Manganese Key To Radiation-Proofing Of Organisms

Exploring methods to protect living organisms from chronic or acute doses of radiation, military researchers say they have uncovered how an unusual bacterium manages to deal with radiation exposure that would kill any other living creature.

Describing their work in PLoS Biology, the researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) say their discovery could lead to new avenues of exploration for radioprotection in diverse settings.

In the past, efforts to protect against ionizing radiation have focused on DNA damage and repair, but the bacterium in question – Deinococcus radiodurans – has nothing obviously unusual in its DNA repair components and employs quite a different method, relying instead on protein oxidation.

Investigating the mechanism behind this, USU’s Michael J. Daly found that resistant bacterial cells had significantly different metal concentrations, pointing to high levels of manganese and low iron levels as possible influences on cellular recovery following irradiation. Daly’s team showed that the most resistant bacterial species contained approximately 300 times more manganese and three times less iron than the most sensitive species.

In the new study, which examined the consequences of this disparity, the researchers demonstrated that high cytosolic manganese and low iron concentrations enable resistance by protecting proteins, but not DNA, from ionizing radiation-induced oxidative damage.

The findings point to new avenues of exploration for protection from radiation, which could eventually influence how individuals are treated for exposure to chronic or acute doses of radiation. In the civilian sector, this may mean better outcomes from radiation therapy and new ways to contain toxic runoff from radioactive Cold War waste sites.

Related articles:
Exotic Underground Bacteria Thrive On Radiation Rather Than Sunlight
Radiation Resistant Organism Reveals Its Secrets
The Race To Understand Skin Cancer

Source: Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine

, ,

Comments are closed.

US Civil Defense Radiation Detection Kit picture

US Civil Defense Radiation Detection Kit

$52.00



Radiation Area caution warning metal tin sign Tin Plaque art prints picture

Radiation Area caution warning metal tin sign Tin Plaque art prints

$18.89



Authentic Vintage Cardboard CAUTION RADIATION AREA Sign Poster picture

Authentic Vintage Cardboard CAUTION RADIATION AREA Sign Poster

$7.43



1954 Radiation Hazard No Smoking Caution Radioactive Sign Vntg Original Sticker picture

1954 Radiation Hazard No Smoking Caution Radioactive Sign Vntg Original Sticker

$34.95



Vintage 10”x14” Radiation Radioactive Materials Porcelain Rustic Plant Sign picture

Vintage 10”x14” Radiation Radioactive Materials Porcelain Rustic Plant Sign

$49.00



Victoreen CDV-777-1 Radiation Detection Kit CDV-700 6a CDV-715 1A CDV-7580 5b #3 picture

Victoreen CDV-777-1 Radiation Detection Kit CDV-700 6a CDV-715 1A CDV-7580 5b #3

$125.00



Vintage Soviet Poster Chernobyl Radiation Dosimetr ORIGINAL Stalker Nuclear USSR picture

Vintage Soviet Poster Chernobyl Radiation Dosimetr ORIGINAL Stalker Nuclear USSR

$24.21



Vintage Atomic Radiation Aged Whiskey Bourbon Label Fridge Magnet 2.5 x 3.5

Vintage Atomic Radiation Aged Whiskey Bourbon Label Fridge Magnet 2.5 x 3.5"

$6.80



NUCLEAR RADIATION SYMBOL EMBROIDERED PATCH YELLOW LOGO w/ VELCRO® Brand Fastener picture

NUCLEAR RADIATION SYMBOL EMBROIDERED PATCH YELLOW LOGO w/ VELCRO® Brand Fastener

$4.99



Radiation ruler RL for assessing situation during ground explosions 1973 USSR picture

Radiation ruler RL for assessing situation during ground explosions 1973 USSR

$75.00



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes