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Chou J, Ramroop JR, Saravia-Butler AM, Wey B, Lera MP, Torres ML, Heavner ME, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Bhattacharya S, Govind S. Drosophila parasitoids go to space: Unexpected effects of spaceflight on hosts and their parasitoids. iScience 2024; 27:108759. [PMID: 38261932 PMCID: PMC10797188 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
While fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and humans exhibit immune system dysfunction in space, studies examining their immune systems' interactions with natural parasites in space are lacking. Drosophila parasitoid wasps modify blood cell function to suppress host immunity. In this study, naive and parasitized ground and space flies from a tumor-free control and a blood tumor-bearing mutant strain were examined. Inflammation-related genes were activated in space in both fly strains. Whereas control flies did not develop tumors, tumor burden increased in the space-returned tumor-bearing mutants. Surprisingly, control flies were more sensitive to spaceflight than mutant flies; many of their essential genes were downregulated. Parasitoids appeared more resilient than fly hosts, and spaceflight did not significantly impact wasp survival or the expression of their virulence genes. Previously undocumented mutant wasps with novel wing color and wing shape were isolated post-flight and will be invaluable for host-parasite studies on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Chou
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Johnny R. Ramroop
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Amanda M. Saravia-Butler
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Brian Wey
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matthew P. Lera
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Medaya L. Torres
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Mary Ellen Heavner
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Siddhita D. Mhatre
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Shubha Govind
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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2
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Omolaoye TS, Cardona Maya WD, du Plessis SS. Could exposure to spaceflight cause mutations in genes that affect male fertility? LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2023; 37:15-17. [PMID: 37087174 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Recently, a study reported that upon analyzing blood samples from 14 astronauts that flew Space Transportation System missions between 1998 and 2001, 34 somatic nonsynonymous single nucleotide variants were detected in 17 CH-driver genes. Of interest is that the cohort consisted of relatively young astronauts, 85% of which were males of reproductive age. Having investigated the genes with nonsynonymous substitutes from the literature, it was found that twelve of these 17 genes appear to play essential roles in male reproduction. Changes in telomere length and gene regulation were also reported in another study conducted on an astronaut during a long duration stay on the International Space Station. Realizing the impact of spaceflight on gene sequence with potential influence on male fertility, it is important that more studies are conducted in this field. Specifically, in light of ultimately colonizing space, multi-generational survival is crucial and strategies to mitigate or counteract such effects should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temidayo S Omolaoye
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Walter D Cardona Maya
- Reproduction Group, Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Stefan S du Plessis
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Division of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.
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3
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Hirayama J, Hattori A, Takahashi A, Furusawa Y, Tabuchi Y, Shibata M, Nagamatsu A, Yano S, Maruyama Y, Matsubara H, Sekiguchi T, Suzuki N. Physiological consequences of space flight, including abnormal bone metabolism, space radiation injury, and circadian clock dysregulation: Implications of melatonin use and regulation as a countermeasure. J Pineal Res 2023; 74:e12834. [PMID: 36203395 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to the space environment induces a number of pathophysiological outcomes in astronauts, including bone demineralization, sleep disorders, circadian clock dysregulation, cardiovascular and metabolic dysfunction, and reduced immune system function. A recent report describing experiments aboard the Space Shuttle mission, STS-132, showed that the level of melatonin, a hormone that provides the biochemical signal of darkness, was decreased during microgravity in an in vitro culture model. Additionally, abnormal lighting conditions in outer space, such as low light intensity in orbital spacecraft and the altered 24-h light-dark cycles, may result in the dysregulation of melatonin rhythms and the misalignment of the circadian clock from sleep and work schedules in astronauts. Studies on Earth have demonstrated that melatonin regulates various physiological functions including bone metabolism. These data suggest that the abnormal regulation of melatonin in outer space may contribute to pathophysiological conditions of astronauts. In addition, experiments with high-linear energy transfer radiation, a ground-based model of space radiation, showed that melatonin may serve as a protectant against space radiation. Gene expression profiling using an in vitro culture model exposed to space flight during the STS-132 mission, showed that space radiation alters the expression of DNA repair and oxidative stress response genes, indicating that melatonin counteracts the expression of these genes responsive to space radiation to promote cell survival. These findings implicate the use of exogenous melatonin and the regulation of endogenous melatonin as countermeasures for the physiological consequences of space flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hirayama
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences & Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Sustainable Systems Science, Komatsu University, Komatsu, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Hattori
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Japan
| | | | - Yukihiro Furusawa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, Toyama, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Tabuchi
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shibata
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Japan
| | | | - Sachiko Yano
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Maruyama
- Department of Biology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ichikawa, Japan
| | - Hajime Matsubara
- Noto Center for Fisheries Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Noto-cho, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Toshio Sekiguchi
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Noto-cho, Japan
| | - Nobuo Suzuki
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Noto-cho, Japan
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4
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Mhatre SD, Iyer J, Petereit J, Dolling-Boreham RM, Tyryshkina A, Paul AM, Gilbert R, Jensen M, Woolsey RJ, Anand S, Sowa MB, Quilici DR, Costes SV, Girirajan S, Bhattacharya S. Artificial gravity partially protects space-induced neurological deficits in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111279. [PMID: 36070701 PMCID: PMC10503492 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight poses risks to the central nervous system (CNS), and understanding neurological responses is important for future missions. We report CNS changes in Drosophila aboard the International Space Station in response to spaceflight microgravity (SFμg) and artificially simulated Earth gravity (SF1g) via inflight centrifugation as a countermeasure. While inflight behavioral analyses of SFμg exhibit increased activity, postflight analysis displays significant climbing defects, highlighting the sensitivity of behavior to altered gravity. Multi-omics analysis shows alterations in metabolic, oxidative stress and synaptic transmission pathways in both SFμg and SF1g; however, neurological changes immediately postflight, including neuronal loss, glial cell count alterations, oxidative damage, and apoptosis, are seen only in SFμg. Additionally, progressive neuronal loss and a glial phenotype in SF1g and SFμg brains, with pronounced phenotypes in SFμg, are seen upon acclimation to Earth conditions. Overall, our results indicate that artificial gravity partially protects the CNS from the adverse effects of spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Juli Petereit
- Nevada Bioinformatics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Roberta M Dolling-Boreham
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 94035, USA
| | - Anastasia Tyryshkina
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 94035, USA; NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
| | - Rachel Gilbert
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Matthew Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Sulekha Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192, USA
| | - Marianne B Sowa
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - David R Quilici
- Nevada Proteomics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Biological and Physical Sciences Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC 20024, USA.
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5
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Zadeh-Haghighi H, Simon C. Magnetic field effects in biology from the perspective of the radical pair mechanism. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220325. [PMID: 35919980 PMCID: PMC9346374 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of studies have found that weak magnetic fields can significantly influence various biological systems. However, the underlying mechanisms behind these phenomena remain elusive. Remarkably, the magnetic energies implicated in these effects are much smaller than thermal energies. Here, we review these observations, and we suggest an explanation based on the radical pair mechanism, which involves the quantum dynamics of the electron and nuclear spins of transient radical molecules. While the radical pair mechanism has been studied in detail in the context of avian magnetoreception, the studies reviewed here show that magnetosensitivity is widespread throughout biology. We review magnetic field effects on various physiological functions, discussing static, hypomagnetic and oscillating magnetic fields, as well as isotope effects. We then review the radical pair mechanism as a potential unifying model for the described magnetic field effects, and we discuss plausible candidate molecules for the radical pairs. We review recent studies proposing that the radical pair mechanism provides explanations for isotope effects in xenon anaesthesia and lithium treatment of hyperactivity, magnetic field effects on the circadian clock, and hypomagnetic field effects on neurogenesis and microtubule assembly. We conclude by discussing future lines of investigation in this exciting new area of quantum biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadi Zadeh-Haghighi
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - Christoph Simon
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Institute for Quantum Science and Technology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
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6
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Gilbert R, Tanenbaum N, Bhattacharya S. Asparagine biosynthesis as a mechanism of increased host lethality induced by Serratia marcescens in simulated microgravity environments. Heliyon 2022; 8:e09379. [PMID: 35592661 PMCID: PMC9111996 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
While studies have shown an increase in pathogenicity in several microbes during spaceflight and after exposure to simulated microgravity, the mechanisms underlying these changes in phenotype are not understood across different pathogens, particularly in opportunistic pathogens. This study evaluates the mechanism for increased virulence of the opportunistic gram-negative bacterium, Serratia marcescens, in simulated microgravity. Low-shear modeled microgravity (LSMMG) is used in ground-based studies to simulate the effects of microgravity as experienced in spaceflight. Our previous findings showed that there was a significant increase in mortality rates of the Drosophila melanogaster host when infected with either spaceflight or LSMMG treated S. marcescens. Here, we report that LSMMG increases asparagine uptake and synthesis in S. marcescens and that the increased host lethality induced by LSMMG bacteria grown in rich media can be recapitulated in minimal media by adding only aspartate and glutamine, the substrates of asparagine biosynthesis. Interestingly, increased bacterial growth rate alone is not sufficient to contribute to maximal host lethality, since the addition of aspartate to minimal media caused an LSMMG-specific increase in bacterial growth rate that is comparable to that induced by the combination of aspartate and glutamine, but this increase in growth does not cause an equivalent rate of host mortality. However, the addition of both aspartate and glutamine cause both an increase in host mortality and an overexpression of asparagine pathway genes in a LSMMG-dependent manner. We also report that L-asparaginase-mediated breakdown of asparagine is an effective countermeasure for the increased host mortality caused by LSMMG-treated bacteria. This investigation underscores the importance of the asparagine utilization pathway by helping uncover molecular mechanisms that underlie increased mortality rates of a model host infected with microgravity-treated S. marcescens and provides a potential mitigation strategy.
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7
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Ma L, Kong F, Gong Y, Wang Q, Liu J, Sui L. Combined Effects of Proton Radiation and Simulated Microgravity on the Cell Viability and ALP Activity of Murine Osteoblast Cells. Front Public Health 2021; 9:759236. [PMID: 34917576 PMCID: PMC8669367 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.759236] [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: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton radiation (PR) and microgravity (μG) are two key factors that impact living things in space. This study aimed to explore the combined effects of PR and simulated μG (SμG) on bone function. Mouse embryo osteoblast precursor cells (MC3T3-E1) were irradiated with proton beams and immediately treated with SμG for 2 days using a three-dimensional clinostat. All samples were subjected to cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and transcriptome assays. The results showed that cell viability decreased with increasing doses of PR. The peak ALP activity after PR or SμG alone was lower than that obtained with the non-treatment control. No difference in cell viability or ALP activity was found between 1 Gy PR combined with SμG (PR-SμG) and PR alone. However, 4 Gy PR-SμG resulted in decreased cell viability and ALP activity compared with those obtained with PR alone. Furthermore, Gene Ontology analysis revealed the same trend. These results revealed that PR-SμG may lead to reductions in the proliferation and differentiation capacities of cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our data provide new insights into bone-related hazards caused by multiple factors, such as PR and μG, in the space environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiu Ma
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Fuquan Kong
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Yihao Gong
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaojuan Wang
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Jiancheng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
| | - Li Sui
- Department of Nuclear Physics, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China.,National Innovation Center of Radiation Application, Beijing, China
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8
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Beheshti A, McDonald JT, Hada M, Takahashi A, Mason CE, Mognato M. Genomic Changes Driven by Radiation-Induced DNA Damage and Microgravity in Human Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910507. [PMID: 34638848 PMCID: PMC8508777 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910507] [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: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The space environment consists of a complex mixture of different types of ionizing radiation and altered gravity that represents a threat to humans during space missions. In particular, individual radiation sensitivity is strictly related to the risk of space radiation carcinogenesis. Therefore, in view of future missions to the Moon and Mars, there is an urgent need to estimate as accurately as possible the individual risk from space exposure to improve the safety of space exploration. In this review, we survey the combined effects from the two main physical components of the space environment, ionizing radiation and microgravity, to alter the genetics and epigenetics of human cells, considering both real and simulated space conditions. Data collected from studies on human cells are discussed for their potential use to estimate individual radiation carcinogenesis risk from space exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Beheshti
- KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Space Biosciences Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: or (A.B.); (M.M.)
| | - J. Tyson McDonald
- Department of Radiation Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA;
| | - Megumi Hada
- Radiation Institute for Science & Engineering, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX 77446, USA;
| | - Akihisa Takahashi
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan;
| | - Christopher E. Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA;
- The World Quant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Maddalena Mognato
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence: or (A.B.); (M.M.)
