UV-resistant microbes and UV-blocking microbial extract
Inventors
Cuero, Raul G. • McKay, David S.
Assignees
National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA • Texas A&M University
Publication Number
US-9987219-B2
Publication Date
2018-06-05
Expiration Date
2033-12-13
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a composition including an extract from an Acidithiobacillus bacteria or a yeast extracted after exposure of the bacteria to UV radiation. The disclosure further relates to a method of preparing a UV-blocking composition by exposing a culture of Acidithiobacillus or yeast to UV radiation and extracting UV-blocking cellular material produced in response to the UV radiation from the Acidithiobacillus or yeast. The disclosure further relates to a method of protecting an item from UV radiation damage by extracting UV-blocking cellular material from Acidithiobacillus or yeast exposed to UV radiation and covering the item with the UV-blocking cellular material. The disclosure further relates to a UV-resistant yeast cell and a UV-resistant bacterial cell.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to compositions including extracts derived from Acidithiobacillus bacteria or yeast following their exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It further encompasses methods of preparing UV-blocking compositions by exposing cultures of Acidithiobacillus or yeast to UV radiation and extracting UV-blocking cellular materials produced in response. Additionally, methods of protecting items from UV radiation damage by covering them with such UV-blocking cellular materials are described. The disclosure also extends to UV-resistant yeast and bacterial cells engineered to express specific proteins under constitutive or inducible promoters.
Exposure to UV radiation causes damage to living organisms, including humans and beneficial microorganisms, and degrades materials leading to premature failure or loss of intended function. Although substances that absorb UV radiation exist, many are unsuitable for all applications due to cost, toxicity, undesirable reactions, or inappropriate stability. Therefore, there remains a demand for new biocompatible substances capable of absorbing UV radiation effectively.
The disclosed invention addresses this problem by providing UV-resistant microbes and microbial extracts that can be used to protect living cells, agricultural products, and other materials from UV radiation damage. The UV-blocking extracts are produced by inducing a radiation response in Acidithiobacillus bacteria or yeast through UV exposure, which results in up-regulation or down-regulation of specific proteins leading to UV protection. Extracts can be applied in various concentrations and carriers to confer UV protection, and microbes can be genetically engineered to express UV-protective proteins, thus increasing their resistance to UV radiation.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent claim focusing on methods of producing a UV-blocking composition using genetically modified yeast and UV exposure.
Method of preparing a UV-blocking composition from genetically modified yeast
Exposing a culture of yeast transfected with a nucleic acid encoding, in order, a heat shock protein, an alcohol dehydrogenase protein, and a hexokinase protein to UV radiation sufficient to induce production of UV-blocking cellular material; extracting the UV-blocking proteins produced under the control of a promoter.
Method of extraction of UV-blocking material
Extracting UV-blocking cellular material by centrifugation to precipitate proteins, pelletizing the yeast culture, evaporating the culture medium, or isolating specific proteins from the yeast culture.
UV-blocking composition formulation and efficacy
Forming a composition comprising UV-blocking cellular material at concentrations from approximately 0.05 to 0.25 g/mL, optionally formulated in a carrier, capable of blocking at least approximately 50% of UV radiation including shortwave, longwave, or both.
Genetic elements controlling UV-protection protein expression
The transfected nucleic acid may include a riboswitch to partially control protein expression or encode additional proteins such as Msn4pn, ruvB, NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase 2, NADP-specific glutamate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, or phosphate glycerate, under control of a promoter.
The claims collectively cover methods of generating UV-blocking compositions by exposing specifically genetically modified yeast to UV radiation, extracting UV-protective proteins, and formulating them into effective UV-blocking compositions.
Stated Advantages
The UV-blocking extracts protect eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells from UV radiation damage, increasing cell survival under UV exposure.
UV-resistant microbial extracts can be used to protect agricultural plants, enhancing nutrient content and flavor components by reducing UV-induced damage.
Engineered microbes provide enhanced UV resistance, allowing their use in fermentation processes under UV exposure without substantial loss of viability or function.
The extracts are biocompatible and water-soluble, facilitating safe application on food products and in biological systems with minimal toxicity.
Documented Applications
Protection of human skin and animal cells against UV damage and skin cancer.
Protection of microorganisms used in fermentation or biochemical processes from UV radiation to maintain productivity.
Protecting plastic, glass, and other solid surfaces from UV-induced degradation.
Use as UV radiation screens, including in contexts such as space travel to protect astronauts and equipment.
Enhancement of agricultural plant growth and product quality by protecting fruits and vegetables from UV radiation during growth.
Application in fermentation processes for producing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biological drugs, and fuel ethanol under UV exposure without killing the organisms.
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