S Calhim
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
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Kayastha P, Wieczorkiewicz F, Pujol M, Robinson A, Michalak M, Kaczmarek Ł, Poprawa I. Elevated external temperature affects cell ultrastructure and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in Paramacrobiotus experimentalis Kaczmarek, Mioduchowska, Poprawa, & Roszkowska, 2020. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5097. [PMID: 38429316 PMCID: PMC10907573 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55295-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing temperature influences the habitats of various organisms, including microscopic invertebrates. To gain insight into temperature-dependent changes in tardigrades, we isolated storage cells exposed to various temperatures and conducted biochemical and ultrastructural analysis in active and tun-state Paramacrobiotus experimentalis Kaczmarek, Mioduchowska, Poprawa, & Roszkowska, 2020. The abundance of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and ultrastructure of the storage cells were examined at different temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C, 35 °C, 37 °C, 40 °C, and 42 °C) in storage cells isolated from active specimens of Pam. experimentalis. In the active animals, upon increase in external temperature, we observed an increase in the levels of HSPs (HSP27, HSP60, and HSP70). Furthermore, the number of ultrastructural changes in storage cells increased with increasing temperature. Cellular organelles, such as mitochondria and the rough endoplasmic reticulum, gradually degenerated. At 42 °C, cell death occurred by necrosis. Apart from the higher electron density of the karyoplasm and the accumulation of electron-dense material in some mitochondria (at 42 °C), almost no changes were observed in the ultrastructure of tun storage cells exposed to different temperatures. We concluded that desiccated (tun-state) are resistant to high temperatures, but not active tardigrades (survival rates of tuns after 24 h of rehydration: 93.3% at 20 °C, 60.0% at 35 °C, 33.3% at 37 °C, 33.3% at 40 °C, and 20.0% at 42 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pushpalata Kayastha
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Filip Wieczorkiewicz
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Myriam Pujol
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alison Robinson
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Marek Michalak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Izabela Poprawa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland.
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Hvidepil LKB, Møbjerg N. New insights into osmobiosis and chemobiosis in tardigrades. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1274522. [PMID: 37929212 PMCID: PMC10620314 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1274522] [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: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are renowned for their ability to enter the extremotolerant state of latent life known as cryptobiosis. While it is widely accepted that cryptobiosis can be induced by freezing (cryobiosis) and by desiccation (anhydrobiosis), the latter involving formation of a so-called tun, the exact mechanisms underlying the state-as well as the significance of other cryptobiosis inducing factors-remain ambiguous. Here, we focus on osmotic and chemical stress tolerance in the marine tidal tardigrade Echiniscoides sigismundi. We show that E. sigismundi enters the tun state following exposure to saturated seawater and upon exposure to locality seawater containing the mitochondrial uncoupler DNP. The latter experiments provide evidence of osmobiosis and chemobiosis, i.e., cryptobiosis induced by high levels of osmolytes and toxicants, respectively. A small decrease in survival was observed following simultaneous exposure to DNP and saturated seawater indicating that the tardigrades may not be entirely ametabolic while in the osmobiotic tun. The tardigrades easily handle exposure to ultrapure water, but hypo-osmotic shock impairs tun formation and when exposed to ultrapure water the tardigrades do not tolerate DNP, indicating that tolerance towards dilute solutions involves energy-consuming processes. We discuss our data in relation to earlier and more contemporary studies on cryptobiosis and we argue that osmobiosis should be defined as a state of cryptobiosis induced by high external osmotic pressure. Our investigation supports the hypothesis that the mechanisms underlying osmobiosis and anhydrobiosis are overlapping and that osmobiosis likely represents the evolutionary forerunner of cryptobiosis forms that involve body water deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadja Møbjerg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cutter AD. Sexual conflict, heterochrony and tissue specificity as evolutionary problems of adaptive plasticity in development. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231854. [PMID: 37817601 PMCID: PMC10565415 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Differential gene expression represents a fundamental cause and manifestation of phenotypic plasticity. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity in gene expression as a trait evolves when alleles that mediate gene regulation serve to increase organismal fitness by improving the alignment of variation in gene expression with variation in circumstances. Among the diverse circumstances that a gene encounters are distinct cell types, developmental stages and sexes, as well as an organism's extrinsic ecological environments. Consequently, adaptive phenotypic plasticity provides a common framework to consider diverse evolutionary problems by considering the shared implications of alleles that produce context-dependent gene expression. From this perspective, adaptive plasticity represents an evolutionary resolution to conflicts of interest that arise from any negatively pleiotropic effects of expression of a gene across ontogeny, among tissues, between the sexes, or across extrinsic environments. This view highlights shared properties within the general relation of fitness, trait expression and context that may nonetheless differ substantively in the grain of selection within and among generations to influence the likelihood of adaptive plasticity as an evolutionary response. Research programmes that historically have focused on these separate issues may use the insights from one another by recognizing their shared dependence on context-dependent gene regulatory evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher D. Cutter
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B2
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7
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Murray A, Kilbride P, Gibson MI. Proline pre-conditioning of Jurkat cells improves recovery after cryopreservation. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:1704-1711. [PMID: 37731697 PMCID: PMC10507795 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00274h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell therapies such as allogenic CAR T-cell therapy, natural killer cell therapy and stem cell transplants must be cryopreserved for transport and storage. This is typically achieved by addition of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) but the cryoprotectant does not result in 100% cell recovery. New additives or technologies to improve their cryopreservation could have major impact for these emerging therapies. l-Proline is an amino acid osmolyte produced as a cryoprotectant by several organisms such as the codling moth Cydia pomonella and the larvae of the fly Chymomyza costata, and has been found to modulate post-thaw outcomes for several cell lines but has not been studied with Jurkat cells, a T lymphocyte cell line. Here we investigate the effectiveness of l-proline compared to d-proline and l-alanine for the cryopreservation of Jurkat cells. It is shown that 24-hour pre-freezing incubation of Jurkat cells with 200 mM l-proline resulted in a modest increase in cell recovery post-thaw at high cell density, but a larger increase in recovery was observed at the lower cell densities. l-Alanine was as effective as l-proline at lower cell densities, and addition of l-proline to the cryopreservation media (without incubation) had no benefit. The pre-freeze incubation with l-proline led to significant reductions in cell proliferation supporting an intracellular, biochemical, mechanism of action which was shown to be cell-density dependent. Controls with d-proline were found to reduce post-thaw recovery attributed to osmotic stress as d-proline cannot enter the cells. Preliminary analysis of apoptosis/necrosis profiles by flow cytometry indicated that inhibition of apoptosis is not the primary mode of action. Overall, this supports the use of l-proline pre-conditioning to improve T-cell post-thaw recovery without needing any changes to cryopreservation solutions nor methods and hence is simple to implement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Murray
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
| | | | - Matthew I Gibson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick Gibbet Hill Road CV4 7AL Coventry UK
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Hagelbäck P, Jönsson KI. An experimental study on tolerance to hypoxia in tardigrades. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1249773. [PMID: 37731547 PMCID: PMC10507709 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1249773] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Tardigrades are small aquatic invertebrates with well documented tolerance to several environmental stresses, including desiccation, low temperature, and radiation, and an ability to survive long periods in a cryptobiotic state under arrested metabolism. Many tardigrade populations live in habitats where temporary exposure to hypoxia is expected, e.g., benthic layers or substrates that regularly undergo desiccation, but tolerance to hypoxia has so far not been thoroughly investigated in tardigrades. Method: We studied the response to exposure for hypoxia (<1 ppm) during 1-24 h in two tardigrade species, Richtersius cf. coronifer and Hypsibius exemplaris. The animals were exposed to hypoxia in their hydrated active state. Results: Survival was high in both species after the shortest exposures to hypoxia but tended to decline with longer exposures, with almost complete failure to recover after 24 h in hypoxia. R. cf. coronifer tended to be more tolerant than H. exemplaris. When oxygen level was gradually reduced from 8 to 1 ppm, behavioral responses in terms of irregular body movements were first observed at 3-4 ppm. Discussion: The study shows that both limno-terrestrial and freshwater tardigrades are able to recover after exposure to severe hypoxia, but only exposure for relatively short periods of time. It also indicates that tardigrade species have different sensitivity and response patterns to exposure to hypoxia. These results will hopefully encourage more studies on how tardigrades are affected by and respond to hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K. Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Environmental Science, Kristianstad University, Kristianstad, Sweden
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Novotná Floriančičová K, Baltzis A, Smejkal J, Czerneková M, Kaczmarek Ł, Malý J, Notredame C, Vinopal S. Phylogenetic and functional characterization of water bears (Tardigrada) tubulins. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5194. [PMID: 36997657 PMCID: PMC10063605 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31992-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are microscopic ecdysozoans that can withstand extreme environmental conditions. Several tardigrade species undergo reversible morphological transformations and enter into cryptobiosis, which helps them to survive periods of unfavorable environmental conditions. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of cryptobiosis are mostly unknown. Tubulins are evolutionarily conserved components of the microtubule cytoskeleton that are crucial in many cellular processes. We hypothesize that microtubules are necessary for the morphological changes associated with successful cryptobiosis. The molecular composition of the microtubule cytoskeleton in tardigrades is unknown. Therefore, we analyzed and characterized tardigrade tubulins and identified 79 tardigrade tubulin sequences in eight taxa. We found three α-, seven β-, one γ-, and one ε-tubulin isoform. To verify in silico identified tardigrade tubulins, we also isolated and sequenced nine out of ten predicted Hypsibius exemplaris tubulins. All tardigrade tubulins were localized as expected when overexpressed in mammalian cultured cells: to the microtubules or to the centrosomes. The presence of a functional ε-tubulin, clearly localized to centrioles, is attractive from a phylogenetic point of view. Although the phylogenetically close Nematoda lost their δ- and ε-tubulins, some groups of Arthropoda still possess them. Thus, our data support the current placement of tardigrades into the Panarthropoda clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Novotná Floriančičová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, J. E. Purkyně University (UJEP), Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, UJEP, Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | | | - Jiří Smejkal
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, UJEP, Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Czerneková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, J. E. Purkyně University (UJEP), Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Jan Malý
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, UJEP, Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Cedric Notredame
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stanislav Vinopal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, J. E. Purkyně University (UJEP), Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic.
- Centre for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, UJEP, Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic.
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Kasianchuk N, Rzymski P, Kaczmarek Ł. The biomedical potential of tardigrade proteins: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 158:114063. [PMID: 36495665 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.114063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades are ubiquitous microinvertebrates exhibiting extreme tolerance to various environmental stressors like low and high temperatures, lack of water, or high radiation. Although exact pathways behind the tardigrade extremotolerance are yet to be elucidated, some molecules involved have been identified. Their evidenced properties may lead to novel opportunities in biomedical and pharmacological development. This review aims to present the general characteristics of tardigrade intrinsically disordered proteins (TDPs: Dsup, CAHS, SAHS, MAHS) and late embryogenesis-abundant proteins (LEA) and provide an updated overview of their features and relevance for potential use in biomedicine and pharmacology. The Dsup reveals a promising action in attenuating oxidative stress, DNA damage, and pyrimidine dimerization, as well as increasing radiotolerance in transfected human cells. Whether Dsup can perform these functions when delivered externally is yet to be understood by in vivo preclinical testing. In turn, CAHS and SAHS demonstrate properties that could benefit the preservation of pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines) and biomaterials (e.g., cells). Selected CAHS proteins can also serve as inspiration for designing novel anti-apoptotic agents. The LEA proteins also reveal promising properties to preserve desiccated biomaterials and can act as anti-osmotic agents. In summary, tardigrade molecules reveal several potential biomedical applications advocating further research and development. The challenge of extracting larger amounts of these molecules can be solved with genetic engineering and synthetic biology tools. With new species identified each year and ongoing studies on their extremotolerance, progress in the medical use of tardigrade proteins is expected shortly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadiia Kasianchuk
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland; Faculty of Pharmacy, Bogomolets Nationals Medical University, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Integrated Science Association (ISA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
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11
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Roszkowska M, Gołdyn B, Wojciechowska D, Księżkiewicz Z, Fiałkowska E, Pluskota M, Kmita H, Kaczmarek Ł. How long can tardigrades survive in the anhydrobiotic state? A search for tardigrade anhydrobiosis patterns. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0270386. [PMID: 36630322 PMCID: PMC9833599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Anhydrobiosis is a desiccation tolerance that denotes the ability to survive almost complete dehydration without sustaining damage. The knowledge on the survival capacity of various tardigrade species in anhydrobiosis is still very limited. Our research compares anhydrobiotic capacities of four tardigrade species from different genera, i.e. Echiniscus testudo, Paramacrobiotus experimentalis, Pseudohexapodibius degenerans and Macrobiotus pseudohufelandi, whose feeding behavior and occupied habitats are different. Additionally, in the case of Ech. testudo, we analyzed two populations: one urban and one from a natural habitat. The observed tardigrade species displayed clear differences in their anhydrobiotic capacity, which appear to be determined by the habitat rather than nutritional behavior of species sharing the same habitat type. The results also indicate that the longer the state of anhydrobiosis lasts, the more time the animals need to return to activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Roszkowska
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Gołdyn
- Faculty of Biology, Department of General Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Daria Wojciechowska
- Faculty of Physics, Department of Biomedical Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Zofia Księżkiewicz
- Faculty of Biology, Department of General Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Edyta Fiałkowska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
| | - Mateusz Pluskota
- Faculty of Biology, Department of General Zoology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Hanna Kmita
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Bioenergetics, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- * E-mail:
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12
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Vecchi M, Chartrain J, Puro S, Tynkkynen R, Vuori T, Michalczyk Ł, Calhim S. First insights into female sperm storage duration in tardigrades. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e9010. [PMID: 35784050 PMCID: PMC9201749 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Female sperm storage is ubiquitous in the animal kingdom and it has been shown to be linked to several evolutionary processes, from postcopulatory sexual selection to dispersal. Here we report, for the first time, long‐term sperm storage in females of the tardigrade Macrobiotus polonicus. Females, isolated after a short contact with a male, were able to use the stored sperm for up to 5 weeks (mean of 2 weeks), which translates to a considerable proportion of female post‐mating longevity under controlled laboratory conditions (60% on average). Our study provides the first insights into the duration of sperm storage, an underexplored feature of the reproductive biology of tardigrades. Additionally, we discuss important considerations for reproductive studies on these non‐model animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Vecchi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Justine Chartrain
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Simo Puro
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Riikka Tynkkynen
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Tommi Vuori
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
| | - Łukasz Michalczyk
- Department of Invertebrate Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology Jagiellonian University Kraków Poland
| | - Sara Calhim
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science University of Jyväskylä Jyväskylä Finland
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13
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Giovannini I, Corsetto PA, Altiero T, Montorfano G, Guidetti R, Rizzo AM, Rebecchi L. Antioxidant Response during the Kinetics of Anhydrobiosis in Two Eutardigrade Species. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12060817. [PMID: 35743848 PMCID: PMC9225123 DOI: 10.3390/life12060817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anhydrobiosis, a peculiar adaptive strategy existing in nature, is a reversible capability of organisms to tolerate a severe loss of their body water when their surrounding habitat is drying out. In the anhydrobiotic state, an organism lacks all dynamic features of living beings since an ongoing metabolism is absent. The depletion of water in the anhydrobiotic state increases the ionic concentration and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). An imbalance between the increased production of ROS and the limited action of antioxidant defences is a source of biomolecular damage and can lead to oxidative stress. The deleterious effects of oxidative stress were demonstrated in anhydrobiotic unicellular and multicellular organisms, which counteract the effects using efficient antioxidant machinery, mainly represented by ROS scavenger enzymes. To gain insights into the dynamics of antioxidant patterns during the kinetics of the anhydrobiosis of two tardigrade species, Paramacrobiotus spatialis and Acutuncus antarcticus, we investigated the activity of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and the amount of non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione) in the course of rehydration. In P. spatialis, the activity of catalase increases during dehydration and decreases during rehydration, whereas in A. antarcticus, the activity of superoxide dismutase decreases during desiccation and increases during rehydration. Genomic varieties, different habitats and geographical regions, different diets, and diverse evolutionary lineages may have led to the specialization of antioxidant strategies in the two species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giovannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (I.G.); (R.G.)
| | - Paola Antonia Corsetto
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (P.A.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Tiziana Altiero
- Department of Education and Humanities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | - Gigliola Montorfano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (P.A.C.); (G.M.)
| | - Roberto Guidetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (I.G.); (R.G.)
| | - Angela Maria Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (P.A.C.); (G.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.R.); (L.R.); Tel.: +39-02503-1777 (A.M.R.); +39-0592055553 (L.R.)
| | - Lorena Rebecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (I.G.); (R.G.)
- Correspondence: (A.M.R.); (L.R.); Tel.: +39-02503-1777 (A.M.R.); +39-0592055553 (L.R.)
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14
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Abstract
Tardigrades are ubiquitous meiofauna that are especially renowned for their exceptional extremotolerance to various adverse environments, including pressure, temperature, and even ionizing radiation. This is achieved through a reversible halt of metabolism triggered by desiccation, a phenomenon called anhydrobiosis. Recent establishment of genome resources for two tardigrades, Hypsibius exemplaris and Ramazzottius varieornatus, accelerated research to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind anhydrobiosis, leading to the discovery of many tardigrade-unique proteins. This review focuses on the history, methods, discoveries, and current state and challenges regarding tardigrade genomics, with an emphasis on molecular anhydrobiology. Remaining questions and future perspectives regarding prospective approaches to fully elucidate the molecular machinery of this complex phenomenon are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Daishouji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, Japan; .,Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.,Graduate School of Media and Governance, Systems Biology Program, Keio University, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.,Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems (ExCELLS), National Institute of Natural Sciences, Myodaiji, Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
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15
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Giovannini I, Boothby TC, Cesari M, Goldstein B, Guidetti R, Rebecchi L. Production of reactive oxygen species and involvement of bioprotectants during anhydrobiosis in the tardigrade Paramacrobiotus spatialis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1938. [PMID: 35121798 PMCID: PMC8816950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05734-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Water unavailability is an abiotic stress causing unfavourable conditions for life. Nevertheless, some animals evolved anhydrobiosis, a strategy allowing for the reversible organism dehydration and suspension of metabolism as a direct response to habitat desiccation. Anhydrobiotic animals undergo biochemical changes synthesizing bioprotectants to help combat desiccation stresses. One stress is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus spatialis was used to investigate the occurrence of ROS associated with the desiccation process. We observed that the production of ROS significantly increases as a function of time spent in anhydrobiosis and represents a direct demonstration of oxidative stress in tardigrades. The degree of involvement of bioprotectants, including those combating ROS, in the P. spatialis was evaluated by perturbing their gene functions using RNA interference and assessing the successful recovery of animals after desiccation/rehydration. Targeting the glutathione peroxidase gene compromised survival during drying and rehydration, providing evidence for the role of the gene in desiccation tolerance. Targeting genes encoding glutathione reductase and catalase indicated that these molecules play roles during rehydration. Our study also confirms the involvement of aquaporins 3 and 10 during rehydration. Therefore, desiccation tolerance depends on the synergistic action of many different molecules working together.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Giovannini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy.
| | - Thomas C Boothby
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.,Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michele Cesari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Bob Goldstein
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Roberto Guidetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Lorena Rebecchi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
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16
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Malki A, Teulon J, Camacho‐Zarco AR, Chen SW, Adamski W, Maurin D, Salvi N, Pellequer J, Blackledge M. Intrinsically Disordered Tardigrade Proteins Self‐Assemble into Fibrous Gels in Response to Environmental Stress. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202109961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Anas Malki
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Jean‐Marie Teulon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | | | - Shu‐wen W. Chen
- niChe Lab for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Department of Biochemical Science and Technology National (Taiwan) University Taipei 10617 Taiwan
| | - Wiktor Adamski
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Damien Maurin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Nicola Salvi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Jean‐Luc Pellequer
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes CNRS, CEA Institut de Biologie Structurale Grenoble France
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17
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Malki A, Teulon JM, Camacho-Zarco AR, Chen SWW, Adamski W, Maurin D, Salvi N, Pellequer JL, Blackledge M. Intrinsically Disordered Tardigrade Proteins Self-Assemble into Fibrous Gels in Response to Environmental Stress. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202109961. [PMID: 34750927 PMCID: PMC9299615 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202109961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Tardigrades are remarkable for their ability to survive harsh stress conditions as diverse as extreme temperature and desiccation. The molecular mechanisms that confer this unusual resistance to physical stress remain unknown. Recently, tardigrade-unique intrinsically disordered proteins have been shown to play an essential role in tardigrade anhydrobiosis. Here, we characterize the conformational and physical behaviour of CAHS-8 from Hypsibius exemplaris. NMR spectroscopy reveals that the protein comprises an extended central helical domain flanked by disordered termini. Upon concentration, the protein is shown to successively form oligomers, long fibres, and finally gels constituted of fibres in a strongly temperature-dependent manner. The helical domain forms the core of the fibrillar structure, with the disordered termini remaining highly dynamic within the gel. Soluble proteins can be encapsulated within cavities in the gel, maintaining their functional form. The ability to reversibly form fibrous gels may be associated with the enhanced protective properties of these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anas Malki
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Marie Teulon
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Aldo R Camacho-Zarco
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Shu-Wen W Chen
- niChe Lab for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National (Taiwan) University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Wiktor Adamski
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Damien Maurin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Nicola Salvi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Luc Pellequer
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Martin Blackledge
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
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18
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Gu S, Liu J, Xiong L, Dong J, Sun E, Hu H, Yang M, Nie L. Morphological mechanism allowing a parasitic leech, Ozobranchus jantseanus (Rhynchobdellida: Ozobranchidae), to survive in ultra-low temperatures. Biol Open 2021; 10:269137. [PMID: 34125176 PMCID: PMC8278134 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Ozobranchus jantseanus is the largest metazoan known to survive in liquid nitrogen without pretreatment to date; however, the mechanism underlying this tolerance remains unclear. In this study, the first analyses of histological and morphological changes in normal, frozen, and dehydrated states were performed. Adults survived after direct placement in liquid nitrogen for 96 h, with a survival rate of approximately 86.7%. The leech could withstand rapid desiccation and its survival rate after rehydration was 100% when its water loss was below about 84.8%. After freezing, desiccation, and ethanol dehydration, the leech immediately formed a hemispherical shape. Particularly during drying, an obvious transparent glass-like substance was observed on surface. Scanning electron microscopy revealed many pores on the surface of the posterior sucker, creating a sponge-like structure, which may help to rapidly expel water, and a hemispherical shape may protect the internal organs by contraction and folding reconstruction in the anterior–posterior direction. A substantial amount of mucopolysaccharides on the surface and acid cells and collagen fibers in the body, all of which contained substantial polysaccharides, may play a key protective role during freezing. Our results indicate that the resistance of leeches to ultra-low temperatures can be explained by cryoprotective dehydration/vitrification strategies. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: The freeze tolerance mechanism of Ozobranchus jantseanus, the largest metazoan animal requiring no pretreatment that can survive in ultra-low temperature, was first studied from the perspective of morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengli Gu
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.,Department of Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| | - Jianjun Liu
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
| | - Lei Xiong
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.,Department of Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| | - Jinxiu Dong
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
| | - Entao Sun
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China.,Department of Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| | - Haoran Hu
- Department of Parasitology, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, Anhui 241002, China
| | - Mengli Yang
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
| | - Liuwang Nie
- The Provincial Key Lab of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, Life Science College, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, Anhui 241000, China
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19
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Pedersen BH, Malte H, Finster K, Ramløv H. Respiration Measurements of Individual Tardigrades of the Species Richtersius cf coronifer as a Function of Temperature and Salinity and Termination of Anhydrobiosis. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:853-865. [PMID: 33926198 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that tardigrades in a resting state (tun state) are very resistant to exceptional stress levels in comparison with the resistance observed in multicellular organisms in general. The types of stress include desiccation and radiation, which are also relevant in astrobiological research, and therefore, tardigrades are used as multicellular model organisms. For example, tardigrades have been investigated in the TARSE, TARDIS, RoTaRad, and TARDIKISS projects; their survival has been evaluated according to stressful conditions that prevail in low earth orbit, including the effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity. Despite this interest, the study of tardigrade biology has been severely hampered by the sparsity of appropriate quantitative techniques that inform at the single-organism level. In this study, we present results on mass-specific respiration rates as a function of termination of anhydrobiosis and variations in temperature and salinity, including Mars-analog perchlorate solutions, by using microsensor technology to measure respiration. Based on our results for Richtersius cf coronifer, we estimated the activation energy (50.8 kJ/mole O2) for its metabolism as well as Q10 for selected temperature intervals. Q10 was constant-∼1.5-between 2°C and 33°C, except for the interval 11-16°C, where Q10 was 5.5. The steady-state mass-specific respiration rate of individuals of Richtersius cf coronifer increased with increasing salinity below the lethal limit, likely representing the energy requirements of its osmoregulatory response. We report the first quantitative data of a tardigrade's metabolic dynamics during the termination of anhydrobiosis, revealing significant variation between individuals. However, we observed a general trend, that is, a high initial metabolic rate after exposure to water. Our approach would allow us to carry out quantitative physiological studies of tardigrades on board of the International Space Station, and thus significantly extend the possibility of studying the response of multicellular organisms in space. Summary statement This article reports on first measurements of mass-specific respiration rates of individual tardigrades of the species Richtersius cf coronifer during termination of anhydrobiosis as well as measurements of the impact of temperature and salinity on oxygen uptake rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjarke H Pedersen
- Novo Nordisk Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
- Department of Biology: Microbiology Section, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Hans Malte
- Department of Biology: Zoophysiology Section, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Kai Finster
- Department of Biology: Microbiology Section, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Hans Ramløv
- Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Denmark
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20
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Tokumoto S, Miyata Y, Deviatiiarov R, Yamada TG, Hiki Y, Kozlova O, Yoshida Y, Cornette R, Funahashi A, Shagimardanova E, Gusev O, Kikawada T. Genome-Wide Role of HSF1 in Transcriptional Regulation of Desiccation Tolerance in the Anhydrobiotic Cell Line, Pv11. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5798. [PMID: 34071490 PMCID: PMC8197945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Pv11, an insect cell line established from the midge Polypedilum vanderplanki, is capable of extreme hypometabolic desiccation tolerance, so-called anhydrobiosis. We previously discovered that heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) contributes to the acquisition of desiccation tolerance by Pv11 cells, but the mechanistic details have yet to be elucidated. Here, by analyzing the gene expression profiles of newly established HSF1-knockout and -rescue cell lines, we show that HSF1 has a genome-wide effect on gene regulation in Pv11. The HSF1-knockout cells exhibit a reduced desiccation survival rate, but this is completely restored in HSF1-rescue cells. By comparing mRNA profiles of the two cell lines, we reveal that HSF1 induces anhydrobiosis-related genes, especially genes encoding late embryogenesis abundant proteins and thioredoxins, but represses a group of genes involved in basal cellular processes, thus promoting an extreme hypometabolism state in the cell. In addition, HSF1 binding motifs are enriched in the promoters of anhydrobiosis-related genes and we demonstrate binding of HSF1 to these promoters by ChIP-qPCR. Thus, HSF1 directly regulates the transcription of anhydrobiosis-related genes and consequently plays a pivotal role in the induction of anhydrobiotic ability in Pv11 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Tokumoto
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan;
| | - Yugo Miyata
- Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba 305-0851, Japan; (Y.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Ruslan Deviatiiarov
- Extreme Biology Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (R.D.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Takahiro G. Yamada
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan; (T.G.Y.); (Y.H.); (A.F.)
| | - Yusuke Hiki
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan; (T.G.Y.); (Y.H.); (A.F.)
| | - Olga Kozlova
- Extreme Biology Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (R.D.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Yuki Yoshida
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Tsuruoka 997-0017, Japan;
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Fujisawa 252-8520, Japan
| | - Richard Cornette
- Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba 305-0851, Japan; (Y.M.); (R.C.)
| | - Akira Funahashi
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan; (T.G.Y.); (Y.H.); (A.F.)
| | - Elena Shagimardanova
- Extreme Biology Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (R.D.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (O.G.)
| | - Oleg Gusev
- Extreme Biology Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia; (R.D.); (O.K.); (E.S.); (O.G.)
- Laboratory for Transcriptome Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, RIKEN, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kikawada
- Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan;
- Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba 305-0851, Japan; (Y.M.); (R.C.)
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21
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Anderson JM, Hand SC. Transgenic expression of late embryogenesis abundant proteins improves tolerance to water stress in Drosophila melanogaster. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:jeb.238204. [PMID: 33431592 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.238204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Four lines of Drosophila melanogaster were created that expressed transgenes encoding selected late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins originally identified in embryos of the anhydrobiote Artemia franciscana The overall aim was to extend our understanding of the protective properties of LEA proteins documented with isolated cells to a desiccation-sensitive organism during exposure to drying and hyperosmotic stress. Embryos of D. melanogaster were dried at 57% relative humidity to promote a loss of 80% tissue water and then rehydrated. Embryos that expressed AfrLEA2 or AfrLEA3m eclosed 2 days earlier than wild-type embryos or embryos expressing green fluorescent protein (Gal4GFP control). For the third instar larval stage, all Afrlea lines and Gal4GFP controls experienced substantial drops in survivorship as desiccation proceeded. When results for all Afrlea lines were combined, Kaplan-Meier survival curves indicated a significant improvement in survivorship in fly lines expressing AfrLEA proteins compared with Gal4GFP controls. The percent water lost at the LT50 (lethal time for 50% mortality) for the AfrLEA lines was 78% versus 52% for Gal4GFP controls. Finally, offspring of fly lines that expressed AfrLEA2, AfrLEA3m or AfrLEA6 exhibited significantly greater success in reaching pupation, compared with wild-type flies, when adults were challenged with hyperosmotic stress (NaCl-fortified medium) and progeny forced to develop under these conditions. In conclusion, the gain of function studies reported here show that LEA proteins can improve tolerance to water stress in a desiccation-sensitive species that normally lacks these proteins, and, simultaneously, underscore the complexity of desiccation tolerance across multiple life stages in multicellular organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Anderson
- Division of Cellular Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Steven C Hand
- Division of Cellular Developmental and Integrative Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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22
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Arakawa K, Numata K. Reconsidering the "glass transition" hypothesis of intrinsically unstructured CAHS proteins in desiccation tolerance of tardigrades. Mol Cell 2021; 81:409-410. [PMID: 33545053 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, 997-0052, Japan.
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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23
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Loi P, Anzalone DA, Palazzese L, Dinnyés A, Saragusty J, Czernik M. Dry storage of mammalian spermatozoa and cells: state-of-the-art and possible future directions. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:82-90. [PMID: 38769676 DOI: 10.1071/rd20264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
This review provides a snapshot of the current state-of-the-art of drying cells and spermatozoa. The major successes and pitfalls of the most relevant literature are described separately for spermatozoa and cells. Overall, the data published so far indicate that we are closer to success in spermatozoa, whereas the situation is far more complex with cells. Critical for success is the presence of xeroprotectants inside the spermatozoa and, even more so, inside cells to protect subcellular compartments, primarily DNA. We highlight workable strategies to endow gametes and cells with the right combination of xeroprotectants, mostly sugars, and late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) or similar 'intrinsically disordered' proteins to help them withstand reversible desiccation. We focus on the biological aspects of water stress, and in particular cellular and DNA damage, but also touch on other still unexplored issues, such as the choice of both dehydration and rehydration methods or approaches, because, in our view, they play a primary role in reducing desiccation damage. We conclude by highlighting the need to exhaustively explore desiccation strategies other than lyophilisation, such as air drying, spin drying or spray drying, ideally with new prototypes, other than the food and pharmaceutical drying strategies currently used, tailored for the unique needs of cells and spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Loi
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, TE 64100, Italy; and Corresponding author
| | - D A Anzalone
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, TE 64100, Italy
| | - L Palazzese
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, TE 64100, Italy
| | - A Dinnyés
- BioTalentum Ltd, Gödöllo, 2100 Gödöllo, Hungary; and HCEMM-USZ, StemCell Research Group, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; and Sichuan University, College of Life Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - J Saragusty
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, TE 64100, Italy
| | - M Czernik
- Laboratory of Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, TE 64100, Italy; and Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
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24
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Roszkowska M, Kmita H, Kaczmarek Ł. Long-term anhydrobiosis in two taxa of moss dwelling Eutardigrada (Tardigrada) desiccated for 12 and 15 years, respectively. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1829110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M. Roszkowska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- 2Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - H. Kmita
- 2Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ł. Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
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25
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Suma HR, Prakash S, Eswarappa SM. Naturally occurring fluorescence protects the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. from ultraviolet radiation. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200391. [PMID: 33050831 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring fluorescence has been observed in multiple species ranging from bacteria to birds. In macroscopic animals such as birds, fluorescence provides a visual communication signal. However, the functional significance of this phenomenon is unknown in most cases. Though photoprotection is attributed to fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light in some organisms, it lacks direct experimental evidence. Here, we demonstrate naturally occurring fluorescence under UV light in a eutardigrade belonging to the genus Paramacrobiotus. Using a natural variant that lacks fluorescence, we show that the fluorescence confers tolerance to lethal UV radiation. Remarkably, the fluorescent extract from Paramacrobiotus sp. could protect the UV-sensitive tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans from germicidal UV radiation. We propose that Paramacrobiotus sp. possess a protective fluorescent shield that absorbs harmful UV radiation and emits harmless blue light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harikumar R Suma
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012 Karnataka, India
| | - Swathi Prakash
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012 Karnataka, India
| | - Sandeep M Eswarappa
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012 Karnataka, India
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26
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Gade VR, Traikov S, Oertel J, Fahmy K, Kurzchalia TV. C. elegans possess a general program to enter cryptobiosis that allows dauer larvae to survive different kinds of abiotic stress. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13466. [PMID: 32778668 PMCID: PMC7417548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70311-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
All organisms encounter abiotic stress but only certain organisms are able to cope with extreme conditions and enter into cryptobiosis (hidden life). Previously, we have shown that C. elegans dauer larvae can survive severe desiccation (anhydrobiosis), a specific form of cryptobiosis. Entry into anhydrobiosis is preceded by activation of a set of biochemical pathways by exposure to mild desiccation. This process called preconditioning induces elevation of trehalose, intrinsically disordered proteins, polyamines and some other pathways that allow the preservation of cellular functionality in the absence of water. Here, we demonstrate that another stress factor, high osmolarity, activates similar biochemical pathways. The larvae that acquired resistance to high osmotic pressure can also withstand desiccation. In addition, high osmolarity significantly increases the biosynthesis of glycerol making larva tolerant to freezing. Thus, to survive abiotic stress, C. elegans activates a combination of genetic and biochemical pathways that serve as a general survival program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vamshidhar R Gade
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sofia Traikov
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jana Oertel
- Institute of Resource Ecology at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karim Fahmy
- Institute of Resource Ecology at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany
| | - Teymuras V Kurzchalia
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstrasse 108, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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27
