Effects of Microgravity, Hypergravity, and Ionizing Radiation on the Enzymatic Activity of Proteinase K.

ABSTRACT: Space conditions offer new insights into fundamental biological and molecular mechanisms. The study aimed to evaluate the enzymatic activity of proteinase K (PK) under extreme conditions relevant to space environments: simulated microgravity, hypergravity, and gamma radiation. PK activity was tested using azocasein (AZO) as a chromogenic substrate, with enzymatic reactions monitored spectrophotometrically at 450 nm. A rotating wall vessel (RWV) simulated microgravity, centrifugation at 1000× g (3303 rpm) generated hypergravity, and gamma radiation exposure used cesium-137 as the ionizing source. PK activity showed no remarkable changes under microgravity after 16 or 48 h; however, higher absorbance values after 96 h indicated enhanced AZO proteolysis compared to 1 g (Earth gravity)

SUBMITTER: Rybacki B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12843933 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature