Ionizing Radiation Resistance in Deinococcus Radiodurans

Li, Wei; Ma, Yun ; Xiao, Fangzhu; He, Shuya;

Deinococcus radiodurans is unmatched among all known
species in its ability to resist ionizing radiation and other
DNA-damaging factors. It is considered a model organism
in the study of DNA damage and repair. Treatment of D.
radiodurans with an acute dose of 5,000 Gy of ionizing
radiation with almost no loss of viability, and an acute
dose of 15,000 Gy with 37% viability. The extreme
radiation resistance of this bacterium is due to efficient
DNA repair capacity, high antioxidant activities, and
unique cell structure. Based on the latest findings, the
general characteristics and ionizing radiation resistance
mechanisms of D. radiodurans are reviewed and discussed
in this paper.