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Corydon TJ, Schulz H, Richter P, Strauch SM, Böhmer M, Ricciardi DA, Wehland M, Krüger M, Erzinger GS, Lebert M, Infanger M, Wise PM, Grimm D. Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:cells12071043. [PMID: 37048115 PMCID: PMC10093652 DOI: 10.3390/cells12071043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Microgravity (µg) has a massive impact on the health of space explorers. Microgravity changes the proliferation, differentiation, and growth of cells. As crewed spaceflights into deep space are being planned along with the commercialization of space travelling, researchers have focused on gene regulation in cells and organisms exposed to real (r-) and simulated (s-) µg. In particular, cancer and metastasis research benefits from the findings obtained under µg conditions. Gene regulation is a key factor in a cell or an organism’s ability to sustain life and respond to environmental changes. It is a universal process to control the amount, location, and timing in which genes are expressed. In this review, we provide an overview of µg-induced changes in the numerous mechanisms involved in gene regulation, including regulatory proteins, microRNAs, and the chemical modification of DNA. In particular, we discuss the current knowledge about the impact of microgravity on gene regulation in different types of bacteria, protists, fungi, animals, humans, and cells with a focus on the brain, eye, endothelium, immune system, cartilage, muscle, bone, and various cancers as well as recent findings in plants. Importantly, the obtained data clearly imply that µg experiments can support translational medicine on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Corydon
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Blvd. 99, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-28-992-179
| | - Herbert Schulz
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Peter Richter
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sebastian M. Strauch
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Maik Böhmer
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dario A. Ricciardi
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, Johann Wolfgang Goethe Universität, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Markus Wehland
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Krüger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gilmar S. Erzinger
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Environment, University of Joinville Region, Joinville 89219-710, SC, Brazil
| | - Michael Lebert
- Gravitational Biology Group, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander University, 91058 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Infanger
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Petra M. Wise
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- The Saban Research Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
| | - Daniela Grimm
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Hoegh Guldbergs Gade 10, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Microgravity and Translational Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinic for Plastic, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, Medical Faculty, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Straße 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Research Group ‘Magdeburger Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Forschung unter Raumfahrt-und Schwerelosigkeitsbedingungen’ (MARS), Otto von Guericke University, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
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Multi-system responses to altered gravity and spaceflight: Insights from Drosophila melanogaster. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104880. [PMID: 36126744 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
NASA is planning to resume human-crewed lunar missions and lay the foundation for human exploration to Mars. However, our knowledge of the overall effects of long-duration spaceflight on human physiology is limited. During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to multiple risk factors, including gravitational changes, ionizing radiation, physiological stress, and altered circadian lighting. These factors contribute to pathophysiological responses that target different organ systems in the body. This review discusses the advancements in gravitational biology using Drosophila melanogaster, one of the first organisms to be launched into space. As a well-established spaceflight model organism, fruit flies have yielded significant information, including neurobehavioral, aging, immune, cardiovascular, developmental, and multi-omics changes across tissues and developmental stages, as detailed in this review.
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Deane CS, da Silveira WA, Herranz R. Space omics research in Europe: Contributions, geographical distribution and ESA member state funding schemes. iScience 2022; 25:103920. [PMID: 35265808 PMCID: PMC8898910 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The European research community, via European Space Agency (ESA) spaceflight opportunities, has significantly contributed toward our current understanding of spaceflight biology. Recent molecular biology experiments include "omic" analysis, which provides a holistic and systems level understanding of the mechanisms underlying phenotypic adaptation. Despite vast interest in, and the immense quantity of biological information gained from space omics research, the knowledge of ESA-related space omics works as a collective remains poorly defined due to the recent exponential application of omics approaches in space and the limited search capabilities of pre-existing records. Thus, a review of such contributions is necessary to clarify and promote the development of space omics among ESA and ESA state members. To address this gap, in this review, we i) identified and summarized omics works led by European researchers, ii) geographically described these omics works, and iii) highlighted potential caveats in complex funding scenarios among ESA member states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen S Deane
- Department of Sport and Health Science, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK.,Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Willian A da Silveira
- Department of Applied Biomedical Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida MSD, 2080, Malta
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
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Cahill T, Cope H, Bass JJ, Overbey EG, Gilbert R, da Silveira WA, Paul AM, Mishra T, Herranz R, Reinsch SS, Costes SV, Hardiman G, Szewczyk NJ, Tahimic CGT. Mammalian and Invertebrate Models as Complementary Tools for Gaining Mechanistic Insight on Muscle Responses to Spaceflight. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179470. [PMID: 34502375 PMCID: PMC8430797 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bioinformatics approaches have proven useful in understanding biological responses to spaceflight. Spaceflight experiments remain resource intensive and rare. One outstanding issue is how to maximize scientific output from a limited number of omics datasets from traditional animal models including nematodes, fruitfly, and rodents. The utility of omics data from invertebrate models in anticipating mammalian responses to spaceflight has not been fully explored. Hence, we performed comparative analyses of transcriptomes of soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in mice that underwent 37 days of spaceflight. Results indicate shared stress responses and altered circadian rhythm. EDL showed more robust growth signals and Pde2a downregulation, possibly underlying its resistance to atrophy versus soleus. Spaceflight and hindlimb unloading mice shared differential regulation of proliferation, circadian, and neuronal signaling. Shared gene regulation in muscles of humans on bedrest and space flown rodents suggest targets for mitigating muscle atrophy in space and on Earth. Spaceflight responses of C. elegans were more similar to EDL. Discrete life stages of D. melanogaster have distinct utility in anticipating EDL and soleus responses. In summary, spaceflight leads to shared and discrete molecular responses between muscle types and invertebrate models may augment mechanistic knowledge gained from rodent spaceflight and ground-based studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Cahill
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
| | - Henry Cope
- Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK;
| | - Joseph J. Bass
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK; (J.J.B.); (N.J.S.)
| | - Eliah G. Overbey
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA;
| | - Rachel Gilbert
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
| | - Willian Abraham da Silveira
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Amber M. Paul
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Tejaswini Mishra
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 94305, USA;
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas–CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Sigrid S. Reinsch
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Sylvain V. Costes
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
| | - Gary Hardiman
- School of Biological Sciences & Institute for Global Food Security, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, UK; (T.C.); (W.A.d.S.); (G.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- MRC-Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2QL, UK; (J.J.B.); (N.J.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Candice G. T. Tahimic
- NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; (R.G.); (A.M.P.); (S.S.R.); (S.V.C.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
- Correspondence:
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Alterations in the activity and sleep of Drosophila melanogaster under simulated microgravity. NPJ Microgravity 2021; 7:27. [PMID: 34294729 PMCID: PMC8298474 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-021-00157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate alterations in the activity and sleep of Drosophila melanogaster under simulated microgravity, which was implemented through the random positioning machine, while different light conditions (normal photoperiod and constant dark) were set. Fruit flies of different strains and sexes were treated for 3 days, and activity and sleep were monitored using the Drosophila Activity Monitoring System. After 3 days of treatment, fruit flies were sampled to detect the relative expression levels of the major clock genes and some neurotransmitter-related genes. The results showed that for the normal photoperiod (LD) condition, the activity increased and sleep decreased under simulated microgravity, while for the constant dark (DD) condition, the activity and sleep rhythms appeared disordered and the activity increased, thus decreasing the likelihood of waking up during the day. Light conditions, strains, and sexes, individually or in combination, had impacts on the simulated microgravity effects on behaviors. The clock genes and neurotransmitter-related genes had different degrees of response among sexes and strains, although the overall changes were slight. The results indicated that the normal photoperiod could ease the effects of simulated microgravity on fruit flies' activity and sleep and possible unidentified pathways involved in the regulatory mechanism need further exploration. This study is expected to provide ideas and references for studying the effects of microgravity on space life science.
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Villacampa A, Sora L, Herranz R, Medina FJ, Ciska M. Analysis of Graviresponse and Biological Effects of Vertical and Horizontal Clinorotation in Arabidopsis thaliana Root Tip. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10040734. [PMID: 33918741 PMCID: PMC8070489 DOI: 10.3390/plants10040734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Clinorotation was the first method designed to simulate microgravity on ground and it remains the most common and accessible simulation procedure. However, different experimental settings, namely angular velocity, sample orientation, and distance to the rotation center produce different responses in seedlings. Here, we compare A. thaliana root responses to the two most commonly used velocities, as examples of slow and fast clinorotation, and to vertical and horizontal clinorotation. We investigate their impact on the three stages of gravitropism: statolith sedimentation, asymmetrical auxin distribution, and differential elongation. We also investigate the statocyte ultrastructure by electron microscopy. Horizontal slow clinorotation induces changes in the statocyte ultrastructure related to a stress response and internalization of the PIN-FORMED 2 (PIN2) auxin transporter in the lower endodermis, probably due to enhanced mechano-stimulation. Additionally, fast clinorotation, as predicted, is only suitable within a very limited radius from the clinorotation center and triggers directional root growth according to the direction of the centrifugal force. Our study provides a full morphological picture of the stages of graviresponse in the root tip, and it is a valuable contribution to the field of microgravity simulation by clarifying the limitations of 2D-clinostats and proposing a proper use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Villacampa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (L.S.); (R.H.); (F.-J.M.)
| | - Ludovico Sora
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (L.S.); (R.H.); (F.-J.M.)
- Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, Politecnico di Milano, Via La Masa 34, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (L.S.); (R.H.); (F.-J.M.)
| | - Francisco-Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (L.S.); (R.H.); (F.-J.M.)
| | - Malgorzata Ciska
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas-CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (L.S.); (R.H.); (F.-J.M.)
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Villacampa A, Ciska M, Manzano A, Vandenbrink JP, Kiss JZ, Herranz R, Medina FJ. From Spaceflight to Mars g-Levels: Adaptive Response of A. Thaliana Seedlings in a Reduced Gravity Environment Is Enhanced by Red-Light Photostimulation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E899. [PMID: 33477454 PMCID: PMC7830483 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The response of plants to the spaceflight environment and microgravity is still not well understood, although research has increased in this area. Even less is known about plants' response to partial or reduced gravity levels. In the absence of the directional cues provided by the gravity vector, the plant is especially perceptive to other cues such as light. Here, we investigate the response of Arabidopsis thaliana 6-day-old seedlings to microgravity and the Mars partial gravity level during spaceflight, as well as the effects of red-light photostimulation by determining meristematic cell growth and proliferation. These experiments involve microscopic techniques together with transcriptomic studies. We demonstrate that microgravity and partial gravity trigger differential responses. The microgravity environment activates hormonal routes responsible for proliferation/growth and upregulates plastid/mitochondrial-encoded transcripts, even in the dark. In contrast, the Mars gravity level inhibits these routes and activates responses to stress factors to restore cell growth parameters only when red photostimulation is provided. This response is accompanied by upregulation of numerous transcription factors such as the environmental acclimation-related WRKY-domain family. In the long term, these discoveries can be applied in the design of bioregenerative life support systems and space farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Villacampa
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Malgorzata Ciska
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.)
| | - Aránzazu Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.)
| | | | - John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27402, USA;
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.)
| | - F. Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (A.V.); (M.C.); (A.M.)
