Onofri, S. and Selbmann, L. and Pacelli, C. and de Vera, Jean Pierre Paul and Horneck, G. and Hallsworth, J.E. and Zucconi, L. (2018) Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station. Life, 8 (2), p. 23. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). doi: 10.3390/life8020023. ISSN 2075-1729.
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Official URL: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/8/2/23
Abstract
The black fungi Cryomyces antarcticus and Cryomyces minteri are highly melanized and are resilient to cold, ultra-violet, ionizing radiation and other extreme conditions. These microorganisms were isolated from cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (Antarctica) and studied in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), using the EXPOSE-E facility on the International Space Station (ISS). Previously, it was demonstrated that C. antarcticus and C. minteri survive the hostile conditions of space (vacuum, temperature fluctuations, and the full spectrum of extraterrestrial solar electromagnetic radiation), as well as Mars conditions that were simulated in space for a 1.5-year period. Here, we qualitatively and quantitatively characterize damage to DNA and cellular ultrastructure in desiccated cells of these two species, within the frame of the same experiment. The DNA and cells of C. antarcticus exhibited a higher resistance than those of C. minteri. This is presumably attributable to the thicker (melanized) cell wall of the former. Generally, DNA was readily detected (by PCR) regardless of exposure conditions or fungal species, but the C. minteri DNA had been more-extensively mutated. We discuss the implications for using DNA, when properly shielded, as a biosignature of recently extinct or extant life.
Item URL in elib: | https://elib.dlr.de/120861/ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Document Type: | Article | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Title: | Integrity of the DNA and Cellular Ultrastructure of Cryptoendolithic Fungi in Space or Mars Conditions: A 1.5-Year Study at the International Space Station. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Authors: |
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Date: | 19 June 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Life | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refereed publication: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Open Access: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gold Open Access: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In SCOPUS: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In ISI Web of Science: | Yes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Volume: | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DOI: | 10.3390/life8020023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Page Range: | p. 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Publisher: | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ISSN: | 2075-1729 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status: | Published | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Keywords: | cryptoendolithic black fungi; DNA and cellular damage; EXPOSE-E; LIFE experiment; space exposure and Mars conditions; ionizing- and ultra-violet radiation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Research field: | Aeronautics, Space and Transport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program: | Space | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
HGF - Program Themes: | Space Exploration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research area: | Raumfahrt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Program: | R EW - Space Exploration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DLR - Research theme (Project): | R - Vorhaben Planetary Evolution and Life (old) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location: | Berlin-Adlershof | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Institutes and Institutions: | Institute of Planetary Research > Leitungsbereich PF Institute of Aerospace Medicine > Radiation Biology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited By: | de Vera, Dr. Jean Pierre Paul | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposited On: | 10 Sep 2018 15:18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Modified: | 01 Oct 2020 18:01 |
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