Deinococci

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Deinococci
Kingdom:
Phylum:	Deinococcus-Thermus
Class:	Deinococci
Order:
Family:	'

Deinococci is a class of bacteria within the phylum Deinococcus-Thermus. This class is notable for its extreme resistance to environmental hazards, particularly ionizing radiation, desiccation, and other DNA-damaging conditions. The most well-known genus within this class is Deinococcus, which includes the species Deinococcus radiodurans, often referred to as "Conan the Bacterium" due to its remarkable resilience.

Characteristics

Deinococci are Gram-positive bacteria, although they have a complex cell wall structure that is atypical for Gram-positive organisms. They possess a thick peptidoglycan layer and an outer membrane similar to that of Gram-negative bacteria. This unique cell wall structure contributes to their resistance to harsh conditions.

The most striking feature of Deinococci is their ability to withstand extreme levels of radiation. Deinococcus radiodurans, for example, can survive doses of radiation that are thousands of times higher than what would be lethal to humans. This resistance is attributed to efficient DNA repair mechanisms, including homologous recombination, non-homologous end joining, and base excision repair.

Habitat

Deinococci are found in a variety of environments, including soil, dust, and the atmosphere. They are also present in extreme environments such as hot springs and deserts. Their ability to repair DNA damage allows them to survive in conditions that would be lethal to most other organisms.

Applications

Due to their resilience, Deinococci have potential applications in bioremediation, particularly in environments contaminated with radiation or toxic chemicals. Their robust DNA repair systems are also of interest in the field of genetic engineering and synthetic biology.

Research

Research on Deinococci focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying their resistance to radiation and desiccation. Studies have identified several key proteins involved in DNA repair and protection, such as RecA, PprA, and DdrA. These proteins are targets for further research to explore their potential applications in medicine and biotechnology.

Also see

• Deinococcus-Thermus
• Deinococcus radiodurans
• Radiation resistance in microorganisms
• DNA repair
• Bioremediation