Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rajesh P. Rastogi, Anu Shree, Hiral M. Patel, Smita Chaudhry, Datta Madamwar
Summary: This study investigates the occurrence, UV-induction, free radical scavenging potential, and photoprotective function of MAAs in Euhalothece sp.WR7. The results show the presence of two different UV-absorbing compounds, M2G and E-362, which have significant roles in UV protection and free radical scavenging. Furthermore, MAAs could be used as important UV absorbers in cosmetic sunscreens.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sutrishna Sen, Nirupama Mallick
Summary: Changing global climatic conditions have provided early inhabitants of Earth with evolutionary advantages, necessitating the need for photoprotective mechanisms. MAAs derived from algae have emerged as a promising natural source of sunscreen with their strengthening antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties, increasing their cosmetic acceptability. This review explores the ecological and commercial aspects of MAAs, aiming to provide a holistic understanding of their potential in the field of sunscreen.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anna Zaytseva, Konstantin Chekanov, Petr Zaytsev, Daria Bakhareva, Olga Gorelova, Dmitry Kochkin, Elena Lobakova
Summary: The study revealed that the microalga Coelastrella rubescens accumulates a variety of photoprotective compounds under high light and UV-A exposure, including carotenoids that absorb visible light and MAA that absorb UV-A. In addition, two new MAA were identified. Through cytological and chemical analysis, researchers found sporopollenin-like compounds in the cell wall and autophagy-like processes may contribute to the decrease in sunlight absorption by cells.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Elliot L. L. Weiss, Mattias Rolf Cape, B. Jack Pan, Maria Vernet, Chase C. C. James, Tim J. J. Smyth, Sun-Yong Ha, Jose L. Iriarte, B. Greg Mitchell
Summary: Interactions between phytoplankton and ultraviolet radiation are influenced by oceanic variables and changes in the environment. Phytoplankton have mechanisms, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), to cope with UV stress. This study examined the composition and distribution of MAAs in phytoplankton across the Southern Ocean, revealing spatial variations and correlation with environmental factors.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Reza Omidyan, Leila Shahrokh, Abigail L. Whittock, Vasilios G. Stavros
Summary: Different levels of quantum computational models were used to investigate the photophysics and photostability of a mycosporine system, mycosporine glycine (MyG). Molecular mechanics approach and comprehensive studies on electronic excited states were conducted, revealing the transfer of population between different states and ultrafast deactivation mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Deepak K. Singh, Jainendra Pathak, Abha Pandey, Rajneesh, Vidya Singh, Rajeshwar P. Sinha
Summary: This study characterized Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in two types of cyanobacteria and investigated their stability and antioxidant potentials. It was found that MAA P-334 played a protective role against intracellular reactive oxygen species in the studied conditions.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Julia Vega, Daniela Barcenas-Perez, David Fuentes-Rios, Juan Manuel Lopez-Romero, Pavel Hrouzek, Felix Lopez Figueroa, Jose Cheel
Summary: Marine organisms have attracted biotechnological interest due to their diverse bioactive compounds. Five mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) were isolated from red macroalgae and a marine lichen using high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC). The MAAs were identified through HPLC, MS, and NMR analysis after the separation process.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Akhila Punchakara, Ganshyam Prajapat, Himanshu Kumar Bairwa, Shikha Jain, Akhil Agrawal
Summary: Recent years have seen a growing interest in mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) due to their potential as a natural microbial sunscreen. In addition to UV absorption, MAAs also have various biomedical applications.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Vidya Singh, Jainendra Pathak, Abha Pandey, Haseen Ahmed, Rajneesh, Deepak Kumar, Rajeshwar P. Sinha
Summary: The present study investigates the impacts of photosynthetic active radiation (CAR) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on various physiological processes in the cyanobacterium Fischerella sp. strain HKAR-13, as well as the induction and stability of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs).
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adam M. Cowden, Raul Losantos, Abigail L. Whittock, Beatriz Penin, Diego Sampedro, Vasilios G. Stavros
Summary: Sunscreens protect our DNA from UV radiation by absorbing or reflecting the rays before they reach the skin. However, concerns regarding the toxicity of current UV filters have led to a focus on natural, microbial-inspired filters. This paper provides new insight into the mechanisms of photoprotection in synthetic analogs of mycosporine-like amino acid-type UV filters, offering potential for the development of more efficient biomimetic DNA photoprotectant materials.
PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Abigail L. L. Whittock, Adam M. M. Cowden, Martin Wills, Vasilios G. G. Stavros
Summary: In this study, four biomimetic molecules with varying substituents on the carbon ring were synthesized based on the natural UV filter mycosporine. The photoprotective properties of these molecules were investigated, and design guidelines were inferred, which may have an impact on the production of next generation UV filters.
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Michael Zwerger, Markus Ganzera
Summary: In this study, a new UHPLC method was developed for the determination of eleven MAAs in red algae. The results showed significant variations in MAA profiles and content among different algal species.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Nedeljka Rosic, Mike Climstein, Glen M. M. Boyle, Duy Thanh Nguyen, Yunjiang Feng
Summary: Human skin needs additional protection from damaging ultraviolet radiation. Available sunscreens offer chemical protection to a certain extent, but synthetic sunscreens may not provide sufficient protection and can have negative effects on human skin and the environment. Therefore, finding photostable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and renewable natural UV filters is important. This review investigates the damaging impact of UVR on human health, the necessity of using sunscreens for UV protection, and the potential of natural UV-absorbing products.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Varsha K. Singh, Sapana Jha, Palak Rana, Sonal Mishra, Neha Kumari, Suresh C. Singh, Shekhar Anand, Vijay Upadhye, Rajeshwar P. Sinha
Summary: Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can damage cellular machinery, but cyanobacteria have developed various defence mechanisms to adapt and survive. As important components in ecosystems, any negative effects caused by UVR on cyanobacteria can disrupt the balance of the entire ecosystem.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Norma Browne, Paz Otero, Patrick Murray, Sushanta Kumar Saha
Summary: The study evaluated 53 Irish marine cyanobacteria to identify potential producers of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) for bio-sunscreen. Eight cyanobacteria were identified as potential MAAs producers, including Leptolyngbya tenuis SABC010201 with notably high MAAs content. LC-MS analysis revealed eight known MAAs and four unknown UV-absorbing compounds. Leptolyngbya africana SABC021601 was considered the best producer of MAAs based on specific content and antioxidant activities.
Article
Ecology
Nadine Werner, Maria Orfanoudaki, Anja Hartmann, Markus Ganzera, Ruben Sommaruga
Summary: Cyanobacteria, one of the oldest organisms on Earth, have developed adaptations to avoid the damaging effects of solar UV radiation, including the synthesis of sunscreen substances like mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). This study investigated the temporal dynamics of MAAs in a benthic algal community dominated by cyanobacteria in a clear alpine lake. Results showed that benthic cyanobacteria exhibited less pronounced temporal changes in MAAs concentration in response to changes in solar UV exposure compared to phytoplankton.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Christopher M. Bellas, Ruben Sommaruga
Summary: Analysis of metaviromes from an alpine lake revealed abundant Polinton-like virus genome sequences, leading to the identification of 82 new Polinton-like viruses and the discovery of five major new groups of eukaryotic viruses linked to diverse eukaryotic hosts. The study suggests that Polintons in unicellular eukaryotes are viruses, supported by the presence of viral major capsid proteins in eukaryotic host transcriptomes. The findings highlight the diverse assemblage of globally distributed viruses associated with a wide range of unicellular eukaryotic hosts, and provide a foundation for continued discovery and analysis of these viral groups.
Correction
Microbiology
Christopher M. Bellas, Ruben Sommaruga
Summary: An amendment to this paper has been published and is accessible through the original article.
Article
Microbiology
Karel Kopejtka, Yonghui Zeng, David Kaftan, Vadim Selyanin, Zdenko Gardian, Juergen Tomasch, Ruben Sommaruga, Michal Koblizek
Summary: Strain AAP5 is an aerobic bacterium producing bacteriochlorophyll a, belonging to the genus Sphingomonas with a close phylogenetic relationship to Sphingomonas glacialis. It has a genomic DNA G + C content of 65.9% and shared 76.2% orthologous gene clusters with Sphingomonas paucimobilis, supporting their classification into the same genus.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen F. Jane, Gretchen J. A. Hansen, Benjamin M. Kraemer, Peter R. Leavitt, Joshua L. Mincer, Rebecca L. North, Rachel M. Pilla, Jonathan T. Stetler, Craig E. Williamson, R. Iestyn Woolway, Lauri Arvola, Sudeep Chandra, Curtis L. DeGasperi, Laura Diemer, Julita Dunalska, Oxana Erina, Giovanna Flaim, Hans-Peter Grossart, K. David Hambright, Catherine Hein, Josef Hejzlar, Lorraine L. Janus, Jean-Philippe Jenny, John R. Jones, Lesley B. Knoll, Barbara Leoni, Eleanor Mackay, Shin-Ichiro S. Matsuzaki, Chris McBride, Dorthe C. Muller-Navarra, Andrew M. Paterson, Don Pierson, Michela Rogora, James A. Rusak, Steven Sadro, Emilie Saulnier-Talbot, Martin Schmid, Ruben Sommaruga, Wim Thiery, Piet Verburg, Kathleen C. Weathers, Gesa A. Weyhenmeyer, Kiyoko Yokota, Kevin C. Rose
Summary: The concentration of dissolved oxygen in aquatic systems plays a crucial role in regulating biodiversity, nutrient biogeochemistry, greenhouse gas emissions, and drinking water quality. Climate change and human activities have led to declines in dissolved oxygen in lakes, impacting the physical and chemical environment, as well as essential ecosystem services.
Article
Agronomy
Gang Chu, Zifeng Han, Zimo Wang, Defeng Kong, Wenxiu Qin, Youbin Si, Guozhong Wang, Christian E. W. Steinberg
Summary: This study investigates the impact of cellulose and lignin pyrolysis on the properties of biochar and the sorption mechanism of ionizable antibiotics. Cellulose-derived biochars had more functional groups and higher sorption of sulfamethoxazole. The increase in specific surface area enhanced the sorption, but it decreased with increasing pH values.
Article
Ecology
Rebecca Oester, Ryan Greenway, Marvin Moosmann, Ruben Sommaruga, Barbara Tartarotti, Jakob Brodersen, Blake Matthews
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Arctic charr and threespine stickleback on the photoprotective phenotype of the copepod Leptodiaptomus minutus in lake ecosystems in southern Greenland. The results showed that lakes with stickleback had the lowest average content of astaxanthin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and these compounds were not affected by the presence of charr. Furthermore, there was a higher variance in astaxanthin among copepods in the presence of stickleback, and the content of astaxanthin was negatively correlated with increasing stickleback density.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hongxing Zhang, Yong-Qiang Liu, Shichao Mao, Christain E. W. Steinberg, Wenyan Duan, Fangyuan Chen
Summary: The study found that the aerobic granular sludge system exhibits long-term stability and is not significantly affected by the randomness of granulation. While the process of granulation can lead to a reduction in microbial richness and diversity, it does not negatively impact wastewater treatment performance. Certain microbial species play crucial roles in the aerobic granular system, contributing to its long-term stability.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nadine Saul, Ineke Dhondt, Mikko Kuokkanen, Markus Perola, Clara Verschuuren, Brecht Wouters, Henrik von Chrzanowski, Winnok H. De Vos, Liesbet Temmerman, Walter Luyten, Aleksandra Zecic, Tim Loier, Christian Schmitz-Linneweber, Bart P. Braeckman
Summary: In this study, a GWAS was conducted to identify potential genetic factors associated with healthy ageing. Candidate genes were then verified using a model organism, C. elegans, and several genes were found to potentially play a role in maintaining health in the elderly.
Article
Ecology
Barbara Tartarotti, Ruben Sommaruga, Nadine Saul
Summary: This study investigates the phenotypic and molecular responses of copepods to different environmental conditions and UV radiation in alpine lakes. The researchers found variations in photoprotective compounds and antioxidant capacities between copepod populations from different lakes, as well as seasonal changes in copepod gene expression. The expression patterns of heat shock protein genes were influenced by phenotypic traits, particularly the hsp70 gene. These findings suggest that copepods have adaptive responses to environmental stressors, which may be crucial for their survival in alpine lakes.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Shimaa M. A. Sayed, Saleh Alseekh, Karsten Siems, Alisdair R. Fernie, Walter Luyten, Christian Schmitz-Linneweber, Nadine Saul
Summary: The study examined the effects of extracts from two traditional Chinese medicine plants on the healthspan of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. The Cuscuta chinensis extract showed overall anti-aging effects and specific positive effects on stress resistance, potentially due to compounds such as zingibroside R1, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid, and quercetin. The components hydroxygallic acid derivative and sterol lipid in the C. chinensis extract were found to be abundant and could be responsible for the observed health benefits.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Karel Kopejtka, Jurgen Tomasch, David Kaftan, Alastair T. Gardiner, David Bina, Zdenko Gardian, Christopher Bellas, Astrid Droge, Robert Geffers, Ruben Sommaruga, Michal Koblizek
Summary: Bacterium Sphingomonas glacialis AAP5 isolated from an alpine lake has the ability to use both bacteriochlorophyll-based photosystems and proton-pumping rhodopsins to harvest light energy, depending on temperature and light conditions. This allows the bacteria to adapt to changing environmental conditions and optimize their light-harvesting machinery accordingly.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Erik Jeppesen, Thomas A. Davidson, Mariana Meerhoff, Luc De Meester, Ivan Gonzalez-Bergonzoni, Nicolas Vidal, Hartmut Arndt, Klaus Juergens, Ruben Sommaruga, Korhan Ozkan, Torben L. Lauridsen, Sh Tserenpil
Summary: With the retreat of glaciers, new ponds and lakes are formed, which become more productive as vegetation develops. Our study in West Greenland found that older lakes had higher nutrient concentrations and organic matter content, as well as higher biomass and richness of certain aquatic organisms. The food web in the older lakes was more complex, with a longer food chain and higher taxonomic diversity, suggesting a succession process following glacial retreat.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Bellas, Thomas Hackl, Marie-Sophie Plakolb, Anna Koslova, Matthias G. Fischer, Ruben Sommaruga
Summary: Eukaryotic genomes contain endogenous viral elements (EVEs) derived from RNA and ssDNA viruses, which are considered genomic fossils. However, the study of EVEs has focused mostly on animals and plants, neglecting protists. This study reveals that protist genomes contain diverse dsDNA viruses, including virophages and Polinton-like viruses, which were hidden due to their repetitive nature. The study suggests that many protist EVEs are intact, actively colonizing hosts across the eukaryotic tree, and may be functional viruses.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Steffen Moeller, Nadine Saul, Elias Projahn, Israel Barrantes, Andras Gezsi, Michael Walter, Peter Antal, Georg Fuellen
Summary: This study utilized gene co-expression network analysis to study healthspan modules in human and animal models, identifying a set of candidate genes related to health(span) and finding functional associations through enrichment analysis. The meta-study of hub genes for complex healthspan phenotype across multiple species can provide insights into molecular mechanisms.
NAR GENOMICS AND BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)