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Jia C, Zheng W, Liu F, Ding K, Yuan Y, Wang J, Xu D, Zhang T, Zheng H. Biological culture module for plant research from seed-to-seed on the Chinese Space Station. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2024; 42:47-52. [PMID: 39067990 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The long-term cultivation of higher plants in space plays a substantial role in investigating the effects of microgravity on plant growth and development, acquiring valuable insights for developing a self-sustaining space life supporting system. The completion of the Chinese Space Station (CSS) provides us with a new permanent space experimental platform for long-term plant research in space. Biological Culture Module (GBCM), which was installed in the Wentian experimental Module of the CSS, was constructed with the objective of growing Arabidopsis thaliana and rice plants a full life cycle in space. The techniques of LED light control, gas regulation and water recovery have been developed for GBCM in which dry seeds of Arabidopsis and rice were set in root module of four culture chambers (CCs) and launched with Wentian module on July 24, 2022. These seeds were watered and germinated from July 28 and grew new seeds until November 26 within a duration of 120 days. To this end, both Arabidopsis and rice plants completed a full life cycle in microgravity on the CSS. As we know, this is the first space experiment achieving rice complete life cycle from seed-to-seed in space. This result demonstrates the possibility to cultivate the important food crop rice throughout its entire life cycle under the spaceflight environment and the technologies of GBCM have effectively supported the success of long-term plant culture experiments in space. These results can serve as invaluable references for constructing more expansive and intricate space plant cultivation systems in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoxian Jia
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19A Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Weibo Zheng
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Fangwu Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Kun Ding
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Yongchun Yuan
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Junjun Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Dazhao Xu
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 500 Yutian Road, Shanghai, 200083, China.
| | - Huiqiong Zheng
- CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Shinohara H, Muramoto M, Tamaoki D, Kamachi H, Inoue H, Kume A, Karahara I. Prolonged exposure to hypergravity increases number and size of cells and enhances lignin deposition in the stem of Arabidopsis thaliana. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2024:10.1007/s10265-024-01556-x. [PMID: 38954119 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-024-01556-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
We have performed a lab-based hypergravity cultivation experiment using a centrifuge equipped with a lighting system and examined long-term effects of hypergravity on the development of the main axis of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh.) primary inflorescence, which comprises the rachis and peduncle, collectively referred to as the main stem for simplicity. Plants grown under 1 × g (gravitational acceleration on Earth) conditions for 20-23 days and having the first visible flower bud were exposed to hypergravity at 8 × g for 10 days. We analyzed the effect of prolonged hypergravity conditions on growth, lignin deposition, and tissue anatomy of the main stem. As a result, the length of the main stem decreased and cross-sectional area, dry mass per unit length, cell number, and lignin content of the main stem significantly increased under hypergravity. Lignin content in the rosette leaves also increased when they were exposed to hypergravity during their development. Except for interfascicular fibers, cross-sectional areas of the tissues composing the internode significantly increased under hypergravity in most types of the tissues in the basal part than the apical part of the main stem, indicating that the effect of hypergravity is more pronounced in the basal part than the apical part. The number of cells in the fascicular cambium and xylem significantly increased under hypergravity both in the apical and basal internodes of the main stem, indicating a possibility that hypergravity stimulates procambium activity to produce xylem element more than phloem element. The main stem was suggested to be strengthened through changes in its morphological characteristics as well as lignin deposition under prolonged hypergravity conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Shinohara
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Muramoto
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tamaoki
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kamachi
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Inoue
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kume
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan
| | - Ichirou Karahara
- School of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
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3
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Aniskina TS, Sudarikov KA, Levinskikh MA, Gulevich AA, Baranova EN. Bread Wheat in Space Flight: Is There a Difference in Kernel Quality? PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:73. [PMID: 38202381 PMCID: PMC10780891 DOI: 10.3390/plants13010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Planning long-term space flights necessarily includes issues of providing food for the crew. One of the areas of research is the development of technologies for independent production of food by the crew. Extensive research on lettuce has confirmed that the "space production" of lettuce is not inferior to that on Earth, even in the absence of gravity, but the same deep understanding of the quality of grain crops has not yet been achieved. Therefore, the goal of our work is to establish whether the conditions for growing wheat in outer space without gravity affect the weight and basic parameters of the grain, and whether this leads to increased asymmetry of the kernel and distortion of the starch composition. The objects of the study were wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernels of the Super Dwarf cultivar. Of which, 100 kernels matured in outer space conditions in the Lada growth chamber on the International Space Station (ISS), and 85 kernels of the control wheat grown in a similar growth chamber under terrestrial conditions. It has been established that kernels from ISS have significant differences to a smaller extent in weight, area, length, and width of the kernel. However, the kernels under both conditions were predominantly large (the average weight of a kernel in space is 0.0362 g, and in terrestrial conditions-0.0376 g). The hypothesis that the level of fluctuating asymmetry will increase in outer space was not confirmed; significant differences between the options were not proven. In general, the kernels are fairly even (coefficients of variation for the main parameters of the kernel are within 6-12%) and with a low or very low level of asymmetry. The length of starch granules of type A in filled and puny kernels is significantly greater in kernels from ISS than in the control, and in terms of the width of starch granules B and roundness indices, both experimental variants are the same. It can be assumed that the baking qualities of earthly kernels will be slightly higher, since the ratio of type B starch granules to type A is 5-8% higher than on the ISS. Also, the width of the aleurone layer cells in mature kernels was significantly inferior to the result obtained on Earth. The work proposes a new method for establishing the asymmetry of kernels without a traumatic effect (in early works, it was supposed to study asymmetry in transverse sections of the kernels). Perhaps this will make it possible to further develop a computer scanning program that will determine the level of asymmetry of the wheat fruit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana S. Aniskina
- N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, 127276 Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill A. Sudarikov
- Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow K.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (RSAU-MTAA), Timiryazevskaya 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia;
- Institute of Development Strategy, 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexander A. Gulevich
- All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Timiryzevskaya 42, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ekaterina N. Baranova
- N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of Russian Academy of Sciences, 127276 Moscow, Russia
- Russian State Agrarian University—Moscow K.A. Timiryazev Agricultural Academy (RSAU-MTAA), Timiryazevskaya 49, 127434 Moscow, Russia;
- All-Russia Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Timiryzevskaya 42, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
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De Micco V, Amitrano C, Mastroleo F, Aronne G, Battistelli A, Carnero-Diaz E, De Pascale S, Detrell G, Dussap CG, Ganigué R, Jakobsen ØM, Poulet L, Van Houdt R, Verseux C, Vlaeminck SE, Willaert R, Leys N. Plant and microbial science and technology as cornerstones to Bioregenerative Life Support Systems in space. NPJ Microgravity 2023; 9:69. [PMID: 37620398 PMCID: PMC10449850 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-023-00317-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term human space exploration missions require environmental control and closed Life Support Systems (LSS) capable of producing and recycling resources, thus fulfilling all the essential metabolic needs for human survival in harsh space environments, both during travel and on orbital/planetary stations. This will become increasingly necessary as missions reach farther away from Earth, thereby limiting the technical and economic feasibility of resupplying resources from Earth. Further incorporation of biological elements into state-of-the-art (mostly abiotic) LSS, leading to bioregenerative LSS (BLSS), is needed for additional resource recovery, food production, and waste treatment solutions, and to enable more self-sustainable missions to the Moon and Mars. There is a whole suite of functions crucial to sustain human presence in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and successful settlement on Moon or Mars such as environmental control, air regeneration, waste management, water supply, food production, cabin/habitat pressurization, radiation protection, energy supply, and means for transportation, communication, and recreation. In this paper, we focus on air, water and food production, and waste management, and address some aspects of radiation protection and recreation. We briefly discuss existing knowledge, highlight open gaps, and propose possible future experiments in the short-, medium-, and long-term to achieve the targets of crewed space exploration also leading to possible benefits on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica De Micco
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy.
| | - Chiara Amitrano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Felice Mastroleo
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Giovanna Aronne
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Alberto Battistelli
- Istituto di Ricerca sugli Ecosistemi Terrestri Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche Viale Marconi 2, 05010, Porano (TR), Italy
| | - Eugenie Carnero-Diaz
- Institute of Systematic, Evolution, Biodiversity, Sorbonne University, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, EPHE, UA, 45, rue Buffon CP50, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Stefania De Pascale
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici (NA), Italy
| | - Gisela Detrell
- Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 29, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Claude-Gilles Dussap
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Gent, Belgium
| | - Øyvind Mejdell Jakobsen
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Space (CIRiS), NTNU Social Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lucie Poulet
- Université Clermont Auvergne, Clermont Auvergne INP, CNRS, Institut Pascal, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | - Cyprien Verseux
- Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM), University of Bremen, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Siegfried E Vlaeminck
- Research Group of Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology, University of Antwerp, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Ronnie Willaert
- Research Groups NAMI and NANO, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Nuclear Medical Applications, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), 2400, Mol, Belgium
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Corydon TJ, Schulz H, Richter P, Strauch SM, Böhmer M, Ricciardi DA, Wehland M, Krüger M, Erzinger GS, Lebert M, Infanger M, Wise PM, Grimm D. Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071043. [PMID: 37048115 PMCID: PMC10093652 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (µg) has a massive impact on the health of space explorers. Microgravity changes the proliferation, differentiation, and growth of cells. As crewed spaceflights into deep space are being planned along with the commercialization of space travelling, researchers have focused on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg. In particular, cancer and metastasis research benefits from the findings obtained under µg conditions. Gene regulation is a key factor in a cell or an organism’s ability to sustain life and respond to environmental changes. It is a universal process to control the amount, location, and timing in which genes are expressed. In this review, we provide an overview of µg-induced changes in the numerous mechanisms involved in gene regulation, including regulatory proteins, microRNAs, and the chemical modification of DNA. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the impact of microgravity on gene regulation in different types of bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, humans, and cells with a focus on the brain, eye, endothelium, immune system, cartilage, muscle, bone, and various cancers as well as recent findings in plants. Importantly, the obtained data clearly imply that µg experiments can support translational medicine on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-28-992-179
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Richter
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian M. Strauch
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Maik Böhmer
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dario A. Ricciardi
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gilmar S. Erzinger
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Michael Lebert
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Wang M, Danz K, Ly V, Rojas-Pierce M. Microgravity enhances the phenotype of Arabidopsis zigzag-1 and reduces the Wortmannin-induced vacuole fusion in root cells. NPJ Microgravity 2022; 8:38. [PMID: 36064795 PMCID: PMC9445043 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-022-00226-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The spaceflight environment of the International Space Station poses a multitude of stresses on plant growth including reduced gravity. Plants exposed to microgravity and other conditions on the ISS display root skewing, changes in gene expression and protein abundance that may result in changes in cell wall composition, antioxidant accumulation and modification of growth anisotropy. Systematic studies that address the effects of microgravity on cellular organelles are lacking but altered numbers and sizes of vacuoles have been detected in previous flights. The prominent size of plant vacuoles makes them ideal models to study organelle dynamics in space. Here, we used Arabidopsiszigzag-1 (zig-1) as a sensitized genotype to study the effect of microgravity on plant vacuole fusion. Wortmannin was used to induce vacuole fusion in seedlings and a formaldehyde-based fixation protocol was developed to visualize plant vacuole morphology after sample return, using confocal microscopy. Our results indicate that microgravity enhances the zig-1 phenotype by reducing hypocotyl growth and vacuole fusion in some cells. This study demonstrates the feasibility of chemical inhibitor treatments for plant cell biology experiments in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengying Wang
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Katherine Danz
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Vanessa Ly
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Marcela Rojas-Pierce
- Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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Blachowicz A, Romsdahl J, Chiang AJ, Masonjones S, Kalkum M, Stajich JE, Torok T, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. The International Space Station Environment Triggers Molecular Responses in Aspergillus niger. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:893071. [PMID: 35847112 PMCID: PMC9280654 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.893071] [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: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to immense phenotypic plasticity and adaptability, Aspergillus niger is a cosmopolitan fungus that thrives in versatile environments, including the International Space Station (ISS). This is the first report of genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic alterations observed in A. niger strain JSC-093350089 grown in a controlled experiment aboard the ISS. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that ISS conditions, including microgravity and enhanced irradiation, triggered non-synonymous point mutations in specific regions, chromosomes VIII and XII of the JSC-093350089 genome when compared to the ground-grown control. Proteome analysis showed altered abundance of proteins involved in carbohydrate metabolism, stress response, and cellular amino acid and protein catabolic processes following growth aboard the ISS. Metabolome analysis further confirmed that space conditions altered molecular suite of ISS-grown A. niger JSC-093350089. After regrowing both strains on Earth, production of antioxidant—Pyranonigrin A was significantly induced in the ISS-flown, but not the ground control strain. In summary, the microgravity and enhanced irradiation triggered unique molecular responses in the A. niger JSC-093350089 suggesting adaptive responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Abby J. Chiang
