Comparative transcriptomics reveal a novel tardigrade-specific DNA-binding protein induced in response to ionizing radiation.

ABSTRACT: Tardigrades are microscopic animals renowned for their ability to withstand extreme conditions, including high doses of ionizing radiation (IR). To better understand their radio-resistance, we first characterized induction and repair of DNA double- and single-strand breaks after exposure to IR in the model species Hypsibius exemplaris. Importantly, we found that the rate of single-strand breaks induced was roughly equivalent to that in human cells, suggesting that DNA repair plays a predominant role in tardigrades' radio-resistance. To identify novel tardigrade-specific genes involved, we next conducted a comparative transcriptomics analysis across three different species. In all three species, many DNA repair genes were among the most strongly overexpressed genes alongside a novel

SUBMITTER: Anoud M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11233135 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature