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Naake T, Zhu F, Alseekh S, Scossa F, Perez de Souza L, Borghi M, Brotman Y, Mori T, Nakabayashi R, Tohge T, Fernie AR. Genome-wide association studies identify loci controlling specialized seed metabolites in Arabidopsis. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 194:1705-1721. [PMID: 37758174 PMCID: PMC10904349 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Plants synthesize specialized metabolites to facilitate environmental and ecological interactions. During evolution, plants diversified in their potential to synthesize these metabolites. Quantitative differences in metabolite levels of natural Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions can be employed to unravel the genetic basis for metabolic traits using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Here, we performed metabolic GWAS on seeds of a panel of 315 A. thaliana natural accessions, including the reference genotypes C24 and Col-0, for polar and semi-polar seed metabolites using untargeted ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. As a complementary approach, we performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of near-isogenic introgression lines between C24 and Col-0 for specific seed specialized metabolites. Besides common QTL between seeds and leaves, GWAS revealed seed-specific QTL for specialized metabolites, indicating differences in the genetic architecture of seeds and leaves. In seeds, aliphatic methylsulfinylalkyl and methylthioalkyl glucosinolates associated with the ALKENYL HYDROXYALKYL PRODUCING loci (GS-ALK and GS-OHP) on chromosome 4 containing alkenyl hydroxyalkyl producing 2 (AOP2) and 3 (AOP3) or with the GS-ELONG locus on chromosome 5 containing methylthioalkyl malate synthase (MAM1) and MAM3. We detected two unknown sulfur-containing compounds that were also mapped to these loci. In GWAS, some of the annotated flavonoids (kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside-7-O-rhamnoside) were mapped to transparent testa 7 (AT5G07990), encoding a cytochrome P450 75B1 monooxygenase. Three additional mass signals corresponding to quercetin-containing flavonols were mapped to UGT78D2 (AT5G17050). The association of the loci and associating metabolic features were functionally verified in knockdown mutant lines. By performing GWAS and QTL mapping, we were able to leverage variation of natural populations and parental lines to study seed specialized metabolism. The GWAS data set generated here is a high-quality resource that can be investigated in further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Naake
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Feng Zhu
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Saleh Alseekh
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Federico Scossa
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Research Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics (CREA-GB), Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Perez de Souza
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
| | - Monica Borghi
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84321-5305, USA
| | - Yariv Brotman
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501 Be’er Sheva, Israel
| | - Tetsuya Mori
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakabayashi
- RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, Tsurumi, 1-7-22 Suehiro, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan
| | - Takayuki Tohge
- Graduate School of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara 630-0192, Japan
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Central Metabolism, Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, Am Muehlenberg 1, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany
- Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Survival of the Halophilic Archaeon Halovarius luteus after Desiccation, Simulated Martian UV Radiation and Vacuum in Comparison to Bacillus atrophaeus. ORIGINS LIFE EVOL B 2020; 50:157-173. [PMID: 32617792 DOI: 10.1007/s11084-020-09597-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Extraterrestrial environments influence the biochemistry of organisms through a variety of factors, including high levels of radiation and vacuum, temperature extremes and a lack of water and nutrients. A wide variety of terrestrial microorganisms, including those counted amongst the most ancient inhabitants of Earth, can cope with high levels of salinity, extreme temperatures, desiccation and high levels of radiation. Key among these are the haloarchaea, considered particularly relevant for astrobiological studies due to their ability to thrive in hypersaline environments. In this study, a novel haloarchaea isolated from Urmia Salt Lake, Iran, Halovarius luteus strain DA50T, was exposed to varying levels of simulated extraterrestrial conditions and compared to that of the bacteria Bacillus atrophaeus. Bacillus atrophaeus was selected for comparison due to its well-described resistance to extreme conditions and its ability to produce strong spore structures. Thin films were produced to investigate viability without the protective influence of cell multi-layers. Late exponential phase cultures of Hvr. luteus and B. atrophaeus were placed in brine and phosphate buffered saline media, respectively. The solutions were allowed to evaporate and cells were encapsulated and exposed to radiation, desiccation and vacuum conditions, and their post-exposure viability was studied by the Most Probable Number method. The protein profile using High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization bench top reflector time-of-flight are explored after vacuum and UV-radiation exposure. Results showed that the change in viability of the spore-forming bacteria B. atrophaeus was only minor whereas Hvr. luteus demonstrated a range of viability under different conditions. At the peak radiation flux of 105 J/m2 under nitrogen flow and after two weeks of desiccation, Hvr. luteus demonstrated the greatest decrease in viability. This study further expands our understanding of the boundary conditions of astrobiologically relevant organisms in the harsh space environment.
