Researchers have discovered that tardigrades have a remarkable ability to repair DNA damaged by gamma radiation or X-rays. Molecular biologist Dr. De Cian and his team exposed the tardigrades to gamma rays, which are hundreds of times stronger than radiation that would kill a human. Despite the intense radiation, the tardigrades survived and carried on as if nothing had happened. This ability to resist radiation has long been known, but the secret of their resistance has only recently been discovered.
Studies published in eLife and Current Biology have revealed that tardigrades are masters of molecular repair, rapidly reassembling broken DNA. Scientists have been fascinated by tardigrades’ ability to withstand extreme conditions for centuries. From drying out completely and regenerating after rehydration to enduring deep freezing and even traveling into space, these microscopic creatures have intrigued researchers.
Further research has shown that some tardigrades can withstand doses of radiation up to 1,400 times higher than those required to kill humans. Radiation damages DNA by breaking DNA strands and causing molecular changes that can attack DNA. However, tardigrades have mechanisms to prevent or repair this damage. The discovery of a protein called Dsup, which protects tardigrade genes from high-energy rays, has shed light on how they survive in such extreme conditions.
Studies conducted on tardigrades collected from various locations have found that gamma rays can destroy tardigrade DNA without killing them. In addition, the researchers found that tardigrades produce unique proteins after being exposed to radiation, some of which can help repair damaged DNA. These findings have the potential to not only reveal more secrets about tardigrades, but also lead to new strategies for treating DNA damage-related diseases.
Understanding proteins such as TRD1, which can help cells withstand DNA damage, could have implications for cancer treatment, as DNA damage plays a significant role in the development of many types of cancer. By unraveling the mysteries of tardigrade superpowers, scientists hope to gain insights that could benefit medical research and improve human health.
