CYTOPLASMIC VITRIFICATION ACID SURVIVAL OF ANHYDROBIOTIC ORGANISMS

We examine the relationship between cytoplasmic vitrification and surv ival of anhydrobiotic organisms under extreme desiccation condition. T he ability of anhydrobiotic organisms to survive desiccation is associ ated with the accumulation of carbohydrates. Spores, yeasts and micros copic animals accumulate trehalose, whereas pollen, plant seeds and re surrection plants contain sucrose and oligosaccharides such as raffino se and stachyose. During dehydration, these carbohydrates and other co mponents help the organisms enter into the vitreous state (cytoplasmic vitrification). The immobilization by vitrification may minimize stre ss damages on the cellular structures and protect their biological cap abilities during dehydration and rehydration; however, cytoplasmic vit rification alone is found to be insufficient for anhydrobiotic organis ms to survive extreme dehydration. The survival of dry organisms in th e desiccated scare requires the maintenance of the vitreous state. Whe n the vitreous state is lost, free radical oxidation, phase separation and cytoplasmic crystallization would occur and impose real threat to the survival of dry organisms. (C) 1991 Elsevier Science Inc.