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Dirk LMA, Abdel CG, Ahmad I, Neta ICS, Pereira CC, Pereira FECB, Unêda-Trevisoli SH, Pinheiro DG, Downie AB. Late Embryogenesis Abundant Protein-Client Protein Interactions. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 9:E814. [PMID: 32610443 PMCID: PMC7412488 DOI: 10.3390/plants9070814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered proteins belonging to the LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT protein (LEAP) family have been ascribed a protective function over an array of intracellular components. We focus on how LEAPs may protect a stress-susceptible proteome. These examples include instances of LEAPs providing a shield molecule function, possibly by instigating liquid-liquid phase separations. Some LEAPs bind directly to their client proteins, exerting a holdase-type chaperonin function. Finally, instances of LEAP-client protein interactions have been documented, where the LEAP modulates (interferes with) the function of the client protein, acting as a surreptitious rheostat of cellular homeostasis. From the examples identified to date, it is apparent that client protein modulation also serves to mitigate stress. While some LEAPs can physically bind and protect client proteins, some apparently bind to assist the degradation of the client proteins with which they associate. Documented instances of LEAP-client protein binding, even in the absence of stress, brings to the fore the necessity of identifying how the LEAPs are degraded post-stress to render them innocuous, a first step in understanding how the cell regulates their abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynnette M. A. Dirk
- Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky Seed Biology Program, Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, USA;
| | - Caser Ghaafar Abdel
- Agriculture College, Al-Muthanna University, Samawah, Al-Muthanna 66001, Iraq;
| | - Imran Ahmad
- Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 25120, Pakistan;
| | | | - Cristiane Carvalho Pereira
- Departamento de Agricultura—Setor de Sementes, Federal University of Lavras, Lavras, Minas Gerais CEP: 37200-000, Brazil;
| | | | - Sandra Helena Unêda-Trevisoli
- Department of Vegetable Production, (UNESP) National University of São Paulo, Jaboticabal, São Paulo CEP: 14884-900, Brazil;
| | - Daniel Guariz Pinheiro
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Philosophy, Science and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo CEP: 14040-901, Brazil;
| | - Allan Bruce Downie
- Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky Seed Biology Program, Plant Science Building, 1405 Veterans Drive, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0312, USA;
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Chandler JO, Haas FB, Khan S, Bowden L, Ignatz M, Enfissi EMA, Gawthrop F, Griffiths A, Fraser PD, Rensing SA, Leubner-Metzger G. Rocket Science: The Effect of Spaceflight on Germination Physiology, Ageing, and Transcriptome of Eruca sativa Seeds. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:E49. [PMID: 32344775 PMCID: PMC7235897 DOI: 10.3390/life10040049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the 'Rocket Science' project, storage of Eruca sativa (salad rocket) seeds for six months on board the International Space Station resulted in delayed seedling establishment. Here we investigated the physiological and molecular mechanisms underpinning the spaceflight effects on dry seeds. We found that 'Space' seed germination vigor was reduced, and ageing sensitivity increased, but the spaceflight did not compromise seed viability and the development of normal seedlings. Comparative analysis of the transcriptomes (using RNAseq) in dry seeds and upon controlled artificial ageing treatment (CAAT) revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with spaceflight and ageing. DEG categories enriched by spaceflight and CAAT included transcription and translation with reduced transcript abundances for 40S and 60S ribosomal subunit genes. Among the 'spaceflight-up' DEGs were heat shock proteins (HSPs), DNAJ-related chaperones, a heat shock factor (HSFA7a-like), and components of several DNA repair pathways (e.g., ATM, DNA ligase 1). The 'response to radiation' category was especially enriched in 'spaceflight-up' DEGs including HSPs, catalases, and the transcription factor HY5. The major finding from the physiological and transcriptome analysis is that spaceflight causes vigor loss and partial ageing during air-dry seed storage, for which space environmental factors and consequences for seed storage during spaceflights are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake O. Chandler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
| | - Fabian B. Haas
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.B.H.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Safina Khan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
| | - Laura Bowden
- Official Seed Testing Station for Scotland, SASA, Edinburgh EH12 9FJ, UK;
| | - Michael Ignatz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
| | - Eugenia M. A. Enfissi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
| | | | - Alistair Griffiths
- Science Department, Royal Horticultural Society, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB, UK;
| | - Paul D. Fraser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
| | - Stefan A. Rensing
- Plant Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Marburg, 35043 Marburg, Germany; (F.B.H.); (S.A.R.)
| | - Gerhard Leubner-Metzger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK; (J.O.C.); (S.K.); (M.I.); (E.M.A.E.); (P.D.F.)
- Laboratory of Growth Regulators, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Palaćky University, 78371 Olomouc, Czech Republic
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5
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Labarrière L, Moncomble A, Cornard JP. pH dependency of the structural and photophysical properties of the atypical 2′,3-dihydroxyflavone. RSC Adv 2020; 10:35017-35030. [PMID: 35515691 PMCID: PMC9056863 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra06833k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
2′,3-Dihydroxyflavone (2′3HF) is a natural flavonol that has barely ever been studied, however the scarce studies of its physico-chemical properties have highlighted its atypical behaviour. We present a structural and spectral study of 2′3HF, performed using UV-visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies, coupled with DFT and TD-DFT calculations. Although its structure is close to that of 3-hydroxyflavone, 2′3HF shows a much lower pKa value. We show that the origin of this particularity is the substitution by a hydroxyl group on position 2′, that induces a stronger inter-ring interaction weakening the bonding of the proton at position 3. The main absorption band of the is red-shifted upon deprotonation. The remaining proton is highly bonded in between oxygen atoms 3 and 2′, making the second deprotonation unattainable in methanol. The neutral form can undergo an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer to emit dual fluorescence by the normal and tautomer forms. We suggested five geometries to be the sources of the emission bands, and showed that the energy barriers to interconversions were almost null. The anion is also fluorescent. The Stokes shifts for the neutral normal and anion species are extremely high, that can be explained by the conformational rearrangement, as the species go from twisted in the ground-state, to planar in the excited-state. Finally, another emission band is evidenced when exciting in the vicinity of the absorption maximum of the anion species in acidic medium. We suggest an aggregate with the solvent to be the origin of the emission. The assignment of the multiple fluorescence emission wavelengths of 2′,3-dihydroxyflavone highlights its particular properties compared to analogues.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Labarrière
- Univ. Lille
- CNRS
- UMR 8516 – LASIRE – Laboratoire avancé de spectroscopie pour les interactions, la réactivité et l'environnement
- F-59000 Lille
- France
| | - Aurélien Moncomble
- Univ. Lille
- CNRS
- UMR 8516 – LASIRE – Laboratoire avancé de spectroscopie pour les interactions, la réactivité et l'environnement
- F-59000 Lille
- France
| | - Jean-Paul Cornard
- Univ. Lille
- CNRS
- UMR 8516 – LASIRE – Laboratoire avancé de spectroscopie pour les interactions, la réactivité et l'environnement
- F-59000 Lille
- France
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6
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Huwe B, Fiedler A, Moritz S, Rabbow E, de Vera JP, Joshi J. Mosses in Low Earth Orbit: Implications for the Limits of Life and the Habitability of Mars. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:221-232. [PMID: 30742499 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As a part of the European Space Agency mission "EXPOSE-R2" on the International Space Station (ISS), the BIOMEX (Biology and Mars Experiment) experiment investigates the habitability of Mars and the limits of life. In preparation for the mission, experimental verification tests and scientific verification tests simulating different combinations of abiotic space- and Mars-like conditions were performed to analyze the resistance of a range of model organisms. The simulated abiotic space- and Mars-stressors were extreme temperatures, vacuum, and Mars-like surface ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in different atmospheres. We present for the first time simulated space exposure data of mosses using plantlets of the bryophyte genus Grimmia, which is adapted to high altitudinal extreme abiotic conditions at the Swiss Alps. Our preflight tests showed that severe UVR200-400nm irradiation with the maximal dose of 5 and 6.8 × 105 kJ·m-2, respectively, was the only stressor with a negative impact on the vitality with a 37% (terrestrial atmosphere) or 36% reduction (space- and Mars-like atmospheres) in photosynthetic activity. With every exposure to UVR200-400nm 105 kJ·m-2, the vitality of the bryophytes dropped by 6%. No effect was found, however, by any other stressor. As the mosses were still vital after doses of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) expected during the EXPOSE-R2 mission on ISS, we show that this earliest extant lineage of land plants is highly resistant to extreme abiotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Huwe
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Annelie Fiedler
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sophie Moritz
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Elke Rabbow
- 2 Radiation Biology, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jean Pierre de Vera
- 3 Astrobiological Laboratories, Management and Infrastructure, Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jasmin Joshi
