Tiny animals called tardigrades are found all over the planet, from the highest mountains to the bottom of the ocean.
These lichen-dwelling creatures are known among scientists for their ability to withstand extreme conditions, such as intense exposure and incredibly cold temperatures.
“Everything about tardigrades is fascinating. The extreme range of environments in which some species can survive forces us to explore never-before-seen mechanisms and structures.
“For biologists, this field is a gold mine.”
Some late species can survive without water, which is essential for all living things.
But how do they do it? Kuneida’s colleagues at the University of Tokyo think they’ve finally figured it out.
What is a tardigrade?
Tardigrades are tiny animals that are found everywhere, from mountain tops to rain forests and even the depths of the ocean. When fully grown, it is about 0.5 mm (0.020 in) long.
Also known as water bears and moss porcupines, the name comes from the Latin word tardigrada, meaning slow-footed.
Scientists are fascinated by their amazing survival abilities.
Microanimals can withstand high temperatures, high doses of radiation, and extreme pressures. They even survived in space!
“The trick is how the cells deal with this stress during the dehydration process,” he explained.
Researchers have long assumed that a specific type of protein must help tardigrade cells stay strong without water.
Kuneida and her team tested various types of proteins to see which proteins might be involved in this process.
They found that proteins unique to these organisms, “cytoplasm-abundant heat-soluble proteins (CAHS),” can protect cells.
During dehydration, the proteins form a gel that solidifies into a network of filaments that support the cell as it dries. As the cell rehydrates, these filaments gradually contract, preventing stress.
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The team was even able to reproduce this process, albeit on a more limited scale, when they applied the protein to cultured human cells.
Improving human survival by studying tardigrades is still science fiction. But the researchers say their research may have more practical applications.
With more research, scientists may find ways to extend the life of research materials, drugs, and possibly organs needed for transplantation.
Team member Tomomi Nakano emailed Kuneida when she first observed protein filaments in cultured human cells. It was the end of the new year 2019. It is a moment that she says she will never forget.
“He worked late trying to observe CAHS protein condensation and observed the first networks of CAHS filaments in cultured human cells,” he said.
“I was surprised to see those sharp microscopic images. I’ve never seen anything like it. A very happy New Year indeed!”
The study was published this week in PLOS Biology.
Source: Metro
I’m Jeffery Bryant, and I’m an experienced author specializing in automobile news. For the past several years, I have been working as a writer in a well-known news website. During this time, I’ve written hundreds of articles covering automotive trends and developments both nationally and internationally.