Abstract
In classical models of radiation toxicity, DNA is the molecule that is most affected by ionizing radiation (IR). However, recent data show that the amount of protein damage caused during irradiation of bacteria is better related to survival than to DNA damage. In this Opinion article, a new model is presented in which proteins are the most important target in the hierarchy of macromolecules affected by IR. A first line of defence against IR in extremely radiation-resistant bacteria might be the accumulation of manganese complexes, which can prevent the production of iron-dependent reactive oxygen species. This would allow an irradiated cell to protect sufficient enzymatic activity needed to repair DNA and survive.
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Acknowledgements
Work on protein oxidation in the Daly laboratory is supported by grant FA9550-07-1-0218 to M.J.D. from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The author thanks E.K. Gaidamakova and V.Y. Matrosova for assistance with the figures.
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Daly, M. A new perspective on radiation resistance based on Deinococcus radiodurans. Nat Rev Microbiol 7, 237–245 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2073
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2073
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