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Roussel A, McAdam AC, Pavlov AA, Knudson CA, Achilles CN, Foustoukos DI, Dworkin JP, Andrejkovičová S, Bower DM, Johnson SS. Variable and Large Losses of Diagnostic Biomarkers After Simulated Cosmic Radiation Exposure in Clay- and Carbonate-Rich Mars Analog Samples. ASTROBIOLOGY 2024; 24:669-683. [PMID: 38979620 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2023.0123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Mars has been exposed to ionizing radiation for several billion years, and as part of the search for life on the Red Planet, it is crucial to understand the impact of radiation on biosignature preservation. Several NASA and ESA missions are looking for evidence of ancient life in samples collected at depths shallow enough that they have been impacted by galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). In this study, we exposed a diverse set of Mars analog samples to 0.9 Megagray (MGy) of gamma radiation to mimic 15 million years of exposure on the Martian surface. We measured no significant impact of GCRs on the total organic carbon (TOC) and bulk stable C isotopes in samples with initial TOC concentration > 0.1 wt. %; however, diagnostic molecular biosignatures presented a wide range of degradation that didn't correlate to factors like mineralogy, TOC, water content, and surface area. Exposure dating suggests that the surface of Gale crater has been irradiated at more than five times our dose, yet using this relatively low dose and "best-case scenario" geologically recalcitrant biomarkers, large and variable losses were nevertheless evident. Our results empasize the importance of selecting sampling sites at depth or recently exposed at the Martian surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anaïs Roussel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Amy C McAdam
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Alex A Pavlov
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine A Knudson
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Dionysis I Foustoukos
- Earth and Planets Laboratory, Carnegie Institution for Science, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - S Andrejkovičová
- Geosciences Department, GeoBiotec Unit, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dina M Bower
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, USA
- Astronomy Department, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Sarah Stewart Johnson
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
- Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Silva GG, Vincenzi RA, de Araujo GG, Venceslau SJS, Rodrigues F. Siderite and vivianite as energy sources for the extreme acidophilic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans in the context of mars habitability. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14885. [PMID: 38937525 PMCID: PMC11211326 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64246-7] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Past and present habitability of Mars have been intensely studied in the context of the search for signals of life. Despite the harsh conditions observed today on the planet, some ancient Mars environments could have harbored specific characteristics able to mitigate several challenges for the development of microbial life. In such environments, Fe2+ minerals like siderite (already identified on Mars), and vivianite (proposed, but not confirmed) could sustain a chemolithoautotrophic community. In this study, we investigate the ability of the acidophilic iron-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophic bacterium Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans to use these minerals as its sole energy source. A. ferrooxidans was grown in media containing siderite or vivianite under different conditions and compared to abiotic controls. Our experiments demonstrated that this microorganism was able to grow, obtaining its energy from the oxidation of Fe2+ that came from the solubilization of these minerals under low pH. Additionally, in sealed flasks without CO2, A. ferrooxidans was able to fix carbon directly from the carbonate ion released from siderite for biomass production, indicating that it could be able to colonize subsurface environments with little or no contact with an atmosphere. These previously unexplored abilities broaden our knowledge on the variety of minerals able to sustain life. In the context of astrobiology, this expands the list of geomicrobiological processes that should be taken into account when considering the habitability of environments beyond Earth, and opens for investigation the possible biological traces left on these substrates as biosignatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Gonçalves Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Química, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Roberta Almeida Vincenzi
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Bioquímica E Biologia Molecular, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Guarany de Araujo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio Rodrigues
- Departamento de Química Fundamental, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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3
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Guo C, Wang Q, Shuai P, Wang T, Wu W, Li Y, Huang S, Yu J, Yi L. Radiation and male reproductive system: Damage and protection. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:142030. [PMID: 38626814 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142030] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Male fertility has been declining in recent decades, and a growing body of research points to environmental and lifestyle factors as the cause. The widespread use of radiation technology may result in more people affected by male infertility, as it is well established that radiation can cause reproductive impairment in men. This article provides a review of radiation-induced damage to male reproduction, and the effects of damage mechanisms and pharmacotherapy. It is hoped that this review will contribute to the understanding of the effects of radiation on male reproduction, and provide information for research into drugs that can protect the reproductive health of males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caimao Guo
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Peimeng Shuai
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Wenyu Wu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Shuqi Huang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China
| | - Jia Yu
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Lan Yi
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Hengyang Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Hunan Province Cooperative Innovation Center for Molecular Target New Drug Study, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
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4
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Zhang S, Wang Z, Jiang J, Feng G, Fan S. Lactobacillus reuteri's multifaceted role in mitigating ionizing radiation-induced injury in Drosophila melanogaster. Food Funct 2024; 15:3522-3538. [PMID: 38465872 DOI: 10.1039/d3fo05422e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
The numerous beneficial probiotic properties of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) include decreasing metabolic syndrome, preventing disorders linked to oxidative stress, improving gut flora imbalances, controlling immunological function, and extending life span. Exposure to ionizing radiation is closely associated with several disorders. We examined the protective and salvaging effects of L. reuteri on ionizing radiation-induced injury to the intestinal tract, reproductive system, and nervous system of Drosophila melanogaster. We also examined its effects on lifespan, antioxidant capacity, progeny development, and behavioral aspects to assess the interaction between L. reuteri and ionizing radiation-induced injury. The findings demonstrated that L. reuteri improved the median survival time following irradiation and greatly extended its lifespan. In addition, it raised SOD activity, reduced ROS levels in intestinal epithelial cells, and increased the quantity of intestinal stem cells. Furthermore, L. reuteri enhanced the adult male flies' capacity to move. It also successfully safeguarded the generations' growth and development. L. reuteri dramatically enhanced expression of the AMPKα gene and regulated expression of its pathway-related gene, mTOR, as well as the autophagy-related genes Atg1 and Atg5 in female Drosophila exposed to irradiation. Notably, no prior reports have been made on the possible effects of L. reuteri on injuries caused by irradiation. As a result, our research offers important new information regarding L. reuteri's possible role as a shield against ionizing radiation-induced injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songling Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China.
| | - Zhaoyu Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China.
| | - Jin Jiang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China.
| | - Guoxing Feng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China.
| | - Saijun Fan
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Tianjin Institutes of Health Science, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, P.R. China.
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5
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Dai S, Xie Z, Wang B, Ye R, Ou X, Wang C, Yu N, Huang C, Zhao J, Cai C, Zhang F, Buratto D, Khan T, Qiao Y, Hua Y, Zhou R, Tian B. An inorganic mineral-based protocell with prebiotic radiation fitness. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7699. [PMID: 38052788 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43272-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Protocell fitness under extreme prebiotic conditions is critical in understanding the origin of life. However, little is known about protocell's survival and fitness under prebiotic radiations. Here we present a radioresistant protocell model based on assembly of two types of coacervate droplets, which are formed through interactions of inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) with divalent metal cation and cationic tripeptide, respectively. Among the coacervate droplets, only the polyP-Mn droplet is radiotolerant and provides strong protection for recruited proteins. The radiosensitive polyP-tripeptide droplet sequestered with both proteins and DNA could be encapsulated inside the polyP-Mn droplet, and form into a compartmentalized protocell. The protocell protects the inner nucleoid-like condensate through efficient reactive oxygen species' scavenging capacity of intracellular nonenzymic antioxidants including Mn-phosphate and Mn-peptide. Our results demonstrate a radioresistant protocell model with redox reaction system in response to ionizing radiation, which might enable the protocell fitness to prebiotic radiation on the primitive Earth preceding the emergence of enzyme-based fitness. This protocell might also provide applications in synthetic biology as bioreactor or drug delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shang Dai
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study of Zhejiang University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenming Xie
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Binqiang Wang
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Ye
- School of Physics, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinwen Ou
- School of Physics, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Yu
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunhui Cai
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Furong Zhang
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Damiano Buratto
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Physics, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Taimoor Khan
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Physics, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Qiao
- Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Yuejin Hua
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Qian Xuesen Collaborative Research Center of Astrochemistry and Space Life Sciences, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Ruhong Zhou
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Study of Zhejiang University, Shanghai, China.
- School of Physics, Institute of Quantitative Biology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Bing Tian
- Institute of Biophysics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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6
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Aureli L, Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Ahren D, Cemmi A, Di Sarcina I, Onofri S, Selbmann L. Geography and environmental pressure are predictive of class-specific radioresistance in black fungi. Environ Microbiol 2023; 25:2931-2942. [PMID: 37775957 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.16510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Black fungi are among the most resistant organisms to ionizing radiation on Earth. However, our current knowledge is based on studies on a few isolates, while the overall radioresistance limits across this microbial group and the relationship with local environmental conditions remain largely undetermined. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed the survival of 101 strains of black fungi isolated across a worldwide spatial distribution to gamma radiation doses up to 100 kGy. We found that intra and inter-specific taxonomy, UV radiation, and precipitation levels primarily influence the radioresistance in black fungi. Altogether, this study provides insights into the adaptive mechanisms of black fungi to extreme environments and highlights the role of local adaptation in shaping the survival capabilities of these extreme-tolerant organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Aureli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Dag Ahren
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biology, National Bioinformatics Infrastructure Sweden (NBIS), Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Alessia Cemmi
- Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA FSN-FISS-SNI), Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Di Sarcina
- Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security Department, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA FSN-FISS-SNI), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genoa, Italy
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Qari LY, Homsi NJ, AlMadani TM, Jamal DM, Badr FF. An Assessment of the Public's Perceptions of Radiation Exposure and Risk Associated With Dental Radiographs: A Cross-Sectional Study. Cureus 2023; 15:e47879. [PMID: 38034156 PMCID: PMC10684028 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.47879] [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] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ionizing radiation exposure is an ever-present part of the dental diagnostic process. A public concern often exists due to the misunderstanding of the stochastic effects of dental X-rays. This information can be difficult to explain to the patient since many patients are apprehensive about the subject matter. OBJECTIVE This article aims to assess the public's knowledge of radiation exposure and estimate the general concern or apprehension about these diagnostic imaging modalities in an effort to understand and therefore ensure patient reassurance during treatment. METHOD A questionnaire was conducted asking adults between the ages of 18 to 74 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia questions pertaining to radiation risk. RESULTS There were 105 respondents; 21.9% showed concerns toward dental imaging, while 20% were skeptical. approximately 74% of respondents believed there was a limit to the amount of radiation exposure a patient could receive for diagnostic purposes, while only eight percent correctly identified that there was no set limit. Only 21.9% knew that a breastfeeding mother could have dental X-rays if need be; 33.3% understood that ionizing radiation from an intra-oral dental X-ray caused less exposure than natural background radiation from a return flight from Jeddah to Dammam. Conclusions: Patients are not aware of ionizing radiation exposure equivalencies between different imaging modalities. A more effective approach to convey exposure risk would be relating the radiation doses to natural background radiation as comparators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyan Y Qari
- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Najwa J Homsi
- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | | | - Duaa M Jamal
- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Fatma F Badr
- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
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8
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Małek A, Strzemski M, Kurzepa J, Kurzepa J. Can Bee Venom Be Used as Anticancer Agent in Modern Medicine? Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3714. [PMID: 37509375 PMCID: PMC10378503 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bee venom in its composition contains many biologically active peptides and enzymes that are effective in the fight against diseases of various etiologies. The history of the use of bee venom for medicinal purposes dates back thousands of years. There are many reports in the literature on the pharmacological properties of bee venom and/or its main components, e.g., anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial or neuroprotective properties. In addition, both crude venom and melittin exhibit cytotoxic activity against a wide range of tumor cells, with significant anti-metastatic activity in pre-clinical studies. Due to the constantly increasing incidence of cancer, the development of new therapeutic strategies in oncology is a particular challenge for modern medicine. A review paper discusses the various properties of bee venom with an emphasis on its anticancer properties. For this purpose, the PubMed database was searched, and publications related to "bee", "venom", "cancer" from the last 10 years were selected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Małek
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Maciej Strzemski
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Kurzepa
- 1st Department of Radiology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jacek Kurzepa
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
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9
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Hespeels B, Fontaneto D, Cornet V, Penninckx S, Berthe J, Bruneau L, Larrick JW, Rapport E, Bailly J, Debortoli N, Iakovenko N, Janko K, Heuskin AC, Lucas S, Hallet B, Van Doninck K. Back to the roots, desiccation and radiation resistances are ancestral characters in bdelloid rotifers. BMC Biol 2023; 21:72. [PMID: 37024917 PMCID: PMC10080820 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01554-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bdelloid rotifers are micro-invertebrates distributed worldwide, from temperate latitudes to the most extreme areas of the planet like Antarctica or the Atacama Desert. They have colonized any habitat where liquid water is temporarily available, including terrestrial environments such as soils, mosses, and lichens, tolerating desiccation and other types of stress such as high doses of ionizing radiation (IR). It was hypothesized that bdelloid desiccation and radiation resistance may be attributed to their potential ability to repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Here, these properties are investigated and compared among nine bdelloid species collected from both mild and harsh habitats, addressing the correlation between the ability of bdelloid rotifers to survive desiccation and their capacity to repair massive DNA breakage in a phylogenetically explicit context. Our research includes both specimens isolated from habitats that experience frequent desiccation (at least 1 time per generation), and individuals sampled from habitats that rarely or never experienced desiccation. RESULTS Our analysis reveals that DNA repair prevails in somatic cells of both desiccation-tolerant and desiccation-sensitive bdelloid species after exposure to X-ray radiation. Species belonging to both categories are able to withstand high doses of ionizing radiation, up to 1000 Gy, without experiencing any negative effects on their survival. However, the fertility of two desiccation-sensitive species, Rotaria macrura and Rotaria rotatoria, was more severely impacted by low doses of radiation than that of desiccation-resistant species. Surprisingly, the radioresistance of desiccation-resistant species is not related to features of their original habitat. Indeed, bdelloids isolated from Atacama Desert or Antarctica were not characterized by a higher radioresistance than species found in more temperate environments. CONCLUSIONS Tolerance to desiccation and radiation are supported as ancestral features of bdelloid rotifers, with a group of species of the genus Rotaria having lost this trait after colonizing permanent water habitats. Together, our results provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution of desiccation and radiation resistance among bdelloid rotifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Hespeels
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
| | - Diego Fontaneto
- Molecular Ecology Group (MEG), Water Research Institute (IRSA), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Verbania Pallanza, Italy
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics AS CR, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21, Czech Republic
| | - Valérie Cornet
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Penninckx
- Medical Physics Department, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jérémy Berthe
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
- Research Unit in Molecular Biology and Evolution, DBO, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lucie Bruneau
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - James W Larrick
- Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, CA, USA
- SETI Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Eloïse Rapport
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Jérémie Bailly
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Nicolas Debortoli
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Nataliia Iakovenko
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics AS CR, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ - 165 21 Praha 6, Suchdol, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, 71000, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Janko
- Laboratory of Non-Mendelian Evolution, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics AS CR, Rumburská 89, Liběchov, 277 21, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava, Chittussiho 10, 71000, Ostrava, Czech Republic
| | - Anne-Catherine Heuskin
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reactions (LARN), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (Narilis), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Stéphane Lucas
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reactions (LARN), Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (Narilis), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Bernard Hallet
- Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology, UCLouvain, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Karine Van Doninck
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.
- Research Unit in Molecular Biology and Evolution, DBO, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050, Brussels, Belgium.
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10
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Duarte GT, Volkova PY, Fiengo Perez F, Horemans N. Chronic Ionizing Radiation of Plants: An Evolutionary Factor from Direct Damage to Non-Target Effects. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:1178. [PMID: 36904038 PMCID: PMC10005729 DOI: 10.3390/plants12051178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In present times, the levels of ionizing radiation (IR) on the surface of Earth are relatively low, posing no high challenges for the survival of contemporary life forms. IR derives from natural sources and naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), the nuclear industry, medical applications, and as a result of radiation disasters or nuclear tests. In the current review, we discuss modern sources of radioactivity, its direct and indirect effects on different plant species, and the scope of the radiation protection of plants. We present an overview of the molecular mechanisms of radiation responses in plants, which leads to a tempting conjecture of the evolutionary role of IR as a limiting factor for land colonization and plant diversification rates. The hypothesis-driven analysis of available plant genomic data suggests an overall DNA repair gene families' depletion in land plants compared to ancestral groups, which overlaps with a decrease in levels of radiation exposure on the surface of Earth millions of years ago. The potential contribution of chronic IR as an evolutionary factor in combination with other environmental factors is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nele Horemans
- Belgian Nuclear Research Centre—SCK CEN, 2400 Mol, Belgium
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
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11
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Mifsud DV, Kaňuchová Z, Ioppolo S, Herczku P, Traspas Muiña A, Sulik B, Rahul KK, Kovács STS, Hailey PA, McCullough RW, Mason NJ, Juhász Z. Ozone production in electron irradiated CO 2:O 2 ices. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:18169-18178. [PMID: 35861183 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01535h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The detection of ozone (O3) in the surface ices of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon, and of the Saturnian moons Rhea and Dione, has motivated several studies on the route of formation of this species. Previous studies have successfully quantified trends in the production of O3 as a result of the irradiation of pure molecular ices using ultraviolet photons and charged particles (i.e., ions and electrons), such as the abundances of O3 formed after irradiation at different temperatures or using different charged particles. In this study, we extend such results by quantifying the abundance of O3 as a result of the 1 keV electron irradiation of a series of 14 stoichiometrically distinct CO2:O2 astrophysical ice analogues at 20 K. By using mid-infrared spectroscopy as our primary analytical tool, we have also been able to perform a spectral analysis of the asymmetric stretching mode of solid O3 and the variation in its observed shape and profile among the investigated ice mixtures. Our results are important in the context of better understanding the surface composition and chemistry of icy outer Solar System objects, and may thus be of use to future interplanetary space missions such as the ESA Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer and the NASA Europa Clipper missions, as well as the recently launched NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan V Mifsud
- Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK. .,Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen H-4026, Hungary.
| | - Zuzana Kaňuchová
- Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Tatranská Lomnica SK-059 60, Slovakia.
| | - Sergio Ioppolo
- School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Péter Herczku
- Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen H-4026, Hungary.
| | - Alejandra Traspas Muiña
- School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Béla Sulik
- Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen H-4026, Hungary.
| | - K K Rahul
- Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen H-4026, Hungary.
| | | | - Perry A Hailey
- Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK.
| | - Robert W McCullough
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Nigel J Mason
- Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, School of Physical Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury CT2 7NH, UK.
| | - Zoltán Juhász
- Institute for Nuclear Research (Atomki), Debrecen H-4026, Hungary.
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12
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Xi C, Zhao H, Liu HX, Xiang JQ, Lu X, Cai TJ, Li S, Gao L, Tian XL, Liu KH, Tian M, Liu QJ. Screening of radiation gastrointestinal injury biomarkers in rat plasma by high-coverage targeted lipidomics. Biomarkers 2022; 27:448-460. [PMID: 35315697 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2022.2056920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the event of radiological accidents and cancer radiotherapies in clinic, the gastrointestinal (GI) system is vulnerable to ionizing radiation and shows GI injury. Accessible biomarkers may provide means to predict, evaluate, and treat GI tissue damage. The current study investigated radiation GI injury biomarkers in rat plasma. MATERIAL AND METHODS High-coverage targeted lipidomics was employed to profile lipidome perturbations at 72 h after 0, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 Gy (60Co γ-rays at 1 Gy/min) total-body irradiation in male rat jejunum. The results were correlated with previous plasma screening outcomes. RESULTS In total, 93 differential metabolites and 28 linear dose-responsive metabolites were screened in the jejunum. Moreover, 52 lipid species with significant differences both in jejunum and plasma were obtained. Three lipid species with linear dose-response relationship both in jejunum and plasma were put forth, which exhibited good to excellent sensitivity and specificity in triaging different exposure levels. DISCUSSION The linear dose-effect relationship of lipid metabolites in the jejunum and the triage performance of radiation GI injury biomarkers in plasma were studied for the first time. CONCLUSION The present study can provide insights into expanded biomarkers of IR-mediated GI injury and minimally invasive assays for evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Xi
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Zhao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Xiang Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Qi Xiang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Lu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Tian-Jing Cai
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Gao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Xue-Lei Tian
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Ke-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Tian
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Jie Liu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Radiological Protection and Nuclear Emergency, National Institute for Radiological Protection, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
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13
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Electrochemical evaluation of proton beam radiation effect on the B16 cell culture. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2261. [PMID: 35145154 PMCID: PMC8831578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of radiation with matter takes place through energy transfer and is accomplished especially by ionized atoms or molecules. The effect of radiation on biological systems involves multiple physical, chemical and biological steps. Direct effects result in a large number of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within and outside and inside of the cells as well, which are responsible for oxidative stress. Indirect effects are defined as alteration of normal biological processes and cellular components (DNA, protein, lipids, etc.) caused by the reactive oxygen species directly induced by radiation. In this work, a classical design of an electrochemical (EC) three-electrodes system was employed for analyzing the effects of proton beam radiation on melanoma B16 cell line. In order to investigate the effect of proton radiation on the B16 cells, the cells were grown on the EC surface and irradiated. After optimization of the experimental set-up and dosimetry, the radiobiological experiments were performed at doses ranging between 0 and 2 Gy and the effect of proton beam irradiation on the cells was evaluated by the means of cyclic voltammetry and measuring the open circuit potential between working and reference electrodes.
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14
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Zhang J, Xiang Y, Wang C, Chen Y, Tjin SC, Wei L. Recent Advances in Optical Fiber Enabled Radiation Sensors. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22031126. [PMID: 35161870 PMCID: PMC8840197 DOI: 10.3390/s22031126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Optical fibers are being widely utilized as radiation sensors and dosimeters. Benefiting from the rapidly growing optical fiber manufacturing and material engineering, advanced optical fibers have evolved significantly by using functional structures and materials, promoting their detection accuracy and usage scenarios as radiation sensors. This paper summarizes the current development of optical fiber-based radiation sensors. The sensing principles of both extrinsic and intrinsic optical fiber radiation sensors, including radiation-induced attenuation (RIA), radiation-induced luminescence (RIL), and fiber grating wavelength shifting (RI-GWS), were analyzed. The relevant advanced fiber materials and structures, including silica glass, doped silica glasses, polymers, fluorescent and scintillator materials, were also categorized and summarized based on their characteristics. The fabrication methods of intrinsic all-fiber radiation sensors were introduced, as well. Moreover, the applicable scenarios from medical dosimetry to industrial environmental monitoring were discussed. In the end, both challenges and perspectives of fiber-based radiation sensors and fiber-shaped radiation dosimeters were presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Y.C.)
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (L.W.)
| | - Yudiao Xiang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Chen Wang
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Yunkang Chen
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Electronic Information, China University of Geosciences, 388 Lumo Road, Wuhan 430074, China; (Y.X.); (C.W.); (Y.C.)
| | - Swee Chuan Tjin
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
| | - Lei Wei
- School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore;
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (L.W.)
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15
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Response of Arabidopsis thaliana and Mizuna Mustard Seeds to Simulated Space Radiation Exposures. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12020144. [PMID: 35207432 PMCID: PMC8879990 DOI: 10.3390/life12020144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the major concerns for long-term exploration missions beyond the Earth’s magnetosphere is consequences from exposures to solar particle event (SPE) protons and galactic cosmic rays (GCR). For long-term crewed Lunar and Mars explorations, the production of fresh food in space will provide both nutritional supplements and psychological benefits to the astronauts. However, the effects of space radiation on plants and plant propagules have not been sufficiently investigated and characterized. In this study, we evaluated the effect of two different compositions of charged particles-simulated GCR, and simulated SPE protons on dry and hydrated seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and the crop plant Mizuna mustard [Brassica rapa var. japonica]. Exposures to charged particles, simulated GCRs (up to 80 cGy) or SPEs (up to 200 cGy), were performed either acutely or at a low dose rate using the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL) facility at Brookhaven National Lab (BNL). Control and irradiated seeds were planted in a solid phytogel and grown in a controlled environment. Five to seven days after planting, morphological parameters were measured to evaluate radiation-induced damage in the seedlings. After exposure to single types of charged particles, as well as to simulated GCR, the hydrated Arabidopsis seeds showed dose- and quality-dependent responses, with heavier ions causing more severe defects. Seeds exposed to simulated GCR (dry seeds) and SPE (hydrated seeds) had significant, although much less damage than seeds exposed to heavier and higher linear energy transfer (LET) particles. In general, the extent of damage depends on the seed type.
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16
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Antarctica as a reservoir of planetary analogue environments. Extremophiles 2021; 25:437-458. [PMID: 34586500 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01245-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the main objectives of astrobiological research is the investigation of the habitability of other planetary bodies. Since space exploration missions are expensive and require long-term organization, the preliminary study of terrestrial environments is an essential step to prepare and support exploration missions. The Earth hosts a multitude of extreme environments whose characteristics resemble celestial bodies in our Solar System. In these environments, the physico-chemical properties partly match extraterrestrial environments and could clarify limits and adaptation mechanisms of life, the mineralogical or geochemical context, and support and interpret data sent back from planetary bodies. One of the best terrestrial analogues is Antarctica, whose conditions lie on the edge of habitability. It is characterized by a cold and dry climate (Onofri et al., Nova Hedwigia 68:175-182, 1999), low water availability, strong katabatic winds, salt concentration, desiccation, and high radiation. Thanks to the harsh conditions like those in other celestial bodies, Antarctica offers good terrestrial analogues for celestial body (Mars or icy moons; Léveillé, CR Palevol 8:637-648, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2009.03.005 , 2009). The continent could be distinguished into several habitats, each with characteristics similar to those existing on other bodies. Here, we reported a description of each simulated parameter within the habitats, in relation to each of the simulated extraterrestrial environments.
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17
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Pacelli C, Alessia C, Siong LM, Lorenzo A, Moeller R, Fujimori A, Igor S, Silvano O. Insights into the Survival Capabilities of Cryomyces antarcticus Hydrated Colonies after Exposure to Fe Particle Radiation. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:495. [PMID: 34206448 PMCID: PMC8304246 DOI: 10.3390/jof7070495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The modern concept of the evolution of Mars assumes that life could potentially have originated on the planet Mars, possibly during the end of the late heavy bombardment, and could then be transferred to other planets. Since then, physical and chemical conditions on Mars changed and now strongly limit the presence of terrestrial-like life forms. These adverse conditions include scarcity of liquid water (although brine solutions may exist), low temperature and atmospheric pressure, and cosmic radiation. Ionizing radiation is very important among these life-constraining factors because it damages DNA and other cellular components, particularly in liquid conditions where radiation-induced reactive oxidants diffuse freely. Here, we investigated the impact of high doses (up to 2 kGy) of densely-ionizing (197.6 keV/µm), space-relevant iron ions (corresponding on the irradiation that reach the uppermost layer of the Mars subsurface) on the survival of an extremophilic terrestrial organism-Cryomyces antarcticus-in liquid medium and under atmospheric conditions, through different techniques. Results showed that it survived in a metabolically active state when subjected to high doses of Fe ions and was able to repair eventual DNA damages. It implies that some terrestrial life forms can withstand prolonged exposure to space-relevant ion radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Pacelli
- Italian Space Agency, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Cassaro Alessia
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Loke M. Siong
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany;
| | - Aureli Lorenzo
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology, German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, 51147 Cologne (Köln), Germany;
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Molecular and Cellular Radiation Biology Group, Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, NIRS/QST, Chiba 263-8555, Japan;
| | - Shuryak Igor
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | - Onofri Silvano
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (A.L.); (O.S.)
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18
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Tan JSW, Sephton MA. Quantifying Preservation Potential: Lipid Degradation in a Mars-Analog Circumneutral Iron Deposit. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:638-654. [PMID: 33835833 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Comparisons between the preservation potential of Mars-analog environments have historically been qualitative rather than quantitative. Recently, however, laboratory-based artificial maturation combined with kinetic modeling techniques have emerged as a potential means by which the preservation potential of solvent-soluble organic matter can be quantified in various Mars-analog environments. These methods consider how elevated temperatures, pressures, and organic-inorganic interactions influence the degradation of organic biomarkers post-burial. We used these techniques to investigate the preservation potential of deposits from a circumneutral iron-rich groundwater system. These deposits are composed of ferrihydrite (Fe5HO8 · 4H2O), an amorphous iron hydroxide mineral that is a common constituent of rocks found in ancient lacustrine environments on Mars, such as those observed in Gale Crater. Both natural and synthetic ferrihydrite samples were subjected to hydrous pyrolysis to observe the effects of long-term burial on the mineralogy and organic content of the samples. Our experiments revealed that organic-inorganic interactions in the samples are dominated by the transformation of iron minerals. As amorphous ferrihydrite transforms into more crystalline species, the decrease in surface area results in the desorption of organic matter, potentially rendering them more susceptible to degradation. We also find that circumneutral iron-rich deposits provide unfavorable conditions for the preservation of solvent-soluble organic matter. Quantitative comparisons between preservation potentials as calculated when using kinetic parameters show that circumneutral iron-rich deposits are ∼25 times less likely to preserve solvent-soluble organic matter compared with acidic, iron-rich environments. Our results suggest that circumneutral iron-rich deposits should be deprioritized in favor of acidic iron- and sulfur-rich deposits when searching for evidence of life with solvent extraction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S W Tan
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A Sephton
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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19
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Restier-Verlet J, El-Nachef L, Ferlazzo ML, Al-Choboq J, Granzotto A, Bouchet A, Foray N. Radiation on Earth or in Space: What Does It Change? Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:3739. [PMID: 33916740 PMCID: PMC8038356 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22073739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
After having been an instrument of the Cold War, space exploration has become a major technological, scientific and societal challenge for a number of countries. With new projects to return to the Moon and go to Mars, radiobiologists have been called upon to better assess the risks linked to exposure to radiation emitted from space (IRS), one of the major hazards for astronauts. To this aim, a major task is to identify the specificities of the different sources of IRS that concern astronauts. By considering the probabilities of the impact of IRS against spacecraft shielding, three conclusions can be drawn: (1) The impacts of heavy ions are rare and their contribution to radiation dose may be low during low Earth orbit; (2) secondary particles, including neutrons emitted at low energy from the spacecraft shielding, may be common in deep space and may preferentially target surface tissues such as the eyes and skin; (3) a "bath of radiation" composed of residual rays and fast neutrons inside the spacecraft may present a concern for deep tissues such as bones and the cardiovascular system. Hence, skin melanoma, cataracts, loss of bone mass, and aging of the cardiovascular system are possible, dependent on the dose, dose-rate, and individual factors. This suggests that both radiosusceptibility and radiodegeneration may be concerns related to space exploration. In addition, in the particular case of extreme solar events, radiosensitivity reactions-such as those observed in acute radiation syndrome-may occur and affect blood composition, gastrointestinal and neurologic systems. This review summarizes the specificities of space radiobiology and opens the debate as regards refinements of current radiation protection concepts that will be useful for the better estimation of risks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicolas Foray
- Inserm, U1296 Unit, «Radiation: Defense, Health and Environment», Centre Léon-Bérard, 28, Rue Laennec, 69008 Lyon, France; (J.R.-V.); (L.E.-N.); (M.L.F.); (J.A.-C.); (A.G.); (A.B.)
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20
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Abstract
Astrobiology is focused on the study of life in the universe. However, lifeless planetary environments yield biological information on the variety of ways in which physical and chemical conditions in the universe preclude the possibility of the origin or persistence of life, and in turn this will help explain the distribution and abundance of life, or lack of it, in the universe. Furthermore, many places that humans wish to explore and settle in space are lifeless, and studying the fate of life in these environments will aid our own success in thriving in them. In this synthetic review, I have three objectives, as follows: (1) To discuss the biological value and use of lifeless environments, (2) To explore the diverse planetary bodies and environments that can be lifeless and to categorize them, and (3) To propose sets of biological experiments that can be undertaken in different categories of lifeless worlds and environments and suggest concepts for mission ideas to realize these goals. They include origin of life and microbial inoculation experiments in lifeless but habitable environments. I suggest that the biological study of lifelessness is an underappreciated area in planetary sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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21
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Cockell CS, Wordsworth R, Whiteford N, Higgins PM. Minimum Units of Habitability and Their Abundance in the Universe. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:481-489. [PMID: 33513037 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although the search for habitability is a much-vaunted objective in the study of planetary environments, the material requirements for an environment to be habitable can be met with relatively few ingredients. In this hypothesis paper, the minimum material requirements for habitability are first re-evaluated, necessarily based on life "as we know it." From this vantage point, we explore examples of the minimum number of material requirements for habitable conditions to arise in a planetary environment, which we illustrate with "minimum habitability diagrams." These requirements raise the hypothesis that habitable conditions may be common throughout the universe. If the hypothesis was accepted, then the discovery of life would remain an important discovery, but habitable conditions on their own would be an unremarkable feature of the material universe. We discuss how minimum units of habitability provide a parsimonious way to consider the minimum number of geological inferences about a planetary body, and the minimum number of atmospheric components that must be measured, for example in the case of exoplanets, to be able to make assessments of habitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robin Wordsworth
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Niall Whiteford
- Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter M Higgins
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Tan JS, Royle SH, Sephton MA. Artificial Maturation of Iron- and Sulfur-Rich Mars Analogues: Implications for the Diagenetic Stability of Biopolymers and Their Detection with Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:199-218. [PMID: 33226839 PMCID: PMC7876361 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2211] [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: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Acidic iron- and sulfur-rich streams are appropriate analogues for the late Noachian and early Hesperian periods of martian history, when Mars exhibited extensive habitable environments. Any past life on Mars may have left behind diagnostic evidence of life that could be detected at the present day. For effective preservation, these remains must have avoided the harsh radiation flux at the martian surface, survived geological storage for billions of years, and remained detectable within their geochemical environment by analytical instrument suites used on Mars today, such as thermal extraction techniques. We investigated the detectability of organic matter within sulfur stream sediments that had been subjected to artificial maturation by hydrous pyrolysis. After maturation, the samples were analyzed by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (py-GC-MS) to determine whether organic matter could be detected with this commonly used technique. We find that macromolecular organic matter can survive the artificial maturation process in the presence of iron- and sulfur-rich minerals but cannot be unambiguously distinguished from abiotic organic matter. However, if jarosite and goethite are present in the sulfur stream environment, they interfere with the py-GC-MS detection of organic compounds in these samples. Clay reduces the obfuscating effect of the oxidizing minerals by providing nondeleterious adsorption sites. We also find that after a simple alkali and acid leaching process that removes oxidizing minerals such as iron sulfates, oxides, and oxyhydroxides, the sulfur stream samples exhibit much greater organic responses during py-GC-MS in terms of both abundance and diversity of organic compounds, such as the detection of hopanes in all leached samples. Our results suggest that insoluble organic matter can be preserved over billions of years of geological storage while still retaining diagnostic organic information, but sample selection strategies must either avoid jarosite- and goethite-rich outcrops or conduct preparative chemistry steps to remove these oxidants prior to analysis by thermal extraction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan S.W. Tan
- Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Samuel H. Royle
- Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark A. Sephton
- Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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23
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Reed PA, Lagasse BA, Garcia CD. Fast Degradation of Hydrogen Peroxide by Immobilized Catalase to Enable the Use of Biosensors in Extraterrestrial Bodies. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:191-198. [PMID: 33052719 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2263] [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: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide has been postulated to be present on the surface of Europa and Enceladus. While it could represent a potential source of energy for possible life-forms, H2O2 may also interfere with a number of current detection technologies, including biosensors. To take advantage of the selectivity and portability of these devices, simple and reliable routes to degrade the potential H2O2 present should be developed and implemented to prepare for this possibility. Unfortunately, most of the current approaches for removing H2O2 are slow, may affect the sample, or could interfere with the performance of biosensors. To address these limitations, catalase was immobilized onto silica particles and used as a means to selectively decompose H2O2 prior to the analysis of common biomarkers with a biosensor. For these experiments, glucose, l-leucine, and lactic acid were used as representative examples of biomolecules such as carbohydrates, amino acids, and organic acids, respectively, which could be used as biomarkers on extraterrestrial bodies. While the decomposition reaction between catalase and H2O2 is well known, to our knowledge this is the first instance where catalase has been used in combination with a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) to implement selective sample pretreatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige A Reed
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Bryan A Lagasse
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Life Science, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, USA
| | - Carlos D Garcia
- Department of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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24
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Effects of Heavy Ion Particle Irradiation on Spore Germination of Bacillus spp. from Extremely Hot and Cold Environments. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10110264. [PMID: 33143156 PMCID: PMC7693761 DOI: 10.3390/life10110264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extremophiles are optimal models in experimentally addressing questions about the effects of cosmic radiation on biological systems. The resistance to high charge energy (HZE) particles, and helium (He) ions and iron (Fe) ions (LET at 2.2 and 200 keV/µm, respectively, until 1000 Gy), of spores from two thermophiles, Bacillushorneckiae SBP3 and Bacilluslicheniformis T14, and two psychrotolerants, Bacillus sp. A34 and A43, was investigated. Spores survived He irradiation better, whereas they were more sensitive to Fe irradiation (until 500 Gy), with spores from thermophiles being more resistant to irradiations than psychrotolerants. The survived spores showed different germination kinetics, depending on the type/dose of irradiation and the germinant used. After exposure to He 1000 Gy, D-glucose increased the lag time of thermophilic spores and induced germination of psychrotolerants, whereas L-alanine and L-valine increased the germination efficiency, except alanine for A43. FTIR spectra showed important modifications to the structural components of spores after Fe irradiation at 250 Gy, which could explain the block in spore germination, whereas minor changes were observed after He radiation that could be related to the increased permeability of the inner membranes and alterations of receptor complex structures. Our results give new insights on HZE resistance of extremophiles that are useful in different contexts, including astrobiology.
