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Published Online: 8 June 2012

Transcriptomic Responses of Germinating Bacillus subtilis Spores Exposed to 1.5 Years of Space and Simulated Martian Conditions on the EXPOSE-E Experiment PROTECT

Publication: Astrobiology
Volume 12, Issue Number 5

Abstract

Because of their ubiquity and resistance to spacecraft decontamination, bacterial spores are considered likely potential forward contaminants on robotic missions to Mars. Thus, it is important to understand their global responses to long-term exposure to space or martian environments. As part of the PROTECT experiment, spores of B. subtilis 168 were exposed to real space conditions and to simulated martian conditions for 559 days in low-Earth orbit mounted on the EXPOSE-E exposure platform outside the European Columbus module on the International Space Station. Upon return, spores were germinated, total RNA extracted, fluorescently labeled, and used to probe a custom Bacillus subtilis microarray to identify genes preferentially activated or repressed relative to ground control spores. Increased transcript levels were detected for a number of stress-related regulons responding to DNA damage (SOS response, SPβ prophage induction), protein damage (CtsR/Clp system), oxidative stress (PerR regulon), and cell envelope stress (SigV regulon). Spores exposed to space demonstrated a much broader and more severe stress response than spores exposed to simulated martian conditions. The results are discussed in the context of planetary protection for a hypothetical journey of potential forward contaminant spores from Earth to Mars and their subsequent residence on Mars. Key Words: Bacillus—Mars—Planetary protection—Spaceflight—Spores. Astrobiology 12, 469–486.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA, analysis of variance; COSPAR, the Committee on Space Research; ds, double strand; ECF, extracytoplasmic function; ISS, International Space Station; LB, Luria-Bertani; ORF, open reading frame; PBS, phosphate-buffered saline; SASP, small, acid-soluble spore protein; UF-ICBR, University of Florida Interdisciplinary Center for Biotechnology Research.

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cover image Astrobiology
Astrobiology
Volume 12Issue Number 5May 2012
Pages: 469 - 486
PubMed: 22680693

History

Published online: 8 June 2012
Published in print: May 2012
Accepted: 14 April 2012
Received: 10 October 2011

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Wayne L. Nicholson
Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Space Life Sciences Laboratory, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA.
Ralf Moeller, the PROTECT Team
Gerda Horneck
Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Cologne, Germany.

Notes

Address correspondence to:Wayne L. NicholsonUniversity of FloridaDepartment of Microbiology and Cell ScienceSpace Life Sciences LaboratoryBldg. M6-1025, Room 201-BKennedy Space Center, FL 32899USAE-mail: [email protected]

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No competing financial interests exist.

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