Source: IE
Context: Researchers have discovered the mechanisms behind the extraordinary radiation resistance of a newly identified species of tardigrades, Hypsibius henanensis, which may have future applications in space travel, nuclear cleanup, and cancer therapy.
About Tardigrades:
- Habitat: Found globally in terrestrial, marine, and freshwater environments, from extreme Arctic cold to Antarctic depths and high altitudes.
- Extreme survivors: Known for enduring extreme radiation, temperatures ranging from 150°C to -272°C, and decades without food or water.
- Unique physiology: These tiny, eight-legged, multicellular creatures can revive from a dried, lifeless state even after several years.
- Size and structure: Microscopic but multicellular, they are among the most resilient life forms on Earth, earning nicknames like “water bears” and “moss piglets” due to their appearance and habitat preferences.
- Tardigrades’ radiation resistance:
- Genetic adaptation: Hypsibius henanensis has 14,701 genes, with 30% unique to tardigrades, that activate under radiation to protect and repair DNA.
- DNA repair mechanisms: Uses a specific protein, TRID1, to quickly repair DNA double-strand breaks caused by radiation.
- Mitochondrial and DNA repair proteins: Produces proteins crucial for mitochondrial function and DNA repair, enhancing survival after radiation exposure.
- Antioxidant pigments (Betalains): Produces betalains that neutralize harmful chemicals generated by radiation, preventing cellular damage.
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