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Percot A, Mahieddine F, Yano H, Hasegawa S, Tabata M, Yamagishi A, Mita H, Paredes-Arriaga A, Maurel MC, Lambert JF, Baklouti D, Zins EL. Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for Identifying Traces of Adenine in Organic-Bearing Extraterrestrial Dust Analogs Captured in the Tanpopo Aerogel after Hypervelocity Impacts. Gels 2024; 10:249. [PMID: 38667668 PMCID: PMC11049422 DOI: 10.3390/gels10040249] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Raman spectroscopy is a non-destructive analytical technique for characterizing organic and inorganic materials with spatial resolution in the micrometer range. This makes it a method of choice for space-mission sample characterization, whether on return or in situ. To enhance its sensitivity, we use signal amplification via interaction with plasmonic silver-based colloids, which corresponds to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this study, we focus on the analysis of biomolecules of prebiotic interest on extraterrestrial dust trapped in silica aerogel, jointly with the Japanese Tanpopo mission. The aim is twofold: to prepare samples as close as possible to the real ones, and to optimize analysis by SERS for this specific context. Serpentinite was chosen as the inorganic matrix and adenine as the target biomolecule. The dust was projected at high velocity into the trapping aerogel and then mechanically extracted. A quantitative study shows effective detection even for adenine doping from a 5·10-9mol/L solution. After the dust has been expelled from the aerogel using a solvent, SERS mapping enables unambiguous adenine detection over the entire dust surface. This study shows the potential of SERS as a key technique not only for return samples, but also for upcoming new explorations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Percot
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS MONARIS UMR8233, 75005 Paris, France; (F.M.); (E.-L.Z.)
| | - Farah Mahieddine
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS MONARIS UMR8233, 75005 Paris, France; (F.M.); (E.-L.Z.)
| | - Hajime Yano
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Sunao Hasegawa
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan; (H.Y.)
| | - Makoto Tabata
- Department of Physics, Chiba University, Chiba 263-8522, Japan;
| | - Akihiko Yamagishi
- Department of Applied Life Science, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachiojishi 192-0392, Japan;
| | - Hajime Mita
- Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Wajiro-higashi, Fukuoka 811-0295, Japan;
| | - Alejandro Paredes-Arriaga
- Posgrado en Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior S/N, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, C.P, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico;
- Laboratorio de Evolución Química, Departamento de Química de Radiaciones y Radioquímica, Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito Exterior S/N, Cd. Universitaria, Coyoacán, C.P, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Marie-Christine Maurel
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité( ISYEB), Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 57 rue Cuvier, CP 51, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Jean-François Lambert
- Laboratoire d’Archéologie Moléculaire et Structurale, Sorbonne Université, CNRS UMR 8220, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Donia Baklouti
- Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
| | - Emilie-Laure Zins
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS MONARIS UMR8233, 75005 Paris, France; (F.M.); (E.-L.Z.)
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Chen Y, Zhang Q, Wang D, Shu YG, Shi H. Memory Effect on the Survival of Deinococcus radiodurans after Exposure in Near Space. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0347422. [PMID: 36749041 PMCID: PMC10100890 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03474-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Near space (20 to 100 km in altitude) is an extreme environment with high radiation and extreme cold, making it difficult for organisms to survive. However, many studies had shown that there were still microbes living in this extremely harsh environment. It was particularly important to study which factors affected the survival of microorganisms living in near space after exposure to irradiation, as this was related to many studies, such as studies of radioresistance mechanisms, panspermia hypothesis, long-distance microbial transfer, and developing extraterrestrial habitats. Survival after radiation was probably influenced by the growth condition before radiation, which is called the memory effect. In this research, we used different growth conditions to affect the growth of Deinococcus radiodurans and lyophilized bacteria in exponential phase to maintain the physiological state at this stage. Then high-altitude scientific balloon exposure experiments were carried out by using the Chinese Academy of Sciences Balloon-Borne Astrobiology Platform (CAS-BAP) at Dachaidan, Qinghai, China (37°44'N, 95°21'E). The aim was to investigate which factors influence survival after near-space exposure. The results suggested that there was a memory effect on the survival of D. radiodurans after exposure. If the differences in growth rate were caused by differences in nutrition, the survival rate and growth rate were positively correlated. Moreover, the addition of paraquat and Mn2+ during the growth phase can also increase survival. This finding may help to deepen the understanding of the mechanics of radiation protection and provide relevant evidence for many studies, such as of long-distance transfer of microorganisms in near space. IMPORTANCE Earth's near space is an extreme environment with high radiation and extreme cold. Which factors affect the survival of microbes in near space is related to many studies, such as studies of radioresistance mechanisms, panspermia hypothesis, long-distance microbial transfer, and developing extraterrestrial habitats. We performed several exposure experiments with Deinococcus radiodurans in near space to investigate which factors influence the survival rate after near-space exposure; that is, there was a relationship between survival after radiation and the growth condition before radiation. The results suggested that there was a memory effect on the survival of D. radiodurans after exposure. This finding may help to deepen the understanding of the mechanism of radiation protection and provide relevant evidence for many studies, such as of long-distance transfer of microorganisms in near space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Deyu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yao-Gen Shu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hualin Shi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Wenzhou Institute, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenzhou, China
