title: Lipid composition, lipid fluidity and radioresistance of Deinococcus radiodurans and two mutant strains.
abstract: The lipid composition of D. radiodurans strain R1 and of two mutant strains has been studied in relation to membrane fluidity and sensitivity to X-ray radiation. No significant difference in the unsaturation degree of fatty acids was found between parental and mutant strains. An important decrease of carbohydrate-containing lipids was observed in the radiosensitive mutant strain. We also observed a higher fluidity in both mutant strains than in the parental one. Modification of membrane lipid fluidity by growing the parental strain at 39 degrees C did not lead to modified radioresistance. These results suggest that a particular chemical composition of the membrane leading to a special lipid phase may be an important parameter in controlling radiosensitivity.
mesh_terms: D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D009154:Mutation; D013045:Species Specificity; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D008055:Lipids