- 1 Biodiversity Research/Systematic Botany, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
- 4 Institute for Landscape and Open Space, Hochschule für Technik HSR Rapperswil, Rapperswil, Switzerland
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Blachowicz A, Chiang AJ, Romsdahl J, Kalkum M, Wang CCC, Venkateswaran K. Proteomic characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from air and surfaces of the International Space Station. Fungal Genet Biol 2019; 124:39-46. [PMID: 30611835 DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The on-going Microbial Observatory Experiments on the International Space Station (ISS) revealed the presence of various microorganisms that may be affected by the distinct environment of the ISS. The low-nutrient environment combined with enhanced irradiation and microgravity may trigger changes in the molecular suite of microorganisms leading to increased virulence and resistance of microbes. Proteomic characterization of two Aspergillus fumigatus strains, ISSFT-021 and IF1SW-F4, isolated from HEPA filter debris and cupola surface of the ISS, respectively, is presented, along with a comparison to well-studied clinical isolates Af293 and CEA10. In-depth analysis highlights variations in the proteome of both ISS-isolated strains when compared to the clinical strains. Proteins that showed increased abundance in ISS isolates were overall involved in stress responses, and carbohydrate and secondary metabolism. Among the most abundant proteins were Pst2 and ArtA involved in oxidative stress response, PdcA and AcuE responsible for ethanol fermentation and glyoxylate cycle, respectively, TpcA, TpcF, and TpcK that are part of trypacidin biosynthetic pathway, and a toxin Asp-hemolysin. This report provides insight into possible molecular adaptation of filamentous fungi to the unique ISS environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Blachowicz
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Abby J Chiang
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Jillian Romsdahl
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Markus Kalkum
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Clay C C Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Chemistry, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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The DNA of Bacteria of the World Ocean and the Earth in Cosmic Dust at the International Space Station. ScientificWorldJournal 2018; 2018:7360147. [PMID: 29849510 PMCID: PMC5932454 DOI: 10.1155/2018/7360147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cosmic dust samples from the surface of the illuminator of the International Space Station (ISS) were collected by a crew member during his spacewalk. The sampler with tampon in a vacuum container was delivered to the Earth. Washouts from the tampon's material and the tampon itself were analyzed for the presence of bacterial DNA by the method of nested PCR with primers specific to DNA of the genus Mycobacteria, DNA of the strains of capsular bacteria Bacillus, and DNA encoding 16S ribosomal RNA. The results of amplification followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of the bacteria of the genus Mycobacteria and the extreme bacterium of the genus Delftia in the samples of cosmic dust. It was shown that the DNA sequence of one of the bacteria of the genus Mycobacteria was genetically similar to that previously observed in superficial micro layer at the Barents and Kara seas' coastal zones. The presence of the wild land and marine bacteria DNA on the ISS suggests their possible transfer from the stratosphere into the ionosphere with the ascending branch of the global electric circuit. Alternatively, the wild land and marine bacteria as well as the ISS bacteria may all have an ultimate space origin.
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Tohge T, Fernie AR. Leveraging Natural Variance towards Enhanced Understanding of Phytochemical Sunscreens. TRENDS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 22:308-315. [PMID: 28173981 DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/08/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The dependency of plants on sunlight renders exposure to UV a constant hazard. Light of this wavelength is damaging to proteins, RNA, and DNA, with damage to the latter resulting in a high mutagenic potential. To acclimate to environmental changes in light wavelengths and intensity, plants accumulate the production of UV-B-protectant phytochemicals, such as flavonoids and vitamins. Here, we review current and emerging knowledge concerning the biochemical response of plants to UV-B exposure. We additionally outline our opinion that the adoption of broad natural variance represents a powerful strategy by which to identify both novel UV-B-relevant metabolites and the genes regulating their abundance. Finally, we discuss how such information may guide future metabolic engineering strategies aimed at producing stress-tolerant plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Tohge
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
| | - Alisdair R Fernie
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, 14476 Potsdam-Golm, Germany.