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25
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Hespeels B, Penninckx S, Cornet V, Bruneau L, Bopp C, Baumlé V, Redivo B, Heuskin AC, Moeller R, Fujimori A, Lucas S, Van Doninck K. Iron Ladies - How Desiccated Asexual Rotifer Adineta vaga Deal With X-Rays and Heavy Ions? Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1792. [PMID: 32849408 PMCID: PMC7412981 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Space exposure experiments from the last 15 years have unexpectedly shown that several terrestrial organisms, including some multi-cellular species, are able to survive in open space without protection. The robustness of bdelloid rotifers suggests that these tiny creatures can possibly be added to the still restricted list of animals that can deal with the exposure to harsh condition of space. Bdelloids are one of the smallest animals on Earth. Living all over the world, mostly in semi-terrestrial environments, they appear to be extremely stress tolerant. Their desiccation tolerance at any stage of their life cycle is known to confer tolerance to a variety of stresses including high doses of radiation and freezing. In addition, they constitute a major scandal in evolutionary biology due to the putative absence of sexual reproduction for at least 60 million years. Adineta vaga, with its unique characteristics and a draft genome available, was selected by ESA (European Space Agency) as a model system to study extreme resistance of organisms exposed to space environment. In this manuscript, we documented the resistance of desiccated A. vaga individuals exposed to increasing doses of X-ray, protons and Fe ions. Consequences of exposure to different sources of radiation were investigated in regard to the cellular type including somatic (survival assay) and germinal cells (fertility assay). Then, the capacity of A. vaga individuals to repair DNA DSB induced by different source of radiation was investigated. Bdelloid rotifers represent a promising model in order to investigate damage induced by high or low LET radiation. The possibility of exposure both on hydrated or desiccated specimens may help to decipher contribution of direct and indirect radiation damage on biological processes. Results achieved through this study consolidate our knowledge about the radioresistance of A. vaga and improve our capacity to compare extreme resistance against radiation among living organisms including metazoan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Hespeels
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Sébastien Penninckx
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reaction (LARN), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Valérie Cornet
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Lucie Bruneau
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Cécile Bopp
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reaction (LARN), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Véronique Baumlé
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Baptiste Redivo
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Anne-Catherine Heuskin
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reaction (LARN), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany.,Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), Rheinbach, Germany
| | - Akira Fujimori
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences for Radiation Damages, National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), Chiba, Japan
| | - Stephane Lucas
- Laboratory of Analysis by Nuclear Reaction (LARN), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
| | - Karine Van Doninck
- Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics and Ecology (LEGE), NAmur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium.,Research Unit in Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE), Institute of Life, Earth & Environment (ILEE), University of Namur, Namur, Belgium
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26
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Gericke SM, Mulhearn WD, Goodacre DE, Raso J, Miller DJ, Carver L, Nemšák S, Karslıoğlu O, Trotochaud L, Bluhm H, Stafford CM, Buechner C. Water-polyamide chemical interplay in desalination membranes explored by ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020; 22:15658-15663. [PMID: 32618298 PMCID: PMC7671007 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01842b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Reverse osmosis using aromatic polyamide membranes is currently the most important technology for seawater desalination. The performance of reverse osmosis membranes is highly dependent on the interplay of their surface chemical groups with water and water contaminants. In order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these membranes, we study ultrathin polyamide films that chemically resemble reverse osmosis membranes, using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This technique can identify the functional groups at the membrane-water interface and allows monitoring of small shifts in the electron binding energy that indicate interaction with water. We observe deprotonation of free acid groups and formation of a 'water complex' with nitrogen groups in the polymer upon exposure of the membrane to water vapour. The chemical changes are reversed when water is removed from the membrane. While the correlation between functional groups and water uptake is an established one, this experiment serves to understand the nature of their chemical interaction, and opens up possibilities for tailoring future materials to specific requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M Gericke
- Chemical Sciences Division and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
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27
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Hendrix J, Bera PP, Lee TJ, Head-Gordon M. Cation, Anion, and Radical Isomers of C 4H 4N: Computational Characterization and Implications for Astrophysical and Planetary Environments. J Phys Chem A 2020; 124:2001-2013. [PMID: 32077700 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.9b11305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nitrogen-containing ions and molecules in the gas phase have been detected in non-Earth environments such as dark molecular clouds and more recently in the atmosphere of Saturn's moon Titan. These molecules may serve as precursors to larger heterocyclic structures that provide the foundation of complex biological molecules. On Titan, molecules of m/z 66 have been detected by the Cassini mission, and species of the empirical formula C4H4N may contribute to this signature. We have characterized seven isomers of C4H4N in anionic, neutral radical, and cationic states using density functional theory. Structures were optimized using the range-separated hybrid ωB97X-V with the cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. Anionic and radical C4H4N favor cyclic structures with aromatic and quasi-aromatic electron arrangements, respectively. Interestingly, ionization from the radical surface to the cation induces significant changes in structural stability, and the global minimum for positively charged isomers is CH2CCHCNH+, a pseudo-linear species reminiscent of cyanoallene. Select formation pathways to these structures from Titan's existing or postulated gas-phase species, reactions that are also relevant for other astrophysical environments, are discussed. By characterizing C4H4N isomers, we have identified energetically stable anionic, radical, and cationic structures that may be present in Titan's atmosphere and dark molecular clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josie Hendrix
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Partha P Bera
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Mountain View, California 94035, United States.,Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, Moffett Field, Mountain View, California 94952, United States
| | - Timothy J Lee
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Mountain View, California 94035, United States
| | - Martin Head-Gordon
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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28
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Tan J, Sephton MA. Organic Records of Early Life on Mars: The Role of Iron, Burial, and Kinetics on Preservation. ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:53-72. [PMID: 31755737 PMCID: PMC6987739 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2019.2046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Samples that are likely to contain evidence of past life on Mars must have been deposited when and where environments exhibited habitable conditions. Mars analog sites provide the opportunity to study how life could have exploited such habitable conditions. Acidic iron- and sulfur-rich streams are good geochemical analogues for the late Noachian and early Hesperian, periods of martian history where habitable conditions were widespread. Past life on Mars would have left behind fossilized microbial organic remains. These are often-sought diagnostic evidence, but they must be shielded from the harsh radiation flux at the martian surface and its deleterious effect on organic matter. One mechanism that promotes such preservation is burial, which raises questions about how organic biomarkers are influenced by the postburial effects of diagenesis. We investigated the kinetics of organic degradation in the subsurface of Mars. Natural mixtures of acidic iron- and sulfur-rich stream sediments and their associated microbial populations and remains were subjected to hydrous pyrolysis, which simulated the increased temperatures and pressures of burial alongside any promoted organic/mineral interactions. Calculations were made to extrapolate the observed changes over martian history. Our experiments indicate that low carbon contents, high water-to-rock ratios, and the presence of iron-rich minerals combine to provide unfavorable conditions for the preservation of soluble organic matter over the billions of years necessary to produce present-day organic records of late Noachian and early Hesperian life on Mars. Successful sample selection strategies must therefore consider the pre-, syn-, and postburial histories of sedimentary records on Mars and the balance between the production of biomass and the long-term preservation of organic biomarkers over geological time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Tan
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Address correspondence to: Jonathan Tan, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Mark A. Sephton
- Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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29
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Cohen BA, Malespin CA, Farley KA, Martin PE, Cho Y, Mahaffy PR. In Situ Geochronology on Mars and the Development of Future Instrumentation. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1303-1314. [PMID: 31361510 PMCID: PMC6818483 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We review the in situ geochronology experiments conducted by the Mars Science Laboratory mission's Curiosity rover to understand when the Gale Crater rocks formed, underwent alteration, and became exposed to cosmogenic radiation. These experiments determined that the detrital minerals in the sedimentary rocks of Gale are ∼4 Ga, consistent with their origin in the basalts surrounding the crater. The sedimentary rocks underwent fluid-moderated alteration 2 Gyr later, which may mark the closure of aqueous activity at Gale Crater. Over the past several million years, wind-driven processes have dominated, denuding the surfaces by scarp retreat. The Curiosity measurements validate radiometric dating techniques on Mars and guide the way for future instrumentation to make more precise measurements that will further our understanding of the geological and astrobiological history of the planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara A. Cohen
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
| | - Charles A. Malespin
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
| | - Kenneth A. Farley
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Peter E. Martin
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
| | - Yuichiro Cho
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
| | - Paul R. Mahaffy
- Solar System Exploration Division, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland
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30
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Seto M, Noguchi K, Cappellen PV. Potential for Aerobic Methanotrophic Metabolism on Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:1187-1195. [PMID: 31173512 PMCID: PMC6785171 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Observational evidence supports the presence of methane (CH4) in the martian atmosphere on the order of parts per billion by volume (ppbv). Here, we assess whether aerobic methanotrophy is a potentially viable metabolism in the martian upper regolith, by calculating metabolic energy gain rates under assumed conditions of martian surface temperature, pressure, and atmospheric composition. Using kinetic parameters for 19 terrestrial aerobic methanotrophic strains, we show that even under the imposed low temperature and pressure extremes (180-280 K and 6-11 hPa), methane oxidation by oxygen (O2) should in principle be able to generate the minimum energy production rate required to support endogenous metabolism (i.e., cellular maintenance). Our results further indicate that the corresponding metabolic activity would be extremely low, with cell doubling times in excess of 4000 Earth years at the present-day ppbv-level CH4 mixing ratios in the atmosphere of Mars. Thus, while aerobic methanotrophic microorganisms similar to those found on Earth could theoretically maintain their vital functions, they are unlikely to constitute prolific members of hypothetical martian soil communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Seto
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Noguchi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Nara Women's University, Nara, Japan
| | - Philippe Van Cappellen
- Ecohydrology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Water Institute, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
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31
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Habitability of Mars: How Welcoming Are the Surface and Subsurface to Life on the Red Planet? GEOSCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences9090361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mars is a planet of great interest in the search for signatures of past or present life beyond Earth. The years of research, and more advanced instrumentation, have yielded a lot of evidence which may be considered by the scientific community as proof of past or present habitability of Mars. Recent discoveries including seasonal methane releases and a subglacial lake are exciting, yet challenging findings. Concurrently, laboratory and environmental studies on the limits of microbial life in extreme environments on Earth broaden our knowledge of the possibility of Mars habitability. In this review, we aim to: (1) Discuss the characteristics of the Martian surface and subsurface that may be conducive to habitability either in the past or at present; (2) discuss laboratory-based studies on Earth that provide us with discoveries on the limits of life; and (3) summarize the current state of knowledge in terms of direction for future research.
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32
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Ball R, Brindley J. The Power Without the Glory: Multiple Roles of Hydrogen Peroxide in Mediating the Origin of Life. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:675-684. [PMID: 30707597 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The hydrogen peroxide (HP) crucible hypothesis proposed here holds that life began in a localized environment on Earth that was perfused with a flow of hydrogen peroxide from a sustained external source, which powered and mediated molecular evolution and the protocellular RNA world. In this article, we consolidate and review recent evidence, both circumstantial and tested in simulation in our work and in the laboratory in others' work, for its multiple roles in the evolution of the first living systems: (1) it provides a periodic power source as the thiosulfate-hydrogen peroxide (THP) redox oscillator, (2) it may act as an agent of molecular change and evolution and mediator of homochirality, and (3) the THP oscillator, subject to Brownian input perturbations, produces a weighted distribution of output thermal fluctuations that favor polymerization and chemical diversification over chemical degradation and simplification. The hypothesis can help to clarify the hero and villain roles of hydrogen peroxide in cell function, and on the singularity of life: of necessity, life evolved early an armory of catalases, the continuing, and all-pervasive presence of which prevents hydrogen peroxide from accumulating anywhere in sufficient quantities to host a second origin. The HP crucible hypothesis is radical, but based on well-known chemistry and physics, it is eminently testable in the laboratory, and many of our simulations provide recipes for such experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowena Ball
- 1 Mathematical Sciences Institute and Research School of Chemistry, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - John Brindley
- 2 School of Mathematics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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33
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The LNT model for cancer induction is not supported by radiobiological data. Chem Biol Interact 2019; 301:34-53. [PMID: 30763552 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The hallmarks of cancer have been the focus of much research and have influenced the development of risk models for radiation-induced cancer. However, natural defenses against cancer, which constitute the hallmarks of cancer prevention, have largely been neglected in developing cancer risk models. These natural defenses are enhanced by low doses and dose rates of ionizing radiation, which has aided in the continuation of human life over many generations. Our natural defenses operate at the molecular, cellular, tissue, and whole-body levels and include epigenetically regulated (epiregulated) DNA damage repair and antioxidant production, selective p53-independent apoptosis of aberrant cells (e.g. neoplastically transformed and tumor cells), suppression of cancer-promoting inflammation, and anticancer immunity (both innate and adaptive components). This publication reviews the scientific bases for the indicated cancer-preventing natural defenses and evaluates their implication for assessing cancer risk after exposure to low radiation doses and dose rates. Based on the extensive radiobiological evidence reviewed, it is concluded that the linear-no-threshold (LNT) model (which ignores natural defenses against cancer), as it relates to cancer risk from ionizing radiation, is highly implausible. Plausible models include dose-threshold and hormetic models. More research is needed to establish when a given model (threshold, hormetic, or other) applies to a given low-dose-radiation exposure scenario.
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34
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Olsson-Francis K, Billi D, Teske A, de Vera JPP. Editorial: Habitability Beyond Earth. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:2645. [PMID: 30519217 PMCID: PMC6251383 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Olsson-Francis
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Billi
- Deparment of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Andreas Teske
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jean-Pierre P de Vera
- Astrobiological Laboratories, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Management and Infrastructure, Berlin, Germany
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35
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Blanco Y, de Diego-Castilla G, Viúdez-Moreiras D, Cavalcante-Silva E, Rodríguez-Manfredi JA, Davila AF, McKay CP, Parro V. Effects of Gamma and Electron Radiation on the Structural Integrity of Organic Molecules and Macromolecular Biomarkers Measured by Microarray Immunoassays and Their Astrobiological Implications. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1497-1516. [PMID: 30070898 PMCID: PMC6276817 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2016.1645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
High-energy ionizing radiation in the form of solar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays is pervasive on the surface of planetary bodies with thin atmospheres or in space facilities for humans, and it may seriously affect the chemistry and the structure of organic and biological material. We used fluorescent microarray immunoassays to assess how different doses of electron and gamma radiations affect the stability of target compounds such as biological polymers and small molecules (haptens) conjugated to large proteins. The radiation effect was monitored by measuring the loss in the immunoidentification of the target due to an impaired ability of the antibodies for binding their corresponding irradiated and damaged epitopes (the part of the target molecule to which antibodies bind). Exposure to electron radiation alone was more damaging at low doses (1 kGy) than exposure to gamma radiation alone, but this effect was reversed at the highest radiation dose (500 kGy). Differences in the dose-effect immunoidentification patterns suggested that the amount (dose) and not the type of radiation was the main factor for the cumulative damage on the majority of the assayed molecules. Molecules irradiated with both types of radiation showed a response similar to that of the individual treatments at increasing radiation doses, although the pattern obtained with electrons only was the most similar. The calculated radiolysis constant did not show a unique pattern; it rather suggested a different behavior perhaps associated with the unique structure of each molecule. Although not strictly comparable with extraterrestrial conditions because the irradiations were performed under air and at room temperature, our results may contribute to understanding the effects of ionizing radiation on complex molecules and the search for biomarkers through bioaffinity-based systems in planetary exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Blanco
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Graciela de Diego-Castilla
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Viúdez-Moreiras
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Erika Cavalcante-Silva
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Alfonso F. Davila
- Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Christopher P. McKay
- Space Science Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Victor Parro
- Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
- Address correspondence to: Victor Parro, Department of Molecular Evolution, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Carretera de Ajalvir km 4, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid 28850, Spain
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36
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Shkolyar S, Farmer JD. Biosignature Preservation Potential in Playa Evaporites: Impacts of Diagenesis and Implications for Mars Exploration. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1460-1478. [PMID: 30124326 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Assessing biosignature preservation potential (BPP) in ancient habitable environments on Mars is a top NASA priority. We address this goal through the study of Miocene-Pliocene evaporites of the Verde Formation (central Arizona). We assessed the effects of diagenesis on BPP, integrating outcrop-scale observations with six lab analyses: thin-section petrography, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, total organic carbon (TOC), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and visible to near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectroscopy. We recognized five facies and their diagenetic pathways. Two facies included mudstones which contain clusters of displacive growth gypsum (DGG). Early DGG was altered during diagenesis by dissolution forming crystal cavities and later underwent recrystallization, cation substitution, and sulfate dehydration. Another facies was identified by lenticular beds dominated by halite and late diagenetic thenardite (Na2SO4). These pods are overlain by a sequence of interbedded gray and red mudstones which record cyclic oxidation and Fe-oxide cementation. During the Pleistocene, a lacustrine environment developed, accompanied by magnesite cementation of playa mudstones. TOC analyses were used as a proxy for inferring the BPP in each facies. The highest BPP was associated with both red and gray mudstone facies. This study provides a taphonomic framework for playa environments on Earth that record the impacts of diagenesis on BPP, with potential applications to Mars sample return (MSR) missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Shkolyar
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona
| | - Jack D Farmer
- School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona
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Survivability of Soil and Permafrost Microbial Communities after Irradiation with Accelerated Electrons under Simulated Martian and Open Space Conditions. GEOSCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences8080298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the prior current astrobiological tasks is revealing the limits of microbial resistance to extraterrestrial conditions. Much attention is paid to ionizing radiation, since it can prevent the preservation and spread of life outside the Earth. The aim of this research was to study the impact of accelerated electrons (~1 MeV) as component of space radiation on microbial communities in their natural habitat—the arid soil and ancient permafrost, and also on the pure bacterial cultures that were isolated from these ecotopes. The irradiation was carried out at low pressure (~0.01 Torr) and low temperature (−130 °C) to simulate the conditions of Mars or outer space. High doses of 10 kGy and 100 kGy were used to assess the effect of dose accumulation in inactive and hypometabolic cells, depending on environmental conditions under long-term irradiation estimated on a geological time scale. It was shown that irradiation with accelerated electrons in the applied doses did not sterilize native samples from Earth extreme habitats. The data obtained suggests that viable Earth-like microorganisms can be preserved in the anabiotic state for at least 1.3 and 20 million years in the regolith of modern Mars in the shallow subsurface layer and at a 5 m depth, respectively. In addition, the results of the study indicate the possibility of maintaining terrestrial like life in the ice of Europa at a 10 cm depth for at least ~170 years or for at least 400 thousand years in open space within meteorites. It is established that bacteria in natural habitat has a much higher resistance to in situ irradiation with accelerated electrons when compared to their stability in pure isolated cultures. Thanks to the protective properties of the heterophase environment and the interaction between microbial populations even radiosensitive microorganisms as members of the native microbial communities are able to withstand very high doses of ionizing radiation.
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Mu H, Sun J, Li L, Yin J, Hu N, Zhao W, Ding D, Yi L. Ionizing radiation exposure: hazards, prevention, and biomarker screening. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:15294-15306. [PMID: 29705904 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Radiation is a form of energy derived from a source that is propagated through material in space. It consists of ionizing radiation or nonionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is a feature of the environment and an important tool in medical treatment, but it can cause serious damage to organisms. A number of protective measures and standards of protection have been proposed to protect against radiation. There is also a need for biomarkers to rapidly assess individual doses of radiation, which can not only estimate the dose of radiation but also determine its effects on health. Proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics have been widely used in the search for such biomarkers. These topics are discussed in depth in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongxiang Mu
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, College of pharmaceutical and biological science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Sun
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, College of pharmaceutical and biological science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Linwei Li
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, College of pharmaceutical and biological science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yin
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, College of pharmaceutical and biological science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Hu
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Weichao Zhao
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Dexin Ding
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Lan Yi
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, College of pharmaceutical and biological science, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
- Key Discipline Laboratory for National Defense for Biotechnology in Uranium Mining and Hydrometallurgy, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.
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The Fate of Lipid Biosignatures in a Mars-Analogue Sulfur Stream. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7586. [PMID: 29765065 PMCID: PMC5954147 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25752-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Past life on Mars will have generated organic remains that may be preserved in present day Mars rocks. The most recent period in the history of Mars that retained widespread surface waters was the late Noachian and early Hesperian and thus possessed the potential to sustain the most evolved and widely distributed martian life. Guidance for investigating late Noachian and early Hesperian rocks is provided by studies of analogous acidic and sulfur-rich environments on Earth. Here we report organic responses for an acid stream containing acidophilic organisms whose post-mortem remains are entombed in iron sulphates and iron oxides. We find that, if life was present in the Hesperian, martian organic records will comprise microbial lipids. Lipids are a potential sizeable reservoir of fossil carbon on Mars, and can be used to distinguish between different domains of life. Concentrations of lipids, and particularly alkanoic or “fatty” acids, are highest in goethite layers that reflect high water-to-rock ratios and thus a greater potential for habitability. Goethite can dehydrate to hematite, which is widespread on Mars. Mars missions should seek to detect fatty acids or their diagenetic products in the oxides and hydroxides of iron associated with sulphur-rich environments.
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Parise A, Alvarez-Ibarra A, Wu X, Zhao X, Pilmé J, Lande ADL. Quantum Chemical Topology of the Electron Localization Function in the Field of Attosecond Electron Dynamics. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:844-850. [PMID: 29384381 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.7b03379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We report original analyses of attosecond electron dynamics of molecules subject to collisions by high energy charged particles based on Real-Time Time-Dependent-Density-Functional-Theory simulations coupled to Topological Analyses of the Electron Localization Function (TA-TD-ELF). We investigate irradiation of water and guanine. TA-TD-ELF enables qualitative and quantitative characterizations of bond breaking and formation, of charge migration within topological basins, or of electron attachment to the colliding particle. Whereas the Lewis-VSEPR structure of gas phase water is blown out within a few attoseconds after collision, that of guanine is far more robust and reconstitutes rapidly after impact even though the molecule remains electronically excited. This difference is accounted by the presence of the electron bath surrounding the impact point which enables energy relaxation within the molecule. Our approach should stimulate future studies to unravel the early steps following irradiation of various types of systems (isolated molecules, biomolecules, nanoclusters, solids, etc.) and is also readily applicable to irradiation by photons of various energies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Parise
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Université Paris Sud, CNRS , Université Paris Saclay. 15 avenue Jean Perrin, F91405 Orsay, France
| | - Aurelio Alvarez-Ibarra
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Université Paris Sud, CNRS , Université Paris Saclay. 15 avenue Jean Perrin, F91405 Orsay, France
| | - Xiaojing Wu
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Université Paris Sud, CNRS , Université Paris Saclay. 15 avenue Jean Perrin, F91405 Orsay, France
| | - Xiaodong Zhao
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Université Paris Sud, CNRS , Université Paris Saclay. 15 avenue Jean Perrin, F91405 Orsay, France
| | - Julien Pilmé
- Laboratoire de Chimie Théorique, Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, CNRS , F75005 Paris, France
| | - Aurélien de la Lande
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique, Université Paris Sud, CNRS , Université Paris Saclay. 15 avenue Jean Perrin, F91405 Orsay, France
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Zedek F, Bureš P. Holocentric chromosomes: from tolerance to fragmentation to colonization of the land. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2018; 121:9-16. [PMID: 29069342 PMCID: PMC5786251 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcx118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The dispersed occurrence of holocentric chromosomes across eukaryotes implies they are adaptive, but the conditions under which they confer an advantage over monocentric chromosomes remain unclear. Due to their extended kinetochore and the attachment of spindle microtubules along their entire length, holocentric chromosomes tolerate fragmentation; hence, they may be advantageous in times of exposure to factors that cause chromosomal fragmentation (clastogens). SCOPE It is shown that holocentric organisms may, indeed, thrive better than monocentric organisms under clastogenic conditions and that such conditions of various duration and intensity have occurred many times throughout the history of Earth's biota. One of the most important clastogenic events in eukaryotic history, in which holocentric chromosomes may have played the key role, was the colonization of land by plants and animals half a billion years ago. In addition to arguments supporting the anticlastogenic hypothesis of holocentric chromosomes and a discussion of its evolutionary consequences, experiments and analyses are proposed to explore this hypothesis in more depth. CONCLUSIONS It is argued that the tolerance to clastogens explains the origin of holocentric lineages and may also have far-reaching consequences for eukaryotic evolution in general as exemplified by the potential role of holocentric chromosomes in terrestrialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- František Zedek
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Brno, Czech Republic
- For correspondence. E-mail
| | - Petr Bureš
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Kotlarska, Brno, Czech Republic
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Cabrol NA. The Coevolution of Life and Environment on Mars: An Ecosystem Perspective on the Robotic Exploration of Biosignatures. ASTROBIOLOGY 2018; 18:1-27. [PMID: 29252008 PMCID: PMC5779243 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2017.1756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Earth's biological and environmental evolution are intertwined and inseparable. This coevolution has become a fundamental concept in astrobiology and is key to the search for life beyond our planet. In the case of Mars, whether a coevolution took place is unknown, but analyzing the factors at play shows the uniqueness of each planetary experiment regardless of similarities. Early Earth and early Mars shared traits. However, biological processes on Mars, if any, would have had to proceed within the distinctive context of an irreversible atmospheric collapse, greater climate variability, and specific planetary characteristics. In that, Mars is an important test bed for comparing the effects of a unique set of spatiotemporal changes on an Earth-like, yet different, planet. Many questions remain unanswered about Mars' early environment. Nevertheless, existing data sets provide a foundation for an intellectual framework where notional coevolution models can be explored. In this framework, the focus is shifted from planetary-scale habitability to the prospect of habitats, microbial ecotones, pathways to biological dispersal, biomass repositories, and their meaning for exploration. Critically, as we search for biosignatures, this focus demonstrates the importance of starting to think of early Mars as a biosphere and vigorously integrating an ecosystem approach to landing site selection and exploration. Key Words: Astrobiology-Biosignatures-Coevolution of Earth and life-Mars. Astrobiology 18, 1-27.
