A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation
The search for life on other planets relies on the detection of biosignatures of life. Many macromolecules have been suggested as potential targets, among which are proteins that are considered vital components of life due to their essential roles in forming cellular structures, facilitating cellula...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Life |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/5/1150 |
| _version_ | 1827740929703804928 |
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| author | Yongda Li David A. Collins Konstantinos Grintzalis |
| author_facet | Yongda Li David A. Collins Konstantinos Grintzalis |
| author_sort | Yongda Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The search for life on other planets relies on the detection of biosignatures of life. Many macromolecules have been suggested as potential targets, among which are proteins that are considered vital components of life due to their essential roles in forming cellular structures, facilitating cellular communication and signaling, and catalyzing metabolic reactions. In this context, accurate quantification of protein signatures in soil would be advantageous, and while several proposed methods exist, which are limited by their sensitivity and specificity, their applicability needs further testing and validation. To this aim, we optimized a Bradford-based assay with high sensitivity and reproducibility and a simple protocol to quantify protein extracted from a Martian soil simulant. Methods for protein spiking, extraction, and recovery were optimized, using protein standards and bacterial proteins as representative models. The proposed method achieved high sensitivity and reproducibility. Taking into account that life remains could exist on the surface of Mars, which is subjected to UV radiation, a simulation of UV exposure was performed on a spiked soil simulant. UV radiation degraded the protein spike, thus highlighting the importance of searching for the remaining signal from degraded proteins. Finally, the applicability of the method was explored in relation to the storage of the reagent which was stable even up to 12 months, thus making its application possible for future planetary exploration missions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:34:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-28aee6042cd4436a8feeae458514ef26 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:34:12Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Life |
| spelling | doaj.art-28aee6042cd4436a8feeae458514ef262023-11-18T02:09:22ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292023-05-01135115010.3390/life13051150A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV RadiationYongda Li0David A. Collins1Konstantinos Grintzalis2School of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 Y5NO Dublin, IrelandSchool of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 Y5NO Dublin, IrelandSchool of Biotechnology, Dublin City University, D09 Y5NO Dublin, IrelandThe search for life on other planets relies on the detection of biosignatures of life. Many macromolecules have been suggested as potential targets, among which are proteins that are considered vital components of life due to their essential roles in forming cellular structures, facilitating cellular communication and signaling, and catalyzing metabolic reactions. In this context, accurate quantification of protein signatures in soil would be advantageous, and while several proposed methods exist, which are limited by their sensitivity and specificity, their applicability needs further testing and validation. To this aim, we optimized a Bradford-based assay with high sensitivity and reproducibility and a simple protocol to quantify protein extracted from a Martian soil simulant. Methods for protein spiking, extraction, and recovery were optimized, using protein standards and bacterial proteins as representative models. The proposed method achieved high sensitivity and reproducibility. Taking into account that life remains could exist on the surface of Mars, which is subjected to UV radiation, a simulation of UV exposure was performed on a spiked soil simulant. UV radiation degraded the protein spike, thus highlighting the importance of searching for the remaining signal from degraded proteins. Finally, the applicability of the method was explored in relation to the storage of the reagent which was stable even up to 12 months, thus making its application possible for future planetary exploration missions.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/5/1150protein assayBradfordMartian soil simulantextractionUV radiationlife signatures |
| spellingShingle | Yongda Li David A. Collins Konstantinos Grintzalis A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation Life protein assay Bradford Martian soil simulant extraction UV radiation life signatures |
| title | A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation |
| title_full | A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation |
| title_fullStr | A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation |
| title_short | A Simple Biochemical Method for the Detection of Proteins as Biomarkers of Life on Martian Soil Simulants and the Impact of UV Radiation |
| title_sort | simple biochemical method for the detection of proteins as biomarkers of life on martian soil simulants and the impact of uv radiation |
| topic | protein assay Bradford Martian soil simulant extraction UV radiation life signatures |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/5/1150 |
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