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9
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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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10
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Furusawa Y, Yamamoto T, Hattori A, Suzuki N, Hirayama J, Sekiguchi T, Tabuchi Y. De novo transcriptome analysis and gene expression profiling of fish scales isolated from Carassius auratus during space flight: Impact of melatonin on gene expression in response to space radiation. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:2627-2636. [PMID: 32945420 PMCID: PMC7466330 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Astronauts are inevitably exposed to two major risks during space flight, microgravity and radiation. Exposure to microgravity has been discovered to lead to rapid and vigorous bone loss due to elevated osteoclastic activity. In addition, long-term exposure to low-dose-rate space radiation was identified to promote DNA damage accumulation that triggered chronic inflammation, resulting in an increased risk for bone marrow suppression and carcinogenesis. In our previous study, melatonin, a hormone known to regulate the sleep-wake cycle, upregulated calcitonin expression levels and downregulated receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand expression levels, leading to improved osteoclastic activity in a fish scale model. These results indicated that melatonin may represent a potential drug or lead compound for the prevention of bone loss under microgravity conditions. However, it is unclear whether melatonin affects the biological response induced by space radiation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin on the expression levels of genes responsive to space radiation. In the present study, to support the previous data regarding de novo transcriptome analysis of goldfish scales, a detailed and improved experimental method (e.g., PCR duplicate removal followed by de novo assembly, global normalization and calculation of statistical significance) was applied for the analysis. In addition, the transcriptome data were analyzed via global normalization, functional categorization and gene network construction to determine the impact of melatonin on gene expression levels in irradiated fish scales cultured in space. The results of the present study demonstrated that melatonin treatment counteracted microgravity- and radiation-induced alterations in the expression levels of genes associated with DNA replication, DNA repair, proliferation, cell death and survival. Thus, it was concluded that melatonin may promote cell survival and ensure normal cell proliferation in cells exposed to space radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Furusawa
- Department of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Toyama Prefectural University, Toyama 939‑0398, Japan
| | - Tatsuki Yamamoto
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 927‑0553, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Hattori
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Chiba 272‑0827, Japan
| | - Nobuo Suzuki
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 927‑0553, Japan
| | - Jun Hirayama
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, Komatsu University, Ishikawa 923‑0961, Japan
| | - Toshio Sekiguchi
- Noto Marine Laboratory, Division of Marine Environmental Studies, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 927‑0553, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Tabuchi
- Division of Molecular Genetics Research, Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama 930‑0194, Japan
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Lei X, Cao Y, Ma B, Zhang Y, Ning L, Qian J, Zhang L, Qu Y, Zhang T, Li D, Chen Q, Shi J, Zhang X, Ma C, Zhang Y, Duan E. Development of mouse preimplantation embryos in space. Natl Sci Rev 2020; 7:1437-1446. [PMID: 34691539 PMCID: PMC8288510 DOI: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of life beyond planet Earth is a long-standing quest of the human race, but whether normal mammalian embryonic development can occur in space is still unclear. Here, we show unequivocally that preimplantation mouse embryos can develop in space, but the rate of blastocyst formation and blastocyst quality are compromised. Additionally, the cells in the embryo contain severe DNA damage, while the genome of the blastocysts developed in space is globally hypomethylated with a unique set of differentially methylated regions. The developmental defects, DNA damage and epigenetic abnormalities can be largely mimicked by the treatment with ground-based low-dose radiation. However, the exposure to simulated microgravity alone does not cause major disruptions of embryonic development, indicating that radiation is the main cause for the developmental defects. This work advances the understanding of embryonic development in space and reveals long-term extreme low-dose radiation as a hazardous factor for mammalian reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yujing Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Baohua Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University/Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yunfang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Lina Ning
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Jingjing Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yongcun Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 100049, China
| | - Dehong Li
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Junchao Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xudong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Chiyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Enkui Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
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12
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Furukawa S, Nagamatsu A, Nenoi M, Fujimori A, Kakinuma S, Katsube T, Wang B, Tsuruoka C, Shirai T, Nakamura AJ, Sakaue-Sawano A, Miyawaki A, Harada H, Kobayashi M, Kobayashi J, Kunieda T, Funayama T, Suzuki M, Miyamoto T, Hidema J, Yoshida Y, Takahashi A. Space Radiation Biology for "Living in Space". BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:4703286. [PMID: 32337251 PMCID: PMC7168699 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4703286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Space travel has advanced significantly over the last six decades with astronauts spending up to 6 months at the International Space Station. Nonetheless, the living environment while in outer space is extremely challenging to astronauts. In particular, exposure to space radiation represents a serious potential long-term threat to the health of astronauts because the amount of radiation exposure accumulates during their time in space. Therefore, health risks associated with exposure to space radiation are an important topic in space travel, and characterizing space radiation in detail is essential for improving the safety of space missions. In the first part of this review, we provide an overview of the space radiation environment and briefly present current and future endeavors that monitor different space radiation environments. We then present research evaluating adverse biological effects caused by exposure to various space radiation environments and how these can be reduced. We especially consider the deleterious effects on cellular DNA and how cells activate DNA repair mechanisms. The latest technologies being developed, e.g., a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator, to measure real-time cell cycle progression and DNA damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation are presented. Progress in examining the combined effects of microgravity and radiation to animals and plants are summarized, and our current understanding of the relationship between psychological stress and radiation is presented. Finally, we provide details about protective agents and the study of organisms that are highly resistant to radiation and how their biological mechanisms may aid developing novel technologies that alleviate biological damage caused by radiation. Future research that furthers our understanding of the effects of space radiation on human health will facilitate risk-mitigating strategies to enable long-term space and planetary exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Furukawa
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Aiko Nagamatsu
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 2-1-1 Sengen, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8505, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Nenoi
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Akira Fujimori
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Shizuko Kakinuma
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Takanori Katsube
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Bing Wang
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Chizuru Tsuruoka
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shirai
- National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), 4-9-1 Anagawa, Inage-ku, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Asako J. Nakamura
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Ibaraki University, 2-1-1, Bunkyo, Mito, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
| | - Asako Sakaue-Sawano
- Lab for Cell Function and Dynamics, CBS, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Atsushi Miyawaki
- Lab for Cell Function and Dynamics, CBS, RIKEN, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Harada
- Radiation Biology Center, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Minoru Kobayashi
- Radiation Biology Center, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Junya Kobayashi
- Radiation Biology Center, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Takekazu Kunieda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tomoo Funayama
- Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, QST, 1233 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan
| | - Michiyo Suzuki
- Takasaki Advanced Radiation Research Institute, QST, 1233 Watanuki-machi, Takasaki, Gunma 370-1292, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Miyamoto
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Kasumi 1-2-3, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Jun Hidema
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- Division for the Establishment of Frontier Sciences of the Organization for Advanced Studies, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Yukari Yoshida
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Akihisa Takahashi
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, 3-39-22 Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
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13
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Expression Profile of Cell Cycle-Related Genes in Human Fibroblasts Exposed Simultaneously to Radiation and Simulated Microgravity. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194791. [PMID: 31561588 PMCID: PMC6801845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple unique environmental factors such as space radiation and microgravity (μG) pose a serious threat to human gene stability during space travel. Recently, we reported that simultaneous exposure of human fibroblasts to simulated μG and radiation results in more chromosomal aberrations than in cells exposed to radiation alone. However, the mechanisms behind this remain unknown. The purpose of this study was thus to obtain comprehensive data on gene expression using a three-dimensional clinostat synchronized to a carbon (C)-ion or X-ray irradiation system. Human fibroblasts (1BR-hTERT) were maintained under standing or rotating conditions for 3 or 24 h after synchronized C-ion or X-ray irradiation at 1 Gy as part of a total culture time of 2 days. Among 57,773 genes analyzed with RNA sequencing, we focused particularly on the expression of 82 cell cycle-related genes after exposure to the radiation and simulated μG. The expression of cell cycle-suppressing genes (ABL1 and CDKN1A) decreased and that of cell cycle-promoting genes (CCNB1, CCND1, KPNA2, MCM4, MKI67, and STMN1) increased after C-ion irradiation under μG. The cell may pass through the G1/S and G2 checkpoints with DNA damage due to the combined effects of C-ions and μG, suggesting that increased genomic instability might occur in space.
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14
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Yatagai F, Honma M, Dohmae N, Ishioka N. Biological effects of space environmental factors: A possible interaction between space radiation and microgravity. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2019; 20:113-123. [PMID: 30797428 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
In the mid-1980s, space experiments began to examine if microgravity could alter the biological effects of space radiation. In the late 1990s, repair of DNA strand breaks was reported to not be influenced by microgravity using the pre-irradiated cells, because the exposure doses of space radiation were few due to the short spaceflight. There were, however, conflicting reports depending on the biological endpoints used in various systems. While almost no attempts were made to assess the possibility that the microgravity effects could be altered by space radiation. This was probably due to the general understanding that microgravity plays a major role in space and works independently from space radiation. Recent ground-based simulation studies focusing on DNA oxidative damage and signal transduction suggested that combined effects of microgravity and space radiation might exist. These studies also implicated the importance of research focusing not only on chromosomal DNA but also on cytoplasm, especially mitochondria. Therefore, we propose a new model which accounts for the combined-effects through the window of cellular responses. In this model, the interactions between microgravity and space radiation might occur during the following cellular-responses; (A) damaging and signaling by ROS, (B) damage responses on DNA (repair, replication, transcription, etc.), and (C) expression of gene and protein (regulation by chromatin, epigenetic control, etc.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Yatagai
- Institute of Astronautical Research, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa 252-0022, Japan; Center for Sustainable Resource Science, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
| | - Masamitsu Honma
- Institute of Astronautical Research, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa 252-0022, Japan; Division of Genetics and Mutagenesis, National Institute of Health Sciences, 3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 210-9501, Japan
| | - Naoshi Dohmae
- Center for Sustainable Resource Science, The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Noriaki Ishioka
- Institute of Astronautical Research, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa 252-0022, Japan; Department of Space and Astronautical Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Kanagawa 252-0022, Japan
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15
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Obodovskiy I. Experiments on Bacteria, Plants, Fungi, Tissues, and Animal Cultures. RADIATION 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63979-0.00037-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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16
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Wakayama S, Kamada Y, Yamanaka K, Kohda T, Suzuki H, Shimazu T, Tada MN, Osada I, Nagamatsu A, Kamimura S, Nagatomo H, Mizutani E, Ishino F, Yano S, Wakayama T. Healthy offspring from freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa held on the International Space Station for 9 months. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:5988-5993. [PMID: 28533361 PMCID: PMC5468614 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1701425114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
If humans ever start to live permanently in space, assisted reproductive technology using preserved spermatozoa will be important for producing offspring; however, radiation on the International Space Station (ISS) is more than 100 times stronger than that on Earth, and irradiation causes DNA damage in cells and gametes. Here we examined the effect of space radiation on freeze-dried mouse spermatozoa held on the ISS for 9 mo at -95 °C, with launch and recovery at room temperature. DNA damage to the spermatozoa and male pronuclei was slightly increased, but the fertilization and birth rates were similar to those of controls. Next-generation sequencing showed only minor genomic differences between offspring derived from space-preserved spermatozoa and controls, and all offspring grew to adulthood and had normal fertility. Thus, we demonstrate that although space radiation can damage sperm DNA, it does not affect the production of viable offspring after at least 9 mo of storage on the ISS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan;
| | - Yuko Kamada
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Kaori Yamanaka
- Department of Experimental Oncology, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Hiromi Suzuki
- Department of Science and Applications, Japan Space Forum, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Toru Shimazu
- Department of Science and Applications, Japan Space Forum, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Motoki N Tada
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Ikuko Osada
- Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation, Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Aiko Nagamatsu
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kamimura
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Nagatomo
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
- Center of Community Promotion Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Eiji Mizutani
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Ishino
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Sachiko Yano
- Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Tsukuba 305-8505, Japan
| | - Teruhiko Wakayama
- Advanced Biotechnology Center, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan;
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi 400-8510, Japan
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17
