TARDIGRADES : SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY
NEWS: Researchers
Uncover Genetic Mechanisms in New Tardigrade Species That Enable Radiation
Resistance, Paving the Way for Medical and Space Exploration Advances
WHAT’S
IN THE NEWS?
Researchers recently
identified a new species of tardigrade, Hypsibius henanensis, capable of
withstanding extreme radiation levels.This microscopic organism, found in moss
samples from Funiu Mountain in China, activates thousands of genes under
radiation exposure, which protect and repair its DNA.
General Facts:
·
Also
called water bears or moss piglets;
microscopic, eight-legged invertebrates.
·
Belong
to the phylum Tardigrada; around 1,300 species found
worldwide.
Habitat:
·
Prefer
freshwater mosses and lichens but can survive in various
environments, including deep sea and sand dunes.
·
Known
as extremophiles for their ability to endure extreme
conditions: intense heat, cold, radiation, and even outer space.
·
In
adverse conditions, they enter a "tun" state of
suspended animation, surviving for years or even decades.
Physical Features:
·
Tiny
(around 1 mm), with four pairs of clawed legs and no bones,
supported by a hydrostatic skeleton.
·
Tough
cuticle that is shed to grow; specialized mouthparts for sucking nutrients from
plants and microorganisms.
Study on Radiation Resistance:
·
Genome
sequencing revealed 14,701 genes in the species Hypsibius
henanensis, with 30% unique to tardigrades.
·
Exposed
to high doses of gamma rays to study survival mechanisms.
Key Mechanisms for Radiation
Resistance:
1.
DNA
Repair Protein (TRID1): Repairs DNA double-strand breaks.
2.
Mitochondrial
Synthesis Proteins: Assist in DNA repair during radiation.
3.
Antioxidant
Pigments (Betalains): Neutralize reactive chemicals from radiation.
Potential Applications:
·
Findings
may aid space travel, nuclear cleanup, and cancer
treatment.
·
Tested
on human cells, betalains improved cell survival under
radiation, indicating future potential for human radiation protection.