On the radiobiology of anhydrobiotic saccharomyces cerevisiae : unraveling the role of intracellular water in the radiation response
Date
2024-03-26
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Anhydrobiosis, denoting “Life without water” in Greek, is an adaptative characteristic held by
few eukaryotic organisms. Given the integral role that intracellular water plays in the
mechanisms of low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation-induced DNA damage, the question is
raised as to what effect the absence of water may have on the radiation resistance of
anhydrobiotic organisms. This project utilized anhydrobiotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is
a budding yeast and the same organism used in the fermentation of beer, wine, and bread. This
yeast is extremely well studied. It has a radiation response on the genetic level, which is very
similar to human cells. With its eukaryotic cell structure, numerous human gene homologs and
paralleled molecular processes in the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage, it is
regarded as an excellent biological model to study the foundational biological effects of radiation
exposure. Furthermore, its anhydrobiotic capabilities make it an extremely low-maintenance
model, excellent for running long-term experiments where laboratory access is acutely
challenging. As such, its utility in the study of sub-natural background radiation (NBR) exposure
has been investigated. Overall, the goal of this work was to decipher how anhydrobiosis
influences radiation resistance, with a particular focus on the implications for sub-natural
background radiation exposure. This work has shown that the radiation tolerance induced by
desiccation is remarkably consistent through a wide range of radiation doses. Significant
metabolic perturbations relating to sub-NBR exposure and potassium-isotope availability were
observed. Anhydrobiosis perturbed the radiation response of S. cerevisiae in a predictable
manner with low-LET radiation, and further investigation into the metabolic effects of sub-NBR
radiation exposure is prudent to better understand the role of NBR in normal biological function
and homeostasis.
Description
Keywords
Ionizing radiation, Yeast, Desiccation, Anhydrobiosis, Rad51, AlamarBlue, Potassium-40, Saccharomyces cerevisiae