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Sawyer Masonjones
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Immunology and Theranostics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, United States
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Tamas Torok
- Ecology Department, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Clay C. C. Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Kasthuri Venkateswaran,
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8
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Wang L, Xie J, Mou C, Jiao Y, Dou Y, Zheng H. Transcriptomic Analysis of the Interaction Between FLOWERING LOCUS T Induction and Photoperiodic Signaling in Response to Spaceflight. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:813246. [PMID: 35178402 PMCID: PMC8844200 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.813246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight has an impact on the growth and development of higher plants at both the vegetative stage and reproductive stage. A great deal of information has been available on the vegetative stage in space, but relatively little is known about the influence of spaceflight on plants at the reproductive stage. In this study, we constructed transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing the flowering control gene, FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), together with the green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) under control of a heat shock-inducible promoter (HSP17.4), by which we induced FT expression inflight through remote controlling heat shock (HS) treatment. Inflight photography data showed that induction of FT expression in transgenic plants in space under non-inductive short-day conditions could promote flowering and reduce the length of the inflorescence stem in comparison with that of wild-type plants under the same conditions. Whole-genome microarray analysis of gene expression changes in leaves of wild-type and these transgenic plants grown under the long-day and short-day photoperiod conditions in space indicated that the function of the photoperiod-related spaceflight responsive genes is mainly involved in protein synthesis and post-translation protein modulation, notably protein phosphorylation. In addition, changes of the circadian component of gene expression in response to spaceflight under different photoperiods indicated that roles of the circadian oscillator could act as integrators of spaceflight response and photoperiodic signals in Arabidopsis plants grown in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Wang
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Junyan Xie
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenghong Mou
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Jiao
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yanhui Dou
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqiong Zheng
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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9
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Xie J, Wang L, Zheng H. Molecular Basis to Integrate Microgravity Signals into the Photoperiodic Flowering Pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana under Spaceflight Condition. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:63. [PMID: 35008489 PMCID: PMC8744661 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the effects of spaceflight on plant flowering regulation is important to setup a life support system for long-term human space exploration. However, the way in which plant flowering is affected by spaceflight remains unclear. Here, we present results from our latest space experiments on the Chinese spacelab Tiangong-2, in which Arabidopsis wild-type and transgenic plants pFT::GFP germinated and grew as normally as their controls on the ground, but the floral initiation under the long-day condition in space was about 20 days later than their controls on the ground. Time-course series of digital images of pFT::GFP plants showed that the expression rhythm of FT in space did not change, but the peak appeared later in comparison with those of their controls on the ground. Whole-genome microarray analysis revealed that approximately 16% of Arabidopsis genes at the flowering stage changed their transcript levels under spaceflight conditions in comparison with their controls on the ground. The GO terms were enriched in DEGs with up-regulation of the response to temperature, wounding, and protein stabilization and down-regulation of the function in circadian rhythm, gibberellins, and mRNA processes. FT and SOC1 could act as hubs to integrate spaceflight stress signals into the photoperiodic flowering pathway in Arabidopsis in space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Huiqiong Zheng
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China; (J.X.); (L.W.)
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10
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Qiu D, Jian Y, Zhang Y, Xie G. Plant Gravitropism and Signal Conversion under a Stress Environment of Altered Gravity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111723. [PMID: 34769154 PMCID: PMC8583895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have been committed to space exploration and to find the next planet suitable for human survival. The construction of an ecosystem that adapts to the long-term survival of human beings in space stations or other planets would be the first step. The space plant cultivation system is the key component of an ecosystem, which will produce food, fiber, edible oil and oxygen for future space inhabitants. Many plant experiments have been carried out under a stimulated or real environment of altered gravity, including at microgravity (0 g), Moon gravity (0.17 g) and Mars gravity (0.38 g). How plants sense gravity and change under stress environment of altered gravity were summarized in this review. However, many challenges remain regarding human missions to the Moon or Mars. Our group conducted the first plant experiment under real Moon gravity (0.17 g) in 2019. One of the cotton seeds successfully germinated and produced a green seedling, which represents the first green leaf produced by mankind on the Moon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Qiu
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
| | - Yongfei Jian
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuanxun Zhang
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Gengxin Xie
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
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11
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Kordyum E, Hasenstein KH. Plant biology for space exploration - Building on the past, preparing for the future. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 29:1-7. [PMID: 33888282 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A review of past insights of space experiments with plants outlines basic space and gravity effects as well as gene expression. Efforts to grow plants in space gradually incorporated basic question on plant productivity, stress response and cultivation. The prospect of extended space missions as well as colonization of the Moon and Mars require better understanding and therefore research efforts on biomass productivity, substrate and water relations, atmospheric composition, pressure and temperature and substrate and volume (growth space) requirements. The essential combination of using plants not only for food production but also for regeneration of waste, and recycling of carbon and oxygen production requires integration of complex biological and engineering aspects. We combine a historical account of plant space research with considerations for future research on plant cultivation, selection, and productivity based on space-related environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Kordyum
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany NASU, Tereschenkivska Str. 2, 01601 Kiev, Ukraine, United States
| | - Karl H Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, 70504-3602, United States.
