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Review
. 2024 Jun 4:15:1348758.
doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1348758. eCollection 2024.

Radiation-resistant bacteria in desiccated soil and their potentiality in applied sciences

Asaf Khan  1   2 , Guangxiu Liu  2   3 , Gaosen Zhang  2   3 , Xiangkai Li  1
Affiliations
Review

Radiation-resistant bacteria in desiccated soil and their potentiality in applied sciences

Asaf Khan et al. Front Microbiol. .

Abstract

A rich diversity of radiation-resistant (Rr) and desiccation-resistant (Dr) bacteria has been found in arid habitats of the world. Evidence from scientific research has linked their origin to reactive oxygen species (ROS) intermediates. Rr and Dr. bacteria of arid regions have the potential to regulate imbalance radicals and evade a higher dose of radiation and oxidation than bacterial species of non-arid regions. Photochemical-activated ROS in Rr bacteria is run through photo-induction of electron transfer. A hypothetical model of the biogeochemical cycle based on solar radiation and desiccation. These selective stresses generate oxidative radicals for a short span with strong reactivity and toxic effects. Desert-inhibiting Rr bacteria efficiently evade ROS toxicity with an evolved antioxidant system and other defensive pathways. The imbalanced radicals in physiological disorders, cancer, and lung diseases could be neutralized by a self-sustaining evolved Rr bacteria antioxidant system. The direct link of evolved antioxidant system with intermediate ROS and indirect influence of radiation and desiccation provide useful insight into richness, ecological diversity, and origin of Rr bacteria capabilities. The distinguishing features of Rr bacteria in deserts present a fertile research area with promising applications in the pharmaceutical industry, genetic engineering, biological therapy, biological transformation, bioremediation, industrial biotechnology, and astrobiology.

Keywords: ROS species; antioxidant; applications; desert; environmental stresses; radiation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be constructed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Radiation and desiccation initiate the origin of Rr and Dr. capabilities in deserts through the antioxidant system and repair mechanisms: Radiation and desiccation triggered the production of ROS species in bacterial cells. Due to their strong reactivity, ROS causes DNA damage, protein oxidation, and lipid peroxidation. Bacterial cells having no proper antioxidant system lose their viability and cells marked with evolved antioxidant systems survive with exposure to radiation, desiccation, and oxidation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Rr bacteria is under different considerations: (A) Rr bacterium in various sectors; (B) cellular factors influencing Rr bacteria; (C) external factors influencing Rr bacteria.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pros and cons of natural bacterial pigments and their applications.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Visible spectrum of solar radiation and characteristics of bacteria pigments with a range of wavelengths.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Radioactive waste degradation at the contaminated site by utilizing the antioxidant potential of Rr bacteria.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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