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A bacterial expression cloning screen reveals single-stranded DNA-binding proteins as potent desicco-protectants.
Jonathan D Hibshman1, Courtney M Clark-Hachtel1, Kerry S Bloom2
1Biology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
Cell Reports
|November 12, 2024
Summary
Tardigrade mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (mtSSBs) protect bacteria from drying out. These DNA-binding proteins are potent desicco-protectants, enhancing cellular survival during dehydration.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Extremophile Research
Background:
- Desiccation (drying out) is a major cause of cell death.
- While some protein protectants are known, many remain undiscovered.
- Mechanisms of cellular protection during dehydration are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discover novel protein protectants against desiccation.
- To investigate the role of specific proteins in enhancing desiccation tolerance.
- To elucidate the mechanisms underlying protection from drying.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an expression-cloning approach to identify protective proteins.
- Expressed tardigrade cDNA libraries in E. coli bacteria.
- Subjected engineered bacteria to desiccation and sequenced survivors to identify enriched genes.
Main Results:
- Mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (mtSSBs) from tardigrades were significantly enriched in surviving bacteria.
- Tardigrade mtSSBs strongly enhanced bacterial desiccation survival, comparable to known protectants.
- The DNA-binding activity of mtSSBs was essential for their protective function.
Conclusions:
- Identified single-stranded DNA-binding proteins, particularly mtSSBs, as potent desicco-protectants.
- Demonstrated that mtSSBs protect cells by binding to DNA.
- Highlighted the potential of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins for improving desiccation tolerance in various organisms.
