If tardigrades crowd-sourced their remarkable genes, can humans?

Context: Tardigrades are one of the
most resilient as well as enigmatic life forms on the earth. These organisms,
also called water bears and moss piglets, are microscopic eight-legged
creatures without a backbone. They inspire awe with their remarkable ability to
survive in extreme environments, including areas so very radioactive that they
are easily lethal to humans. These remarkable creatures inhabit some of the
more extreme ecosystems on the planet, from the frigid expanses of deep-sea
floors to scorching deserts and even the vacuum of space. Researchers have
identified more than 1,300 tardigrade species to date, each one adapted to
conditions deadly to most other life forms.

Key points

·      
Overview:
Tardigrades are an ancient species. The earliest known fossils date from around
90 million years ago, in the Cretaceous Period. Molecular dating suggests they
originated at least 600 million years ago. A team of researchers has identified
the genetic mechanisms that help a newly discovered species of tardigrades
(Hypsibius henanensis) withstand high levels of radiation.

·      
Habitat:
They are considered aquatic because they require a thin layer of water around
their bodies to prevent dehydration, they’ve also been observed in all kinds of
environments, from the deep sea to sand dunes. Freshwater mosses and lichens
are their preferred habitat, hence their nickname, moss piglet.

·      
Factors that help this species
survive radiation: It can quickly repair double strand
breaks in DNA due to radiation exposure, by using a protein called TRID1.

The
second factor involved a gene that was switched on during exposure to
radiation, resulting in the generation of two proteins that are known to be
important for mitochondrial synthesis of ATP—in tardigrades, it appears they
also help with DNA repair.

It
can minimize damage from radiation by producing many proteins that serve as
effective antioxidants—they clear out free radicals before they can cause
problems in the creature's cells.

·      
Significance:
The findings could one day be harnessed to help protect astronauts from
radiation during space missions, clean up nuclear pollution or improve cancer
treatment, according to a report in Nature.