Deinococcus deserti VCD115

Deinococcus deserti (strain VCD115 / DSM 17065 / LMG 22923) is an aerobic, radiation-resistant bacterium isolated from upper gamma-irradiated sand layers of the Sahara. D. deserti is resistant to gamma radiation, UV radiation, and desiccation due to a very efficient DNA repair mechanism. Heavy UV- and desiccation-induced damage to membranes, proteins and nucleic acids is lethal to most organisms. Vegetative bacteria that survive these stresses must therefore either protect vital components from damage and/or repair them efficiently, especially upon rehydration. The tolerance of D. deserti to high doses of ionizing radiation is a consequence of its response to natural DNA damaging conditions such as desiccation. Repair of massive DNA damage in D. deserti involves widespread DNA repair proteins, such as RecA and PolA. Besides its resistance to high doses of gamma and UV radiation, D. deserti also tolerated prolonged desiccation, with about 50% survival after 40 days of desiccation. The tolerance of D. deserti to desiccation is related to efficient DNA repair rather than DNA protection mechanisms. (adapated from PMID: 19201974). (EBI Integr8)