English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Recent evidence has implicated single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) expression level as an important factor in microbial radiation resistance. The genome of the extremely radiation resistant bacterium  Deinococcus radiodurans  contains genes for two SSB homologs: the homodimeric, canonical Ssb, encoded by the gene  ssb,  and a novel pentameric protein encoded by the gene  ddrB .  ddrB  is highly induced upon exposure to radiation, and deletions result in decreased radiation-resistance, suggesting an integral role of the protein in the extreme resistance exhibited by this organism. Although expression of  ssb  is also induced after irradiation, Ssb is thought to be involved primarily in replication. In this study, we demonstrate that Ssb in  D. radiodurans  is essential for cell survival. The lethality of an  ssb  deletion cannot be complemented by providing  ddrB in trans . In addition, the radiation-sensitive phenotype conferred by a  ddrB  deletion is not alleviated by providing  ssb in trans . By altering expression of the  ssb  gene, we also show that lower levels of transcription are required for optimal growth than are necessary for high radiation resistance. When expression is reduced to that of  E. coli , ionizing radiation resistance is similarly reduced. UV resistance is also decreased under low  ssb  transcript levels where growth is unimpaired. These results indicate that the expression of  ssb  is a key component of both normal cellular metabolism as well as pathways responsible for the high radiation tolerance of  D. radiodurans.

The Essential Role of the Deinococcus radiodurans ssb Gene in Cell Survival and Radiation Tolerance