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Rutter L, Barker R, Bezdan D, Cope H, Costes SV, Degoricija L, Fisch KM, Gabitto MI, Gebre S, Giacomello S, Gilroy S, Green SJ, Mason CE, Reinsch SS, Szewczyk NJ, Taylor DM, Galazka JM, Herranz R, Muratani M. A New Era for Space Life Science: International Standards for Space Omics Processing. PATTERNS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 1:100148. [PMID: 33336201 PMCID: PMC7733874 DOI: 10.1016/j.patter.2020.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Space agencies have announced plans for human missions to the Moon to prepare for Mars. However, the space environment presents stressors that include radiation, microgravity, and isolation. Understanding how these factors affect biology is crucial for safe and effective crewed space exploration. There is a need to develop countermeasures, to adapt plants and microbes for nutrient sources and bioregenerative life support, and to limit pathogen infection. Scientists across the world are conducting space omics experiments on model organisms and, more recently, on humans. Optimal extraction of actionable scientific discoveries from these precious datasets will only occur at the collective level with improved standardization. To address this shortcoming, we established ISSOP (International Standards for Space Omics Processing), an international consortium of scientists who aim to enhance standard guidelines between space biologists at a global level. Here we introduce our consortium and share past lessons learned and future challenges related to spaceflight omics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Rutter
- Transborder Medical Research Center and Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Richard Barker
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Daniela Bezdan
- Institute of Medical Virology and Epidemiology of Viral Diseases, University Hospital, Tubingen, Germany
| | - Henry Cope
- School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG8 1BB, UK
| | - Sylvain V. Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M. Fisch
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Mariano I. Gabitto
- Flatiron Institute, Center for Computational Biology, Simons Foundation, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Samrawit Gebre
- KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Simon Gilroy
- Department of Botany, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Stefan J. Green
- Genome Research Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- The WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sigrid S. Reinsch
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Nathaniel J. Szewczyk
- Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute (OMNI), Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
| | - Deanne M. Taylor
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jonathan M. Galazka
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas “Margarita Salas” (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, Madrid 28040, Spain
| | - Masafumi Muratani
- Transborder Medical Research Center and Department of Genome Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
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Physiological responses to gravity in an insect. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:2180-2186. [PMID: 31932424 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1915424117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gravity is one of the most ubiquitous environmental effects on living systems: Cellular and organismal responses to gravity are of central importance to understanding the physiological function of organisms, especially eukaryotes. Gravity has been demonstrated to have strong effects on the closed cardiovascular systems of terrestrial vertebrates, with rapidly responding neural reflexes ensuring proper blood flow despite changes in posture. Invertebrates possess open circulatory systems, which could provide fewer mechanisms to restrict gravity effects on blood flow, suggesting that these species also experience effects of gravity on blood pressure and distribution. However, whether gravity affects the open circulatory systems of invertebrates is unknown, partly due to technical measurement issues associated with small body size. Here we used X-ray imaging, radio-tracing of hemolymph, and micropressure measurements in the American grasshopper, Schistocerca americana, to assess responses to body orientation. Our results show that during changes in body orientation, gravity causes large changes in blood and air distribution, and that body position affects ventilation rate. Remarkably, we also found that insects show similar heart rate responses to body position as vertebrates, and contrasting with the classic understanding of open circulatory systems, have flexible valving systems between thorax and abdomen that can separate pressures. Gravitational effects on invertebrate cardiovascular and respiratory systems are likely to be widely distributed among invertebrates and to have broad influence on morphological and physiological evolution.
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Kiss JZ, Wolverton C, Wyatt SE, Hasenstein KH, van Loon JJ. Comparison of Microgravity Analogs to Spaceflight in Studies of Plant Growth and Development. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1577. [PMID: 31867033 PMCID: PMC6908503 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Life on Earth has evolved under the influence of gravity. This force has played an important role in shaping development and morphology from the molecular level to the whole organism. Although aquatic life experiences reduced gravity effects, land plants have evolved under a 1-g environment. Understanding gravitational effects requires changing the magnitude of this force. One method of eliminating gravity''s influence is to enter into a free-fall orbit around the planet, thereby achieving a balance between centripetal force of gravity and the centrifugal force of the moving object. This balance is often mistakenly referred to as microgravity, but is best described as weightlessness. In addition to actually compensating gravity, instruments such as clinostats, random-positioning machines (RPM), and magnetic levitation devices have been used to eliminate effects of constant gravity on plant growth and development. However, these platforms do not reduce gravity but constantly change its direction. Despite these fundamental differences, there are few studies that have investigated the comparability between these platforms and weightlessness. Here, we provide a review of the strengths and weaknesses of these analogs for the study of plant growth and development compared to spaceflight experiments. We also consider reduced or partial gravity effects via spaceflight and analog methods. While these analogs are useful, the fidelity of the results relative to spaceflight depends on biological parameters and environmental conditions that cannot be simulated in ground-based studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Z. Kiss
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina—Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, United States
| | - Chris Wolverton
- Department of Botany & Microbiology, Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, OH, United States
| | - Sarah E. Wyatt
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Department of Environmental & Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH, United States
| | - Karl H. Hasenstein
- Biology Department, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, United States
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- DESC (Dutch Experiment Support Center), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), VU-University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- European Space Agency (ESA) Technology Center (ESTEC), Life & Physical Science, Instrumentation and Life Support Laboratory, TEC-MMG, Noordwijk, Netherlands
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Romswinkel A, Infanger M, Dietz C, Strube F, Kraus A. The Role of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 4 (CXCR4) in Cell Adherence and Spheroid Formation of Human Ewing's Sarcoma Cells under Simulated Microgravity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236073. [PMID: 31810195 PMCID: PMC6929163 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied the behavior of Ewing's Sarcoma cells of the line A673 under simulated microgravity (s-µg). These cells express two prominent markers-the oncogene EWS/FLI1 and the chemokine receptor CXCR4, which is used as a target of treatment in several types of cancer. The cells were exposed to s-µg in a random-positioning machine (RPM) for 24 h in the absence and presence of the CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100. Then, their morphology and cytoskeleton were examined. The expression of selected mutually interacting genes was measured by qRT-PCR and protein accumulation was determined by western blotting. After 24 h incubation on the RPM, a splitting of the A673 cell population in adherent and spheroid cells was observed. Compared to 1 g control cells, EWS/FLI1 was significantly upregulated in the adherent cells and in the spheroids, while CXCR4 and CD44 expression were significantly enhanced in spheroids only. Transcription of CAV-1 was upregulated and DKK2 and VEGF-A were down-regulated in both, adherent in spheroid cells, respectively. Regarding, protein accumulation EWS/FLI1 was enhanced in adherent cells only, but CD44 decreased in spheroids and adherent cells. Inhibition of CXCR4 did not change spheroid count, or structure. Under s-µg, the tumor marker EWS/FLI1 is intensified, while targeting CXCR4, which influences adhesion proteins, did not affect spheroid formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Armin Kraus
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-391-67-15599; Fax: +49-391-67-15588
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Kamal KY, van Loon JJ, Medina FJ, Herranz R. Differential transcriptional profile through cell cycle progression in Arabidopsis cultures under simulated microgravity. Genomics 2019; 111:1956-1965. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Boucheron-Dubuisson E, Manzano AI, Le Disquet I, Matía I, Sáez-Vasquez J, van Loon JJWA, Herranz R, Carnero-Diaz E, Medina FJ. Functional alterations of root meristematic cells of Arabidopsis thaliana induced by a simulated microgravity environment. JOURNAL OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGY 2016; 207:30-41. [PMID: 27792899 DOI: 10.1016/j.jplph.2016.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Environmental gravity modulates plant growth and development, and these processes are influenced by the balance between cell proliferation and differentiation in meristems. Meristematic cells are characterized by the coordination between cell proliferation and cell growth, that is, by the accurate regulation of cell cycle progression and the optimal production of biomass for the viability of daughter cells after division. Thus, cell growth is correlated with the rate of ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. We investigated the effects of simulated microgravity on cellular functions of the root meristem in a sequential study. Seedlings were grown in a clinostat, a device producing simulated microgravity, for periods between 3 and 10days. In a complementary study, seedlings were grown in a Random Positioning Machine (RPM) and sampled sequentially after similar periods of growth. Under these conditions, the cell proliferation rate and the regulation of cell cycle progression showed significant alterations, accompanied by a reduction of cell growth. However, the overall size of the root meristem did not change. Analysis of cell cycle phases by flow cytometry showed changes in their proportion and duration, and the expression of the cyclin B1 gene, a marker of entry in mitosis, was decreased, indicating altered cell cycle regulation. With respect to cell growth, the rate of ribosome biogenesis was reduced under simulated microgravity, as shown by morphological and morphometric nucleolar changes and variations in the levels of the nucleolar protein nucleolin. Furthermore, in a nucleolin mutant characterized by disorganized nucleolar structure, the microgravity treatment intensified disorganization. These results show that, regardless of the simulated microgravity device used, a great disruption of meristematic competence was the first response to the environmental alteration detected at early developmental stages. However, longer periods of exposure to simulated microgravity do not produce an intensification of the cellular damages or a detectable developmental alteration in seedlings analyzed at further stages of their growth. This suggests that the secondary response to the gravity alteration is a process of adaptation, whose mechanism is still unknown, which eventually results in viable adult plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Boucheron-Dubuisson
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB - UMR 7205 - CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, 57 rue Cuvier, CP50, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Ana I Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Isabel Le Disquet
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB - UMR 7205 - CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, 57 rue Cuvier, CP50, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - Isabel Matía
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Julio Sáez-Vasquez
- Laboratoire Génome et Développement des Plantes, CNRS, UMR 5096, Université de Perpignan via Domitia, 66860 Perpignan, France.
| | - Jack J W A van Loon
- DESC (Dutch Experiment Support Center), Dept. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Oral Pathology, VU University Medical Center & Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), Gustav Mahlerlaan 3004, 1081 LA Amsterdam, The Netherlands; ESA-ESTEC, TEC-MMG, Keplerlaan 1, NL-2200 AG, Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
| | - Raúl Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Eugénie Carnero-Diaz
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Sorbonne Universités, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, ISYEB - UMR 7205 - CNRS, MNHN, UPMC, EPHE, 57 rue Cuvier, CP50, 75005 Paris, France.
| | - F Javier Medina
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Ogneva IV, Belyakin SN, Sarantseva SV. The Development Of Drosophila Melanogaster under Different Duration Space Flight and Subsequent Adaptation to Earth Gravity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166885. [PMID: 27861601 PMCID: PMC5115863 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In prospective human exploration of outer space, the need to preserve a species over several generations under changed gravity conditions may arise. This paper demonstrates our results in the creation of the third generation of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (third-stage larvae) during the 44.5-day space flight (Foton-M4 satellite (2014, Russia)), then the fourth generation on Earth and the fifth generation again in conditions of the 12-day space flight (2014, in the Russian Segment of the ISS). The species preserves fertility despite a number of changes in the level of expression and content of cytoskeletal proteins, which are the key components of the cleavage spindle and the contractile ring of cells. The results of transcriptome screening and space analysis of cytoskeletal proteins show that the exposure to weightless conditions leads to the increased transcription of metabolic genes, cuticle components and the decreased transcription of genes involved in morphogenesis, cell differentiation, cytoskeletal organization and genes associated with the plasma membrane. "Subsequent" exposure to the microgravity for 12 days resulted in an even more significant increase/decrease in the transcription of the same genes. On the contrary, the transition from the microgravity conditions to the gravity of Earth leads to the increased transcription of genes whose products are involved in the morphogenesis, cytoskeletal organization, motility of cells and transcription regulation, and to the decreased transcription of cuticle genes and proteolytic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina V. Ogneva
- Cell Biophysics Group, State Scientific Center of Russian Federation Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Svetlana V. Sarantseva
- B. P. Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute National Research Centre "Kurchatov Institute", Gatchina, Russia
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Hosamani R, Leib R, Bhardwaj SR, Adams CM, Bhattacharya S. Elucidating the "Gravome": Quantitative Proteomic Profiling of the Response to Chronic Hypergravity in Drosophila. J Proteome Res 2016; 15:4165-4175. [PMID: 27648494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.6b00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Altered gravity conditions, such as experienced by organisms during spaceflight, are known to cause transcriptomic and proteomic changes. We describe the proteomic changes in whole adult Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) but focus specifically on the localized changes in the adult head in response to chronic hypergravity (3 g) treatment. Canton S adult female flies (2 to 3 days old) were exposed to chronic hypergravity for 9 days and compared with 1 g controls. After hypergravity treatment, either whole flies (body + head) or fly-head-only samples were isolated and evaluated for quantitative comparison of the two gravity conditions using an isobaric tagging liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach. A total of 1948 proteins from whole flies and 1480 proteins from fly heads were differentially present in hypergravity-treated flies. Gene Ontology analysis of head-specific proteomics revealed host immune response, and humoral stress proteins were significantly upregulated. Proteins related to calcium regulation, ion transport, and ATPase were decreased. Increased expression of cuticular proteins may suggest an alteration in chitin metabolism and in chitin-based cuticle development. We therefore present a comprehensive quantitative survey of proteomic changes in response to chronic hypergravity in Drosophila, which will help elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism(s) associated with altered gravity environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravikumar Hosamani
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center , Moffett Field, California 94035, United States
| | - Ryan Leib
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry (SUMS) , Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Shilpa R Bhardwaj
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center , Moffett Field, California 94035, United States
| | - Christopher M Adams
- Stanford University Mass Spectrometry (SUMS) , Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center , Moffett Field, California 94035, United States
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16
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Hateley S, Hosamani R, Bhardwaj SR, Pachter L, Bhattacharya S. Transcriptomic response of Drosophila melanogaster pupae developed in hypergravity. Genomics 2016; 108:158-167. [PMID: 27621057 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2016.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Altered gravity can perturb normal development and induce corresponding changes in gene expression. Understanding this relationship between the physical environment and a biological response is important for NASA's space travel goals. We use RNA-Seq and qRT-PCR techniques to profile changes in early Drosophila melanogaster pupae exposed to chronic hypergravity (3g, or three times Earth's gravity). During the pupal stage, D. melanogaster rely upon gravitational cues for proper development. Assessing gene expression changes in the pupae under altered gravity conditions helps highlight gravity-dependent genetic pathways. A robust transcriptional response was observed in hypergravity-treated pupae compared to controls, with 1513 genes showing a significant (q<0.05) difference in gene expression. Five major biological processes were affected: ion transport, redox homeostasis, immune response, proteolysis, and cuticle development. This outlines the underlying molecular and biological changes occurring in Drosophila pupae in response to hypergravity; gravity is important for many biological processes on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Hateley
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
| | - Ravikumar Hosamani
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA 94035, United States.
| | - Shilpa R Bhardwaj
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA 94035, United States.
| | - Lior Pachter
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States; Departments of Mathematics and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA 94035, United States.
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17
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Bae JE, Bang S, Min S, Lee SH, Kwon SH, Lee Y, Lee YH, Chung J, Chae KS. Positive geotactic behaviors induced by geomagnetic field in Drosophila. Mol Brain 2016; 9:55. [PMID: 27192976 PMCID: PMC4870802 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-016-0235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Appropriate vertical movement is critical for the survival of flying animals. Although negative geotaxis (moving away from Earth) driven by gravity has been extensively studied, much less is understood concerning a static regulatory mechanism for inducing positive geotaxis (moving toward Earth). Results Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, we showed that geomagnetic field (GMF) induces positive geotaxis and antagonizes negative gravitaxis. Remarkably, GMF acts as a sensory cue for an appetite-driven associative learning behavior through the GMF-induced positive geotaxis. This GMF-induced positive geotaxis requires the three geotaxis genes, such as cry, pyx and pdf, and the corresponding neurons residing in Johnston’s organ of the fly’s antennae. Conclusions These findings provide a novel concept with the neurogenetic basis on the regulation of vertical movement by GMF in the flying animals. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-016-0235-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Eun Bae
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea.,Department of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
| | - Sunhoe Bang
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea
| | - Soohong Min
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea
| | - Sang-Hyup Lee
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea
| | - Soon-Hwan Kwon
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea
| | - Youngseok Lee
- Department of Bio and Fermentation Convergence Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong-Ho Lee
- Brain and Cognition Measurement Laboratory, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jongkyeong Chung
- National Creative Research Initiatives Center for Energy Homeostasis Regulation, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics and School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-742, Korea.
