A team of scientists has discovered a unique antioxidant complex formed by manganese and specific metabolites in Deinococcus radiodurans, a bacterium capable of surviving radiation levels thousands of times higher than what would kill a human. The finding could lead to the development of new technologies to protect astronauts from intense cosmic radiation during deep-space missions and prepare for radiation emergencies.
Researchers at Northwestern University and the Uniformed Services University (USU) characterized a synthetic designer antioxidant called MDP, which is inspired by Deinococcus radiodurans’ resilience. The discovery reveals that manganese ions, phosphate, and a small peptide form a ternary complex that provides superior protection from radiation damage than individual components alone.
According to Northwestern’s Brian Hoffman, the ternary complex of Mn2+, synthetic decapeptide DP1, and orthophosphate is the key to understanding why this combination is such a powerful radioprotectant. The study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences could lead to new synthetic antioxidants tailored for human needs.
The breakthrough builds on previous research that found Deinococcus radiodurans can survive doses 28,000 times greater than what would kill a human. The team’s efforts have provided insights into the microbe’s radiation resistance and its unique properties, including the ability to form a powerful antioxidant complex. This discovery has significant implications for space exploration, medical treatments, and defense applications.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/meet-conan-the-bacterium-the-microbe-that-laughs-in-the-face-of-deadly-radiation