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Ikeda H, Souda H, Puspitasari A, Held KD, Hidema J, Nikawa T, Yoshida Y, Kanai T, Takahashi A. Development and performance evaluation of a three-dimensional clinostat synchronized heavy-ion irradiation system. LIFE SCIENCES IN SPACE RESEARCH 2017; 12:51-60. [PMID: 28212708 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Outer space is an environment characterized by microgravity and space radiation, including high-energy charged particles. Astronauts are constantly exposed to both microgravity and radiation during long-term stays in space. However, many aspects of the biological effects of combined microgravity and space radiation remain unclear. We developed a new three-dimensional (3D) clinostat synchronized heavy-ion irradiation system for use in ground-based studies of the combined exposures. Our new system uses a particle accelerator and a respiratory gating system from heavy-ion radiotherapy to irradiate samples being rotated in the 3D clinostat with carbon-ion beams only when the samples are in the horizontal position. A Peltier module and special sample holder were loaded on a static stage (standing condition) and the 3D clinostat (rotation condition) to maintain a suitable temperature under atmospheric conditions. The performance of the new device was investigated with normal human fibroblasts 1BR-hTERT in a disposable closed cell culture chamber. Live imaging revealed that cellular adhesion and growth were almost the same for the standing control sample and rotation sample over 48h. Dose flatness and symmetry were judged according to the relative density of Gafchromic films along the X-axis and Y-axis of the positions of the irradiated sample to confirm irradiation accuracy. Doses calculated using the carbon-ion calibration curve were almost the same for standing and rotation conditions, with the difference being less than 5% at 1Gy carbon-ion irradiation. Our new device can accurately synchronize carbon-ion irradiation and simulated microgravity while maintaining the temperature under atmospheric conditions at ground level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Ikeda
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Hikaru Souda
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | | | - Kathryn D Held
- Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Jun Hidema
- Department of Environmental Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nikawa
- Department of Nutritional Physiology, Institute of Medical Nutrition, Tokushima University Graduate School, Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yukari Yoshida
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Tatsuaki Kanai
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan
| | - Akihisa Takahashi
- Gunma University Heavy Ion Medical Center, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
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18
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Ma L, Ma J, Xu K. Effect of spaceflight on the circadian rhythm, lifespan and gene expression of Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121600. [PMID: 25798821 PMCID: PMC4370389 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Space travelers are reported to experience circadian rhythm disruption during spaceflight. However, how the space environment affects circadian rhythm is yet to be determined. The major focus of this study was to investigate the effect of spaceflight on the Drosophila circadian clock at both the behavioral and molecular level. We used China's Shenzhou-9 spaceship to carry Drosophila. After 13 days of spaceflight, behavior tests showed that the flies maintained normal locomotor activity rhythm and sleep pattern. The expression level and rhythm of major clock genes were also unaffected. However, expression profiling showed differentially regulated output genes of the circadian clock system between space flown and control flies, suggesting that spaceflight affected the circadian output pathway. We also investigated other physiological effects of spaceflight such as lipid metabolism and lifespan, and searched genes significantly affected by spaceflight using microarray analysis. These results provide new information on the effects of spaceflight on circadian rhythm, lipid metabolism and lifespan. Furthermore, we showed that studying the effect of spaceflight on gene expression using samples collected at different Zeitgeber time could obtain different results, suggesting the importance of appropriate sampling procedures in studies on the effects of spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Ma
- Laboratory of Space Microbiology, Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Laboratory of Space Microbiology, Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Kanyan Xu
- Laboratory of Space Microbiology, Shenzhou Space Biotechnology Group, China Academy of Space Technology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Takahashi A, Suzuki H, Omori K, Seki M, Hashizume T, Shimazu T, Ishioka N, Ohnishi T. Expression of p53-regulated proteins in human cultured lymphoblastoid TSCE5 and WTK1 cell lines during spaceflight. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2012; 53:168-175. [PMID: 22374402 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.11140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the biological effects of space radiations, microgravity, and the interaction of them on the expression of p53-regulated proteins. Space experiments were performed with two human cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines: one line (TSCE5) bears a wild-type p53 gene status, and another line (WTK1) bears a mutated p53 gene status. Under 1 gravity or microgravity conditions, the cells were grown in the cell biology experimental facility (CBEF) of the International Space Station for 8 days without experiencing the stress during launching and landing because the cells were frozen during these periods. Ground control samples were simultaneously cultured for 8 days in the CBEF on the ground for 8 days. After spaceflight, protein expression was analyzed using a Panorama(TM) Ab MicroArray protein chips. It was found that p53-dependent up-regulated proteins in response to space radiations and space environment were MeCP2 (methyl CpG binding protein 2), and Notch1 (Notch homolog 1), respectively. On the other hand, p53-dependent down-regulated proteins were TGF-β, TWEAKR (tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis receptor), phosho-Pyk2 (Proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2), and 14-3-3θ/τ which were affected by microgravity, and DR4 (death receptor 4), PRMT1 (protein arginine methyltransferase 1) and ROCK-2 (Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2) in response to space radiations. ROCK-2 was also suppressed in response to the space environment. The data provides the p53-dependent regulated proteins by exposure to space radiations and/or microgravity during spaceflight. Our expression data revealed proteins that might help to advance the basic space radiation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Takahashi
- Advanced Scientific Research Leaders Development Unit, Gunma University, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan.
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20
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Yatagai F, Honma M, Takahashi A, Omori K, Suzuki H, Shimazu T, Seki M, Hashizume T, Ukai A, Sugasawa K, Abe T, Dohmae N, Enomoto S, Ohnishi T, Gordon A, Ishioka N. Frozen human cells can record radiation damage accumulated during space flight: mutation induction and radioadaptation. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2011; 50:125-134. [PMID: 21161544 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-010-0348-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/20/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
To estimate the space-radiation effects separately from other space-environmental effects such as microgravity, frozen human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells were sent to the "Kibo" module of the International Space Station (ISS), preserved under frozen condition during the mission and finally recovered to Earth (after a total of 134 days flight, 72 mSv). Biological assays were performed on the cells recovered to Earth. We observed a tendency of increase (2.3-fold) in thymidine kinase deficient (TK(-)) mutations over the ground control. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analysis on the mutants also demonstrated a tendency of increase in proportion of the large deletion (beyond the TK locus) events, 6/41 in the in-flight samples and 1/17 in the ground control. Furthermore, in-flight samples exhibited 48% of the ground-control level in TK(-) mutation frequency upon exposure to a subsequent 2 Gy dose of X-rays, suggesting a tendency of radioadaptation when compared with the ground-control samples. The tendency of radioadaptation was also supported by the post-flight assays on DNA double-strand break repair: a 1.8- and 1.7-fold higher efficiency of in-flight samples compared to ground control via non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination, respectively. These observations suggest that this system can be used as a biodosimeter, because DNA damage generated by space radiation is considered to be accumulated in the cells preserved frozen during the mission, Furthermore, this system is also suggested to be applicable for evaluating various cellular responses to low-dose space radiation, providing a better understanding of biological space-radiation effects as well as estimation of health influences of future space explores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumio Yatagai
- The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.
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Takahashi A, Suzuki H, Omori K, Seki M, Hashizume T, Shimazu T, Ishioka N, Ohnishi T. The expression of p53-regulated genes in human cultured lymphoblastoid TSCE5 and WTK1 cell lines during spaceflight. Int J Radiat Biol 2010; 86:669-81. [PMID: 20673130 DOI: 10.3109/09553001003789596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The space environment contains two major biologically significant influences; space radiations and microgravity. The 53 kDa tumour suppressor protein (p53) plays a role as a guardian of the genome through the activity of p53-centered signal transduction pathways. The aim of this study was to clarify the biological effects of space radiations, microgravity, and the space environment on the gene expression of p53-regulated genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Space experiments were performed with two human cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines; one line (TSCE5) bears a wild-type p53 gene status, and another line (WTK1) bears a mutated p53 gene status. Under one gravity or microgravity conditions, the cells were grown in the cell biology experimental facility (CBEF) of the International Space Station for 8 days without experiencing stress during launching and landing because the cells were frozen during these periods. Ground control samples also were cultured for 8 days in the CBEF on the ground during the spaceflight. Gene expression was analysed using an Agilent Technologies 44 k whole human genome microarray DNA chip. RESULTS p53-dependent up-regulated gene expression was observed for 111, 95, and 328 genes and p53-dependent down-regulated gene expression was found for 177, 16, and 282 genes after exposure to space radiations, to microgravity, and to both, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The data provide the p53-dependent regulated genes by exposure to radiations and/or microgravity during spaceflight. Our expression data revealed genes that might help to advance the basic space radiation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Takahashi
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
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Takahashi A, Nagamatsu A, Su X, Suzuki M, Tsuruoka C, Omori K, Suzuki H, Shimazu T, Seki M, Hashizume T, Iwasaki T, Ishioka N, Ohnishi T. The First Life Science Experiments in ISS: Reports of "Rad Gene"-Space Radiation Effects on Human Cultured Cells-. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.2187/bss.24.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ohnishi T, Takahashi A, Nagamatsu A, Omori K, Suzuki H, Shimazu T, Ishioka N. Detection of space radiation-induced double strand breaks as a track in cell nucleus. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 390:485-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.09.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Accepted: 09/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Kumari R, Singh KP, DuMond JW. Simulated microgravity decreases DNA repair capacity and induces DNA damage in human lymphocytes. J Cell Biochem 2009; 107:723-31. [DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Ohnishi T, Takahashi A, Suzuki H, Omori K, Shimazu T, Ishioka N. Expression of p53-Regulated Genes in Cultured Mammalian Cells After Exposure to A Space Environment. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.2187/bss.23.3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Manti L. Does reduced gravity alter cellular response to ionizing radiation? RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2006; 45:1-8. [PMID: 16523345 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-006-0037-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2005] [Accepted: 02/08/2006] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This review addresses the purported interplay between actual or simulated weightlessness and cellular response to ionizing radiation. Although weightlessness is known to alter several cellular functions and to affect signaling pathways implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and death, its influence on cellular radiosensitivity has so far proven elusive. Renewed controversy as to whether reduced gravity enhances long-term radiation risk is fueled by recently published data that claim either overall enhancement of genomic damage or no increase of radiation-induced clastogenicity by modeled microgravity in irradiated human cells. In elucidating this crucial aspect of space radiation protection, ground-based experiments, such as those based on rotating-wall bioreactors, will increasingly be used and represent a more reproducible alternative to in-flight experiments. These low-shear vessels also make three-dimensional cellular co-cultures possible and thus allow to study the gravisensitivity of radioresponse in a context that better mimics cell-to-cell communication and hence in vivo cellular behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Manti
- Radiation Biophysics Laboratory, Physics Department, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126 Naples, Italy.
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Ohnishi K, Ohnishi T. The Biological Effects of Space Radiation during Long Stays in Space. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 18:201-5. [PMID: 15858386 DOI: 10.2187/bss.18.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Many space experiments are scheduled for the International Space Station (ISS). Completion of the ISS will soon become a reality. Astronauts will be exposed to low-level background components from space radiation including heavy ions and other high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. For long-term stay in space, we have to protect human health from space radiation. At the same time, we should recognize the maximum permissible doses of space radiation. In recent years, physical monitoring of space radiation has detected about 1 mSv per day. This value is almost 150 times higher than that on the surface of the Earth. However, the direct effects of space radiation on human health are currently unknown. Therefore, it is important to measure biological dosimetry to calculate relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for human health during long-term flight. The RBE is possibly modified by microgravity. In order to understand the exact RBE and any interaction with microgravity, the ISS centrifugation system will be a critical tool, and it is hoped that this system will be in operation as soon as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Ohnishi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Nara, Japan
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29
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Ikenaga M, Hirayama J, Kato T, Kitao H, Han ZB, Ishizaki K, Nishizawa K, Suzuki F, Cannon TF, Fukui K, Shimazu T, Kamigaichi S, Ishioka N, Matsumiya H. Effect of space flight on the frequency of micronuclei and expression of stress-responsive proteins in cultured mammalian cells. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2002; 43 Suppl:S141-S147. [PMID: 12793748 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.43.s141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Results of past space experiments suggest that the biological effect of space radiation could be enhanced under microgravity in some cases, especially in insects. To examine if such a synergistic effect of radiation and microgravity also exists in human cells, frequencies of chromosome instability and cellular levels of several stress-responsive proteins were analyzed in cultured human and rodent cells after space flight. Human (MCF7 and AT2KY), mouse (m5S) and hamster (SHE) cell lines were loaded on the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95 mission) and grown during a 9-day mission. After landing, the micronuclei resulting from abnormal nuclear division and accumulation of stress-responsive proteins such as p53 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which are involved in radiation-induced signal transduction cascades, were analyzed. The frequencies of micronuclei in all the four mammalian cell strains tested were not significantly different between flight and ground control samples. Also, the cellular amounts of p53, p21 (WAF1/SDI1/CIP1) and activated (phosphorylated) forms of three distinct MAPKs in MCF7 and m5S cells of flight samples were similar to those of ground control samples. These results indicated that any effect of space radiation, microgravity, or combination of both were not detectable, at least under the present experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mituo Ikenaga
- Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University, Yoshida-konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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Ohnishi T, Takahashi A, Ohnishi K. Studies about space radiation promote new fields in radiation biology. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2002; 43 Suppl:S7-S12. [PMID: 12793723 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.43.s7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Astronauts are constantly exposed to space radiation of various types of energy with a low dose-rate during long-term stays in space. Therefore, it is important to determine correctly the biological effects of space radiation on human health. Studies about biological the effects at a low dose and a low dose-rate include various aspects of microbeams, bystander effects, radioadaptive responses and hormesis which are important fields in radiation biology. In addition, space radiations contain high linear energy transfer (LET) particles. In particular, neutrons may cause reverse effectiveness at a low dose-rate in comparison to ionizing radiation. We are also interested in p53-centered signal transduction pathways involved in the cell cycle, DNA repair and apoptosis induced by space radiations. We must also study whether the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of space radiation is affected by microgravity which is another typical component in space. To confirm this, we must prepare centrifuge systems in an International Space Station (ISS). In addition, we must prepare many types of equipment for space experiments in an ISS, because we cannot use conventional equipment from our laboratories. Furthermore, the research for space radiation might give us valuable information about the birth and evolution of life on the Earth. We can also realize the importance of preventing the ozone layer from depletion by the use of exposure equipment to sunlight in an ISS. For these reasons, we desire to educate space researchers of the next generation based on the consideration of the preservation of the Earth from research about space radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeo Ohnishi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan.
