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Golaz D, Papenfuhs CK, Bellés-Sancho P, Eberl L, Egli M, Pessi G. RNA-seq analysis in simulated microgravity unveils down-regulation of the beta-rhizobial siderophore phymabactin. NPJ Microgravity 2024; 10:44. [PMID: 38570513 PMCID: PMC10991261 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-024-00391-7] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Exploiting the symbiotic interaction between crops and nitrogen-fixing bacteria is a simple and ecological method to promote plant growth in prospective extraterrestrial human outposts. In this study, we performed an RNA-seq analysis to investigate the adaptation of the legume symbiont Paraburkholderia phymatum STM815T to simulated microgravity (s0-g) at the transcriptome level. The results revealed a drastic effect on gene expression, with roughly 23% of P. phymatum genes being differentially regulated in s0-g. Among those, 951 genes were upregulated and 858 downregulated in the cells grown in s0-g compared to terrestrial gravity (1 g). Several genes involved in posttranslational modification, protein turnover or chaperones encoding were upregulated in s0-g, while those involved in translation, ribosomal structure and biosynthesis, motility or inorganic ions transport were downregulated. Specifically, the whole phm gene cluster, previously bioinformatically predicted to be involved in the production of a hypothetical malleobactin-like siderophore, phymabactin, was 20-fold downregulated in microgravity. By constructing a mutant strain (ΔphmJK) we confirmed that the phm gene cluster codes for the only siderophore secreted by P. phymatum as assessed by the complete lack of iron chelating activity of the P. phymatum ΔphmJK mutant on chrome azurol S (CAS) agar plates. These results not only provide a deeper understanding of the physiology of symbiotic organisms exposed to space-like conditions, but also increase our knowledge of iron acquisition mechanisms in rhizobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphné Golaz
- Department of Plant and Microbial biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Chad K Papenfuhs
- Department of Plant and Microbial biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Paula Bellés-Sancho
- Department of Plant and Microbial biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leo Eberl
- Department of Plant and Microbial biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Egli
- School of Engineering and Architecture, Institute of Medical Engineering, Space Biology Group, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hergiswil, Switzerland
- National Center for Biomedical Research in Space, Innovation Cluster Space and Aviation, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Gabriella Pessi
- Department of Plant and Microbial biology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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2
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Duscher AA, Vroom MM, Foster JS. Impact of modeled microgravity stress on innate immunity in a beneficial animal-microbe symbiosis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2912. [PMID: 38316910 PMCID: PMC10844198 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53477-3] [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: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The innate immune response is the first line of defense for all animals to not only detect invading microbes and toxins but also sense and interface with the environment. One such environment that can significantly affect innate immunity is spaceflight. In this study, we explored the impact of microgravity stress on key elements of the NFκB innate immune pathway. The symbiosis between the bobtail squid Euprymna scolopes and its beneficial symbiont Vibrio fischeri was used as a model system under a simulated microgravity environment. The expression of genes associated with the NFκB pathway was monitored over time as the symbiosis progressed. Results revealed that although the onset of the symbiosis was the major driver in the differential expression of NFκB signaling, the stress of simulated low-shear microgravity also caused a dysregulation of expression. Several genes were expressed at earlier time points suggesting that elements of the E. scolopes NFκB pathway are stress-inducible, whereas expression of other pathway components was delayed. The results provide new insights into the role of NFκB signaling in the squid-vibrio symbiosis, and how the stress of microgravity negatively impacts the host immune response. Together, these results provide a foundation to develop mitigation strategies to maintain host-microbe homeostasis during spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandrea A Duscher
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
- Chesapeake Bay Governor's School, Warsaw, VA, 22572, USA
| | - Madeline M Vroom
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
- Vaxxinity, Space Life Sciences Lab, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Jamie S Foster
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA.
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3
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Haveman NJ, Schuerger AC, Yu PL, Brown M, Doebler R, Paul AL, Ferl RJ. Advancing the automation of plant nucleic acid extraction for rapid diagnosis of plant diseases in space. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1194753. [PMID: 37389293 PMCID: PMC10304293 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1194753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Human space exploration missions will continue the development of sustainable plant cultivation in what are obviously novel habitat settings. Effective pathology mitigation strategies are needed to cope with plant disease outbreaks in any space-based plant growth system. However, few technologies currently exist for space-based diagnosis of plant pathogens. Therefore, we developed a method of extracting plant nucleic acid that will facilitate the rapid diagnosis of plant diseases for future spaceflight applications. The microHomogenizer™ from Claremont BioSolutions, originally designed for bacterial and animal tissue samples, was evaluated for plant-microbial nucleic acid extractions. The microHomogenizer™ is an appealing device in that it provides automation and containment capabilities that would be required in spaceflight applications. Three different plant pathosystems were used to assess the versatility of the extraction process. Tomato, lettuce, and pepper plants were respectively inoculated with a fungal plant pathogen, an oomycete pathogen, and a plant viral pathogen. The microHomogenizer™, along with the developed protocols, proved to be an effective mechanism for producing DNA from all three pathosystems, in that PCR and sequencing of the resulting samples demonstrated clear DNA-based diagnoses. Thus, this investigation advances the efforts to automate nucleic acid extraction for future plant disease diagnosis in space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J. Haveman
- NASA Utilization & Life Sciences Office (UB-A), Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Andrew C. Schuerger
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Space Life Science Lab, Merritt Island, FL, United States
| | - Pei-Ling Yu
- Department of Plant Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Mark Brown
- Claremont BioSolutions Limited Liability Company (LLC), Upland, CA, United States
| | - Robert Doebler
- Claremont BioSolutions Limited Liability Company (LLC), Upland, CA, United States
| | - Anna-Lisa Paul
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Robert J. Ferl
- Department of Horticultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- University of Florida Office of Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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4
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Vroom MM, Troncoso-Garcia A, Duscher AA, Foster JS. Modeled microgravity alters apoptotic gene expression and caspase activity in the squid-vibrio symbiosis. BMC Microbiol 2022; 22:202. [PMID: 35982413 PMCID: PMC9389742 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-022-02614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spaceflight is a novel and profoundly stressful environment for life. One aspect of spaceflight, microgravity, has been shown to perturb animal physiology thereby posing numerous health risks, including dysregulation of normal developmental pathways. Microgravity can also negatively impact the interactions between animals and their microbiomes. However, the effects of microgravity on developmental processes influenced by beneficial microbes, such as apoptosis, remains poorly understood. Here, the binary mutualism between the bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes, and the gram-negative bacterium, Vibrio fischeri, was studied under modeled microgravity conditions to elucidate how this unique stressor alters apoptotic cell death induced by beneficial microbes. Results Analysis of the host genome and transcriptome revealed a complex network of apoptosis genes affiliated with extrinsic/receptor-mediated and intrinsic/stress-induced apoptosis. Expression of apoptosis genes under modeled microgravity conditions occurred earlier and at high levels compared to gravity controls, in particular the expression of genes encoding initiator and executioner caspases. Functional assays of these apoptotic proteases revealed heightened activity under modeled microgravity; however, these increases could be mitigated using caspase inhibitors. Conclusions The outcomes of this study indicated that modeled microgravity alters the expression of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis gene expression and that this process is mediated in part by caspases. Modeled microgravity-associated increases of caspase activity can be pharmacologically inhibited suggesting that perturbations to the normal apoptosis signaling cascade can be mitigated, which may have broader implications for maintaining animal-microbial homeostasis in spaceflight. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12866-022-02614-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Vroom
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Angel Troncoso-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Alexandrea A Duscher
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA
| | - Jamie S Foster
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, 32953, USA.
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5
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Han Y, Shao D, Han C, Huang Q, Zhao W. Response of human gut microbiota under simulated microgravity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5221-5231. [PMID: 35796811 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12045-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of microgravity on human gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in vitro. The diamagnetic material magnetic levitation method was used to simulate weightless environment. The human gut microbiota was cultured under two different conditions: normal gravity (1 g), and simulated microgravity (0 g), which showed that both the richness (P = 0.04) and diversity (P = 0.0002) of human gut microbiota were significantly altered. As compared to the normal gravity, the simulated microgravity significantly reduced abundance of bacteria related to anti-inflammatory effects, such as Subdoligranulum, Faecalibacterium, Fusicatenibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Lachnospiraceae-NK4A136-0 group (P < 0.05), while significantly increased that of Alistipes and Eubacterium-Ventriosum-group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the Spearman's correlation analysis showed that there were more significantly correlated species (|r|≥ 0.5, P < 0.05) in normal gravity than that in the simulated microgravity. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the microgravity significantly (P < 0.05) affected the metabolism of gut microbiota, such as the metabolism of pyrimidine, fatty acids, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms. These results suggested that the exposure to a microgravity environment might induce disturbances in human gut microbiota. KEY POINTS: • Using 16sRNA gene sequencing technology, it was found that magnetic levitation-simulated microgravity had varying degrees of influence on the abundance, diversity, species correlation, and KEGG pathways of human intestinal microbes. • Digital PCR can improve the detection rate of microorganisms with low abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijuan Han
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Dongyan Shao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Cuicui Han
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qingsheng Huang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Wen Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, 127 Youyi West Road, Xi'an, 710072, Shaanxi, China.
