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Title

A new perspective on radiation resistance based on Deinococcus radiodurans.

Authors

Daly, Michael J.

Abstract

In classical models of radiation toxicity, DNA is the molecule that is most affected by ionizing radiation (IR). However, recent data show that the amount of protein damage caused during irradiation of bacteria is better related to survival than to DNA damage. In this Opinion article, a new model is presented in which proteins are the most important target in the hierarchy of macromolecules affected by IR. A first line of defence against IR in extremely radiation-resistant bacteria might be the accumulation of manganese complexes, which can prevent the production of iron-dependent reactive oxygen species. This would allow an irradiated cell to protect sufficient enzymatic activity needed to repair DNA and survive.

Subjects

DEINOCOCCUS radiodurans; IONIZING radiation; PROTEIN analysis; MACROMOLECULES; DNA damage; MANGANESE; DNA repair

Publication

Nature Reviews Microbiology, 2009, Vol 7, Issue 3, p237

ISSN

1740-1526

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1038/nrmicro2073

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