A bacterial expression cloning screen reveals single-stranded DNA-binding proteins as potent desicco-protectants.

ABSTRACT: Desiccation kills most cells. Some proteins have been identified to help certain cells survive desiccation, but many protein protectants are likely to be unknown. Moreover, the mechanisms ensuring protection of key cellular components are incompletely understood. We devised an expression-cloning approach to discover further protectants. We expressed cDNA libraries from two species of tardigrades in E. coli, and we subjected the bacteria to desiccation to select for survivors. Sequencing the populations of surviving bacteria revealed enrichment of mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (mtSSBs) from both tardigrade species. Expression of mtSSBs in bacteria improved desiccation survival as strongly as the best tardigrade protectants known to date. We found that DNA-binding activi

SUBMITTER: Hibshman JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11654893 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature