Resistance of Antarctic microorganisms to UV radiation

• Published in: Mikrobiolohichnyĭ zhurnal (Kiev, Ukraine : 1993) Vol. 73; no. 3; p. 3
• Main Authors: Romanovskaya, V A, Tashirev, A B, Shilin, N A, Chernaya, N A, Rokitko, P V, Levishko, A S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Ukrainian
• Published: Ukraine 01.05.2011
• Subjects: Adaptation, Physiological; Antarctic Regions; DNA Damage; Fungi - genetics; Fungi - radiation effects; Gram-Negative Bacteria - genetics; Gram-Negative Bacteria - radiation effects; Gram-Positive Bacteria - genetics; Gram-Positive Bacteria - radiation effects; Radiation Tolerance; Ultraviolet Rays; Antarctic Regions
• ISSN: 1028-0987

The paper deals with the samples of microorganisms isolated from biofilms of encrustation of 11 stationary points of monitoring on the vertical rock of biogeographical testing ground (island Galindez, Antarctic Region). They are presented by morphologically various forms of bacteria (n x 10(7) cells in 1g of sample), yeast (n x 10(5)) and fungi (n x 10(4)-10(6)). Threshold and lethal UV dozes for isolated monocultures of the Antarctic microorganisms are determined. The threshold doze of UV radiation which is a measure of ability of a cell to reparation of DNA damages for bacteria was 40-70 J/m2. The lethal UV doze (LD99.99) for bacteria varied within the limits of 200-480 J/m2, for yeast of 700-1200 J/m2. Both pigmented and not pigmented bacteria were resistant to UV radiation. As a rule, Gram-positive bacteria were more resistant to UV than Gram-negative ones. It is shown, that resistance of investigated Antarctic rocky microorganisms to UV radiation is their genetically stable characteristic.