Deinococcus radiodurans: What Belongs to the Survival Kit?

Authors: Blasius, Melanie¹; Hubscher, Ulrich¹; Sommer, Suzanne²

Source: Critical Reviews in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Volume 43, Number 3, May 2008 , pp. 221-238(18)

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Abstract:

Deinococcus radiodurans, one of the most radioresistant organisms known to date, is able to repair efficiently hundreds of DNA double- and single-strand breaks as well as other types of DNA damages promoted by ionizing or ultraviolet radiation. We review recent discoveries concerning several aspects of radioresistance and survival under high genotoxic stress. We discuss different hypotheses and possibilities that have been suggested to contribute to radioresistance and propose that D. radiodurans combines a variety of physiological tools that are tightly coordinated. A complex network of regulatory proteins may be discovered in the near future that might allow further understanding of radioresistance.

Keywords: Deinococcus radiodurans; radiation resistance; DNA repair; desiccation; oxidative stress

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10409230802122274

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Veterinary Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Zurich-Irchel, Zurich, Switzerland 2: Univ Paris-Sud, Institut de Genetique et Microbiologie, Orsay, France

Publication date: 2008-05-01

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