In vivo molecular analysis of tolerant ability in tardigrades

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Tardigrades enter an ametabolic dehydrated state called anhydrobiosis upon desiccation and tolerate various extreme environmental stresses in such a state. The molecular mechanisms of the tolerant ability remain unknown and no in vivo analyses have been conducted. Here, we isolated pigment-deficient mutant of anhydrobiotic tardigrade for the first time and revealed that the mutant is more sensitive to radiation stress than wildtype animal. Massive sequencing and comparison with the wildtype genome revealed multiple mutated genes. Furthermore, we characterized the property of the pigments of wildtype tardigrades and these pigments could be good clues to support radiation tolerance in animals.