Ionizing Radiation Resistance in Deinococcus Radiodurans

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.