Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation

Corydon, Thomas J.; Schulz, Herbert; Richter, Peter; Strauch, Sebastian M.; Böhmer, Maik; Ricciardi, Dario A.; Wehland, Markus; Krüger, Marcus; Erzinger, Gilmar Sidnei; Lebert, Michael; Infanger, Manfred; Wise, Petra; Grimm, Daniela

doi:10.3390/cells12071043

Cited by 19 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 245 publications

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“…Quite extensive bibliography refers to gene regulation in space exploration-related studies. In a recent review, almost 200 articles were included and the alteration of genes in many organisms and biological systems were described [ 109 ]. Thus, reflecting the importance of the knowledge of the consequence of gene expression to tackle the risk to health for the astronauts and alive organisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

Salazar,

Joly,

Anglada-Escudé

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth’s evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how environmental cues can alter gene functions in organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that occur in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a worldwide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ~ 3 g) was designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease in survival at 2 dpf but no significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency, and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. Downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1, dnmt3, and tet1), although not significant, was further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

Salazar,

Joly,

Anglada-Escudé

et al. 2024

PLoS ONE

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“…There are numerous reports, based on different types of actual and simulated μg exposure, of long-term up- and downregulation of genes and of alterations in the expression of regulatory molecules such as miRNAs in a range of cell types ( Corydon et al, 2023 ). These alterations reflect adaptations associated with cellular stress, but a correlation with beneficial effects has also been demonstrated.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Exposure to microgravity (μg) results in a range of systemic changes in the organism, reflecting the physiological stress and adaptation associated with this extreme physical environment ( Corydon et al, 2023 ). Space flight conditions have also been shown to alter brain structure and function with more severe effects after long-term space missions ( Roy-O'Reilly et al, 2021 ; Shirah et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Space flight conditions have also been shown to alter brain structure and function with more severe effects after long-term space missions ( Roy-O'Reilly et al, 2021 ; Shirah et al, 2022 ). Microgravity induces stress-related changes in cellular structure and gene expression ( Corydon et al, 2023 ). However, μg also has some beneficial cellular effects and was shown to promote neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells ( Chen et al, 2011 ), adipose stem cells ( Zarrinpour et al, 2017 ; Graziano et al, 2018 ) and to promote cardiomyocyte development ( Camberos et al, 2019 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of microgravity on neural crest stem cells

Han,

Barasa,

Zeger

et al. 2024

Front. Neurosci.

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Exposure to microgravity (μg) results in a range of systemic changes in the organism, but may also have beneficial cellular effects. In a previous study we detected increased proliferation capacity and upregulation of genes related to proliferation and survival in boundary cap neural crest stem cells (BC) after MASER14 sounding rocket flight compared to ground-based controls. However, whether these changes were due to μg or hypergravity was not clarified. In the current MASER15 experiment BCs were exposed simultaneously to μg and 1 g conditions provided by an onboard centrifuge. BCs exposed to μg displayed a markedly increased proliferation capacity compared to 1 g on board controls, and genetic analysis of BCs harvested 5 h after flight revealed an upregulation, specifically in μg-exposed BCs, of Zfp462 transcription factor, a key regulator of cell pluripotency and neuronal fate. This was associated with alterations in exosome microRNA content between μg and 1 g exposed MASER15 specimens. Since the specimens from MASER14 were obtained for analysis with 1 week’s delay, we examined whether gene expression and exosome content were different compared to the current MASER15 experiments, in which specimens were harvested 5 h after flight. The overall pattern of gene expression was different and Zfp462 expression was down-regulated in MASER14 BC μg compared to directly harvested specimens (MASER15). MicroRNA exosome content was markedly altered in medium harvested with delay compared to directly collected samples. In conclusion, our analysis indicates that even short exposure to μg alters gene expression, leading to increased BC capacity for proliferation and survival, lasting for a long time after μg exposure. With delayed harvest of specimens, a situation which may occur due to special post-flight circumstances, the exosome microRNA content is modified compared to fast specimen harvest, and the direct effects from μg exposure may be partially attenuated, whereas other effects can last for a long time after return to ground conditions.

show abstract

“…Quite extensive bibliography refers to gene regulation in space exploration related studies. In a recent review, almost 200 articles were included and the alteration of genes in many organisms and biological system were described (Corydon et al, 2023). Thus, reflecting the importance of the knowledge of the consequence of gene expression to tackle the risk health for the astronauts and alive organisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

Salazar,

Joly,

Anglada-Escudé

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Gravity is one of the most constant environmental factors across Earth’s evolution and all organisms are adapted to it. Consequently, spatial exploration has captured the interest in studying the biological changes that physiological alterations are caused by gravity. In the last two decades, epigenetics has explained how the environmental cues are able to altered gene functions in the organisms. Although many studies addressed gravity, the underlying biological and molecular mechanisms that are occurred in altered gravity for those epigenetics-related mechanisms, are mostly inexistent. The present study addressed the effects of hypergravity on development, behavior, gene expression, and most importantly, on the epigenetic changes in a world-wide animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). To perform hypergravity experiments, a custom-centrifuge simulating the large diameter centrifuge (100 rpm ∼ 3g) were designed and zebrafish embryos were exposed during 5 days post fertilization (dpf). Results showed a significant decrease of survival at 2 dpf but not significance in the hatching rate. Physiological and morphological alterations including fish position, movement frequency and swimming behavior showed significant changes due to hypergravity. Epigenetic studies showed a significant hypermethylation of the genome of the zebrafish larvae subjected to 5 days of hypergravity. A downregulation of the gene expression of three epigenetic-related genes (dnmt1,dnmt3, andtet1), although not significant, were further observed. Taken altogether, gravity alterations affected biological responses including epigenetics in fish, providing a valuable roadmap of the putative hazards of living beyond Earth.

show abstract

Current Knowledge about the Impact of Microgravity on Gene Regulation

Cited by 19 publications

References 245 publications

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

Effects of microgravity on neural crest stem cells

Epigenetic and physiological alterations in zebrafish subjected to hypergravity

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