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Atmospheric escape from the TRAPPIST-1 planets and implications for habitability. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 115:260-265. [PMID: 29284746 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1708010115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of an atmosphere over sufficiently long timescales is widely perceived as one of the most prominent criteria associated with planetary surface habitability. We address the crucial question of whether the seven Earth-sized planets transiting the recently discovered ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1 are capable of retaining their atmospheres. To this effect, we carry out numerical simulations to characterize the stellar wind of TRAPPIST-1 and the atmospheric ion escape rates for all of the seven planets. We also estimate the escape rates analytically and demonstrate that they are in good agreement with the numerical results. We conclude that the outer planets of the TRAPPIST-1 system are capable of retaining their atmospheres over billion-year timescales. The consequences arising from our results are also explored in the context of abiogenesis, biodiversity, and searches for future exoplanets. In light of the many unknowns and assumptions involved, we recommend that these conclusions must be interpreted with due caution.
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Atri D. On the possibility of galactic cosmic ray-induced radiolysis-powered life in subsurface environments in the Universe. J R Soc Interface 2017; 13:rsif.2016.0459. [PMID: 27707907 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Photosynthesis is a mechanism developed by terrestrial life to utilize the energy from photons of solar origin for biological use. Subsurface regions are isolated from the photosphere, and consequently are incapable of utilizing this energy. This opens up the opportunity for life to evolve alternative mechanisms for harvesting available energy. Bacterium Candidatus Desulforudis audaxviator, found 2.8 km deep in a South African mine, harvests energy from radiolysis, induced by particles emitted from radioactive U, Th and K present in surrounding rock. Another radiation source in the subsurface environments is secondary particles generated by galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Using Monte Carlo simulations, it is shown that it is a steady source of energy comparable to that produced by radioactive substances, and the possibility of a slow metabolizing life flourishing on it cannot be ruled out. Two mechanisms are proposed through which GCR-induced secondary particles can be utilized for biological use in subsurface environments: (i) GCRs injecting energy in the environment through particle-induced radiolysis and (ii) organic synthesis from GCR secondaries interacting with the medium. Laboratory experiments to test these hypotheses are also proposed. Implications of these mechanisms on finding life in the Solar System and elsewhere in the Universe are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Atri
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, 1001 4th Avenue, Suite 3201, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
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Verseux C, Baqué M, Cifariello R, Fagliarone C, Raguse M, Moeller R, Billi D. Evaluation of the Resistance of Chroococcidiopsis spp. to Sparsely and Densely Ionizing Irradiation. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:118-125. [PMID: 28151689 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Studying the resistance of cyanobacteria to ionizing radiation provides relevant information regarding astrobiology-related topics including the search for life on Mars, lithopanspermia, and biological life-support systems. Here, we report on the resistance of desert cyanobacteria of the genus Chroococcidiopsis, which were exposed (as part of the STARLIFE series of experiments) in both hydrated and dried states to ionizing radiation with different linear energy transfer values (0.2 to 200 keV/μm). Irradiation with up to 1 kGy of He or Si ions, 2 kGy of Fe ions, 5 kGy of X-rays, or 11.59 kGy of γ rays (60Co) did not eradicate Chroococcidiopsis populations, nor did it induce detectable damage to DNA or plasma membranes. The relevance of these results for astrobiology is briefly discussed. Key Words: Ionizing radiation-Linear energy transfer-Lithopanspermia-Cyanobacterial radioresistance-Chroococcidiopsis-Mars. Astrobiology 17, 118-125.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyprien Verseux
- 1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Astrobiology and Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
| | - Mickael Baqué
- 1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Astrobiology and Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
- 2 Astrobiological Laboratories Research Group, Institute of Planetary Research , Management and Infrastructure, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Riccardo Cifariello
- 1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Astrobiology and Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Fagliarone
- 1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Astrobiology and Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
| | - Marina Raguse
- 3 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- 3 Space Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Daniela Billi
- 1 Department of Biology, Laboratory of Astrobiology and Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria from Extreme Environments, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
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Leuko S, Rettberg P. The Effects of HZE Particles, γ and X-ray Radiation on the Survival and Genetic Integrity of Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1, Halococcus hamelinensis, and Halococcus morrhuae. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:110-117. [PMID: 28151694 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Three halophilic archaea, Halobacterium salinarum NRC-1, Halococcus hamelinensis, and Halococcus morrhuae, have been exposed to different regimes of simulated outer space ionizing radiation. Strains were exposed to high-energy heavy ion (HZE) particles, namely iron and argon ions, as well as to γ radiation (60Co) and X-rays, and the survival and the genetic integrity of the 16S rRNA gene were evaluated. Exposure to 1 kGy of argon or iron ions at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) facility at the National Institute for Radiological Sciences (NIRS) in Japan did not lead to a detectable loss in viability; only after exposure to 2 kGy of iron ions a decline in survival was observed. Furthermore, a delay in growth was manifested following exposure to 2 kGy iron ions. DNA integrity of the 16S rRNA was not compromised up to 1 kGy, with the exception of Hcc. hamelinensis following exposure to argon particles. All three strains showed a high resistance toward X-rays (exposed at the DLR in Cologne, Germany), where Hcc. hamelinensis and Hcc. morrhuae displayed better survival compared to Hbt. salinarum NRC-1. In all three organisms the DNA damage increased in a dose-dependent manner. To determine a biological endpoint for survival following exposure to γ radiation, strains were exposed to up to 112 kGy at the Beta-Gamma-Service GmbH (BGS) in Germany. Although all strains were incubated for up to 4 months, only Hcc. hamelinensis and Hcc. morrhuae recovered from 6 kGy of γ radiation. In comparison, Hbt. salinarum NRC-1 did not recover. The 16S rRNA gene integrity stayed remarkably well preserved up to 48 kGy for both halococci. This research presents novel data on the survival and genetic stability of three halophilic archaea following exposure to simulated outer space radiation. Key Words: Halophilic archaea-Radiation-Survival. Astrobiology 17, 110-117.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Leuko
- Astrobiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Astrobiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine , German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
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Matthewman R, Crawford IA, Jones AP, Joy KH, Sephton MA. Organic Matter Responses to Radiation under Lunar Conditions. ASTROBIOLOGY 2016; 16:900-912. [PMID: 27870583 PMCID: PMC5273402 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Large bodies, such as the Moon, that have remained relatively unaltered for long periods of time have the potential to preserve a record of organic chemical processes from early in the history of the Solar System. A record of volatiles and impactors may be preserved in buried lunar regolith layers that have been capped by protective lava flows. Of particular interest is the possible preservation of prebiotic organic materials delivered by ejected fragments of other bodies, including those originating from the surface of early Earth. Lava flow layers would shield the underlying regolith and any carbon-bearing materials within them from most of the effects of space weathering, but the encapsulated organic materials would still be subject to irradiation before they were buried by regolith formation and capped with lava. We have performed a study to simulate the effects of solar radiation on a variety of organic materials mixed with lunar and meteorite analog substrates. A fluence of ∼3 × 1013 protons cm-2 at 4-13 MeV, intended to be representative of solar energetic particles, has little detectable effect on low-molecular-weight (≤C30) hydrocarbon structures that can be used to indicate biological activity (biomarkers) or the high-molecular-weight hydrocarbon polymer poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene), and has little apparent effect on a selection of amino acids (≤C9). Inevitably, more lengthy durations of exposure to solar energetic particles may have more deleterious effects, and rapid burial and encapsulation will always be more favorable to organic preservation. Our data indicate that biomarker compounds that may be used to infer biological activity on their parent planet can be relatively resistant to the effects of radiation and may have a high preservation potential in paleoregolith layers on the Moon. Key Words: Radiation-Moon-Regolith-Amino acids-Biomarkers. Astrobiology 16, 900-912.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Matthewman
- Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ian A. Crawford
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Adrian P. Jones
- Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine H. Joy
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mark A. Sephton
- Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
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50
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Atri D. Modelling stellar proton event-induced particle radiation dose on close-in exoplanets. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/mnrasl/slw199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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