Deinococcus radiodurans: what belongs to the survival kit?

Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol. 2008 May-Jun;43(3):221-38. doi: 10.1080/10409230802122274.

Abstract

Deinococcus radiodurans, one of the most radioresistant organisms known to date, is able to repair efficiently hundreds of DNA double- and single-strand breaks as well as other types of DNA damages promoted by ionizing or ultraviolet radiation. We review recent discoveries concerning several aspects of radioresistance and survival under high genotoxic stress. We discuss different hypotheses and possibilities that have been suggested to contribute to radioresistance and propose that D. radiodurans combines a variety of physiological tools that are tightly coordinated. A complex network of regulatory proteins may be discovered in the near future that might allow further understanding of radioresistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • DNA Repair / radiation effects
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • DNA, Bacterial / radiation effects
  • Deinococcus / cytology*
  • Deinococcus / genetics
  • Deinococcus / metabolism
  • Deinococcus / radiation effects*
  • Desiccation
  • Genome, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genome, Bacterial / radiation effects
  • Microbial Viability / radiation effects

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial