DNA Changes
Given the growing interest in both commercial spaceflights and deep space exploration, and the potential health risks of exposure to various harmful factors that are associated with repeated or long-duration exploration space missions, such as a trip to Mars, we decided to explore, retrospectively, somatic mutation,' Goukassian explained.
Researchers collected whole blood samples from the astronauts twice - ten days before spaceflight and on the day of landing - as well as white blood cells that were collected just once, three days after landing. Above: Official portrait of Expedition 45/46 long duration astronaut Scott Kelly
Somatic mutations are ones that take place after a person is conceived and in cells other than sperm or egg cells, meaning they cannot be passed on to future generations.
The mutations identified in the study were characterized by the overrepresentation of blood cells derived from a single clone, a process called clonal hematopoiesis. Different blood cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia, are examples are clonal hematopoiesis, Scientists used DNA sequencing as well as bioinformatics analysis to identify 34 mutations in 17 CH-driver genes.
The presence of these mutations does not necessarily mean that the astronauts will develop cardiovascular disease or cancer, but there is the risk that, over time, this could happen through ongoing and prolonged exposure to the extreme environment of deep space.
The most common mutations occurred in TP3, a gene that produces a tumor-suppressing protein, and DNMT3A, one of the most frequently mutated genes in acute myeloid leukemia.
Although the mutations were high for the astronauts' age, the researchers said it was still below a concerning threshold.
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