Motor Coordination in Space: An Analysis of the Effects of Microgravity on XRCCI DNA Repair Protein Function

Abstract While in space, astronauts have been known to face exposure to stressors that may increase susceptibility to DNA damage. If DNA repair proteins are defective or nonexistent, DNA mutations may accumulate, causing increasingly abnormal function as one ages [1]. The DNA single-strand break repair protein XRCC1 is important for cerebellar neurogenesis and interneuron development [2]. According to previous studies, a deficiency of XRCC1 can lead to an increase in DNA damage, in mature neurons, and ataxia (a progressive loss of motor coordination) [2]. I propose to address how XRCC1’s efficiency can change in microgravity conditions. This experiment’s relevance is underscored by the importance of motor coordination and physical fitness for astronauts; determining the potential effects of microgravity on XRCC1 is crucial for future space exploration.