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12
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Sathasivam M, Hosamani R, K Swamy B, Kumaran G S. Plant responses to real and simulated microgravity. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2021; 28:74-86. [PMID: 33612182 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plant biology experiments in real and simulated microgravity have significantly contributed to our understanding of physiology and behavior of plants. How do plants perceive microgravity? How that perception translates into stimulus? And in turn plant's response and adaptation to microgravity through physiological, cellular, and molecular changes have been reasonably well documented in the literature. Knowledge gained through these plant biology experiments in microgravity helped to successfully cultivate crops in space. For instance, salad crop such as red romaine lettuce grown on the International Space Station (ISS) is allowed to incorporate into the crew's supplementary diet. However, the use of plants as a sustainable bio-regenerative life support system (BLSS) to produce fresh food and O2, reduce CO2 level, recycle metabolic waste, and efficient water management for long-duration space exploration missions requires critical gap filling research. Hence, it is inevitable to reflect and review plant biology microgravity research findings time and again with a new set of data available in the literature. With that in focus, the current article discusses phenotypic, physiological, biochemical, cell cycle, cell wall changes and molecular responses of plants to microgravity both in real and simulated conditions with the latest literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malarvizhi Sathasivam
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IABT), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580005, India
| | - Ravikumar Hosamani
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IABT), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580005, India.
| | - Basavalingayya K Swamy
- Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (IABT), University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, 580005, India
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13
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Kaplan F, Shapiro-Ilan D, Schiller KC. Dynamics of entomopathogenic nematode foraging and infectivity in microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2020; 6:20. [PMID: 32818149 PMCID: PMC7418002 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-00110-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microgravity is a unique environment to elucidate host-parasite biology. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), model parasites, kill host insects with mutualistic bacteria and provide environmentally friendly pest control. It is unknown how microgravity affects a multistep insect invasion by parasites with mutualistic bacteria. EPNs respond directionally to electromagnetic cues and their sinusoidal locomotion is affected by various physical factors. Therefore, we expected microgravity to impact EPN functionality. Microgravity experiments during space flight on the International Space Station (ISS) indicated that EPNs successfully emerged from consumed insect host cadavers, moved through soil, found and infected bait insects in a manner equivalent to Earth controls. However, nematodes that developed entirely in space, from the egg stage, died upon return to Earth, unlike controls in microgravity and on Earth. This agricultural biocontrol experiment in space gives insight to long-term space flight for symbiotic organisms, parasite biology, and the potential for sustainable crop protection in space.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Shapiro-Ilan
- US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Byron, GA 31008 USA
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14
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Karahara I, Suto T, Yamaguchi T, Yashiro U, Tamaoki D, Okamoto E, Yano S, Tanigaki F, Shimazu T, Kasahara H, Kasahara H, Yamada M, Hoson T, Soga K, Kamisaka S. Vegetative and reproductive growth of Arabidopsis under microgravity conditions in space. JOURNAL OF PLANT RESEARCH 2020; 133:571-585. [PMID: 32424466 DOI: 10.1007/s10265-020-01200-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We have performed a seed-to-seed experiment in the cell biology experiment facility (CBEF) installed in the Kibo (Japanese Experiment Module) in the International Space Station. The CBEF has a 1 × g compartment on a centrifuge and a microgravity compartment, to investigate the effects of microgravity on the vegetative and reproductive growth of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Seeds germinated irrespective of gravitational conditions after water supply on board. Thereafter, seedlings developed rosette leaves. The time of bolting was slightly earlier under microgravity than under space 1 × g. Microgravity enhanced the growth rate of peduncles as compared with space 1 × g or ground control. Plants developed flowers, siliques and seeds, completing their entire life cycle during 62-days cultivation. Although the flowering time was not significantly affected under microgravity, the number of flowers in a bolted plant significantly increased under microgravity as compared with space 1 × g or ground control. Microscopic analysis of reproductive organs revealed that the longitudinal length of anthers was significantly shorter under microgravity when compared with space 1 × g, while the length of pistils and filaments was not influenced by the gravitational conditions. Seed mass significantly increased under microgravity when compared with space 1 × g. In addition, seeds produced in space were found not to germinate on the ground. These results indicate that microgravity significantly influenced the reproductive development of Arabidopsis plants even though Earth's gravitational environment is not absolutely necessary for them to complete their life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichirou Karahara
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan.