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10
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Tepfer D, Leach S. Survival and DNA Damage in Plant Seeds Exposed for 558 and 682 Days outside the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:205-215. [PMID: 28263676 PMCID: PMC5369387 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
For life to survive outside the biosphere, it must be protected from UV light and other radiation by exterior shielding or through sufficient inherent resistance to survive without protection. We tested the plausibility of inherent resistance in plant seeds, reporting in a previous paper that Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) seeds exposed for 558 days outside the International Space Station (ISS) germinated and developed into fertile plants after return to Earth. We have now measured structural genetic damage in tobacco seeds from this EXPOSE-E experiment by quantitatively amplifying a segment of an antibiotic resistance gene, nptII, inserted into the chloroplast genome. We also assessed the survival of the antibiotic resistance encoded by nptII, using marker rescue in a soil bacterium. Chloroplast DNA damage occurred, but morphological mutants were not detected among the survivors. In a second, longer mission (EXPOSE-R), a nearly lethal exposure was received by Arabidopsis seeds. Comparison between a ground simulation, lacking UV<200nm, and fully exposed seeds in space indicated severe damage from these short wavelengths and again suggested that DNA degradation was not limiting seed survival. To test UV resistance in long-lived, larger seeds, we exposed Arabidopsis, tobacco, and morning glory seeds in the laboratory to doses of UV254nm, ranging as high as 2420 MJ m-2. Morning glory seeds resisted this maximum dose, which killed tobacco and Arabidopsis. We thus confirm that a naked plant seed could survive UV exposures during direct transfer from Mars to Earth and suggest that seeds with a more protective seed coat (e.g., morning glory) should survive much longer space travel. Key Words: UV light-Flavonoids-Sinapate-DNA degradation-Arabidopsis-Tobacco-Seeds-Space-International Space Station-EXPOSE-E-EXPOSE-R. Astrobiology 17, 205-215.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Tepfer
- PESAC, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Versailles, France
| | - Sydney Leach
- LERMA, Observatoire de Paris, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ. Paris 06, Meudon, France
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11
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Tepfer D. DNA Transfer to Plants by Agrobacterium rhizogenes: A Model for Genetic Communication Between Species and Biospheres. REFERENCE SERIES IN PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-28669-3_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
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12
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Sugimoto M, Oono Y, Kawahara Y, Gusev O, Maekawa M, Matsumoto T, Levinskikh M, Sychev V, Novikova N, Grigoriev A. Gene expression of rice seeds surviving 13- and 20-month exposure to space environment. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2016; 11:10-17. [PMID: 27993188 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2016.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Rice seeds were exposed outside of the international space station to assess the risk of space environment exposure on gene expression associated with seed germination. The germination percentages of the space-stored and ground-stored seeds exposed for 13 months were 48 and 96% respectively. Those for 20 months were 7 and 76%, respectively. Germination was defined 3 days after imbibition, except for the space-stored seeds exposed for 20 months, which germinated 5 days after imbibition. Subsequent RNA-seq analyses of the dry seeds, germinated seeds, and roots and shoots of seedlings revealed that the mutation rates of mRNA sequences were not significantly different between space-stored and ground-stored samples exposed for 13 months and 20 months. In all, 4 and 16 transcripts of glycolysis-related genes were increased in the germinated seeds after 13-month and 20-month exposure, respectively. Also, 2 and 39 transcripts of long-lived mRNA required for germination were decreased more than 2-fold in the dry seeds after 13-month and 20-month exposure, respectively. These results suggest that damage to long-lived mRNA in seeds by a space environment delays and reduces germination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Sugimoto
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, 2-20-1 Chuo, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0046, Japan.
