Abstract
This study identifies genes that determine survival during a space flight, using the model eukaryotic organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Select strains of a haploid yeast deletion series grew during storage in distilled water in space, but not in ground based static or clinorotation controls. The survival advantages in space in distilled water include a 133-fold advantage for the deletion of PEX19, a chaperone and import receptor for newly- synthesized class I peroxisomal membrane proteins, to 77-40 fold for deletion strains lacking elements of aerobic respiration, isocitrate metabolism, and mitochondrial electron transport. Following automated addition of rich growth media, the space flight was associated with a marked survival advantage of strains with deletions in catalytically active genes including hydrolases, oxidoreductases and transferases. When compared to static controls, space flight was associated with a marked survival disadvantage of deletion strains lacking transporter, antioxidant and catalytic activity. This study identifies yeast deletion strains with a survival advantage during storage in distilled water and space flight, and amplifies our understanding of the genes critical for survival in space.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 460-471 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Acta Astronautica |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 4-7 SPEC. ISS. |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2007 |
Keywords
- Deletion series
- Space flight
- Suspension culture
- Yeast
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aerospace Engineering