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Mínguez-Toral M, Cuevas-Zuviría B, Garrido-Arandia M, Pacios LF. A computational structural study on the DNA-protecting role of the tardigrade-unique Dsup protein. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13424. [PMID: 32770133 PMCID: PMC7414916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70431-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The remarkable ability of tardigrades to withstand a wide range of physical and chemical extremes has attracted a considerable interest in these small invertebrates, with a particular focus on the protective roles of proteins expressed during such conditions. The discovery that a tardigrade-unique protein named Dsup (damage suppressor) protects DNA from damage produced by radiation and radicals, has raised expectations concerning its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. We present in this paper what might be dubbed a “computational experiment” on the Dsup-DNA system. By means of molecular modelling, calculations of electrostatic potentials and electric fields, and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we obtained a dynamic picture of the Dsup-DNA interaction. Our results suggest that the protein is intrinsically disordered, which enables Dsup to adjust its structure to fit DNA shape. Strong electrostatic attractions and high protein flexibility drive the formation of a molecular aggregate in which Dsup shields DNA. While the precise mechanism of DNA protection conferred by Dsup remains to be elucidated, our study provides some molecular clues of their association that could be of interest for further investigation in this line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Mínguez-Toral
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo-UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Cuevas-Zuviría
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo-UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Garrido-Arandia
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo-UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis F Pacios
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas (CBGP, UPM-INIA), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM)-Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA), Campus de Montegancedo-UPM, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223, Madrid, Spain. .,Departamento de Biotecnología-Biología Vegetal, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas (ETSIAAB), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040, Madrid, Spain.
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28
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Simão TLL, Utz LRP, Dias R, Giongo A, Triplett EW, Eizirik E. Remarkably Complex Microbial Community Composition in Bromeliad Tank Waters Revealed by eDNA Metabarcoding. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2020; 67:593-607. [PMID: 32562451 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
To investigate patterns of biotic community composition at different spatial scales and biological contexts, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to characterize eukaryotic and prokaryotic assemblages present in the phytotelmata of three bromeliad species (Aechmea gamosepala, Vriesea friburgensis, and Vriesea platynema) at a single Atlantic Forest site in southern Brazil. We sampled multiple individuals per species and multiple tanks from each individual, totalizing 30 samples. We observed very high levels of diversity in these communities, and remarkable variation across individuals and even among tanks from the same individual. The alpha diversity was higher for prokaryotes than eukaryotes, especially for A. gamosepala and V. platynema samples. Some biotic components appeared to be species-specific, while most of the biota was shared among species, but varied substantially in frequency among samples. Interestingly, V. friburgensis communities (which were sampled at nearby locations) tended to be more heterogeneous across samples, for both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The opposite was true for V. platynema, whose samples were more broadly spaced but whose communities were more similar to each other. Our results indicate that additional attention should be devoted to within-individual heterogeneity when assessing bromeliad phytotelmata biodiversity, and highlight the complexity of the biotic assemblages gathered in these unique habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiz L L Simão
- Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, prédio 12., Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Laura R P Utz
- Laboratório de Ecologia Aquática, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, prédio 12., Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Raquel Dias
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research Translational Institute, 3344 North Torrey Pines Court, Suite 300, La Jolla, California, 92037, USA
| | - Adriana Giongo
- Instituto do Petróleo e Recursos Naturais, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga 6681, prédio 96J, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Eric W Triplett
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, 1052 Museum Road, P.O. Box 110700, Gainesville, Florida, 32608, USA
| | - Eduardo Eizirik
- Laboratório de Biologia Genômica e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681, prédio 12., Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90619-900, Brazil
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29
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Stubbington R, Acreman M, Acuña V, Boon PJ, Boulton AJ, England J, Gilvear D, Sykes T, Wood PJ. Ecosystem services of temporary streams differ between wet and dry phases in regions with contrasting climates and economies. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Stubbington
- School of Science and Technology Nottingham Trent University Nottingham UK
| | | | - Vicenç Acuña
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA) Girona Spain
- University of Girona Girona Spain
| | | | - Andrew J. Boulton
- School of Environmental and Rural Science University of New England Armidale NSW Australia
| | - Judy England
- Research, Analysis and Evaluation Environment Agency Wallingford UK
| | - David Gilvear
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Plymouth Plymouth UK
| | - Tim Sykes
- Romsey District Office Environment Agency Romsey UK
| | - Paul J. Wood
- Geography and Environment Loughborough University Loughborough UK
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30
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Hirai M, Ajito S, Iwasa T, Wen D, Igarashi N, Shimizu N. Short-Distance Intermolecular Correlations of Mono- and Disaccharides in Condensed Solutions: Bulky Character of Trehalose. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:10815-10825. [PMID: 32455202 PMCID: PMC7240834 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.0c00451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Organisms with tolerance to extreme environmental conditions (cryptobiosis) such as desiccation and freezing are known to accumulate stress proteins and/or sugars. Trehalose, a disaccharide, has received considerable attention in the context of cryptobiosis. It has already been shown to have the highest glass-transition temperature and different hydration properties from other mono- and disaccharides. In spite of the importance of understanding cryptobiosis by experimentally clarifying sugar-sugar interactions such as the clustering in concentrated sugar solutions, there is little direct experimental evidence of sugar solution structures formed by intermolecular interactions and/or correlation. Using a wide-angle X-ray scattering method with the real-space resolution from ∼3 to 120 Å, we clarified the characteristics of the structures of sugar solutions (glucose, fructose, mannose, sucrose, and trehalose), over a wide concentration range of 0.05-0.65 g/mL. At low concentrations, the second virial coefficients obtained indicated the repulsive intermolecular interactions for all sugars and also the differences among them depending on the type of sugar. In spite of the presence of such repulsive force, a short-range intermolecular correlation was found to appear at high concentrations for every sugar. The concentration dependence of the observed scattering data and p(r) functions clearly showed that trehalose prefers a more disordered arrangement in solution compared to other sugars, that is, bulky arrangement. The present findings will afford a new insight into the molecular mechanism of the protective functions of the sugars relevant to cryptobiosis, particularly that of trehalose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Hirai
- Graduate
School of Science and Technology, Gunma
University, 4-2 Aramaki, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ajito
- Graduate
School of Science and Technology, Gunma
University, 4-2 Aramaki, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Iwasa
- Course
of Advanced Production Systems Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran, Hokkaido 657-8510, Japan
| | - Durige Wen
- Course
of Advanced Production Systems Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran, Hokkaido 657-8510, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Igarashi
- Institute
of Materials Structure Science, High Energy
Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Shimizu
- Institute
of Materials Structure Science, High Energy
Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
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31
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Robertson MW, Russo NJ, McInnes SJ, Goffinet B, Jiménez JE. Potential dispersal of tardigrades by birds through endozoochory: evidence from Sub-Antarctic White-bellied Seedsnipe (Attagis malouinus). Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02680-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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32
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Yamada TG, Hiki Y, Hiroi NF, Shagimardanova E, Gusev O, Cornette R, Kikawada T, Funahashi A. Identification of a master transcription factor and a regulatory mechanism for desiccation tolerance in the anhydrobiotic cell line Pv11. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230218. [PMID: 32191739 PMCID: PMC7082025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Water is essential for living organisms. Terrestrial organisms are incessantly exposed to the stress of losing water, desiccation stress. Avoiding the mortality caused by desiccation stress, many organisms acquired molecular mechanisms to tolerate desiccation. Larvae of the African midge, Polypedilum vanderplanki, and its embryonic cell line Pv11 tolerate desiccation stress by entering an ametabolic state, anhydrobiosis, and return to active life after rehydration. The genes related to desiccation tolerance have been comprehensively analyzed, but transcriptional regulatory mechanisms to induce these genes after desiccation or rehydration remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the gene regulatory network in Pv11 cells and compared it with that of Drosophila melanogaster, a desiccation sensitive species. We demonstrated that nuclear transcription factor Y subunit gamma-like, which is important for drought stress tolerance in plants, and its transcriptional regulation of downstream positive feedback loops have a pivotal role in regulating various anhydrobiosis-related genes. This study provides an initial insight into the systemic mechanism of desiccation tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro G. Yamada
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Hiki
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Noriko F. Hiroi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Sanyo-Onoda City University, Sanyo-Onoda, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | | | - Oleg Gusev
- Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- RIKEN Cluster for Science, Technology and Innovation Hub, RIKEN, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Richard Cornette
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kikawada
- Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
- * E-mail: (TK); (AF)
| | - Akira Funahashi
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- * E-mail: (TK); (AF)
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33
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Palud A, Salem K, Cavin JF, Beney L, Licandro H. Identification and transcriptional profile of Lactobacillus paracasei genes involved in the response to desiccation and rehydration. Food Microbiol 2020; 85:103301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Thermotolerance experiments on active and desiccated states of Ramazzottius varieornatus emphasize that tardigrades are sensitive to high temperatures. Sci Rep 2020; 10:94. [PMID: 31919388 PMCID: PMC6952461 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56965-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming is already having harmful effects on habitats worldwide and it is therefore important to gain an understanding of how rising temperatures may affect extant animals. Here, we investigate the tolerance to high temperatures of Ramazzottius varieornatus, a tardigrade frequently found in transient freshwater habitats. Using logistic modelling on activity we evaluate the effect of 24 hour temperature exposures on active tardigrades, with or without a short acclimation period, compared to exposures of desiccated tardigrades. We estimate that the 50% mortality temperature for non-acclimated active tardigrades is 37.1 °C, with a small but significant increase to 37.6 °C following acclimation. Desiccated specimens tolerate much higher temperatures, with an estimated 50% mortality temperature of 82.7 °C following 1 hour exposures, but with a significant decrease to 63.1 °C following 24 hour exposures. Our results show that metabolically active tardigrades are vulnerable to high temperatures, yet acclimatization could provide a tolerance increase. Desiccated specimens show a much higher resilience—exposure-time is, however, a limiting factor giving tardigrades a restricted window of high temperature tolerance. Tardigrades are renowned for their ability to tolerate extreme conditions, but their endurance towards high temperatures clearly has an upper limit—high temperatures thus seem to be their Achilles heel.
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Hawkins LJ, Storey KB. Advances and applications of environmental stress adaptation research. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 240:110623. [PMID: 31778815 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.110623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Evolution has produced animals that survive extreme fluctuations in environmental conditions including freezing temperatures, anoxia, desiccating conditions, and prolonged periods without food. For example, the wood frog survives whole-body freezing every winter, arresting all gross physiological functions, but recovers functions upon thawing in the spring. Likewise, many small mammals hibernate for months at a time with minimal metabolic activity, organ perfusion, and movement, yet do not suffer significant muscle atrophy upon arousal. These conditions and the biochemical adaptations employed to deal with them can be viewed as Nature's answer to problems that humans wish to answer, particularly in a biomedical context. This review focuses on recent advances in the field of animal environmental stress adaptation, starting with an emphasis on new areas of research such as epigenetics and microRNA. We then examine new and emerging technologies such as genome editing, novel sequencing applications, and single cell analysis and how these can push us closer to a deeper understanding of biochemical adaptation. Next, evaluate the potential contributions of new high-throughput technologies (e.g. next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry proteomics) to better understanding the adaptations that support these extreme phenotypes. Concluding, we examine some of the human applications that can be gained from understanding the principles of biochemical adaptation including organ preservation and treatments for conditions such as ischemic stroke and muscle disuse atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Hawkins
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Kenneth B Storey
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
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Persson DK, Halberg KA, Neves RC, Jørgensen A, Kristensen RM, Møbjerg N. Comparative myoanatomy of Tardigrada: new insights from the heterotardigrades Actinarctus doryphorus (Tanarctidae) and Echiniscoides sigismundi (Echiniscoididae). BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:206. [PMID: 31694520 PMCID: PMC6836549 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1527-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tardigrada is a group of microscopic invertebrates distributed worldwide in permanent and temporal aquatic habitats. Famous for their extreme stress tolerance, tardigrades are also of interest due to their close relationship with Arthropoda and Cycloneuralia. Despite recent efforts in analyzing the musculature of a number of tardigrade species, data on the class Heterotardigrada remain scarce. Aiming to expand the current morphological framework, and to promote the use of muscular body plans in elucidating tardigrade phylogeny, the myoanatomy of two heterotardigrades, Actinarctus doryphorus and Echiniscoides sigismundi, was analyzed by cytochemistry, scanning electron and confocal laser scanning microscopy and 3D imaging. We discuss our findings with reference to other tardigrades and internal phylogenetic relationships of the phylum. RESULTS We focus our analyses on the somatic musculature, which in tardigrades includes muscle groups spanning dorsal, ventral, and lateral body regions, with the legs being musculated by fibers belonging to all three groups. A pronounced reduction of the trunk musculature is seen in the dorsoventrally compressed A. doryphorus, a species that generally has fewer cuticle attachment sites as compared to E. sigismundi and members of the class Eutardigrada. Interestingly, F-actin positive signals were found in the head appendages of A. doryphorus. Our analyses further indicate that cross-striation is a feature common to the somatic muscles of heterotardigrades and that E. sigismundi-as previously proposed for other echiniscoidean heterotardigrades-has relatively thick somatic muscle fibers. CONCLUSIONS We provide new insights into the myoanatomical differences that characterize distinct evolutionary lineages within Tardigrada, highlighting characters that potentially can be informative in future phylogenetic analyses. We focus our current analyses on the ventral trunk musculature. Our observations suggest that seven paired ventromedian attachment sites anchoring a large number of muscles can be regarded as part of the ground pattern of Tardigrada and that fusion and reduction of cuticular attachment sites is a derived condition. Specifically, the pattern of these sites differs in particular details between tardigrade taxa. In the future, a deeper understanding of the tardigrade myoanatomical ground pattern will require more investigations in order to include all major tardigrade lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis Krog Persson
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- Present Address: Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 9C, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kenneth Agerlin Halberg
- Section for Cell- & Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Ricardo Cardoso Neves
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Aslak Jørgensen
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Reinhardt Møbjerg Kristensen
- Natural History Museum of Denmark, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Nadja Møbjerg
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
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Guidetti R, Gneuß E, Cesari M, Altiero T, Schill RO. Life-history traits and description of the new gonochoric amphimictic Mesobiotus joenssoni (Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae) from the island of Elba, Italy. Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Comparative analyses of life-history theory studies are based on the characteristics of the life cycles of different species. For tardigrades, life-history traits are available only from laboratory cultures, most of which have involved parthenogenetic species. The discovery of a new gonochoristic bisexual Mesobiotus species in a moss collected on the island of Elba (Italy) provides us with the opportunity to describe Mesobiotus joenssoni sp. nov. and to collect data on the life-history traits of cultured specimens to increase our knowledge of the life-history strategies present in tardigrades. This new species is differentiated from all other species of the genus by the presence of granules (~1 µm in diameter) on the dorsal cuticle of the last two body segments, two large bulges (gibbosities) on the hindlegs and long, conical egg processes. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in body length, with females being longer than males of the same age. The mean lifespan of specimens was 86 days, with a maximum of 150 days. The mean age at first oviposition was 19.8 days and the mean egg hatching time 15.4 days. The life-cycle traits correspond to those collected for the only other two macrobiotid species with gonochoric amphimictic reproduction examined so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Guidetti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Elisa Gneuß
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Michele Cesari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Tiziana Altiero
- Department of Education and Humanities, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Viale Allegri 9, 42121 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Ralph O Schill
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
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Chavez C, Cruz-Becerra G, Fei J, Kassavetis GA, Kadonaga JT. The tardigrade damage suppressor protein binds to nucleosomes and protects DNA from hydroxyl radicals. eLife 2019; 8:47682. [PMID: 31571581 PMCID: PMC6773438 DOI: 10.7554/elife.47682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are animals that can survive extreme conditions. The tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus contains a unique nuclear protein termed Dsup, for damage suppressor, which can increase the resistance of human cells to DNA damage under conditions, such as ionizing radiation or hydrogen peroxide treatment, that generate hydroxyl radicals. Here we find that R. varieornatus Dsup is a nucleosome-binding protein that protects chromatin from hydroxyl radicals. Moreover, a Dsup ortholog from the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris similarly binds to nucleosomes and protects DNA from hydroxyl radicals. Strikingly, a conserved region in Dsup proteins exhibits sequence similarity to the nucleosome-binding domain of vertebrate HMGN proteins and is functionally important for nucleosome binding and hydroxyl radical protection. These findings suggest that Dsup promotes the survival of tardigrades under diverse conditions by a direct mechanism that involves binding to nucleosomes and protecting chromosomal DNA from hydroxyl radicals. Tardigrades, also known as water bears and moss piglets, are small animals found in many different environments on land and sea. These animals have the remarkable ability to survive extremes including very low temperatures, high levels of radiation and exposure to chemicals that are harmful to other forms of life. Tardigrades have even been found to survive the harsh conditions of outer space. X-rays are a type of radiation naturally produced by lightning strikes and are also found in cosmic rays from outer space. High doses of X-rays can cause genetic mutations that may lead to serious illness or death. This is because when X-rays come into contact with water they split the water molecules to make particles known as hydroxyl radicals, which in turn damage the DNA inside cells. The genomes of animals and plants are made of DNA, which is packaged into a structure called chromatin. Previous studies identified a protein named Dsup in a tardigrade called Ramazzottius varieornatus that can protect human cells from damage by X-rays. However, it was not known whether Dsup binds directly to chromatin or plays a more indirect role in protecting DNA. Chavez, Cruz-Becerra, Fei, Kassavetis et al. used biochemical approaches to study Dsup. Their experiments revealed that Dsup from R. varieornatus binds to chromatin to protect the DNA from damage by hydroxyl radicals, and that the Dsup protein in another tardigrade species also works in a similar way. Further analysis showed that a region of Dsup that is needed to bind to chromatin is very similar to a region that had been previously found only in chromatin-binding proteins from humans and other vertebrates (animals with backbones). This connection between Dsup and vertebrate chromatin-binding proteins remains a mystery. The new findings about tardigrade Dsup may help researchers develop animal cells that live longer under normal or extreme environmental conditions. In this manner, Dsup could be used to expand the range of applications of cells in biotechnology. It could also increase the effectiveness of current methods, such as the production of some pharmaceuticals, that depend upon the use of cultured cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Chavez
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Grisel Cruz-Becerra
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - Jia Fei
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - George A Kassavetis
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
| | - James T Kadonaga
- Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, United States
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Babaian C, Kumar S. Adventures in Evolution: The Narrative of Tardigrada, Trundlers in Time. THE AMERICAN BIOLOGY TEACHER 2019; 81:543-552. [PMID: 31723303 PMCID: PMC6853629 DOI: 10.1525/abt.2019.81.8.543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A lesson plan on the phylum Tardigrada is presented in a storytelling workbook that introduces the evolutionary concepts of adaptive radiation, speciation, divergence, and "tree-thinking" through narrative, transitional art, contemplative coloring, and data searches, which can be enhanced with microscopy wet labs. Students gain insight into the invertebrate world of the highly adaptable, ubiquitous microorganisms known colloquially as "water bears," generating a microevolutionary and macroevolutionary perspective through a narrative that includes an introduction to the TimeTree database.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caryn Babaian
- Temple University, Biology Department, Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine
| | - Sudhir Kumar
- Temple University, Biology Department, Institute of Genomics and Evolutionary Medicine
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Jönsson KI. Radiation Tolerance in Tardigrades: Current Knowledge and Potential Applications in Medicine. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:E1333. [PMID: 31505739 PMCID: PMC6770827 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11091333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tardigrades represent a phylum of very small aquatic animals in which many species have evolved adaptations to survive under extreme environmental conditions, such as desiccation and freezing. Studies on several species have documented that tardigrades also belong to the most radiation-tolerant animals on Earth. This paper gives an overview of our current knowledge on radiation tolerance of tardigrades, with respect to dose-responses, developmental stages, and different radiation sources. The molecular mechanisms behind radiation tolerance in tardigrades are still largely unknown, but omics studies suggest that both mechanisms related to the avoidance of DNA damage and mechanisms of DNA repair are involved. The potential of tardigrades to provide knowledge of importance for medical sciences has long been recognized, but it is not until recently that more apparent evidence of such potential has appeared. Recent studies show that stress-related tardigrade genes may be transfected to human cells and provide increased tolerance to osmotic stress and ionizing radiation. With the recent sequencing of the tardigrade genome, more studies applying tardigrade omics to relevant aspects of human medicine are expected. In particular, the cancer research field has potential to learn from studies on tardigrades about molecular mechanisms evolved to maintain genome integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Ingemar Jönsson
- Department of Environmental Science and Bioscience, Kristianstad University, 291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden.
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Gerber N, Kokko H. Abandoning the ship using sex, dispersal or dormancy: multiple escape routes from challenging conditions. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2019; 373:rstb.2017.0424. [PMID: 30150222 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural populations often experience environments that vary across space and over time, leading to spatio-temporal variation of the fitness of a genotype. If local conditions are poor, organisms can disperse in space (physical movement) or time (dormancy, diapause). Facultatively sexual organisms can switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, and thus have a third option available to deal with maladaptedness: they can engage in sexual reproduction in unfavourable conditions (an 'abandon-ship' response). Sexual reproduction in facultatively sexual organisms is often coupled with dispersal and/or dormancy, while bet-hedging theory at first sight predicts sex, dispersal and dormancy to covary negatively, as they represent different escape mechanisms that could substitute for each other. Here we briefly review the observed links between sex, dormancy and dispersal, and model the expected covariation patterns of dispersal, dormancy and the reproductive mode in the context of local adaptation to spatio-temporally fluctuating environments. The correlations between sex, dormancy and dispersal evolve differently within species versus across species. Various risk-spreading strategies are not completely interchangeable, as each has dynamic consequences that can feed back into the profitability of others. Our results shed light on the discrepancy between previous theoretical predictions on covarying risk-spreading traits and help explain why sex often associates with other means of escaping unfavourable situations.This article is part of the theme issue 'Linking local adaptation with the evolution of sex differences'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Gerber
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland .,Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Centre of Excellence in Biological Interactions, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylän yliopisto, Finland
| | - Hanna Kokko
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
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Kamilari M, Jørgensen A, Schiøtt M, Møbjerg N. Comparative transcriptomics suggest unique molecular adaptations within tardigrade lineages. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:607. [PMID: 31340759 PMCID: PMC6652013 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-5912-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tardigrades are renowned for their ability to enter cryptobiosis (latent life) and endure extreme stress, including desiccation and freezing. Increased focus is on revealing molecular mechanisms underlying this tolerance. Here, we provide the first transcriptomes from the heterotardigrade Echiniscoides cf. sigismundi and the eutardigrade Richtersius cf. coronifer, and compare these with data from other tardigrades and six eukaryote models. Investigating 107 genes/gene families, our study provides a thorough analysis of tardigrade gene content with focus on stress tolerance. Results E. cf. sigismundi, a strong cryptobiont, apparently lacks expression of a number of stress related genes. Most conspicuous is the lack of transcripts from genes involved in classical Non-Homologous End Joining. Our analyses suggest that post-cryptobiotic survival in tardigrades could rely on high fidelity transcription-coupled DNA repair. Tardigrades seem to lack many peroxins, but they all have a comprehensive number of genes encoding proteins involved in antioxidant defense. The “tardigrade unique proteins” (CAHS, SAHS, MAHS, RvLEAM), seem to be missing in the heterotardigrade lineage, revealing that cryptobiosis in general cannot be attributed solely to these proteins. Our investigation further reveals a unique and highly expressed cold shock domain. We hypothesize that the cold shock protein acts as a RNA-chaperone involved in regulation of translation following freezing. Conclusions Our results show common gene family contractions and expansions within stress related gene pathways in tardigrades, but also indicate that evolutionary lineages have a high degree of divergence. Different taxa and lineages may exhibit unique physiological adaptations towards stress conditions involving possible unknown functional homologues and/or novel physiological and biochemical mechanisms. To further substantiate the current results genome assemblies coupled with transcriptome data and experimental investigations are needed from tardigrades belonging to different evolutionary lineages. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-019-5912-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kamilari
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aslak Jørgensen
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten Schiøtt
- Section for Ecology and Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nadja Møbjerg
- Section for Cell Biology and Physiology, Department of Biology, August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Kaczmarek Ł, Roszkowska M, Fontaneto D, Jezierska M, Pietrzak B, Wieczorek R, Poprawa I, Kosicki JZ, Karachitos A, Kmita H. Staying young and fit? Ontogenetic and phylogenetic consequences of animal anhydrobiosis. J Zool (1987) 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ł. Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Poznań Poland
| | - M. Roszkowska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Poznań Poland
- Department of Bioenergetics Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Poznań Poland
| | - D. Fontaneto
- National Research Council Water Research Institute (CNR‐IRSA) Verbania Italy
| | - M. Jezierska
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology University of Silesia in Katowice Katowice Poland
| | - B. Pietrzak
- Department of Hydrobiology Faculty of Biology Biological and Chemical Research Centre University of Warsaw Warszawa Poland
| | - R. Wieczorek
- Faculty of Chemistry University of Warsaw Warsaw Poland
| | - I. Poprawa
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology University of Silesia in Katowice Katowice Poland
| | - J. Z. Kosicki
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznan Poznań Poland
| | - A. Karachitos
- Department of Bioenergetics Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Poznań Poland
| | - H. Kmita
- Department of Bioenergetics Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Poznań Poland
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Tolerance of the freeze-dried mouse sperm nucleus to temperatures ranging from -196 °C to 150 °C. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5719. [PMID: 30952922 PMCID: PMC6450870 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42062-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It has long been believed that tolerance against extreme environments is possible only for ‘lower’ groups, such as archaea, bacteria or tardigrades, and not for more ‘advanced’ species. Here, we demonstrated that the mammalian sperm nucleus also exhibited strong tolerance to cold and hot temperatures. When mouse spermatozoa were freeze-dried (FD), similar to the anhydrobiosis of Tardigrades, all spermatozoa were ostensibly dead after rehydration. However, offspring were obtained from recovered FD sperm nuclei, even after repeated treatment with conditions from liquid nitrogen to room temperature. Conversely, when FD spermatozoa were heated at 95 °C, although the birth rate was decreased with increasing duration of the treatment, offspring were obtained even for FD spermatozoa that had been heat-treated for 2 h. This period was improved up to 6 h when glucose was replaced with trehalose in the freeze-drying medium, and the resistance temperature was extended up to 150 °C for short periods of treatment. Randomly selected offspring grew into healthy adults. Our results suggest that, when considering the sperm nucleus/DNA as the material that is used as a blueprint of life, rather than cell viability, a significant tolerance to extreme temperatures is present even in ‘higher’ species, such as mammals.
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Abstract
Even though tardigrades have been known since 1772, their phylogenetic position is still controversial. Tardigrades are regarded as either the sister group of arthropods, onychophorans, or onychophorans plus arthropods. Furthermore, the knowledge about their gametogenesis, especially oogenesis, is still poor and needs further analysis. The process of oogenesis has been studied solely for several eutardigradan species. Moreover, the spatial organization of the female germ-line clusters has been described for three species only. Meroistic ovaries characterize all analyzed species. In species of the Parachela, one cell per germ-cell cluster differentiates into the oocyte, while the remaining cells become the trophocytes. In Apochela several cells in the cluster differentiate into oocytes. Vitellogenesis is of a mixed type. The eggs are covered with the egg capsule that is composed of two shells: the thin vitelline envelope that adheres to the oolemma and the thick three-layered chorion. Chorion is formed as a first followed by vitelline envelope. Several features related to the oogenesis and structure of the ovary confirm the hypothesis that tardigrades are the sister group rather for arthropods than for onychophorans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Poprawa
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Kamil Janelt
- Department of Animal Histology and Embryology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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46
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Fontaneto D. Long-distance passive dispersal in microscopic aquatic animals. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2019; 7:10. [PMID: 30962931 PMCID: PMC6434837 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-019-0155-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Given their dormancy capability (long-term resistant stages) and their ability to colonise and reproduce, microscopic aquatic animals have been suggested having cosmopolitan distribution. Their dormant stages may be continuously moved by mobile elements through the entire planet to any suitable habitat, preventing the formation of biogeographical patterns. In this review, I will go through the evidence we have on the most common microscopic aquatic animals, namely nematodes, rotifers, and tardigrades, for each of the assumptions allowing long-distance dispersal (dormancy, viability, and reproduction) and all the evidence we have for transportation, directly from surveys of dispersing stages, and indirectly from the outcome of successful dispersal in biogeographical and phylogeographical studies. The current knowledge reveals biogeographical patterns also for microscopic organisms, with species-specific differences in ecological features that make some taxa indeed cosmopolitan with the potential for long-distance dispersal, but others with restricted geographic distributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Fontaneto
- National Research Council of Italy, Water Research Institute, Largo Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, Italy
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Carbonylation accumulation of the Hypsibius exemplaris anhydrobiote reveals age-associated marks. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208617. [PMID: 30586374 PMCID: PMC6306161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Together with nematodes and rotifers, tardigrade belong to micrometazoans that can cope with environmental extremes such as UV and solar radiations, dehydration, supercooling or overheating. Tardigrade can resist the harshest conditions by turning to cryptobiosis, an anhydrobiotic state that results from almost complete dehydration and is characterized by an ametabolic status. Although reports have challenged the molecular basis of the mechanisms underlying genomic injury resistance, little is yet known regarding the possible involvement of other tardigrade macromolecules in injury during a stress experience. In this report, we show that the tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris can accumulate molecular damages by means of in situ detection of carbonyls. Furthermore, we demonstrate that living tardigrade can accumulate carbonylation. Finally, we reveal that anhydrobiotic tardigrade can be constitutively affected by carbonylation that marks aging in other metazoans.
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Kim J, Fukuda Y, Inoue T. Crystal structure of Kumaglobin: a hexacoordinated heme protein from an anhydrobiotic tardigrade,
Ramazzottius varieornatus. FEBS J 2018; 286:1287-1304. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.14713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- JeeEun Kim
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita Japan
| | - Yohta Fukuda
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Inoue
- Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University Suita Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Science Suita Japan
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49
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Hirai M, Ajito S, Iwase H, Takata SI, Ohta N, Igarashi N, Shimizu N. Restoration of Myoglobin Native Fold from Its Initial State of Amyloid Formation by Trehalose. J Phys Chem B 2018; 122:11962-11968. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.8b09379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Hirai
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ajito
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Gunma University, 4-2 Aramaki, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroki Iwase
- Comprehensive Research Organization for Science and Society, Tokai 319-1106, Japan
| | - Shin-ichi Takata
- J-PARC Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai 319-1106, Japan
| | - Noboru Ohta
- Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, 1-1-1, Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun, Hyogo 679-5198, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Igarashi
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Nobutaka Shimizu
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
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Jagadeesh MK, Roszkowska M, Kaczmarek Ł. Tardigrade indexing approach on exoplanets. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2018; 19:13-16. [PMID: 30482276 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Finding life on other worlds is a fascinating area of astrobiology and planetary sciences. Presently, over 3800 exoplanets, representing a very wide range of physical and chemical environments, are known. Scientists are not only looking for traces of life outside Earth, but they are also trying to find out which of Earth's known organisms (ex: tardigrades (water bears)) would be able to survive on other planets. In our study, we have established a metric tool for distinguishing the potential survivability of active and cryptobiotic tardigrades on rocky-water and water-gas planets in our solar system and exoplanets, taking into consideration the geometrical means of six physical parameters such as radius, density, escape velocity, revolution period, surface temperature, and surface pressure of the considered planets. More than 3800 exoplanets are available as the main sample from Planetary Habitable Laboratory - Exoplanet Catalog (PHL-EC), from which we have chosen 57 exoplanets in our study including Earth and Mars, with water composition as reference. The Active Tardigrade Index (ATI) and Cryptobiotic Tardigrade Index (CTI) are two metric indices with minimum value 0 (= tardigrades cannot survive) and maximum 1 (= tardigrades will survive in their respective state). Values between 0 and 1 indicate a percentage chance of the active or cryptobiotic tardigrades surviving on a given exoplanet. Among known planets some of the exoplanets are tabulated as ATI and CTI indices for sample representation like: Kepler-100d, Kepler-48d, Kepler-289b, TRAPPIST-1 f and Kepler-106e. The results with Mars as the threshold indicates that Mars could be the only rock-water composition planet that could be more suitable for tardigrades than other considered exoplanets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milena Roszkowska
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland; Department of Bioenergetics, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Kaczmarek
- Department of Animal Taxonomy and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Umultowska 89, Poznań 61-614, Poland.
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