| | - Youko Oono
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawahara
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Oleg Gusev
- Preventive Medicine & Diagnosis Innovation Program, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masahiko Maekawa
- Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University, 2-20-1 Chuo, Kurashiki, Okayama 710-0046, Japan
| | - Takashi Matsumoto
- National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, 2-1-2 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8602, Japan
| | - Margarita Levinskikh
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a Khorosheevskoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia
| | - Vladimir Sychev
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a Khorosheevskoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia
| | - Natalia Novikova
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a Khorosheevskoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia
| | - Anatoly Grigoriev
- Institute of Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, 76a Khorosheevskoe shosse, Moscow 123007, Russia
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13
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Visscher AM, Seal CE, Newton RJ, Frances AL, Pritchard HW. Dry seeds and environmental extremes: consequences for seed lifespan and germination. FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY : FPB 2016; 43:656-668. [PMID: 32480494 DOI: 10.1071/fp15275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In the context of climate change, food security and long-term human space missions, it is important to understand which species produce seeds that can tolerate extreme environmental conditions. Here we consider dry seed survival of extreme conditions encountered in both natural and artificially controlled environments. Considerable overlap exists between the two: for example, ultra-dry and anoxic conditions can be artificially imposed during seed storage and also occur naturally in the vacuum of space environments. Aside from ultra-drying and anoxia, dry seeds of many species may experience extremely high temperatures due to heat from wildfires or when exposed to solar heat in biomes such as deserts. In addition, seeds can be irradiated by UV-A and UV-B at the surface of the Earth and by the shorter wavelengths of UV-C in outer space. We focus on the effects of these extreme environmental conditions on dry seed lifespan and germination. Although it is clear that seeds from particular plant species and families can tolerate exposures to ultra-drying, high temperatures (at least 32 families) or UV radiation with minimal consequences for subsequent germination ability, further research is needed to elucidate many of the mechanisms underlying extreme tolerance of these environmental conditions found on Earth or in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Visscher
- Department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ardingly, RH17 6TN, West Sussex, UK
| | - Charlotte E Seal
- Department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ardingly, RH17 6TN, West Sussex, UK
| | - Rosemary J Newton
- Department of Conservation Science, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ardingly, RH17 6TN, West Sussex, UK
| | - Alba Latorre Frances
- Department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ardingly, RH17 6TN, West Sussex, UK
| | - Hugh W Pritchard
- Department of Comparative Plant and Fungal Biology, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Ardingly, RH17 6TN, West Sussex, UK
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14
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Onofri S, de Vera JP, Zucconi L, Selbmann L, Scalzi G, Venkateswaran KJ, Rabbow E, de la Torre R, Horneck G. Survival of Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Simulated Martian Conditions On Board the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2015; 15:1052-9. [PMID: 26684504 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2015.1324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Dehydrated Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities and colonies of the rock inhabitant black fungi Cryomyces antarcticus (CCFEE 515) and Cryomyces minteri (CCFEE 5187) were exposed as part of the Lichens and Fungi Experiment (LIFE) for 18 months in the European Space Agency's EXPOSE-E facility to simulated martian conditions aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Upon sample retrieval, survival was proved by testing colony-forming ability, and viability of cells (as integrity of cell membrane) was determined by the propidium monoazide (PMA) assay coupled with quantitative PCR tests. Although less than 10% of the samples exposed to simulated martian conditions were able to proliferate and form colonies, the PMA assay indicated that more than 60% of the cells and rock communities had remained intact after the "Mars exposure." Furthermore, a high stability of the DNA in the cells was demonstrated. The results contribute to assessing the stability of resistant microorganisms and biosignatures on the surface of Mars, data that are valuable information for further search-for-life experiments on Mars. KEY WORDS Endoliths-Eukaryotes-Extremophilic microorganisms-Mars-Radiation resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvano Onofri
- 1 Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre de Vera
- 2 Institute of Planetary Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR) , Berlin, Germany
| | - Laura Zucconi
- 1 Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Viterbo, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- 1 Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuliano Scalzi
- 1 Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Viterbo, Italy
| | | | - Elke Rabbow
- 4 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR) , Cologne, Germany
| | - Rosa de la Torre
- 5 Department of Earth Observation, Spanish Aerospace Research Establishment-INTA , Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gerda Horneck
- 4 Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR) , Cologne, Germany
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15
