Why is it in the news?

• A team of researchers has identified the genetic mechanisms that enable a newly discovered species of tardigrades, Hypsibius henanensis, to withstand high levels of radiation.
• This species, which contains thousands of genes, shows increased activity when exposed to radiation, helping to protect its DNA from damage and repair breaks.

More about the news

• The study, titled “Multi-omics landscape and molecular basis of radiation tolerance in a tardigrade,” was published in Science and involved scientists from various institutions in China.
• The findings may have practical applications in protecting astronauts from radiation during space missions, cleaning up nuclear pollution, and improving cancer treatment.
• Further, this discovery could enhance the stress tolerance of human cells, benefiting patients undergoing radiation therapy.
• The study began six years ago when the team discovered the new tardigrade species while analyzing moss samples collected from Funiu Mountain in China’s Henan province. They named it Hypsibius henanensis and started investigating its characteristics.
• Tardigrades, often referred to as water bears or moss piglets, have intrigued scientists due to their ability to survive extreme conditions.
• The research team sequenced the genome of this new species, revealing a total of 14,701 genes, with 30% unique to tardigrades. They then exposed Hypsibius henanensis to gamma ray radiation doses well beyond human survivability.
• The researchers identified 2,801 genes in Hypsibius henanensis that are involved in DNA repair. They highlighted three key factors contributing to the species’ survival in the face of radiation.

1) The first factor is its capability to rapidly repair double-strand breaks in DNA using a protein called TRID1.

2) The second factor involves a gene activated during radiation exposure, leading to the production of two proteins that are crucial for mitochondrial synthesis and appear to assist in DNA repair in tardigrades.

3) The third factor is the ability of Hypsibius henanensis to produce various antioxidant pigments known as betalains, which help neutralize harmful reactive chemicals generated by radiation within cells.

• Importantly, the researchers tested one of the tardigrade’s betalains on human cells and observed a significant improvement in their survival rate after radiation exposure.