Occurrence of UV-absorbing, mycosporine-like compounds among cyanobacterial isolates and an estimate of their screening capacity
- Univ. of Oregon, Eugene (United States)
Many cyanobacteria inhabit environments with intense solar radiation. Among the mechanisms to prevent UV photodamage are negative photomovements and the synthesis of UV sunscreen compounds. To assess how common and diverse UV sunscreen substances are among cyanobacteria living under intense solar radiation, the researchers analysed isolates of cyanobacteria for mycosporine amino acids (MAAs)-like, UV-absorbing, water-soluable substances. The cellular locations and the effect of UV radiation on their specific contents were also investigated. MAAs are common but diverse among terrestrial cyanobacteria, most often occuring in species with extracellular scytonemin. The spectral complementation suggests that the combined action of scytonemin and MAA may be responsible for sunscreen effects at shorter UV wavelengths, while the effect at longer wavelenths must be due solely to scytonemin. The authors conclude that these compounds have a significant effect in preventing UV radiation damage. 34 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 6501293
- Journal Information:
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Vol. 59:1; ISSN 0099-2240
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CYANOBACTERIA
RADIATION PROTECTION
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
AMINO ACIDS
BIOCHEMISTRY
SOLAR RADIATION
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
STELLAR RADIATION
560130* - Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
560120 - Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture