The Impact of Microgravity on Human Cells in Space.
Scientists at Oklahoma State University have found that cellular repair systems respond to microgravity, which could help them better understand the effects of space flight on the human body. The researchers focused on SUMO, small proteins that attach to and modify other proteins in cells, and found that it plays a key role in cellular adaptation to microgravity stress. The study identified 37 proteins that physically interacted with SUMO, including those involved in DNA damage repair, energy and protein production, and maintaining cell shape and division.