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Peyvan K, Karouia F, Cooper JJ, Chamberlain J, Suciu D, Slota M, Pohorille A. Gene Expression Measurement Module (GEMM) for space application: Design and validation. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2019; 22:55-67. [PMID: 31421849 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In order to facilitate studies on the impact of the space environment on biological systems, we have developed a prototype of GEMM (Gene Expression Measurement Module) - an automated, miniaturized, integrated fluidic system for in-situ measurements of gene expression in microbial samples. The GEMM instrument is capable of (1) lysing bacterial cell walls, (2) extracting and purifying RNA released from cells, (3) hybridizing the RNA to probes attached to a microarray and (4) providing electrochemical readout, all in a microfluidics cartridge. To function on small, uncrewed spacecraft, the conventional, laboratory protocols for both sample preparation and hybridization required significant modifications. Biological validation of the instrument was carried out on Synechococcus elongatus, a photosynthetic cyanobacterium known for its metabolic diversity and resilience to adverse conditions. It was demonstrated that GEMM yielded reliable, reproducible gene expression profiles. GEMM is the only high throughput instrument that can be deployed in near future on space platforms other than the ISS to advance biological research in space. It can also prove useful for numerous terrestrial applications in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fathi Karouia
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Research Branch, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrew Pohorille
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; NASA Ames Research Center, Exobiology Branch, MS 239-4, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA.
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Matula EE, Nabity JA. Failure modes, causes, and effects of algal photobioreactors used to control a spacecraft environment. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2019; 20:35-52. [PMID: 30797433 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Bioregenerative technologies, in particular algae photobioreactors, have the potential to provide closed-loop environmental control and life support for human space flight, if robust enough for long-duration deep space missions. This paper reviews the failure modes, causes, and effects of an algal photobioreactor system for use in space flight environmental control and life support applications. The likelihood and severity for each failure is estimated, and associated mitigation or contingency plans are described. Failure modes can stem from either the algae cellular physiology or the engineered system needed for the application and are grouped in this paper accordingly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Matula
- University of Colorado -Boulder, 1111 Engineering Dr., Boulder, CO 80309, United States.
| | - James A Nabity
- University of Colorado -Boulder, 1111 Engineering Dr., Boulder, CO 80309, United States.
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Huangfu J, Zhang G, Li J, Li C. Advances in engineered microorganisms for improving metabolic conversion via microgravity effects. Bioengineered 2016; 6:251-5. [PMID: 26038088 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2015.1056942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As an extreme and unique environment, microgravity has significant effects on microbial cellular processes, such as cell growth, gene expression, natural pathways and biotechnological products. Application of microgravity effects to identify the regulatory elements in reengineering microbial hosts will draw much more attention in further research. In this commentary, we discuss the microgravity effects in engineered microorganisms for improving metabolic conversion, including cell growth kinetics, antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance to stresses, secondary metabolites production, recombinant protein production and enzyme activity, as well as gene expression changes. Application of microgravity effects in engineered microorganisms could provide valuable platform for innovative approaches in bioprocessing technology to largely improve the metabolic conversion efficacy of biopharmaceutical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Huangfu
- a School of Life Science ; Beijing Institute of Technology ; Beijing , China
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Alidoust L, Soltani N, Modiri S, Haghighi O, Azarivand A, Khajeh K, Shahbani Zahiri H, Vali H, Akbari Noghabi K. Cadmium uptake capacity of an indigenous cyanobacterial strain, Nostoc entophytum ISC32: new insight into metal uptake in microgravity-simulating conditions. Microbiology (Reading) 2016; 162:246-255. [DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.000233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Alidoust
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Neda Soltani
- Department of Petroleum Microbiology, ACECR, Research Institute of Applied Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Modiri
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Haghighi
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aisan Azarivand
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Khosro Khajeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Shahbani Zahiri
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hojatollah Vali
- Facility for Electron Microscopy Research, McGill University, 3640 Street, Montreal, Canada
| | - Kambiz Akbari Noghabi
- Division of Industrial & Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), PO Box 14155-6343, Tehran, Iran
