Effect of heavy ion irradiation on DNA DSB repair in Methanosarcina barkeri.

Response of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus to UV Damage

Abstract: In order to characterize the genome-wide transcriptional response of the hyperthermophilic, aerobic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus to UV damage, we used high-density DNA microarrays which covered 3,368 genetic features encoded on the host genome, as well as the genes of several extrachromosomal genetic elements. While no significant up-regulation of genes potentially involved in direct DNA damage reversal was observed, a specific transcriptional UV response involving 55 genes could be dissected. Although flow cytometry showed only modest perturbation of the cell cycle, strong modulation of the transcript levels of the Cdc6 replication initiator genes was observed. Up-regulation of an operon encoding Mre11 and Rad50 homologs pointed to induction of recombinational repair. Consistent with this, DNA double-strand breaks were observed between 2 and 8 h after UV treatment, possibly resulting from replication fork collapse at damaged DNA sites. The strong transcriptional induction of genes which potentially encode functions for pilus formation suggested that conjugational activity might lead to enhanced exchange of genetic material. In support of this, a statistical microscopic analysis demonstrated that large cell aggregates formed upon UV exposure. Together, this provided supporting evidence to a link between recombinational repair and conjugation events.

Desiccation as a long-term survival mechanism for the archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri.

Abstract: Viable methanogens have been detected in dry, aerobic environments such as dry reservoir sediment, dry rice paddies and aerobic desert soils, which suggests that methanogens have mechanisms for long-term survival in a desiccated state. In this study, we quantified the survival rates of the methanogenic archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri after desiccation under conditions equivalent to the driest environments on Earth and subsequent exposure to different stress factors. There was no significant loss of viability after desiccation for 28 days for cells grown with either hydrogen or the methylotrophic substrates, but recovery was affected by growth phase, with cells desiccated during the stationary phase of growth having a higher rate of recovery after desiccation. Synthesis of methanosarcinal extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) significantly increased the viability of desiccated cells under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions compared with that of non-EPS-synthesizing cells. Desiccated M. barkeri exposed to air at room temperature did not lose significant viability after 28 days, and exposure of M. barkeri to air after desiccation appeared to improve the recovery of viable cells compared with that of desiccated cells that were never exposed to air. Desiccated M. barkeri was more resistant to higher temperatures, and although resistance to oxidative conditions such as ozone and ionizing radiation was not as robust as in other desiccation-resistant microorganisms, the protection mechanisms are likely adequate to maintain cell viability during periodic exposure events. The results of this study demonstrate that after desiccation M. barkeri has the innate capability to survive extended periods of exposure to air and lethal temperatures.

Low-dose carbon ion irradiation effects on DNA damage and oxidative stress in the mouse testis

Abstract: To investigate the effects of low-dose carbon ion irradiation on reproductive system of mice, the testes of outbred Kunming strain mice were whole-body irradiated with 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 Gy, respectively. We measured DNA double-strand breaks (DNA DSBs) and oxidative stress parameters including malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and testis weight and sperm count at 12 h, 21 d and 35 d after irradiation in mouse testis. At 12 h postirradiation, a significant increase in DNA DSB level but no pronounced alterations in MDA content or SOD activity were observed in 0.5 and 1 Gy groups compared with the control group. At 21 d postirradiation, there was a significant reduction in sperm count and distinct enhancements of DSB level and MDA content in 0.5 and 1 Gy groups in comparison with control. At 35 d postirradiation, the levels of DNA DSBs and MDA, and SOD activity returned to the baseline except for the MDA content in 1 Gy ( P P P

Radiation Induced DNA Double Strand Break Studies of a Metal Sensitive Novel Bacterial Isolate from East Calcutta Wetland

Abstract: Problem statement: This study was an attempt to isolate anaerobic microbes with potential for DNA double strand break repair using methanogen specific medium (DSMZ 120) from East Calcutta Wetland in India. It also intended to verify the specificity of the medium for isolation of the desired family of microbe. Approach: Culture based technique was used to obtain the pure isolate that was further characterized in details. For double strand break repair studies, isolate was irradiated with different doses of 60Co gamma rays and its subsequent repair was observed using pulse field gel electrophoresis and asymmetric field inversion gel electrophoresis. Inhibitor was used to predict the mechanism of repair. Results: In this study we isolated and characterized a metal sensitive anaerobic microbial strain obtained using methanogen specific medium (DSMZ 120) from East Calcutta Wetland in India. The strain was one of the members of the group of uncultivated bacterium as evident from phylogenetic analysis, thus indicating the successful cultivation of an as yet uncultivable novel microbe (GenBank Acc. No. FJ 930097) and also the non-specific growth of microbes in prescribed medium. It was a Gram positive Bacilli, member of Fermicutes with optimum growth at 25°C and pH-7. The growth curve analysis showed a lag phase up to 24 h, log phase from 24-48 h, an early stationary phase from 96 h onwards. The strain could repair the DNA double strand break caused by irradiation with 60Co γ rays. The dose profile study revealed maximum repair at 60 Grays and thereafter a drop in repair ability with increase in irradiation dose. The time required for repair showed an essential incubation period of 4 h. The DNA polymerase inhibitor, Arabinose CTP inhibited the repair indicating the involvement of polymerase in the repair process and thus pointing towards homologous recombination as the underlying mechanism. Conclusion: In this study we were able to cultivate an as yet uncultivable anaerobic bacterial isolate and predict the growth conditions for the isolate. On irradiation with 60Co γ rays the isolate showed maximum repair following 60 Gray damage. DNA polymerase inhibitor arabinose CTP inhibited the repair mechanism completely. This indicated that DNA polymerase took active part in repair process and thus the mechanism was that of homologous recombination repair.