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Kozeko L, Talalaiev O, Neimash V, Povarchuk V. A protective role of HSP90 chaperone in gamma-irradiated Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2015; 6:51-58. [PMID: 26256628 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2015.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Revised: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is required for the maturation and conformational regulation of many regulatory proteins affecting morphogenetic pathways and stress tolerance. The purpose of this work is to disclose a role of HSP90 in radioresistance of seeds. Arabidopsis thaliana (Ler) seeds were exposed to γ-ray irradiation with doses of 0.1-1 kGy using (60)Co source to obtain a viable but polymorphic material. A comet assay of the seeds showed a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage. Phenotypic consequences of irradiation included growth stimulation at doses of 0.1-0.25 kGy and negative growth effects at doses from 0.5 kGy and beyond, along with increasing heterogeneity of seedling growth rate and phenotype. The frequencies of abnormal phenotypes were highly correlated with the degree of DNA damage in seeds. Treatment of seeds with geldanamycin (GDA), an inhibitor of HSP90, stimulated the seedling growth at all radiation doses and, at the same time, enhanced the growth rate and morphological diversity. It was also found that HSP70 induction by γ-rays was increased following GDA treatment (shown at 1 kGy). We suppose that the GDA-induced HSP70 can be involved in elimination of detrimental radiation effects that ultimately results in growth stimulation. On the other hand, the increase in phenotypic variation, when HSP90 function was impaired, confirms the supposition that the chaperone may control the concealment of cryptic genetic alterations and the developmental stability. In general, these results demonstrate that HSP90 may interface the stress response and phenotypic expression of genetic alterations induced by irradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudmyla Kozeko
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany, NAS of Ukraine, Tereshchenkivska str. 2, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Oleksandr Talalaiev
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Institute of Botany, NAS of Ukraine, Tereshchenkivska str. 2, 01601 Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Volodymyr Neimash
- Laboratory of radiation technology, Institute of Physics, NAS of Ukraine, Nauky av. 46, 03028, Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Vasyl Povarchuk
- Laboratory of radiation technology, Institute of Physics, NAS of Ukraine, Nauky av. 46, 03028, Kyiv, Ukraine.
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16
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Thiel CS, Tauber S, Schütte A, Schmitz B, Nuesse H, Moeller R, Ullrich O. Functional activity of plasmid DNA after entry into the atmosphere of earth investigated by a new biomarker stability assay for ballistic spaceflight experiments. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112979. [PMID: 25426925 PMCID: PMC4245111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sounding rockets represent an excellent platform for testing the influence of space conditions during the passage of Earth's atmosphere and re-entry on biological, physical and chemical experiments for astrobiological purposes. We designed a robust functionality biomarker assay to analyze the biological effects of suborbital spaceflights prevailing during ballistic rocket flights. During the TEXUS-49 rocket mission in March 2011, artificial plasmid DNA carrying a fluorescent marker (enhanced green fluorescent protein: EGFP) and an antibiotic resistance cassette (kanamycin/neomycin) was attached on different positions of rocket exterior; (i) circular every 90 degree on the outer surface concentrical of the payload, (ii) in the grooves of screw heads located in between the surface application sites, and (iii) on the surface of the bottom side of the payload. Temperature measurements showed two major peaks at 118 and 130°C during the 780 seconds lasting flight on the inside of the recovery module, while outer gas temperatures of more than 1000°C were estimated on the sample application locations. Directly after retrieval and return transport of the payload, the plasmid DNA samples were recovered. Subsequent analyses showed that DNA could be recovered from all application sites with a maximum of 53% in the grooves of the screw heads. We could further show that up to 35% of DNA retained its full biological function, i.e., mediating antibiotic resistance in bacteria and fluorescent marker expression in eukariotic cells. These experiments show that our plasmid DNA biomarker assay is suitable to characterize the environmental conditions affecting DNA during an atmospheric transit and the re-entry and constitute the first report of the stability of DNA during hypervelocity atmospheric transit indicating that sounding rocket flights can be used to model the high-speed atmospheric entry of organics-laden artificial meteorites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora S. Thiel
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (CT); (OU)
| | - Svantje Tauber
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Harald Nuesse
- Institute of Medical Physics and Biophysics, University of Muenster, Münster, Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center (DLR e.V.), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Research Group Astrobiology, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Machine Design, Engineering Design and Product Development, Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- * E-mail: (CT); (OU)
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17