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6
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Tesei D, Jewczynko A, Lynch AM, Urbaniak C. Understanding the Complexities and Changes of the Astronaut Microbiome for Successful Long-Duration Space Missions. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12040495. [PMID: 35454986 PMCID: PMC9031868 DOI: 10.3390/life12040495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During space missions, astronauts are faced with a variety of challenges that are unique to spaceflight and that have been known to cause physiological changes in humans over a period of time. Several of these changes occur at the microbiome level, a complex ensemble of microbial communities residing in various anatomic sites of the human body, with a pivotal role in regulating the health and behavior of the host. The microbiome is essential for day-to-day physiological activities, and alterations in microbiome composition and function have been linked to various human diseases. For these reasons, understanding the impact of spaceflight and space conditions on the microbiome of astronauts is important to assess significant health risks that can emerge during long-term missions and to develop countermeasures. Here, we review various conditions that are caused by long-term space exploration and discuss the role of the microbiome in promoting or ameliorating these conditions, as well as space-related factors that impact microbiome composition. The topics explored pertain to microgravity, radiation, immunity, bone health, cognitive function, gender differences and pharmacomicrobiomics. Connections are made between the trifecta of spaceflight, the host and the microbiome, and the significance of these interactions for successful long-term space missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Tesei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Anna Jewczynko
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada;
| | - Anne M. Lynch
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Graduate Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- ZIN Technologies Inc., Middleburg Heights, OH 44130, USA
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA
- Correspondence:
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7
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Pavletić B, Runzheimer K, Siems K, Koch S, Cortesão M, Ramos-Nascimento A, Moeller R. Spaceflight Virology: What Do We Know about Viral Threats in the Spaceflight Environment? ASTROBIOLOGY 2022; 22:210-224. [PMID: 34981957 PMCID: PMC8861927 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2021.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Viruses constitute a significant part of the human microbiome, so wherever humans go, viruses are brought with them, even on space missions. In this mini review, we focus on the International Space Station (ISS) as the only current human habitat in space that has a diverse range of viral genera that infect microorganisms from bacteria to eukaryotes. Thus, we have reviewed the literature on the physical conditions of space habitats that have an impact on both virus transmissibility and interaction with their host, which include UV radiation, ionizing radiation, humidity, and microgravity. Also, we briefly comment on the practices used on space missions that reduce virus spread, that is, use of antimicrobial surfaces, spacecraft sterilization practices, and air filtration. Finally, we turn our attention to the health threats that viruses pose to space travel. Overall, even though efforts are taken to ensure safe conditions during human space travel, for example, preflight quarantines of astronauts, we reflect on the potential risks humans might be exposed to and how those risks might be aggravated in extraterrestrial habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Pavletić
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Katharina Runzheimer
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Katharina Siems
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Stella Koch
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Marta Cortesão
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Ana Ramos-Nascimento
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
| | - Ralf Moeller
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Linder Hoehe, Cologne (Köln), Germany
- Address correspondence to: Ralf Moeller, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology Department, Aerospace Microbiology, Linder Hoehe, Building 24, Room 104, D-51147 Köln, Germany
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8
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Cockell CS. Bridging the gap between microbial limits and extremes in space: space microbial biotechnology in the next 15 years. Microb Biotechnol 2022; 15:29-41. [PMID: 34534397 PMCID: PMC8719799 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of a permanent human settlement in space is one of humanity's ambitions. To achieve this, microorganisms will be used to carry out many functions such as recycling, food and pharmaceutical production, mining and other processes. However, the physical and chemical extremes in all locations beyond Earth exceed known growth limits of microbial life. Making microbes more tolerant of a greater range of extraterrestrial extremes will not produce organisms that can grow in unmodified extraterrestrial environments since in many of them not even liquid water can exist. However, by narrowing the gap, the engineering demands on bioindustrial processes can be reduced and greater robustness can be incorporated into the biological component. I identify and describe these required microbial biotechnological modifications and speculate on long-term possibilities such as microbial biotechnology on Saturn's moon Titan to support a human presence in the outer Solar System and bioprocessing of asteroids. A challenge for space microbial biotechnology in the coming decades is to narrow the microbial gap by systemically identifying the genes required to do this and incorporating them into microbial systems that can be used to carry out bioindustrial processes of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S. Cockell
- UK Centre for AstrobiologySchool of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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9
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Qiu D, Jian Y, Zhang Y, Xie G. Plant Gravitropism and Signal Conversion under a Stress Environment of Altered Gravity. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111723. [PMID: 34769154 PMCID: PMC8583895 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have been committed to space exploration and to find the next planet suitable for human survival. The construction of an ecosystem that adapts to the long-term survival of human beings in space stations or other planets would be the first step. The space plant cultivation system is the key component of an ecosystem, which will produce food, fiber, edible oil and oxygen for future space inhabitants. Many plant experiments have been carried out under a stimulated or real environment of altered gravity, including at microgravity (0 g), Moon gravity (0.17 g) and Mars gravity (0.38 g). How plants sense gravity and change under stress environment of altered gravity were summarized in this review. However, many challenges remain regarding human missions to the Moon or Mars. Our group conducted the first plant experiment under real Moon gravity (0.17 g) in 2019. One of the cotton seeds successfully germinated and produced a green seedling, which represents the first green leaf produced by mankind on the Moon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Qiu
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
| | - Yongfei Jian
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops, School of Life Sciences, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, China
| | - Yuanxun Zhang
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Gengxin Xie
- Center of Space Exploration, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; (Y.J.); (Y.Z.)
- Correspondence: (D.Q.); (G.X.)
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10
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Haveman NJ, Khodadad CLM, Dixit AR, Louyakis AS, Massa GD, Venkateswaran K, Foster JS. Evaluating the lettuce metatranscriptome with MinION sequencing for future spaceflight food production applications. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:22. [PMID: 34140518 PMCID: PMC8211661 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00151-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Healthy plants are vital for successful, long-duration missions in space, as they provide the crew with life support, food production, and psychological benefits. The microorganisms that associate with plant tissues play a critical role in improving plant health and production. To that end, we developed a methodology to investigate the transcriptional activities of the microbiome of red romaine lettuce, a key salad crop that was grown under International Space Station (ISS)-like conditions. Microbial transcripts enriched from host-microbe total RNA were sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing platform. Results show that this enrichment approach was highly reproducible and could be an effective approach for the on-site detection of microbial transcriptional activity. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using metatranscriptomics of enriched microbial RNA as a potential method for on-site monitoring of the transcriptional activity of crop microbiomes, thereby helping to facilitate and maintain plant health for on-orbit space food production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha J. Haveman
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Space Life Science Lab, Merritt Island, FL USA
| | - Christina L. M. Khodadad
- grid.419743.c0000 0001 0845 4769Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL USA
| | - Anirudha R. Dixit
- grid.419743.c0000 0001 0845 4769Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL USA
| | - Artemis S. Louyakis
- grid.63054.340000 0001 0860 4915Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT USA
| | - Gioia D. Massa
- grid.419743.c0000 0001 0845 4769Space Crop Production Team, Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, FL USA
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- grid.211367.0Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA USA
| | - Jamie S. Foster
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Space Life Science Lab, Merritt Island, FL USA
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11
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Cockell CS, Santomartino R, Finster K, Waajen AC, Nicholson N, Loudon CM, Eades LJ, Moeller R, Rettberg P, Fuchs FM, Van Houdt R, Leys N, Coninx I, Hatton J, Parmitano L, Krause J, Koehler A, Caplin N, Zuijderduijn L, Mariani A, Pellari S, Carubia F, Luciani G, Balsamo M, Zolesi V, Ochoa J, Sen P, Watt JAJ, Doswald-Winkler J, Herová M, Rattenbacher B, Wadsworth J, Everroad RC, Demets R. Microbially-Enhanced Vanadium Mining and Bioremediation Under Micro- and Mars Gravity on the International Space Station. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:641387. [PMID: 33868198 PMCID: PMC8047202 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.641387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
As humans explore and settle in space, they will need to mine elements to support industries such as manufacturing and construction. In preparation for the establishment of permanent human settlements across the Solar System, we conducted the ESA BioRock experiment on board the International Space Station to investigate whether biological mining could be accomplished under extraterrestrial gravity conditions. We tested the hypothesis that the gravity (g) level influenced the efficacy with which biomining could be achieved from basalt, an abundant material on the Moon and Mars, by quantifying bioleaching by three different microorganisms under microgravity, simulated Mars and Earth gravitational conditions. One element of interest in mining is vanadium (V), which is added to steel to fabricate high strength, corrosion-resistant structural materials for buildings, transportation, tools and other applications. The results showed that Sphingomonas desiccabilis and Bacillus subtilis enhanced the leaching of vanadium under the three gravity conditions compared to sterile controls by 184.92 to 283.22%, respectively. Gravity did not have a significant effect on mean leaching, thus showing the potential for biomining on Solar System objects with diverse gravitational conditions. Our results demonstrate the potential to use microorganisms to conduct elemental mining and other bioindustrial processes in space locations with non-1 × g gravity. These same principles apply to extraterrestrial bioremediation and elemental recycling beyond Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles S Cockell
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rosa Santomartino
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Kai Finster
- Department of Biology - Microbiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Annemiek C Waajen
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Nicholson
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Claire-Marie Loudon
- UK Centre for Astrobiology, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lorna J Eades
- School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany
| | - Petra Rettberg
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany
| | - Felix M Fuchs
- Radiation Biology Department, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Köln, Germany.,Institute of Electrical Engineering and Plasma Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Sciences, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rob Van Houdt
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Natalie Leys
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | - Ilse Coninx
- Microbiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, SCK CEN, Mol, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jon Ochoa
- ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.,Space Application Services NV/SA, Noordwijk, Netherlands
| | - Pia Sen
- Earth and Environmental Sciences Department, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - James A J Watt
- School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jeannine Doswald-Winkler
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Magdalena Herová
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Bernd Rattenbacher
