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Exploring the Effects of Spaceflight on Mouse Physiology using the Open Access NASA GeneLab Platform
11:08

Exploring the Effects of Spaceflight on Mouse Physiology using the Open Access NASA GeneLab Platform

Published on: January 13, 2019

Modulation of Pleurodeles waltl DNA polymerase mu expression by extreme conditions encountered during spaceflight

Véronique Schenten1, Nathan Guéguinou, Sarah Baatout

  • 1Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, EA7300, Lorraine University, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France.

Plos One
|August 13, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Spaceflight decreases DNA polymerase mu (Polμ) transcription in newt embryos, primarily due to radiation. However, Polμ protein levels remained stable, indicating resilience to space radiation effects.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Space Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • DNA polymerase mu (Polμ) plays a crucial role in DNA repair and immune gene diversification.
  • Previous research indicated spaceflight impacts immunoglobulin gene expression and somatic hypermutation.
  • The effect of spaceflight on Polμ expression remained unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of spaceflight conditions on Polμ expression in the Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl).
  • To characterize Polμ expression during early development and in adult tissues.
  • To determine the influence of space radiation and circadian rhythm disruption on Polμ.

Main Methods:

  • Characterization of Polμ in Pleurodeles waltl.
  • Exposure of newt embryos to spaceflight conditions on the International Space Station.
  • Analysis of Polμ mRNA and protein levels, including assessment of protein oxidation.

Main Results:

  • Robust Polμ mRNA expression observed during early ontogenesis and in the testis, suggesting a role in genomic stability.
  • Polμ transcripts in P. waltl are significantly more abundant than in humans and mice.
  • Spaceflight for 10 days led to decreased Polμ transcription, primarily attributed to radiation.
  • Space radiation, with or without circadian rhythm perturbation, did not alter Polμ protein levels or induce oxidation.

Conclusions:

  • Polμ is vital for genomic stability during early development and in reproductive tissues.
  • Amphibian Polμ exhibits higher transcript abundance, potentially explaining G-C base preference in somatic hypermutation.
  • While Polμ transcription is sensitive to space radiation, its protein levels and integrity show resilience during short-term space missions.

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