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Janssen PJD, Lambreva MD, Plumeré N, Bartolucci C, Antonacci A, Buonasera K, Frese RN, Scognamiglio V, Rea G. Photosynthesis at the forefront of a sustainable life. Front Chem 2014; 2:36. [PMID: 24971306 PMCID: PMC4054791 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2014.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Accepted: 05/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a sustainable bio-based economy has drawn much attention in recent years, and research to find smart solutions to the many inherent challenges has intensified. In nature, perhaps the best example of an authentic sustainable system is oxygenic photosynthesis. The biochemistry of this intricate process is empowered by solar radiation influx and performed by hierarchically organized complexes composed by photoreceptors, inorganic catalysts, and enzymes which define specific niches for optimizing light-to-energy conversion. The success of this process relies on its capability to exploit the almost inexhaustible reservoirs of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to transform photonic energy into chemical energy such as stored in adenosine triphosphate. Oxygenic photosynthesis is responsible for most of the oxygen, fossil fuels, and biomass on our planet. So, even after a few billion years of evolution, this process unceasingly supports life on earth, and probably soon also in outer-space, and inspires the development of enabling technologies for a sustainable global economy and ecosystem. The following review covers some of the major milestones reached in photosynthesis research, each reflecting lasting routes of innovation in agriculture, environmental protection, and clean energy production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. D. Janssen
- Molecular and Cellular Biology - Unit of Microbiology, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK•CENMol, Belgium
| | - Maya D. Lambreva
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of ItalyRome, Italy
| | - Nicolas Plumeré
- Center for Electrochemical Sciences-CES, Ruhr-Universität BochumBochum, Germany
| | - Cecilia Bartolucci
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of ItalyRome, Italy
| | - Amina Antonacci
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of ItalyRome, Italy
| | - Katia Buonasera
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of ItalyRome, Italy
| | - Raoul N. Frese
- Division of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Biophysics, VU University AmsterdamAmsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Giuseppina Rea
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of ItalyRome, Italy
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18
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Paul AL, Wheeler RM, Levine HG, Ferl RJ. Fundamental plant biology enabled by the space shuttle. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2013; 100:226-34. [PMID: 23281389 DOI: 10.3732/ajb.1200338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between fundamental plant biology and space biology was especially synergistic in the era of the Space Shuttle. While all terrestrial organisms are influenced by gravity, the impact of gravity as a tropic stimulus in plants has been a topic of formal study for more than a century. And while plants were parts of early space biology payloads, it was not until the advent of the Space Shuttle that the science of plant space biology enjoyed expansion that truly enabled controlled, fundamental experiments that removed gravity from the equation. The Space Shuttle presented a science platform that provided regular science flights with dedicated plant growth hardware and crew trained in inflight plant manipulations. Part of the impetus for plant biology experiments in space was the realization that plants could be important parts of bioregenerative life support on long missions, recycling water, air, and nutrients for the human crew. However, a large part of the impetus was that the Space Shuttle enabled fundamental plant science essentially in a microgravity environment. Experiments during the Space Shuttle era produced key science insights on biological adaptation to spaceflight and especially plant growth and tropisms. In this review, we present an overview of plant science in the Space Shuttle era with an emphasis on experiments dealing with fundamental plant growth in microgravity. This review discusses general conclusions from the study of plant spaceflight biology enabled by the Space Shuttle by providing historical context and reviews of select experiments that exemplify plant space biology science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lisa Paul
- Horticultural Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA
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19
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Rabbow E, Rettberg P, Barczyk S, Bohmeier M, Parpart A, Panitz C, Horneck G, von Heise-Rotenburg R, Hoppenbrouwers T, Willnecker R, Baglioni P, Demets R, Dettmann J, Reitz G. EXPOSE-E: an ESA astrobiology mission 1.5 years in space. ASTROBIOLOGY 2012; 12:374-86. [PMID: 22680684 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2011.0760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The multi-user facility EXPOSE-E was designed by the European Space Agency to enable astrobiology research in space (low-Earth orbit). On 7 February 2008, EXPOSE-E was carried to the International Space Station (ISS) on the European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF) platform in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle STS-122 Atlantis. The facility was installed at the starboard cone of the Columbus module by extravehicular activity, where it remained in space for 1.5 years. EXPOSE-E was returned to Earth with STS-128 Discovery on 12 September 2009 for subsequent sample analysis. EXPOSE-E provided accommodation in three exposure trays for a variety of astrobiological test samples that were exposed to selected space conditions: either to space vacuum, solar electromagnetic radiation at >110 nm and cosmic radiation (trays 1 and 3) or to simulated martian surface conditions (tray 2). Data on UV radiation, cosmic radiation, and temperature were measured every 10 s and downlinked by telemetry. A parallel mission ground reference (MGR) experiment was performed on ground with a parallel set of hardware and samples under simulated space conditions. EXPOSE-E performed a successful 1.5-year mission in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Rabbow
- Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR) , Cologne, Germany.
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