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Takahashi A, Ohnishi K, Yokota A, Kumagai T, Nakano T, Ohnishi T. Mutation frequency of plasmid DNA and Escherichia coli following long-term space flight on Mir. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2002; 43 Suppl:S137-S140. [PMID: 12793747 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.43.s137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
To elucidate the biological influence of space radiation, we studied the effects of long-term space flight on mutation of the bacterial ribosomal protein L gene (rpsL). We prepared dried samples of plasmid DNA and repair-deficient and wild type cells of Escherichia (E.) coli. After a 40-day space flight on board the Russian space station Mir, the mutation frequencies of the rpsL gene were estimated by transformation of E. coli and by assessment of conversion of rpsL wild type phenotype (SmS) to its mutant phenotype (SmR). The experimental findings indicate that mutation frequencies of space samples were not significantly different from those of ground control samples in plasmid DNA and both E. coli strains. It may suggest that space radiation did not influence mutation frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihisa Takahashi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8521, Japan
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Okaichi K, Usui A, Ohnishi T, Okumura Y. Hypergravity modifies the signal transduction of ionizing radiation through p53. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2002; 43 Suppl:S261-S264. [PMID: 12793770 DOI: 10.1269/jrr.43.s261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
To determine the possible effect of hypergravity to modify the signal transduction of ionizing radiation, we analyzed the accumulation of p53 and the expression of p53-dependent genes, Waf-1 and Bax, using the western blot analysis. Hypergravity (20 x g) induced the accumulation of p53 in the human glioblastoma cell line A172 after 3 h of incubation. Low-dose (0.5 Gy) irradiation to the cells accumulated p53 1.5 h after irradiation, and induced Waf-1 and Bax. Under the condition of hypergravity (20 x g), the peak of p53 accumulation was shifted from 1.5 h to 3 h after irradiation, and the inductions of Waf-1 and Bax were suppressed entirely. These results indicate that hypergravity modifies the signal transduction of ionizing radiation through p53 in the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumio Okaichi
- Department of Radiation Biophysics, Radiation Effect Research Unit, Atomic Bomb Disease Institute, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
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Takahashi A, Ohnishi K, Takahashi S, Masukawa M, Sekikawa K, Amano T, Nakano T, Nagaoka S, Ohnishi T. The effects of microgravity on induced mutation in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2001; 28:555-561. [PMID: 11799988 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(01)00391-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We examined whether microgravity influences the induced-mutation frequencies through in vivo experiments during space flight aboard the space shuttle Discovery (STS-91). We prepared dried samples of repair-deficient strains and parental strains of Escherichia (E.) coli and Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae given DNA damage treatment. After culture in space, we measured the induced-mutation frequencies and SOS-responses under microgravity. The experimental findings indicate that almost the same induced-mutation frequencies and SOS-responses of space samples were observed in both strains compared with the ground control samples. It is suggested that microgravity might not influence induced-mutation frequencies and SOS-responses at the stages of DNA replication and/or DNA repair. In addition, we developed a new experimental apparatus for space experiments to culture and freeze stocks of E. coli and S. cerevisiae cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Takahashi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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Takahashi A, Ohnishi K, Takahashi S, Masukawa M, Sekikawa K, Amano T, Nakano T, Nagaoka S, Ohnishi T. Differentiation of Dictyostelium discoideum vegetative cells into spores during Earth orbit in space. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2001; 28:549-553. [PMID: 11799987 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(01)00388-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We reported previously that emerged amoebae of Dictyostelium (D.) discoideum grew, aggregated and differentiated to fruiting bodies with normal morphology in space. Here, we investigated the effects of space radiation and/or microgravity on the number, viability, kinetics of germination, growth rate and mutation frequency of spores formed in space in a radiation-sensitive strain, gamma s13, and the parental strain, NC4. In gamma s13, there were hardly spores in the fruiting bodies formed in space. In NC4, we found a decrease in the number of spores, a delay in germination of the spores and delayed start of cell growth of the spores formed in space when compared to the ground control. However, the mutation frequency of the NC4 spores formed in space was similar to that of the ground control. We conclude that the depression of spore formation might be induced by microgravity and/or space radiation through the depression of some stage(s) of DNA repair during cell differentiation in the slime mold.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Takahashi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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35
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Ohnishi T, Takahashi A, Ohnishi K, Takahashi S, Masukawa M, Sekikawa K, Amano T, Nakano T, Nagaoka S. Alkylating agent (MNU)-induced mutation in space environment. ADVANCES IN SPACE RESEARCH : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH (COSPAR) 2001; 28:563-568. [PMID: 11799989 DOI: 10.1016/s0273-1177(01)00392-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, some contradictory data about the effects of microgravity on radiation-induced biological responses in space experiments have been reported. We prepared a damaged template DNA produced with an alkylating agent (N-methyl-N-nitroso urea; MNU) to measure incorrect base-incorporation during DNA replication in microgravity. We examined whether mutation frequency is affected by microgravity during DNA replication for a DNA template damaged by an alkylating agent. Using an in vitro enzymatic reaction system, DNA synthesis by Taq polymerase or polymerase III was done during a US space shuttle mission (Discovery, STS-91). After the flight, DNA replication and mutation frequencies were measured. We found that there was almost no effect of microgravity on DNA replication and mutation frequency. It is suggested that microgravity might not affect at the stage of substrate incorporation in induced-mutation frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ohnishi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan.