Towards a natural system of organisms: proposal for the domains Archaea, Bacteria, and Eucarya.

Abstract: Molecular structures and sequences are generally more revealing of evolutionary relationships than are classical phenotypes (particularly so among microorganisms). Consequently, the basis for the definition of taxa has progressively shifted from the organismal to the cellular to the molecular level. Molecular comparisons show that life on this planet divides into three primary groupings, commonly known as the eubacteria, the archaebacteria, and the eukaryotes. The three are very dissimilar, the differences that separate them being of a more profound nature than the differences that separate typical kingdoms, such as animals and plants. Unfortunately, neither of the conventionally accepted views of the natural relationships among living systems--i.e., the five-kingdom taxonomy or the eukaryote-prokaryote dichotomy--reflects this primary tripartite division of the living world. To remedy this situation we propose that a formal system of organisms be established in which above the level of kingdom there exists a new taxon called a "domain." Life on this planet would then be seen as comprising three domains, the Bacteria, the Archaea, and the Eucarya, each containing two or more kingdoms. (The Eucarya, for example, contain Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, and a number of others yet to be defined). Although taxonomic structure within the Bacteria and Eucarya is not treated herein, Archaea is formally subdivided into the two kingdoms Euryarchaeota (encompassing the methanogens and their phenotypically diverse relatives) and Crenarchaeota (comprising the relatively tight clustering of extremely thermophilic archaebacteria, whose general phenotype appears to resemble most the ancestral phenotype of the Archaea.

Phylogenetic structure of the prokaryotic domain: The primary kingdoms

Abstract: A phylogenetic analysis based upon ribosomal RNA sequence characterization reveals that living systems represent one of three aboriginal lines of descent: (i) the eubacteria, comprising all typical bacteria; (ii) the archaebacteria, containing methanogenic bacteria; and (iii) the urkaryotes, now represented in the cytoplasmic component of eukaryotic cells.

Clustered DNA damages induced in isolated DNA and in human cells by low doses of ionizing radiation

Abstract: Clustered DNA damages-two or more closely spaced damages (strand breaks, abasic sites, or oxidized bases) on opposing strands-are suspects as critical lesions producing lethal and mutagenic effects of ionizing radiation. However, as a result of the lack of methods for measuring damage clusters induced by ionizing radiation in genomic DNA, neither the frequencies of their production by physiological doses of radiation, nor their repairability, nor their biological effects are known. On the basis of methods that we developed for quantitating damages in large DNAs, we have devised and validated a way of measuring ionizing radiation-induced clustered lesions in genomic DNA, including DNA from human cells. DNA is treated with an endonuclease that induces a single-strand cleavage at an oxidized base or abasic site. If there are two closely spaced damages on opposing strands, such cleavage will reduce the size of the DNA on a nondenaturing gel. We show that ionizing radiation does induce clustered DNA damages containing abasic sites, oxidized purines, or oxidized pyrimidines. Further, the frequency of each of these cluster classes is comparable to that of frank double-strand breaks; among all complex damages induced by ionizing radiation, double-strand breaks are only about 20%, with other clustered damage constituting some 80%. We also show that even low doses (0.1-1 Gy) of high linear energy transfer ionizing radiation induce clustered damages in human cells.

Archaea : a laboratory manual

Abstract: The protocols in these three books are selected to provide a detailed guide to experiments with the methanogenic, extremely halophilic, and thermophilic sulfur-utilizing Archaea, with overviews to highlight areas of future development. The individual protocols consist of an introduction describing the specific applications of the techniques, step-by-step procedures for applying the protocols, followed by any additional comments that will facilitate successful application of the protocol. A feature of research in this area is the interplay between microbiology, bioengineering, biochemistry, and molecular biology, and authors from all of these fields have been selected to provide these three concise and comprehensive resources for scientists interested in conducting research on the Archaea.

Extremophiles : microbial life in extreme environments

Abstract: Hyperthermophiles: Isolation, Classification and Properties (K. Stetter). Psychrophiles (N. Russell & T. Hamamoto). Empirical and Theoretical Aspects of Life at High Pressure in the Deep Sea (A. Yayanos). Halophiles (W. Grant, et al.). Acidophilic Microorganisms (P. Norris & D. Johnson). Alkaliphiles (K. Horikoshi). Alkaliphile Bioenergetics (D. Ivey, et al.). Extremophilic, Methanogenic Archaea and Their Adaptation Mechanisms (S. Ni & D. Boone). Reduction of Metal Cations and Oxyanions by Anaerobic and Metal-Resistant Microorganisms: Chemistry, Physiology, and Potential for the Control and Bioremediation of Toxic Metal Pollution (C. White & G. Gadd). Anaerobic Non-Methanogenic Extremophiles (L. Mermelstein & J. Zeikus). Organic Solvent Tolerance in Microorganisms (R. Aono & A. Inoue). Index.