A groundbreaking discovery by researchers at Northwestern University has revealed the secret behind a radiation-resistant bacterium’s incredible ability to withstand high doses of radiation. The key lies in a synthetic designer antioxidant called MDP, which combines manganese with phosphate and a small peptide to form an ultra-powerful protector from radiation damage.
Deinococcus radiodurans, one of the most radiation-resistant organisms known, was first discovered in 1956 in experiments aimed at sterilizing canned food using high doses of gamma radiation. A new study by Professor Brian Hoffman and his team found that a synthetic designer antioxidant inspired by this bacterium’s resilience can provide unparalleled protection against radiation.
The researchers characterized MDP, which consists of manganese ions, phosphate, and a small peptide, forming a ternary complex that is significantly more effective than manganese combined with either component alone. This discovery could lead to the development of new antioxidants tailored specifically for human needs.
Potential applications of MDP include protecting astronauts from intense cosmic radiation during deep-space missions, preparing for radiation emergencies, and producing radiation-inactivated vaccines. If there are any microorganisms on Mars that have survived galactic cosmic radiation, this discovery might hold clues about their resilience.
The study’s findings suggest that a designer decapeptide called DP1 can be combined with phosphate and manganese to form MDP, which successfully protects cells and proteins against radiation damage. According to Professor Michael Daly, “This new understanding of MDP could lead to the development of even more potent manganese-based antioxidants for applications in healthcare, industry, defense, and space exploration.”
Source: https://www.sci.news/biology/deinococcus-radiodurans-13511.html