| | - Takamichi Suto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Umi Yashiro
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Daisuke Tamaoki
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Emi Okamoto
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
| | - Sachiko Yano
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Haruo Kasahara
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tokyo, Japan
- Japan Manned Space System Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Mitsuhiro Yamada
- School of Biological Sciences, Tokai University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Takayuki Hoson
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kouichi Soga
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Seiichiro Kamisaka
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Toyama, Gofuku, Toyama, 930-8555, Japan
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15
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Monje O, Richards JT, Carver JA, Dimapilis DI, Levine HG, Dufour NF, Onate BG. Hardware Validation of the Advanced Plant Habitat on ISS: Canopy Photosynthesis in Reduced Gravity. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:673. [PMID: 32625217 PMCID: PMC7314936 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) is the largest research plant growth facility deployed on the International Space Station (ISS). APH is a fully enclosed, closed-loop plant life support system with an environmentally controlled growth chamber designed for conducting both fundamental and applied plant research during experiments extending as long as 135 days. APH was delivered to the ISS in parts aboard two commercial resupply missions: OA-7 in April 2017 and SpaceX-11 in June 2017, and was assembled and installed in the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo in November 2018. We report here on a 7-week-long hardware validation test that utilized a root module planted with both Arabidopsis (cv. Col 0) and wheat (cv. Apogee) plants. The validation test examined the APH's ability to control light intensity, spectral quality, humidity, CO2 concentration, photoperiod, temperature, and root zone moisture using commanding from ground facilities at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). The test also demonstrated the execution of programmed experiment profiles that scheduled: (1) changes in environmental combinations (e.g., a daily photoperiod at constant relative humidity), (2) predetermined photographic events using the three APH cameras [overhead, sideview, and sideview near-infrared (NIR)], and (3) execution of experimental sequences during the life cycle of a crop (e.g., measure photosynthetic CO2 drawdown experiments). Arabidopsis and wheat were grown in microgravity to demonstrate crew procedures, planting protocols and watering schemes within APH. The ability of APH to contain plant debris was assessed during the harvest of mature Arabidopsis plants. Wheat provided a large evaporative load that tested root zone moisture control and the recovery of transpired water by condensation. The wheat canopy was also used to validate the ability of APH to measure gas exchange of plants from non-invasive gas exchange measurements (i.e., canopy photosynthesis and respiration). These features were evaluated by executing experiment profiles that utilized the CO2 drawdown technique to measure daily rates of canopy photosynthesis and dark-period CO2 increase for respiration. This hardware validation test confirmed that APH can measure fundamental plant responses to spaceflight conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Monje
- AECOM Management Services Inc., LASSO, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Jeffrey T. Richards
- AECOM Management Services Inc., LASSO, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - John A. Carver
- TOSC, Jacobs Technology, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | | | - Howard G. Levine
- NASA, UB-A, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Nicole F. Dufour
- NASA, UB-A, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Bryan G. Onate
- NASA, UB-A, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
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16
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Baranova EN, Levinskikh MA, Gulevich AA. Wheat Space Odyssey: "From Seed to Seed". Kernel Morphology. Life (Basel) 2019; 9:E81. [PMID: 31717710 PMCID: PMC6958380 DOI: 10.3390/life9040081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term autonomous existence of man in extraterrestrial conditions is associated with the need to cultivate plants-the only affordable and effective means for both providing oxygen and CO2 utilization, and providing one of the most habitual and energetically valuable products: plant food. In this study, we analyzed the results of the space odyssey of wheat and compared the morphological features of parental grains harvested from soil grown wheat plants, the grains obtained from plants grown in a specialized device for plant cultivation-the "Lada" space greenhouses during space flight in the ISS, and the grains obtained from plants in the same device on Earth. The seeds obtained under various conditions were studied using scanning electron microscopy. We studied the mutual location of the surface layers of the kernel cover tissues, the structural features of the tube and cross cells of the fruit coat (pericarp), and the birsh hairs of the kernels. It was found that the grains obtained under wheat plants cultivation on board of the ISS in near space had some specific differences from the parental, original grains, and the grains obtained from plants grown in the "Lada" greenhouse in ground conditions. These changes were manifested in a shortening of the birsh hairs, and a change in the size and relative arrangement of the cells of the kernel coat. We suggest that such changes are a manifestation of the sensitivity of the cytoskeleton reorganization systems and water exchange to the influence of particular physical conditions of space flight (microgravity, increased doses of radiation, etc.). Thus, the revealed changes did not hinder the wheat grains production "from seed to seed", which allows the cultivation of this crop in stable life support systems in near earth orbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina N. Baranova
- Department of Plant Cell and Genetic Engineering, All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Moscow 127550, Russia;
| | | | - Alexander A. Gulevich
- Department of Plant Cell and Genetic Engineering, All-Russian Research Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, Moscow 127550, Russia;
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17
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Blachowicz A, Chiang AJ, Romsdahl J, Kalkum M, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. Proteomic characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from air and surfaces of the International Space Station. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:39-46. [PMID: 30611835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suite of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS, respectively, is presented, along with a comparison to well-studied clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins that showed increased abundance in ISS isolates were overall involved in stress responses, and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. Among the most abundant proteins were Pst2 and ArtA involved in oxidative stress response, PdcA and AcuE responsible for ethanol fermentation and glyoxylate cycle, respectively, TpcA, TpcF, and TpcK that are part of trypacidin biosynthetic pathway, and a toxin Asp-hemolysin. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Abby J Chiang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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Zabel P, Bamsey M, Schubert D, Tajmar M. Review and analysis of over 40 years of space plant growth systems. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2016; 10:1-16. [PMID: 27662782 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The cultivation of higher plants occupies an essential role within bio-regenerative life support systems. It contributes to all major functional aspects by closing the different loops in a habitat like food production, CO2 reduction, O2 production, waste recycling and water management. Fresh crops are also expected to have a positive impact on crew psychological health. Plant material was first launched into orbit on unmanned vehicles as early as the 1960s. Since then, more than a dozen different plant cultivation experiments have been flown on crewed vehicles beginning with the launch of Oasis 1, in 1971. Continuous subsystem improvements and increasing knowledge of plant response to the spaceflight environment has led to the design of Veggie and the Advanced Plant Habitat, the latest in the series of plant growth systems. The paper reviews the different designs and technological solutions implemented in higher plant flight experiments. Using these analyses a comprehensive comparison is compiled to illustrate the development trends of controlled environment agriculture technologies in bio-regenerative life support systems, enabling future human long-duration missions into the solar system.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Zabel
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Bremen, Germany.
| | - M Bamsey
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Bremen, Germany.
| | - D Schubert
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Space Systems, Bremen, Germany.
| | - M Tajmar
- Technische Universität Dresden, Institute of Aerospace Engineering, Dresden, Germany.
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19
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Rea G, Cristofaro F, Pani G, Pascucci B, Ghuge SA, Corsetto PA, Imbriani M, Visai L, Rizzo AM. Microgravity-driven remodeling of the proteome reveals insights into molecular mechanisms and signal networks involved in response to the space flight environment. J Proteomics 2015; 137:3-18. [PMID: 26571091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Space is a hostile environment characterized by high vacuum, extreme temperatures, meteoroids, space debris, ionospheric plasma, microgravity and space radiation, which all represent risks for human health. A deep understanding of the biological consequences of exposure to the space environment is required to design efficient countermeasures to minimize their negative impact on human health. Recently, proteomic approaches have received a significant amount of attention in the effort to further study microgravity-induced physiological changes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the effects of microgravity on microorganisms (in particular Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, Bacillus cereus and Rhodospirillum rubrum S1H), plants (whole plants, organs, and cell cultures), mammalian cells (endothelial cells, bone cells, chondrocytes, muscle cells, thyroid cancer cells, immune system cells) and animals (invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals). Herein, we describe their proteome's response to microgravity, focusing on proteomic discoveries and their future potential applications in space research. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Space experiments and operational flight experience have identified detrimental effects on human health and performance because of exposure to weightlessness, even when currently available countermeasures are implemented. Many experimental tools and methods have been developed to study microgravity induced physiological changes. Recently, genomic and proteomic approaches have received a significant amount of attention. This review summarizes the recent research studies of the proteome response to microgravity inmicroorganisms, plants, mammalians cells and animals. Current proteomic tools allow large-scale, high-throughput analyses for the detection, identification, and functional investigation of all proteomes. Understanding gene and/or protein expression is the key to unlocking the mechanisms behind microgravity-induced problems and to finding effective countermeasures to spaceflight-induced alterations but also for the study of diseases on earth. Future perspectives are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Rea
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cristofaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Center for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3/b, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Pascucci
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandip A Ghuge
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Antonia Corsetto
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensics, University of Pavia, V.le Forlanini 8, Pavia, Italy; Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Environmental Risks, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Via S. Boezio 28, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Livia Visai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Center for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3/b, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Environmental Risks, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Via S. Boezio 28, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Angela M Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
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20
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Kurenda A, Stolarz M, Zdunek A. Electrical potential oscillations--movement relations in circumnutating sunflower stem and effect of ion channel and proton pump inhibitors on circumnutation. PHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM 2015; 153:307-17. [PMID: 25211351 DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The physiological control and molecular mechanism of circumnutation (CN) has not yet been fully understood. To gain information on the CN mechanism, the relationship between the changes of electrical potential and movement in the circumnutating sunflower stem and effect of ion channels and proton pump inhibitors on CN parameters were evaluated. Long-term electrophysiological measurements and injection of solutions of ion channel inhibitors (ICI) into sunflower stem with the simultaneous time-lapse recording of the movement were made. The oscillations of electrical potential (OEP) - movement relations - consist of cells depolarization on the deflected side of the stem and, at this same time, cells hyperpolarization on the opposite side of the stem. The delay of organ movement in relation to electrical changes of approximately 28 min (22% of the period) may indicate that the ionic fluxes causing the OEP are the primary phenomenon. The biggest decrease of CN period was observed after injection of proton pump (approximately 26%) and cation channel (approximately 25%) inhibitors, while length and amplitude were reduced mainly by calcium channel inhibitors (approximately 67%). Existence of OEP only in circumnutating part of sunflower stem and reduction of CN parameters and OEP amplitude after application of ICI prove that the CN cellular mechanism is associated with transmembrane ion transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Kurenda
- Department of Biophysics, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, 20-033, Lublin, Poland; Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 20-290, Lublin, Poland
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Vandenbrink JP, Kiss JZ, Herranz R, Medina FJ. Light and gravity signals synergize in modulating plant development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2014; 5:563. [PMID: 25389428 PMCID: PMC4211383 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2014.00563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/30/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Tropisms are growth-mediated plant movements that help plants to respond to changes in environmental stimuli. The availability of water and light, as well as the presence of a constant gravity vector, are all environmental stimuli that plants sense and respond to via directed growth movements (tropisms). The plant response to gravity (gravitropism) and the response to unidirectional light (phototropism) have long been shown to be interconnected growth phenomena. Here, we discuss the similarities in these two processes, as well as the known molecular mechanisms behind the tropistic responses. We also highlight research done in a microgravity environment in order to decouple two tropisms through experiments carried out in the absence of a significant unilateral gravity vector. In addition, alteration of gravity, especially the microgravity environment, and light irradiation produce important effects on meristematic cells, the undifferentiated, highly proliferating, totipotent cells which sustain plant development. Microgravity produces the disruption of meristematic competence, i.e., the decoupling of cell proliferation and cell growth, affecting the regulation of the cell cycle and ribosome biogenesis. Light irradiation, especially red light, mediated by phytochromes, has an activating effect on these processes. Phytohormones, particularly auxin, also are key mediators in these alterations. Upcoming experiments on the International Space Station will clarify some of the mechanisms and molecular players of the plant responses to these environmental signals involved in tropisms and the cell cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, UniversityMS, USA
| | - Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), MadridSpain
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22
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Link BM, Busse JS, Stankovic B. Seed-to-seed-to-seed growth and development of Arabidopsis in microgravity. ASTROBIOLOGY 2014; 14:866-875. [PMID: 25317938 PMCID: PMC4201294 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2014.1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Arabidopsis thaliana was grown from seed to seed wholly in microgravity on the International Space Station. Arabidopsis plants were germinated, grown, and maintained inside a growth chamber prior to returning to Earth. Some of these seeds were used in a subsequent experiment to successfully produce a second (back-to-back) generation of microgravity-grown Arabidopsis. In general, plant growth and development in microgravity proceeded similarly to those of the ground controls, which were grown in an identical chamber. Morphologically, the most striking feature of space-grown Arabidopsis was that the secondary inflorescence branches and siliques formed nearly perpendicular angles to the inflorescence stems. The branches grew out perpendicularly to the main inflorescence stem, indicating that gravity was the key determinant of branch and silique angle and that light had either no role or a secondary role in Arabidopsis branch and silique orientation. Seed protein bodies were 55% smaller in space seed than in controls, but protein assays showed only a 9% reduction in seed protein content. Germination rates for space-produced seed were 92%, indicating that the seeds developed in microgravity were healthy and viable. Gravity is not necessary for seed-to-seed growth of plants, though it plays a direct role in plant form and may influence seed reserves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce M. Link
- Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA. (Contributions for this work were made prior to affiliation with Syngenta.)
| | - James S. Busse
- Department of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Bratislav Stankovic
- University of Information Science and Technology “St. Paul the Apostle,” Ohrid, Macedonia
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23
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Effects of the Extraterrestrial Environment on Plants: Recommendations for Future Space Experiments for the MELiSSA Higher Plant Compartment. Life (Basel) 2014; 4:189-204. [PMID: 25370192 PMCID: PMC4187168 DOI: 10.3390/life4020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to logistical challenges, long-term human space exploration missions require a life support system capable of regenerating all the essentials for survival. Higher plants can be utilized to provide a continuous supply of fresh food, atmosphere revitalization, and clean water for humans. Plants can adapt to extreme environments on Earth, and model plants have been shown to grow and develop through a full life cycle in microgravity. However, more knowledge about the long term effects of the extraterrestrial environment on plant growth and development is necessary. The European Space Agency (ESA) has developed the Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) program to develop a closed regenerative life support system, based on micro-organisms and higher plant processes, with continuous recycling of resources. In this context, a literature review to analyze the impact of the space environments on higher plants, with focus on gravity levels, magnetic fields and radiation, has been performed. This communication presents a roadmap giving directions for future scientific activities within space plant cultivation. The roadmap aims to identify the research activities required before higher plants can be included in regenerative life support systems in space.
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De Micco V, De Pascale S, Paradiso R, Aronne G. Microgravity effects on different stages of higher plant life cycle and completion of the seed-to-seed cycle. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16 Suppl 1:31-8. [PMID: 24015754 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Human inhabitation of Space requires the efficient realisation of crop cultivation in bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS). It is well known that plants can grow under Space conditions; however, perturbations of many biological phenomena have been highlighted due to the effect of altered gravity and its possible interactions with other factors. The mechanisms priming plant responses to Space factors, as well as the consequences of such alterations on crop productivity, have not been completely elucidated. These perturbations can occur at different stages of plant life and are potentially responsible for failure of the completion of the seed-to-seed cycle. After brief consideration of the main constraints found in the most recent experiments aiming to produce seeds in Space, we focus on two developmental phases in which the plant life cycle can be interrupted more easily than in others also on Earth. The first regards seedling development and establishment; we discuss reasons for slow development at the seedling stage that often occurs under microgravity conditions and can reduce successful establishment. The second stage comprises gametogenesis and pollination; we focus on male gamete formation, also identifying potential constraints to subsequent fertilisation. We finally highlight how similar alterations at cytological level can not only be common to different processes occurring at different life stages, but can be primed by different stress factors; such alterations can be interpreted within the model of 'stress-induced morphogenic response' (SIMR). We conclude by suggesting that a systematic analysis of all growth and reproductive phases during the plant life cycle is needed to optimise resource use in plant-based BLSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- V De Micco
- Department of Agriculture, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, Naples, Italy
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25
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Tamaoki D, Karahara I, Nishiuchi T, Wakasugi T, Yamada K, Kamisaka S. Effects of hypergravity stimulus on global gene expression during reproductive growth in Arabidopsis. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16 Suppl 1:179-186. [PMID: 24373015 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The life cycle of higher plants consists of successive vegetative and reproductive growth phases. Understanding effects of altered gravity conditions on the reproductive growth is essential, not only to elucidate how higher plants evolved under gravitational condition on Earth but also to approach toward realization of agriculture in space. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of global gene expression of floral buds under hypergravity was carried out to understand effects of altered gravity on reproductive growth at molecular level. Arabidopsis plants grown for 20-26 days were exposed to hypergravity of 300 g for 24 h. Total RNA was extracted from flower buds and microarray (44 K) analysis performed. As a result, hypergravity up-regulated expression of a gene related to β-1,3-glucanase involved in pectin modification, and down-regulated β-galactosidase and amino acid transport, which supports a previous study reporting inhibition of pollen development and germination under hypergravity. With regard to genes related to seed storage accumulation, hypergravity up-regulated expression of genes of aspartate aminotransferase, and down-regulated those related to cell wall invertase and sugar transporter, supporting a previous study reporting promotion of protein body development and inhibition of starch accumulation under hypergravity, respectively. In addition, hypergravity up-regulated expression of G6PDH and GPGDH, which supports a previous study reporting promotion of lipid deposition under hypergravity. In addition, analysis of the metabolic pathway revealed that hypergravity substantially changed expression of genes involved in the biosynthesis of phytohormones such as abscisic acid and auxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Tamaoki
- Department of Biology, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
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26
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Paul AL, Wheeler RM, Levine HG, Ferl RJ. Fundamental plant biology enabled by the space shuttle. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2013; 100:226-34. [PMID: 23281389 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1200338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between fundamental plant biology and space biology was especially synergistic in the era of the Space Shuttle. While all terrestrial organisms are influenced by gravity, the impact of gravity as a tropic stimulus in plants has been a topic of formal study for more than a century. And while plants were parts of early space biology payloads, it was not until the advent of the Space Shuttle that the science of plant space biology enjoyed expansion that truly enabled controlled, fundamental experiments that removed gravity from the equation. The Space Shuttle presented a science platform that provided regular science flights with dedicated plant growth hardware and crew trained in inflight plant manipulations. Part of the impetus for plant biology experiments in space was the realization that plants could be important parts of bioregenerative life support on long missions, recycling water, air, and nutrients for the human crew. However, a large part of the impetus was that the Space Shuttle enabled fundamental plant science essentially in a microgravity environment. Experiments during the Space Shuttle era produced key science insights on biological adaptation to spaceflight and especially plant growth and tropisms. In this review, we present an overview of plant science in the Space Shuttle era with an emphasis on experiments dealing with fundamental plant growth in microgravity. This review discusses general conclusions from the study of plant spaceflight biology enabled by the Space Shuttle by providing historical context and reviews of select experiments that exemplify plant space biology science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Horticultural Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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27
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Johnsson A, Solheim BGB, Iversen TH. Gravity amplifies and microgravity decreases circumnutations in Arabidopsis thaliana stems: results from a space experiment. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2009; 182:621-629. [PMID: 19320838 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02777.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
In a microgravity experiment onboard the International Space Station, circumnutations of Arabidopsis thaliana were studied. Plants were cultivated on rotors under a light:dark (LD) cycle of 16 : 8 h, and it was possible to apply controlled centrifugation pulses. Time-lapse images of inflorescence stems (primary, primary axillary and lateral inflorescences) documented the effect of microgravity on the circumnutations. Self-sustained circumnutations of side stems were present in microgravity but amplitudes were mostly very small. In darkness, centrifugation at 0.8 g increased the amplitude by a factor of five to ten. The period at 0.8 g was c. 85 min, in microgravity roughly of the same magnitude. In white light the period decreased to c. 60 min at 0.8 g (microgravity value not measurable). Three-dimensional data showed that under 0.8 g side stems rotated in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Circumnutation data for the main stem in light showed a doubling of the amplitude and a longer period at 0.8 g than in microgravity (c. 80 vs 60 min). For the first time, the importance of gravity in amplifying minute oscillatory movements in microgravity into high-amplitude circumnutations was unequivocally demonstrated. The importance of these findings for the modelling of gravity effects on self-sustained oscillatory movements is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Johnsson
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - B G B Solheim
- Department of Physics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - T-H Iversen
- Department of Biology, The Plant BioCentre, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
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Billings L, Cameron V, Claire M, Dick GJ, Domagal-Goldman SD, Javaux EJ, Johnson OJ, Laws C, Race MS, Rask J, Rummel JD, Schelble RT, Vance S. The astrobiology primer: an outline of general knowledge--version 1, 2006. ASTROBIOLOGY 2006; 6:735-813. [PMID: 17067259 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2006.6.735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The Astrobiology Primer has been created as a reference tool for those who are interested in the interdisciplinary field of astrobiology. The field incorporates many diverse research endeavors, but it is our hope that this slim volume will present the reader with all he or she needs to know to become involved and to understand, at least at a fundamental level, the state of the art. Each section includes a brief overview of a topic and a short list of readable and important literature for those interested in deeper knowledge. Because of the great diversity of material, each section was written by a different author with a different expertise. Contributors, authors, and editors are listed at the beginning, along with a list of those chapters and sections for which they were responsible. We are deeply indebted to the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI), in particular to Estelle Dodson, David Morrison, Ed Goolish, Krisstina Wilmoth, and Rose Grymes for their continued enthusiasm and support. The Primer came about in large part because of NAI support for graduate student research, collaboration, and inclusion as well as direct funding. We have entitled the Primer version 1 in hope that it will be only the first in a series, whose future volumes will be produced every 3-5 years. This way we can insure that the Primer keeps up with the current state of research. We hope that it will be a great resource for anyone trying to stay abreast of an ever-changing field.
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Lehto KM, Lehto HJ, Kanervo EA. Suitability of different photosynthetic organisms for an extraterrestrial biological life support system. Res Microbiol 2005; 157:69-76. [PMID: 16439102 DOI: 10.1016/j.resmic.2005.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2005] [Revised: 07/13/2005] [Accepted: 07/20/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In the present era of intensive space and planetary research, efficient life support systems (LSSs) are needed to maintain suitable living conditions when humans move into space, i.e. away from the Earth's atmosphere. Thus far, such suitable conditions on various space flights and on the space stations (Mir and the International Space Station) have been maintained solely via physical and chemical means (transport of O2, H2O and food from the Earth, cleaning and recycling of air and water). However, for long-duration missions to distant destinations, such as exploratory missions to Mars, biological life support systems (BLSSs) may be needed to convert local CO2 and H2O to O2, and to food. As on earth, this conversion process would need to be based on photosynthesis. Use of higher plants and microalgae as BLSS organisms has been intensively studied. Here we review the growth requirements of these two types of photosynthetic organisms, with particular attention to their suitability for use in harsh Martian conditions, i.e. low temperatures, low atmospheric pressure, high CO2 concentration, high UV radiation and dryness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi M Lehto
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, 20014 University of Turku, Finland.
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