- BIOTESC, Hochschule Luzern Technik & Architektur, Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Hergiswil, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Wadsworth
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - R Craig Everroad
- Exobiology Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
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12
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Vroom MM, Rodriguez-Ocasio Y, Lynch JB, Ruby EG, Foster JS. Modeled microgravity alters lipopolysaccharide and outer membrane vesicle production of the beneficial symbiont Vibrio fischeri. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:8. [PMID: 33686090 PMCID: PMC7940393 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00138-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduced gravity, or microgravity, can have a pronounced impact on the physiology of animals, but the effects on their associated microbiomes are not well understood. Here, the impact of modeled microgravity on the shedding of Gram-negative lipopolysaccharides (LPS) by the symbiotic bacterium Vibrio fischeri was examined using high-aspect ratio vessels. LPS from V. fischeri is known to induce developmental apoptosis within its symbiotic tissues, which is accelerated under modeled microgravity conditions. In this study, we provide evidence that exposure to modeled microgravity increases the amount of LPS released by the bacterial symbiont in vitro. The higher rates of shedding under modeled microgravity conditions are associated with increased production of outer-membrane vesicles (OMV), which has been previously correlated to flagellar motility. Mutants of V. fischeri defective in the production and rotation of their flagella show significant decreases in LPS shedding in all treatments, but levels of LPS are higher under modeled microgravity despite loss of motility. Modeled microgravity also appears to affect the outer-membrane integrity of V. fischeri, as cells incubated under modeled microgravity conditions are more susceptible to cell-membrane-disrupting agents. These results suggest that, like their animal hosts, the physiology of symbiotic microbes can be altered under microgravity-like conditions, which may have important implications for host health during spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline M Vroom
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, USA
| | - Yaneli Rodriguez-Ocasio
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, USA
| | - Jonathan B Lynch
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.,Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Edward G Ruby
- Pacific Biosciences Research Center, Kewalo Marine Laboratory, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Jamie S Foster
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, Space Life Science Lab, University of Florida, Merritt Island, FL, USA.
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13
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Acres JM, Youngapelian MJ, Nadeau J. The influence of spaceflight and simulated microgravity on bacterial motility and chemotaxis. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:7. [PMID: 33619250 PMCID: PMC7900230 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00135-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As interest in space exploration rises, there is a growing need to quantify the impact of microgravity on the growth, survival, and adaptation of microorganisms, including those responsible for astronaut illness. Motility is a key microbial behavior that plays important roles in nutrient assimilation, tissue localization and invasion, pathogenicity, biofilm formation, and ultimately survival. Very few studies have specifically looked at the effects of microgravity on the phenotypes of microbial motility. However, genomic and transcriptomic studies give a broad general picture of overall gene expression that can be used to predict motility phenotypes based upon selected genes, such as those responsible for flagellar synthesis and function and/or taxis. In this review, we focus on specific strains of Gram-negative bacteria that have been the most studied in this context. We begin with a discussion of Earth-based microgravity simulation systems and how they may affect the genes and phenotypes of interest. We then summarize results from both Earth- and space-based systems showing effects of microgravity on motility-related genes and phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jay Nadeau
- grid.262075.40000 0001 1087 1481Portland State University, Portland, OR USA
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14
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Green MJ, Aylott JW, Williams P, Ghaemmaghami AM, Williams PM. Immunity in Space: Prokaryote Adaptations and Immune Response in Microgravity. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11020112. [PMID: 33540536 PMCID: PMC7912908 DOI: 10.3390/life11020112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Immune dysfunction has long been reported by medical professionals regarding astronauts suffering from opportunistic infections both during their time in space and a short period afterwards once back on Earth. Various species of prokaryotes onboard these space missions or cultured in a microgravity analogue exhibit increased virulence, enhanced formation of biofilms, and in some cases develop specific resistance for specific antibiotics. This poses a substantial health hazard to the astronauts confined in constant proximity to any present bacterial pathogens on long space missions with a finite number of resources including antibiotics. Furthermore, some bacteria cultured in microgravity develop phenotypes not seen in Earth gravity conditions, providing novel insights into bacterial evolution and avenues for research. Immune dysfunction caused by exposure to microgravity may increase the chance of bacterial infection. Immune cell stimulation, toll-like receptors and pathogen-associated molecular patterns can all be altered in microgravity and affect immunological crosstalk and response. Production of interleukins and other cytokines can also be altered leading to immune dysfunction when responding to bacterial infection. Stem cell differentiation and immune cell activation and proliferation can also be impaired and altered by the microgravity environment once more adding to immune dysfunction in microgravity. This review elaborates on and contextualises these findings relating to how bacteria can adapt to microgravity and how the immune system subsequently responds to infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macauley J. Green
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (M.J.G.); (J.W.A.)
