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OSD-37 NASA Open Science Data Repository ISS BRIC-16 (STS-131, Biological Research in Canisters) BRIC-PDFU Automated Fluid Fixation Units 8 Days on Orbit in Darkness Arabidopsis thaliana (Col-0)

ISS BRIC-16: Microgravity Transcriptomics of Etiolated Seedlings

NASA OSDR Repository ↗ Project in Custom Omics Studio ↗
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Biological Synopsis & Spaceflight Discoveries

BRIC-16 investigated seed germination and etiolated seedling development aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-131 within darkened canisters. Without phototrophic input, microgravity triggers oxidative burst responses and activation of the ANAC017/AOX1a mitochondrial retrograde signaling cascade. In parallel, peroxisomal catalase CAT2 (+0.85 log2FC) and cell wall mechanosensitive ion channels (MSL10) are induced, demarcating baseline mitochondrial-peroxisomal ROS management under physical weightlessness.

Key Biological Insights:

Key Discovery: Severe repression of chloroplast biogenesis transcription factors (GLK1/GLK2) in young orbit seedlings.
Key Discovery: Induction of cell wall receptor-like kinases (FERONIA) and mechanosensitive ion channels.
Key Discovery: Mitochondrial outer membrane porin (VDAC1) and translocase (TOM40) induction to support energetic stress.
Key Discovery: Activation of systemic calcium wave propagation machinery (RBOHD, CPK kinases).

Primary Literature & Mission Reports:

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Pre-Projected Organellar Pathway Maps

High-resolution vector maps showing spaceflight log2 fold-changes dynamically color-coded with WCAG AAA luminance-adaptive text contrast.

Contrasts:
Plasma Membrane Perception, Gravity Sensing, and Systemic Waves Cell surface mechanical and gravity sensing driving calcium spikes and apoplastic ROS waves that propagate inward to mitochondria and chloroplasts. Apoplast & Cell Wall PLASMA MEMBRANE • BILAYER Plasma Membrane Cytosol membrane stretch OG binding stretch gating Ca2+ gating cation influx rapid Ca2+ EF-hand binding Ser343/347-P generates O2•- O2•- -> H2O2 H2O2 channeling MCU uptake rhomboid / AOX1a stromal Ca2+ SAL1 oxidation T4 Mechanical / Microgravity Strain wall deformation • gravity vector shift T4 Apoplastic Pectin Matrix oligogalacturonides • crosslinks T4 Apoplastic Oxygen Pool substrate for RBOHD T1 FERONIA Receptor Kinase CrRLK1L • RALF peptide receptor T1 WAK1 Kinase binds pectin • cell wall sensor T1 MECHANO-GATED MSL10 Mechanosensitive Channel turgor sensor T1 GLR3.3 / GLR3.6 Channels Ca2+ influx gates • rapid electrical wave T1 RBOHD NADPH Oxidase apoplastic superoxide generator • Ca2+ activated T1 PIP2;1 Aquaporin channels H2O2 • inward conduit T1 AHA1 H+-ATPase electrogenic pump • maintains ΔpH T4 Cytosolic [Ca2+] Wave second messenger spike T4 CPKs / BIK1 Kinases calcium-dependent phosphorylation T4 Cytosolic H2O2 Wave redox messenger T4 Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Tuning MCU Ca2+ uptake • stimulates TCA/AOX T4 Chloroplast Stroma Tuning stromal Ca2+ • redox adjustments
Hover over or click any pathway node in the map above to inspect locus ID, fold-change, significance, and biological role.
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Ranked Organellar Responders

All assayed mitochondrial, chloroplast, and peroxisomal loci in OSD-37, ranked by absolute fold-change.

Rank AGI Locus Symbol Subcompartment Log2 Fold-Change p-value Pathway / Biological Role Action