Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Measuring DNA Damage and Repair in Mouse Splenocytes After Chronic In Vivo Exposure to Very Low Doses of Beta- and Gamma-Radiation
Published on: July 3, 2015
Physiological responses of the hyperthermophilic archaeon "Pyrococcus abyssi" to DNA damage caused by ionizing
Edmond Jolivet1, Fujihiko Matsunaga, Yoshizumi Ishino
1Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, Université de Bretagne occidentale, CNRS UMR 6539, Technopôle Brest-Iroise, 29 280 Plouzané, France. jolivet@univ-brest.fr
Abstract:
The mechanisms by which hyperthermophilic Archaea, such as "Pyrococcus abyssi" and Pyrococcus furiosus, survive high doses of ionizing gamma irradiation are not thoroughly elucidated. Following gamma-ray irradiation at 2,500 Gy, the restoration of "P. abyssi" chromosomes took place within chromosome fragmentation. DNA synthesis in irradiated "P. abyssi" cells during the DNA repair phase was inhibited in comparison to nonirradiated control cultures, suggesting that DNA damage causes a replication block in this organism. We also found evidence for transient export of damaged DNA out of irradiated "P. abyssi" cells prior to a restart of chromosomal DNA synthesis. Our cell fractionation assays further suggest that "P. abyssi" contains a highly efficient DNA repair system which is continuously ready to repair the DNA damage caused by high temperature and/or ionizing radiation.
Related Concept Videos
Diversity of Archaea IV
Diversity of Archaea III
Diversity of Archaea I
Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
Other Stress Responses in Bacteria
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...