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Wagner I, Braun M, Slenzka K, Posten C. Photobioreactors in Life Support Systems. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2015. [PMID: 26206570 DOI: 10.1007/10_2015_327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Life support systems for long-term space missions or extraterrestrial installations have to fulfill major functions such as purification of water and regeneration of atmosphere as well as the generation of food and energy. For almost 60 years ideas for biological life support systems have been collected and various concepts have been developed and tested. Microalgae as photosynthetic organisms have played a major role in most of these concepts. This review deals with the potentials of using eukaryotic microalgae for life support systems and highlights special requirements and frame conditions for designing space photobioreactors especially regarding illumination and aeration. Mono- and dichromatic illumination based on LEDs is a promising alternative for conventional systems and preliminary results yielded higher photoconversion efficiencies (PCE) for dichromatic red/blue illumination than white illumination. Aeration for microgravity conditions should be realized in a bubble-free manner, for example, via membranes. Finally, a novel photobioreactor concept for space application is introduced being parameterized and tested with the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This system has already been tested during two parabolic flight campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Wagner
- Department Bioprocess Engineering, KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 2, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Markus Braun
- OHB Ag Life Sciences, Universitätsallee 27-29, Bremen, Germany
| | - Klaus Slenzka
- Gravitational Biology, DLR, Königswinterer Str. 522-524, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Clemens Posten
- Department Bioprocess Engineering, KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Fritz-Haber-Weg 2, Karlsruhe, Germany
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Mitochondrial regulation of NADPH oxidase in hindlimb unweighting rat cerebral arteries. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95916. [PMID: 24759683 PMCID: PMC3997512 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to microgravity results in post-flight cardiovascular deconditioning and orthostatic intolerance in astronauts. Vascular oxidative stress injury and mitochondrial dysfunction have been indicated in this process. To elucidate the mechanism for this condition, we investigated whether mitochondria regulated NADPH oxidase in hindlimb unweighting (HU) rat cerebral and mesenteric arteries. Four-week HU was used to simulate microgravity in rats. Vascular superoxide generation, protein and mRNA levels of Nox2/Nox4, and the activity of NADPH oxidase were examined in the present study. Compared with control rats, the levels of superoxide increased in cerebral (P<0.001) but not in mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells. The protein and mRNA levels of Nox2 and Nox4 were upregulated significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.001 for Nox2, respectively; P<0.001 and P<0.001 for Nox4, respectively) in HU rat cerebral arteries but not in mesenteric arteries. NADPH oxidases were activated significantly by HU (P<0.001) in cerebral arteries but not in mesenteric arteries. Chronic treatment with mitochondria-targeted antioxidant mitoTEMPO attenuated superoxide levels (P<0.001), decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Nox2/Nox4 (P<0.01 and P<0.05 for Nox2, respectively; P<0.001 and P<0.001 for Nox4, respectively) and the activity of NADPH oxidase (P<0.001) in HU rat cerebral arteries, but exerted no effects on HU rat mesenteric arteries. Therefore, mitochondria regulated the expression and activity of NADPH oxidases during simulated microgravity. Both mitochondria and NADPH oxidase participated in vascular redox status regulation.
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Pacello F, Rotilio G, Battistoni A. Low-Shear Modeled Microgravity Enhances Salmonella Enterica Resistance to Hydrogen Peroxide Through a Mechanism Involving KatG and KatN. Open Microbiol J 2012; 6:53-64. [PMID: 22888375 PMCID: PMC3414715 DOI: 10.2174/1874285801206010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2012] [Revised: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 07/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies carried out in recent years have established that growth under conditions of reduced gravity enhances Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium virulence. To analyze the possibility that this microgravity-induced increase in pathogenicity could involve alterations in the ability of Salmonella to withstand oxidative stress, we have compared the resistance to hydrogen peroxide of various Salmonella enterica strains grown under conditions of low shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG) or normal gravity (NG). We have found that growth in LSMMG significantly enhances hydrogen peroxide resistance of all the strains analyzed. This effect is abolished by deletion of the genes encoding for the catalases KatG and KatN, whose activity is markedly modulated by growth in LSMMG. In addition, we have observed that Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains lacking Hfq, RpoE, RpoS or OxyR are still more resistant to oxidative stress when grown in LSMMG than in NG conditions, indicating that these global gene regulators are not responsible for the microgravity-induced changes in KatG and KatN activity. As Salmonella likely encounters low shear conditions in the intestinal tract, our observations suggest that alterations in the relative activity of KatG and KatN could enhance Salmonella resistance to the reactive oxygen species produced also during natural infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pacello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome
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Shagimardanova EI, Gusev OA, Sychev VN, Levinskikh MA, Sharipova MR, Il’inskaya ON, Bingham G, Sugimoto M. Expression of stress response genes in barley Hordeum vulgare in a spaceflight environment. Mol Biol 2010. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893310050080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Wang J, Zhang J, Bai S, Wang G, Mu L, Sun B, Wang D, Kong Q, Liu Y, Yao X, Xu Y, Li H. Simulated microgravity promotes cellular senescence via oxidant stress in rat PC12 cells. Neurochem Int 2009; 55:710-6. [PMID: 19616052 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2009.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Revised: 06/23/2009] [Accepted: 07/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microgravity has a unique effect on biological organisms. Organs exposed to microgravity display cellular senescence, a change that resembles the aging process. To directly investigate the influence of simulated microgravity on neuronal original rat PC12 cells, we used a rotary cell culture system that simulates the microgravity environment on the earth. We found that simulated microgravity induced partial G1 phase arrest, upregulated senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-beta-gal) activity, and activated both p53 and p16 protein pathways linked to cell senescence. The amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also increased. The activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT), was all significantly increased at 12h after the microgravity onset, yet decreased at 96h. Furthermore, concomitant block of ROS by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine significantly inhibited the microgravity-induced upregulation of SA-beta-gal activity. These results suggest that exposure to simulated microgravity induces cellular senescence in PC12 cells via an increased oxidant stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinghua Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Harbin Medical University, Heilongjiang, China
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Rizzo AM, Montorfano G, Negroni M, Corsetto P, Berselli P, Marciani P, Zava S, Berra B. Simulated microgravity induce glutathione antioxidant pathway in Xenopus laevis embryos. Cell Biol Int 2009; 33:893-8. [PMID: 19426823 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellbi.2009.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2008] [Revised: 03/27/2009] [Accepted: 04/24/2009] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Space flights cause a number of patho-physiological changes. Oxidative damage has been demonstrated in astronauts after space flights. Oxidative stress is due to an imbalance between production of oxidant and antioxidative defence. In embryos of Xenopus laevis, the glutathione system is an inducible antioxidant defence. For this reason, we investigated the effect of gravity deprivation on endogenous antioxidant enzymes in X. laevis embryos developed for 6 days in a Random Positioning Machine. The results show that glutathione content and the activity of antioxidant enzymes increase in RPM embryos, suggesting the presence of a protective mechanism. An induction of antioxidant defence might play an important role for animals to adapt to micro-gravitational stress, possibly during actual space flights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Rizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari Applicate ai Biosistemi, DISMAB, Via D. Trentacoste 2, I-20134 Milano, Italy.
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Na SI, Lee MY, Heo JS, Han HJ. Hydrogen Peroxide Increases [ 3H]-2-Deoxyglucose uptake via MAPKs, cPLA 2, and NF-κB Signaling Pathways in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells. Cell Physiol Biochem 2007; 20:1007-18. [DOI: 10.1159/000110541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Wu ZX, Gan NQ, Huang Q, Song LR. Response of microcystis to copper stress: do phenotypes of microcystis make a difference in stress tolerance? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2007; 147:324-30. [PMID: 16828944 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2006.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2006] [Accepted: 05/24/2006] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
To elucidate the role of phenotype in stress-tolerant bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis, two phenotypes of M. aeruginosa - unicellular and colonial strains were selected to investigate how they responded to copper stress. Flow cytometry (FCM) examination indicated that the percents of viable cells in unicellular and colonial Microcystis were 1.92-2.83% and 72.3-97.51%, respectively, under 0.25 mgl(-1) copper sulfate treatment for 24h. Upon exposure to 0.25 mgl(-1) copper sulfate, the activities of antioxidative enzyme, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were significantly increased in colonial Microcystis compared to unicellular Microcystis. Meanwhile, the values of the photosynthetic parameters (F(v)/F(m), ETR(max), and oxygen evolution rate) decreased more rapidly in unicellular Microcystis than in colonial Microcystis. The results indicate that colonial Microcystis has a higher endurance to copper than unicellular Microcystis. This suggests that the efficient treatment concentration of copper sulfate as algaecides will be dependent on the phenotypes of Microcystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Xing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
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Qu L, Yang T, Yuan Y, Zhong P, Li Y. Protein nitration increased by simulated weightlessness and decreased by melatonin and quercetin in PC12 cells. Nitric Oxide 2006; 15:58-63. [PMID: 16881142 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2005.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A variety of experiments suggest that space flight is associated with an increase in oxidative stress in organism. To explore the effects of oxidative stress on neuronal cells during microgravity, we used rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells as a neuronal cell model, cultured in a clinostat, which could simulate microgravity, to investigate the effects of reactive nitrogen species on protein nitration in PC12 cells during clinorotation. The effects of melatonin and quercetin on protein nitration in PC12 cells were also assayed to evaluate the possible protective role of melatonin or quercetin as an antioxidant. The results of immunological staining showed that after the 3 days' clinorotation the protein expressions of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and inducible nitric oxide synthesis were up-regulated. Our data also reflected that the concentrations of nitric oxide and nitrotyrosine were significantly increased after clinorotation, and they were reduced markedly in cells that were treated with 50 micromol/L melatonin or 0.5 micromol/L quercetin during simulated microgravity, when compared to those of control cells. These results suggest that clinorotation-induced weightlessness increases oxidative stress responses in PC12 cells, and melatonin or quercetin was shown to protect PC12 cells from oxidative damage during simulated weightlessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Qu
- Department of Space Cellular and Molecular Biology, Institute of Space Medico-Engineering, Beijing 100094, PR China.
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