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Sithamparam M, Satthiyasilan N, Chen C, Jia TZ, Chandru K. A material-based panspermia hypothesis: The potential of polymer gels and membraneless droplets. Biopolymers 2022; 113:e23486. [PMID: 35148427 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The Panspermia hypothesis posits that either life's building blocks (molecular Panspermia) or life itself (organism-based Panspermia) may have been interplanetarily transferred to facilitate the origins of life (OoL) on a given planet, complementing several current OoL frameworks. Although many spaceflight experiments were performed in the past to test for potential terrestrial organisms as Panspermia seeds, it is uncertain whether such organisms will likely "seed" a new planet even if they are able to survive spaceflight. Therefore, rather than using organisms, using abiotic chemicals as seeds has been proposed as part of the molecular Panspermia hypothesis. Here, as an extension of this hypothesis, we introduce and review the plausibility of a polymeric material-based Panspermia seed (M-BPS) as a theoretical concept, where the type of polymeric material that can function as a M-BPS must be able to: (1) survive spaceflight and (2) "function", i.e., contingently drive chemical evolution toward some form of abiogenesis once arriving on a foreign planet. We use polymeric gels as a model example of a potential M-BPS. Polymeric gels that can be prebiotically synthesized on one planet (such as polyester gels) could be transferred to another planet via meteoritic transfer, where upon landing on a liquid bearing planet, can assemble into structures containing cellular-like characteristics and functionalities. Such features presupposed that these gels can assemble into compartments through phase separation to accomplish relevant functions such as encapsulation of primitive metabolic, genetic and catalytic materials, exchange of these materials, motion, coalescence, and evolution. All of these functions can result in the gels' capability to alter local geochemical niches on other planets, thereby allowing chemical evolution to lead to OoL events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahendran Sithamparam
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nirmell Satthiyasilan
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chen Chen
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tony Z Jia
- Earth-Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.,Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kuhan Chandru
- Space Science Center (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, National University of Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Fujiwara D, Kawaguchi Y, Kinoshita I, Yatabe J, Narumi I, Hashimoto H, Yokobori SI, Yamagishi A. Mutation Analysis of the rpoB Gene in the Radiation-Resistant Bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans R1 Exposed to Space during the Tanpopo Experiment at the International Space Station. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:1494-1504. [PMID: 34694920 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2424] [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: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To investigate microbial viability and DNA damage, dried cell pellets of the radiation-resistant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans were exposed to various space environmental conditions at the Exposure Facility of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Tanpopo mission. Mutation analysis was done by sequencing the rpoB gene encoding RNA polymerase β-subunit of the rifampicin-resistant mutants. Samples included bacteria exposed to the space environment with and without exposure to UV radiation as well as control samples held in the ISS cabin and at ground. The mutation sites of the rpoB gene obtained from the space-exposed and ISS/ground control samples were similar to the rpoB mutation sites previously reported in D. radiodurans. Most mutations were found at or near the rifampicin binding site in the RNA polymerase β-subunit. Mutation sites found in UV-exposed samples were mostly shared with non-exposed and ISS/ground control samples. These results suggest that most mutations found in our experiments were induced during procedures that were applied across all treatments: preparation, transfer from our laboratory to the ISS, return from the ISS, and storage before analysis. Some mutations may be enhanced by specific factors in the space experiments, but the mutations were also found in the spontaneous and control samples. Our experiment suggests that the dried cells of the microorganism D. radiodurans can travel without space-specific deterioration that may induce excess mutations relative to travel at Earth's surface. However, upon arrival at a recipient location, they must still be able to survive and repair the general damage induced during travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Fujiwara
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Kawaguchi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iori Kinoshita
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Yatabe
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Issay Narumi
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Gunma, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Hashimoto
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Yokobori
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yamagishi
- School of Life Sciences, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
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