| | - Kwon-Seok Chae
- Department of Biology Education, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehakro, Bukgu, Daegu, 41566, Korea. .,Department of Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea. .,Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
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Toll mediated infection response is altered by gravity and spaceflight in Drosophila. PLoS One 2014; 9:e86485. [PMID: 24475130 PMCID: PMC3901686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Space travel presents unlimited opportunities for exploration and discovery, but requires better understanding of the biological consequences of long-term exposure to spaceflight. Immune function in particular is relevant for space travel. Human immune responses are weakened in space, with increased vulnerability to opportunistic infections and immune-related conditions. In addition, microorganisms can become more virulent in space, causing further challenges to health. To understand these issues better and to contribute to design of effective countermeasures, we used the Drosophila model of innate immunity to study immune responses in both hypergravity and spaceflight. Focusing on infections mediated through the conserved Toll and Imd signaling pathways, we found that hypergravity improves resistance to Toll-mediated fungal infections except in a known gravitaxis mutant of the yuri gagarin gene. These results led to the first spaceflight project on Drosophila immunity, in which flies that developed to adulthood in microgravity were assessed for immune responses by transcription profiling on return to Earth. Spaceflight alone altered transcription, producing activation of the heat shock stress system. Space flies subsequently infected by fungus failed to activate the Toll pathway. In contrast, bacterial infection produced normal activation of the Imd pathway. We speculate on possible linkage between functional Toll signaling and the heat shock chaperone system. Our major findings are that hypergravity and spaceflight have opposing effects, and that spaceflight produces stress-related transcriptional responses and results in a specific inability to mount a Toll-mediated infection response.
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Benavides Damm T, Walther I, Wüest SL, Sekler J, Egli M. Cell cultivation under different gravitational loads using a novel random positioning incubator. Biotechnol Bioeng 2014; 111:1180-90. [PMID: 24375199 PMCID: PMC4223831 DOI: 10.1002/bit.25179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 11/26/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Important in biotechnology is the establishment of cell culture methods that reflect the in vivo situation accurately. One approach for reaching this goal is through 3D cell cultivation that mimics tissue or organ structures and functions. We present here a newly designed and constructed random positioning incubator (RPI) that enables 3D cell culture in simulated microgravity (0 g). In addition to growing cells in a weightlessness-like environment, our RPI enables long-duration cell cultivation under various gravitational loads, ranging from close to 0 g to almost 1 g. This allows the study of the mechanotransductional process of cells involved in the conversion of physical forces to an appropriate biochemical response. Gravity is a type of physical force with profound developmental implications in cellular systems as it modulates the resulting signaling cascades as a consequence of mechanical loading. The experiments presented here were conducted on mouse skeletal myoblasts and human lymphocytes, two types of cells that have been shown in the past to be particularly sensitive to changes in gravity. Our novel RPI will expand the horizon at which mechanobiological experiments are conducted. The scientific data gathered may not only improve the sustainment of human life in space, but also lead to the design of alternative countermeasures against diseases related to impaired mechanosensation and downstream signaling processes on earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Benavides Damm
- CC Aerospace Biomedical Science & Technology, Space Biology Group, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU), Hergiswil, Nidwalden, Switzerland; Institute for Biomechanics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (ETHZ), Zürich, Switzerland
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20
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Gravity sensing by cells: mechanisms and theoretical grounds. RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s12210-013-0281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Herranz R, Medina FJ. Cell proliferation and plant development under novel altered gravity environments. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2014; 16 Suppl 1:23-30. [PMID: 24112664 DOI: 10.1111/plb.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Gravity is a key factor for life on Earth. It is the only environmental factor that has remained constant throughout evolution, and plants use it to modulate important physiological activities; gravity removal or alteration produces substantial changes in essential functions. For root gravitropism, gravity is sensed in specialised cells, which are capable of detecting magnitudes of the g vector lower than 10(-3) . Then, the mechanosignal is transduced to upper zones of the root, resulting in changes in the lateral distribution of auxin and in the rate of auxin polar transport. Gravity alteration has consequences for cell growth and proliferation rates in root meristems, which are the basis of the developmental programme of a plant, in which regulation via auxin is involved. The effect is disruption of meristematic competence, i.e. the strict coordination between cell proliferation and growth, which characterises meristematic cells. This effect can be related to changes in the transport and distribution of auxin throughout the root. However, similar effects of gravity alteration have been found in plant cell cultures in vitro, in which neither specialised structures for gravity sensing and signal transduction, nor apparent gravitropism have been described. We postulate that gravity resistance, a general mechanism of cellular origin for developing rigid structures in plants capable of resisting the gravity force, could also be responsible for the changes in cell growth and proliferation parameters detected in non-specialised cells. The mechanisms of gravitropism and graviresistance are complementary, the first being mostly sensitive to the direction of the gravity vector, and the second to its magnitude. At a global molecular level, the consequence of gravity alteration is that the genome should be finely tuned to counteract a type of stress that plants have never encountered before throughout evolution. Multigene families and redundant genes present an advantage in that they can experience changes without the risk of being deleterious and, for this reason, they should play a key role in the response to gravitational stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Herranz R, Larkin OJ, Hill RJA, Lopez-Vidriero I, van Loon JJWA, Medina FJ. Suboptimal evolutionary novel environments promote singular altered gravity responses of transcriptome during Drosophila metamorphosis. BMC Evol Biol 2013; 13:133. [PMID: 23806134 PMCID: PMC3716659 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-13-133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous experiments have shown that the reduced gravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS) causes important alterations in Drosophila gene expression. These changes were shown to be intimately linked to environmental space-flight related constraints. Results Here, we use an array of different techniques for ground-based simulation of microgravity effects to assess the effect of suboptimal environmental conditions on the gene expression of Drosophila in reduced gravity. A global and integrative analysis, using “gene expression dynamics inspector” (GEDI) self-organizing maps, reveals different degrees in the responses of the transcriptome when using different environmental conditions or microgravity/hypergravity simulation devices. Although the genes that are affected are different in each simulation technique, we find that the same gene ontology groups, including at least one large multigene family related with behavior, stress response or organogenesis, are over represented in each case. Conclusions These results suggest that the transcriptome as a whole can be finely tuned to gravity force. In optimum environmental conditions, the alteration of gravity has only mild effects on gene expression but when environmental conditions are far from optimal, the gene expression must be tuned greatly and effects become more robust, probably linked to the lack of experience of organisms exposed to evolutionary novel environments such as a gravitational free one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
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Herranz R, Manzano AI, van Loon JJWA, Christianen PCM, Medina FJ. Proteomic signature of Arabidopsis cell cultures exposed to magnetically induced hyper- and microgravity environments. ASTROBIOLOGY 2013; 13:217-24. [PMID: 23510084 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Earth-based microgravity simulation techniques are required due to space research constraints. Using diamagnetic levitation, we exposed Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro callus cultures to environments with different levels of effective gravity and magnetic field strengths (B) simultaneously. The environments included simulated 0 g* at B=10.1 T, an internal 1 g* control (B=16.5 T), and hypergravity (2 g* at B=10.1 T). Furthermore, samples were also exposed to altered gravity environments that were created with mechanical devices, such as the Random Positioning Machine (simulated μg) and the Large Diameter Centrifuge (2 g). We have determined the proteomic signature of cell cultures exposed to these altered-gravity environments by means of the difference gel electrophoresis (DiGE) technique, and we have compared the results with microarray-based transcriptomes from the same samples. The magnetic field itself produced a low number of proteomic alterations, but the combination of gravitational alteration and magnetic field exposure produced synergistic effects on the proteome of plants (the number of significant changes is 3-7 times greater). Tandem mass spectrometry identification of 19 overlapping spots in the different conditions corroborates a major role of abiotic stress and secondary metabolism proteins in the molecular adaptation of plants to unusual environments, including microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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Inglis PW, Ciampi AY, Salomão AN, Costa TDSA, Azevedo VCR. Expression of stress-related genes in zebrawood (Astronium fraxinifolium, Anacardiaceae) seedlings following germination in microgravity. Genet Mol Biol 2013; 37:81-92. [PMID: 24688295 PMCID: PMC3958331 DOI: 10.1590/s1415-47572014000100014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Seeds of a tropical tree species from Brazil, Astronium fraxinifolium, or zebrawood, were germinated, for the first time in microgravity, aboard the International Space Station for nine days. Following three days of subsequent growth under normal terrestrial gravitational conditions, greater root length and numbers of secondary roots was observed in the microgravity-treated seedlings compared to terrestrially germinated controls. Suppression subtractive hybridization of cDNA and EST analysis were used to detect differential gene expression in the microgravity-treated seedlings in comparison to those initially grown in normal gravity (forward subtraction). Despite their return to, and growth in normal gravity, the subtracted library derived from microgravity-treated seedlings was enriched in known microgravity stress-related ESTs, corresponding to large and small heat shock proteins, 14-3-3-like protein, polyubiquitin, and proteins involved in glutathione metabolism. In contrast, the reverse-subtracted library contained a comparatively greater variety of general metabolism-related ESTs, but was also enriched for peroxidase, possibly indicating the suppression of this protein in the microgravity-treated seedlings. Following continued growth for 30 days, higher concentrations of total chlorophyll were detected in the microgravity-exposed seedlings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter W Inglis
- Laboratorio de Genética Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Y Ciampi
- Laboratorio de Genética Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Antonieta N Salomão
- Laboratorio de Sementes, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Tânia da S A Costa
- Laboratório de Química de Produtos Naturais, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Vânia C R Azevedo
- Laboratorio de Genética Vegetal, Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Parque Estação Biológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Herranz R, Anken R, Boonstra J, Braun M, Christianen PC, de Geest M, Hauslage J, Hilbig R, Hill RJ, Lebert M, Medina FJ, Vagt N, Ullrich O, van Loon JJ, Hemmersbach R. Ground-based facilities for simulation of microgravity: organism-specific recommendations for their use, and recommended terminology. ASTROBIOLOGY 2013; 13:1-17. [PMID: 23252378 PMCID: PMC3549630 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2012.0876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Research in microgravity is indispensable to disclose the impact of gravity on biological processes and organisms. However, research in the near-Earth orbit is severely constrained by the limited number of flight opportunities. Ground-based simulators of microgravity are valuable tools for preparing spaceflight experiments, but they also facilitate stand-alone studies and thus provide additional and cost-efficient platforms for gravitational research. The various microgravity simulators that are frequently used by gravitational biologists are based on different physical principles. This comparative study gives an overview of the most frequently used microgravity simulators and demonstrates their individual capacities and limitations. The range of applicability of the various ground-based microgravity simulators for biological specimens was carefully evaluated by using organisms that have been studied extensively under the conditions of real microgravity in space. In addition, current heterogeneous terminology is discussed critically, and recommendations are given for appropriate selection of adequate simulators and consistent use of nomenclature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ralf Anken
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Johannes Boonstra
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Markus Braun
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter C.M. Christianen
- High Field Magnet Laboratory (HFML), Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten de Geest
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jens Hauslage
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Reinhard Hilbig
- Zoological Institute, University of Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Richard J.A. Hill
- School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Michael Lebert
- Biology Department, Cell Biology, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Nicole Vagt
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology of Plants, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Ullrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jack J.W.A. van Loon