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (P.W.); (A.M.G.)
| | - Jonathan W. Aylott
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (M.J.G.); (J.W.A.)
| | - Paul Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (P.W.); (A.M.G.)
| | - Amir M. Ghaemmaghami
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (P.W.); (A.M.G.)
| | - Philip M. Williams
- School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK; (M.J.G.); (J.W.A.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Urbaniak C, Wong S, Tighe S, Arumugam A, Liu B, Parker CW, Wood JM, Singh NK, Skorupa DJ, Peyton BM, Jenson R, Karouia F, Dragon J, Venkateswaran K. Validating an Automated Nucleic Acid Extraction Device for Omics in Space Using Whole Cell Microbial Reference Standards. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1909. [PMID: 32973700 PMCID: PMC7472602 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
NASA has made great strides in the past five years to develop a suite of instruments for the International Space Station in order to perform molecular biology in space. However, a key piece of equipment that has been lacking is an instrument that can extract nucleic acids from an array of complex human and environmental samples. The Omics in Space team has developed the μTitan (simulated micro(μ) gravity tested instrument for automated nucleic acid) system capable of automated, streamlined, nucleic acid extraction that is adapted for use under microgravity. The μTitan system was validated using a whole cell microbial reference (WCMR) standard comprised of a suspension of nine bacterial strains, titrated to concentrations that would challenge the performance of the instrument, as well as to determine the detection limits for isolating DNA. Quantitative assessment of system performance was measured by comparing instrument input challenge dose vs recovery by Qubit spectrofluorometry, qPCR, Bioanalyzer, and Next Generation Sequencing. Overall, results indicate that the μTitan system performs equal to or greater than a similar commercially available, earth-based, automated nucleic acid extraction device. The μTitan system was also tested in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) with the WCMR, to mimic a remote setting, with limited resources. The performance of the device at YNP was comparable to that in a laboratory setting. Such a portable, field-deployable, nucleic extraction system will be valuable for environmental microbiology, as well as in health care diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Urbaniak
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Season Wong
- AI Biosciences, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Scott Tighe
- University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | | | - Bo Liu
- AI Biosciences, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Ceth W Parker
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Jason M Wood
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | - Nitin K Singh
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Fathi Karouia
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Julie Dragon
- University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, United States
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16
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Avila-Herrera A, Thissen J, Urbaniak C, Be NA, Smith DJ, Karouia F, Mehta S, Venkateswaran K, Jaing C. Crewmember microbiome may influence microbial composition of ISS habitable surfaces. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231838. [PMID: 32348348 PMCID: PMC7190111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Space Station (ISS) is a complex built environment physically isolated from Earth. Assessing the interplay between the microbial community of the ISS and its crew is important for preventing biomedical and structural complications for long term human spaceflight missions. In this study, we describe one crewmember’s microbial profile from body swabs of mouth, nose, ear, skin and saliva that were collected at eight different time points pre-, during and post-flight. Additionally, environmental surface samples from eight different habitable locations in the ISS were collected from two flights. Environmental samples from one flight were collected by the crewmember and samples from the next flight were collected after the crewmember departed. The microbial composition in both environment and crewmember samples was measured using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and processed using the Livermore Metagenomics Analysis Toolkit. Ordination of sample to sample distances showed that of the eight crew body sites analyzed, skin, nostril, and ear samples are more similar in microbial composition to the ISS surfaces than mouth and saliva samples; and that the microbial composition of the crewmember’s skin samples are more closely related to the ISS surface samples collected by the crewmember on the same flight than ISS surface samples collected by other crewmembers on different flights. In these collections, species alpha diversity in saliva samples appears to decrease during flight and rebound after returning to Earth. This is the first study to compare the ISS microbiome to a crewmember’s microbiome via shotgun metagenomic sequencing. We observed that the microbiome of the surfaces inside the ISS resemble those of the crew’s skin. These data support future crew and ISS microbial surveillance efforts and the design of preventive measures to maintain crew habitat onboard spacecraft destined for long term space travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Avila-Herrera
- Computating Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - James Thissen
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - Camilla Urbaniak
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Nicholas A. Be
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
| | - David J. Smith
- Space Biosciences Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, United States of America
| | - Fathi Karouia
- KBRwyle, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, United States of America
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Satish Mehta
- Microbiology Lab, Wyle Laboratories, NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kasthuri Venkateswaran
- Biotechnology and Planetary Protection Group, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California, United States of America
| | - Crystal Jaing
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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17
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Molecular response of Deinococcus radiodurans to simulated microgravity explored by proteometabolomic approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18462. [PMID: 31804539 PMCID: PMC6895123 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54742-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Regarding future space exploration missions and long-term exposure experiments, a detailed investigation of all factors present in the outer space environment and their effects on organisms of all life kingdoms is advantageous. Influenced by the multiple factors of outer space, the extremophilic bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans has been long-termly exposed outside the International Space Station in frames of the Tanpopo orbital mission. The study presented here aims to elucidate molecular key components in D. radiodurans, which are responsible for recognition and adaptation to simulated microgravity. D. radiodurans cultures were grown for two days on plates in a fast-rotating 2-D clinostat to minimize sedimentation, thus simulating reduced gravity conditions. Subsequently, metabolites and proteins were extracted and measured with mass spectrometry-based techniques. Our results emphasize the importance of certain signal transducer proteins, which showed higher abundances in cells grown under reduced gravity. These proteins activate a cellular signal cascade, which leads to differences in gene expressions. Proteins involved in stress response, repair mechanisms and proteins connected to the extracellular milieu and the cell envelope showed an increased abundance under simulated microgravity. Focusing on the expression of these proteins might present a strategy of cells to adapt to microgravity conditions.
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18
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Karouia F, Peyvan K, Pohorille A. Toward biotechnology in space: High-throughput instruments for in situ biological research beyond Earth. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:905-932. [PMID: 28433608 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Space biotechnology is a nascent field aimed at applying tools of modern biology to advance our goals in space exploration. These advances rely on our ability to exploit in situ high throughput techniques for amplification and sequencing DNA, and measuring levels of RNA transcripts, proteins and metabolites in a cell. These techniques, collectively known as "omics" techniques have already revolutionized terrestrial biology. A number of on-going efforts are aimed at developing instruments to carry out "omics" research in space, in particular on board the International Space Station and small satellites. For space applications these instruments require substantial and creative reengineering that includes automation, miniaturization and ensuring that the device is resistant to conditions in space and works independently of the direction of the gravity vector. Different paths taken to meet these requirements for different "omics" instruments are the subjects of this review. The advantages and disadvantages of these instruments and technological solutions and their level of readiness for deployment in space are discussed. Considering that effects of space environments on terrestrial organisms appear to be global, it is argued that high throughput instruments are essential to advance (1) biomedical and physiological studies to control and reduce space-related stressors on living systems, (2) application of biology to life support and in situ resource utilization, (3) planetary protection, and (4) basic research about the limits on life in space. It is also argued that carrying out measurements in situ provides considerable advantages over the traditional space biology paradigm that relies on post-flight data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fathi Karouia
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Flight Systems Implementation Branch, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
| | | | - Andrew Pohorille
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
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19
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Transcriptomic changes in an animal-bacterial symbiosis under modeled microgravity conditions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46318. [PMID: 28393904 PMCID: PMC5385879 DOI: 10.1038/srep46318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight imposes numerous adaptive challenges for terrestrial life. The reduction in gravity, or microgravity, represents a novel environment that can disrupt homeostasis of many physiological processes. Additionally, it is becoming increasingly clear that an organism’s microbiome is critical for host health and examining its resiliency in microgravity represents a new frontier for space biology research. In this study, we examine the impact of microgravity on the interactions between the squid Euprymna scolopes and its beneficial symbiont Vibrio fischeri, which form a highly specific binary mutualism. First, animals inoculated with V. fischeri aboard the space shuttle showed effective colonization of the host light organ, the site of the symbiosis, during space flight. Second, RNA-Seq analysis of squid exposed to modeled microgravity conditions exhibited extensive differential gene expression in the presence and absence of the symbiotic partner. Transcriptomic analyses revealed in the absence of the symbiont during modeled microgravity there was an enrichment of genes and pathways associated with the innate immune and oxidative stress response. The results suggest that V. fischeri may help modulate the host stress responses under modeled microgravity. This study provides a window into the adaptive responses that the host animal and its symbiont use during modeled microgravity.
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20
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Rea G, Cristofaro F, Pani G, Pascucci B, Ghuge SA, Corsetto PA, Imbriani M, Visai L, Rizzo AM. Microgravity-driven remodeling of the proteome reveals insights into molecular mechanisms and signal networks involved in response to the space flight environment. J Proteomics 2015; 137:3-18. [PMID: 26571091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Space is a hostile environment characterized by high vacuum, extreme temperatures, meteoroids, space debris, ionospheric plasma, microgravity and space radiation, which all represent risks for human health. A deep understanding of the biological consequences of exposure to the space environment is required to design efficient countermeasures to minimize their negative impact on human health. Recently, proteomic approaches have received a significant amount of attention in the effort to further study microgravity-induced physiological changes. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about the effects of microgravity on microorganisms (in particular Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34, Bacillus cereus and Rhodospirillum rubrum S1H), plants (whole plants, organs, and cell cultures), mammalian cells (endothelial cells, bone cells, chondrocytes, muscle cells, thyroid cancer cells, immune system cells) and animals (invertebrates, vertebrates and mammals). Herein, we describe their proteome's response to microgravity, focusing on proteomic discoveries and their future potential applications in space research. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE Space experiments and operational flight experience have identified detrimental effects on human health and performance because of exposure to weightlessness, even when currently available countermeasures are implemented. Many experimental tools and methods have been developed to study microgravity induced physiological changes. Recently, genomic and proteomic approaches have received a significant amount of attention. This review summarizes the recent research studies of the proteome response to microgravity inmicroorganisms, plants, mammalians cells and animals. Current proteomic tools allow large-scale, high-throughput analyses for the detection, identification, and functional investigation of all proteomes. Understanding gene and/or protein expression is the key to unlocking the mechanisms behind microgravity-induced problems and to finding effective countermeasures to spaceflight-induced alterations but also for the study of diseases on earth. Future perspectives are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Rea
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Cristofaro
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Center for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3/b, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pani
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Pascucci
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandip A Ghuge
- Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Antonia Corsetto
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
| | - Marcello Imbriani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensics, University of Pavia, V.le Forlanini 8, Pavia, Italy; Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Environmental Risks, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Via S. Boezio 28, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Livia Visai
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Center for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Via Taramelli 3/b, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Department of Occupational Medicine, Toxicology and Environmental Risks, S. Maugeri Foundation, IRCCS, Via S. Boezio 28, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
| | - Angela M Rizzo
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via D. Trentacoste 2, 20134 Milan, Italy
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Zhang Y, Wang L, Xie J, Zheng H. Differential protein expression profiling of Arabidopsis thaliana callus under microgravity on board the Chinese SZ-8 spacecraft. PLANTA 2015; 241:475-88. [PMID: 25374148 DOI: 10.1007/s00425-014-2196-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Exposure of Arabidopsis callus to microgravity has a significant impact on the expression of proteins involved in stress responses, carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis, intracellular trafficking, signaling, and cell wall biosynthesis. Microgravity is among the main environmental stress factors that affect plant growth and development in space. Understanding how plants acclimate to space microgravity is important to develop bioregenerative life-support systems for long-term space missions. To evaluate the spaceflight-associated stress and identify molecular events important for acquired microgravity tolerance, we compared proteomic profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana callus grown under microgravity on board the Chinese spacecraft SZ-8 with callus grown under 1g centrifugation (1g control) in space. Alterations in the proteome induced by microgravity were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation labeling. Forty-five proteins showed significant (p < 0.05) and reproducible quantitative differences in expression between the microgravity and 1g control conditions. Of these proteins, the expression level of 24 proteins was significantly up-regulated and that of 21 proteins was significantly down-regulated. The functions of these proteins were involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including general stress responses, carbohydrate metabolism, protein synthesis/degradation, intracellular trafficking/transportation, signaling, and cell wall biosynthesis. Several proteins not previously known to be involved in the response to microgravity or gravitational stimuli, such as pathogenesis-related thaumatin-like protein, leucine-rich repeat extension-like protein, and temperature-induce lipocalin, were significantly up- or down-regulated by microgravity. The results imply that either the normal gravity-response signaling is affected by microgravity exposure or that microgravity might inappropriately induce altered responses to other environmental stresses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhang
- Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 300 Fenglin Road, Shanghai, 200032, China
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