Study on the novel radioprotection mechanisms in radiotolerant tardigrades

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H02951
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Risk sciences of radiation and chemicals
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Kunieda Takekazu 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 准教授 (10463879)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 放射線 / クマムシ / DNA / 活性酸素種

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Dsup is the protein unique to radiotolerant tardigrades which suppress DNA damage and increase radiotolerance in human cultured cells. This study indicates that Dsup has an ability to protect DNA from reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thus the radioprotective ability of Dsup is suggested to be due to suppression of indirect effects of radiation. In vitro study clearly demonstrated that Dsup’s radioprotective ability does not depend on the facilitation of DNA repair. The binding mode of Dsup to DNA molecule and the action of Dsup on reconstructed nucleosomes are well consistent with the DNA protection activity of Dsup. The study revealed novel DNA protection mechanism which may support high radiotolerance in tardigrades.

Free Research Field

極限生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は地球上の動物の中でも抜きん出て放射線耐性の高いクマムシについて、その独自の放射線耐性タンパク質Dsupの性状・機能を解析することで、これまで知られていなかった新たなDNA保護機構/放射線耐性機構を明らかにしたもので、放射線による生物影響の低減技術の開発につながることが期待される。