- Dutch Experiment Support Center (DESC) @ ACTA, University of Amsterdam & VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam; Department of Oral Cell Biology, Research Institute MOVE, Amsterdam; European Space Agency (ESA), TEC-MMG, ESTEC, Noordwijk, the Netherlands
| | - Ruth Hemmersbach
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
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Herranz R, Hill RJ, Dijkstra CE, Eaves L, van Loon JJ, Medina FJ. The behavioural-driven response of the Drosophila imago transcriptome to different types of modified gravity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.7243/2052-7993-1-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Manzano AI, van Loon JJWA, Christianen PCM, Gonzalez-Rubio JM, Medina FJ, Herranz R. Gravitational and magnetic field variations synergize to cause subtle variations in the global transcriptional state of Arabidopsis in vitro callus cultures. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:105. [PMID: 22435851 PMCID: PMC3368779 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Biological systems respond to changes in both the Earth's magnetic and gravitational fields, but as experiments in space are expensive and infrequent, Earth-based simulation techniques are required. A high gradient magnetic field can be used to levitate biological material, thereby simulating microgravity and can also create environments with a reduced or an enhanced level of gravity (g), although special attention should be paid to the possible effects of the magnetic field (B) itself. RESULTS Using diamagnetic levitation, we exposed Arabidopsis thaliana in vitro callus cultures to five environments with different levels of effective gravity and magnetic field strengths. The environments included levitation, i.e. simulated μg* (close to 0 g* at B = 10.1 T), intermediate g* (0.1 g* at B = 14.7 T) and enhanced gravity levels (1.9 g* at B = 14.7 T and 2 g* at B = 10.1 T) plus an internal 1 g* control (B = 16.5 T). The asterisk denotes the presence of the background magnetic field, as opposed to the effective gravity environments in the absence of an applied magnetic field, created using a Random Position Machine (simulated μg) and a Large Diameter Centrifuge (2 g).Microarray analysis indicates that changes in the overall gene expression of cultured cells exposed to these unusual environments barely reach significance using an FDR algorithm. However, it was found that gravitational and magnetic fields produce synergistic variations in the steady state of the transcriptional profile of plants. Transcriptomic results confirm that high gradient magnetic fields (i.e. to create μg* and 2 g* conditions) have a significant effect, mainly on structural, abiotic stress genes and secondary metabolism genes, but these subtle gravitational effects are only observable using clustering methodologies. CONCLUSIONS A detailed microarray dataset analysis, based on clustering of similarly expressed genes (GEDI software), can detect underlying global-scale responses, which cannot be detected by means of individual gene expression techniques using raw or corrected p values (FDR). A subtle, but consistent, genome-scale response to hypogravity environments was found, which was opposite to the response in a hypergravity environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana I Manzano
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas (CSIC), C/Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
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Herranz R, Larkin OJ, Dijkstra CE, Hill RJA, Anthony P, Davey MR, Eaves L, van Loon JJWA, Medina FJ, Marco R. Microgravity simulation by diamagnetic levitation: effects of a strong gradient magnetic field on the transcriptional profile of Drosophila melanogaster. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:52. [PMID: 22296880 PMCID: PMC3305489 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many biological systems respond to the presence or absence of gravity. Since experiments performed in space are expensive and can only be undertaken infrequently, Earth-based simulation techniques are used to investigate the biological response to weightlessness. A high gradient magnetic field can be used to levitate a biological organism so that its net weight is zero. RESULTS We have used a superconducting magnet to assess the effect of diamagnetic levitation on the fruit fly D. melanogaster in levitation experiments that proceeded for up to 22 consecutive days. We have compared the results with those of similar experiments performed in another paradigm for microgravity simulation, the Random Positioning Machine (RPM). We observed a delay in the development of the fruit flies from embryo to adult. Microarray analysis indicated changes in overall gene expression of imagoes that developed from larvae under diamagnetic levitation, and also under simulated hypergravity conditions. Significant changes were observed in the expression of immune-, stress-, and temperature-response genes. For example, several heat shock proteins were affected. We also found that a strong magnetic field, of 16.5 Tesla, had a significant effect on the expression of these genes, independent of the effects associated with magnetically-induced levitation and hypergravity. CONCLUSIONS Diamagnetic levitation can be used to simulate an altered effective gravity environment in which gene expression is tuned differentially in diverse Drosophila melanogaster populations including those of different age and gender. Exposure to the magnetic field per se induced similar, but weaker, changes in gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Herranz
- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, Madrid, Spain.
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Beckingham KM. Synergy between stresses: an interaction between spaceflight-associated conditions and the microgravity response. Mol Ecol 2010; 19:4105-7. [PMID: 25241407 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-294x.2010.04799.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Gravity is the one constant, ubiquitous force that has shaped life on Earth over its 4.8 billion years of evolution. But the sheer inescapability of Earth's gravitational pull has meant that its influence on Earth's organisms is difficult to study. Neutralization of the gravity vector (so-called simulated microgravity) by random movement in three-dimensional space is the best option for Earth-based experiments, with spaceflight alone offering the possibility to assess the effects of an extremely reduced gravitational field (microgravity). However, the technical constraints associated with spaceflight introduce complications that can compromise the interpretation of microgravity experiments. It can be unclear whether changes detected in these experiments reflect additional spaceflight-related stresses (temperature shifts, vibrational effects, radiation exposure, and so on) as opposed to the loss of gravitational force per se. In this issue, Herranz et al. (2010) report a careful study in which the effects of simulated and actual microgravity on gene expression in Drosophila melanogaster were compared and the effects of the flight-associated stresses on the microgravity responses were investigated. A striking finding emerged. The additional stresses associated with the spaceflight experiment altered the response to microgravity. Despite controlling for the effects of these stresses/constraints, the group found that responses to microgravity are much stronger in the stressed/constrained background than in its absence. This interaction of gravity with other environmental influences is a novel finding with important implications for microgravity research and other situations where multiple stress factors are combined.
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