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36
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Fukuda T, Fukuda K, Takahashi A, Ohnishi T, Nakano T, Sato M, Gunge N. Analysis of deletion mutations of the rpsL gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae detected after long-term flight on the Russian space station Mir. Mutat Res 2000; 470:125-32. [PMID: 11027966 DOI: 10.1016/s1383-5742(00)00054-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae on board the Russian space station Mir, we studied the effects of long-term space flight on mutation of the bacterial ribosomal protein L gene (rpsL) cloned in a yeast-Escherichia coli shuttle vector. The mutation frequencies of the cloned rpsL gene on the Mir and the ground (control) yeast samples were estimated by transformation of E. coli with the plasmid DNAs recovered from yeast and by assessment of the conversion of the rpsL wild-type phenotype (Sm(S)) to its mutant phenotype (Sm(R)). After a 40-day space flight, some part of space samples gave mutation frequencies two to three times higher than those of the ground samples. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed no apparent difference in point mutation rates between the space and the ground mutant samples. However, the greater part of the Mir mutant samples were found to have a total or large deletion in the rpsL sequence, suggesting that space radiation containing high-linear energy transfer (LET) might have caused deletion-type mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Fukuda
- Kumamoto Institute of Technology, Ikeda 4-22-1, 860-0082, Kumamoto, Japan
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Yokota H, Sun HB, Malacinski GM. Future opportunities for life science programs in space. KOREAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2000; 4:239-43. [PMID: 12760375 DOI: 10.1080/12265071.2000.9647550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Most space-related life science programs are expensive and time-consuming, requiring international cooperation and resources with trans-disciplinary expertise. A comprehensive future program in "life sciences in space" needs, therefore, well-defined research goals and strategies as well as a sound ground-based program. The first half of this review will describe four key aspects such as the environment in space, previous accomplishments in space (primarily focusing on amphibian embryogenesis), available resources, and recent advances in bioinformatics and biotechnology, whose clear understanding is imperative for defining future directions. The second half of this review will focus on a broad range of interdisciplinary research opportunities currently supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), National Institute of Health (NIH), and National Science Foundation (NSF). By listing numerous research topics such as alterations in a diffusion-limited metabolic process, bone loss and skeletal muscle weakness of astronauts, behavioral and cognitive ability in space, life in extreme environment, etc., we will attempt to suggest future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Yokota
- Biomedical Engineering Program, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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Ohnishi T, Takahashi A, Ohnishi K, Matsumoto H. DNA damage formation and p53 accumulation in mammalian cells exposed to the space environment. UCHU SEIBUTSU KAGAKU 1999; 13:82-7. [PMID: 11542495 DOI: 10.2187/bss.13.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
To determine the effects of the space environment on gene instability from the point of view of human health for long-term stays in space, we have studied the formation of DNA strand breaks and the induction of gene expression in mammalian cells. We previously measured DNA damage in human cultured cells and the accumulation of a tumor suppressor gene product, p53, in muscle and skin of rats after space flight, and the relative importance of microgravity and space radiation in causing these effects remains to be clarified. Our results suggest that the p53 pathway may play a role in safeguarding genomic stability against the stressful space environment. We review here the present knowledge on cellular stress signaling and present our space experimental data. The importance of the stress response to the space environment is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ohnishi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, Japan.
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Han ZB, Ishizaki K, Nishizawa K, Kato T, Todo T, Ikenaga M. A genetic effect of altered gravity: mutations induced by simulated hypogravity and hypergravity in microsatellite sequences of human tumor cells. Mutat Res 1999; 426:1-10. [PMID: 10320745 DOI: 10.1016/s0027-5107(99)00074-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
To determine the possible genetic effects of gravity alterations, we analyzed mutation induction in microsatellite sequences of human tumor cells treated with simulated hypogravity provided by a clinostat or hypergravity by a centrifuge. Microsatellite mutations were detected as changes in the size of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified allelic markers. The frequencies of mutant clones in cultures treated with simulated hypogravity for 24 or 48 h were almost the same as those of controls, but after 72 h of treatment, the mutant frequencies had increased significantly in all three microsatellite loci examined. Significantly higher mutant frequencies were similarly detected in cultures treated for 72 h with a hypergravity condition as low as 18xg, but not detected in 24 or 48 h treated cultures. These findings clearly show that gravity alterations that last for 3 days can induce microsatellite mutations in human cells. A genetic effect of gravity change, therefore, is established for the first time. Moreover, high frequencies of microsatellite mutations were induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) which activates protein kinase C-mediated signal transduction pathways and causes genetic instability. These findings suggest that gravity change induces microsatellite mutations by modulating the pattern of gene expression involved in signal transduction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z B Han
- Radiation Biology Center, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
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Ohnishi T, Nagaoka S. [Emphasis of biological research for space radiation]. UCHU SEIBUTSU KAGAKU 1998; 12:5-13. [PMID: 11541824 DOI: 10.2187/bss.12.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The paper summarized issues, current status and the recent topics in biological research of space radiation. Researches to estimate a risk associated with space radiation exposure during a long-term manned space flight, such as in the International Space Station, is emphasized because of the large uncertainty of biological effects and a complexity of the radiation environment in space. The Issues addressed are; 1) biological effects and end points in low dose radiation, 2) biological effects under low dose rate and long-term radiation exposure, 3) modification of biological responses to radiation under space environments, 4) various aspects of biological end points vs. cellular and molecular mechanisms, 5) estimation of human risk associated with radiation exposure in space flight, 6) regulations for radiation exposure limits for space workers. The paper also summarized and introduced recent progress in space related radiation researches with various biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ohnishi
- Department of Biology, Nara Medical University, Japan.
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