A comparative genomics approach to understanding the biosynthesis of the sunscreen scytonemin in cyanobacteria

Soule, Tanya; Palmer, K. M.; Gao, Qianqian; Potrafka, Ruth M.; Stout, Valerie; García-Pichel, Ferrán

doi:10.1186/1471-2164-10-336

Cited by 87 publications

(88 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(55 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The products of NpR1263 and NpR1269 ORFs are still to be functionally characterized. From a comparative study of four other cyanobacterial strains, Soule et al [201] suggested that two supplementary conserved clusters (NpF5232 to NpF5236) and a putative two-component regulatory system (NpF1277 and NpF1278) are possibly involved in scytonemin biosynthesis and regulation, respectively, on the basis of conservation and location.…”

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…All 18 genes are co-transcribed as a single transcriptional unit that is upregulated by UV radiation [200]. Based on genetic, biochemical and sequence similarity evidence, Soule et al [201] illustrated that six putative genes in the scytonemin gene cluster (NpR1276 to NpR1271) with no previously known protein functions are likely involved in the assembly of scytonemin from central metabolites. The assessment of these gene clusters disclosed the occurrence of redundant copies of genes responsible for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis.…”

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The biochemical and photoprotective role of scytonemin is well known, and very recently a number of papers about the biosynthesis and molecular genetics of this compound in cyanobacteria have been published [8, 101,181,[199][200][201][202]. A scytonemin-deficient Nostoc punctiforme ATCC 29133 mutant was created using random transposon mutagenesis [202].…”

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Photoprotective compounds from marine organisms

Rastogi

Richa

Sinha

et al. 2010

J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol

194

139

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The substantial loss in the stratospheric ozone layer and consequent increase in solar ultraviolet radiation on the earth's surface have augmented the interest in searching for natural photoprotective compounds in organisms of marine as well as freshwater ecosystems. A number of photoprotective compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), scytonemin, carotenoids and several other UV-absorbing substances of unknown chemical structure have been identified from different organisms. MAAs form the most common class of UV-absorbing compounds known to occur widely in various marine organisms; however, several compounds having UV-screening properties still need to be identified. The synthesis of scytonemin, a predominant UV-A-photoprotective pigment, is exclusively reported in cyanobacteria. Carotenoids are important components of the photosynthetic apparatus that serve both light-harvesting and photoprotective functions, either by direct quenching of the singlet oxygen or other toxic reactive oxygen species or by dissipating the excess energy in the photosynthetic apparatus. The production of photoprotective compounds is affected by several environmental factors such as different wavelengths of UVR, desiccation, nutrients, salt concentration, light as well as dark period, and still there is controversy about the biosynthesis of various photoprotective compounds. Recent studies have focused on marine organisms as a source of natural bioactive molecules having a photoprotective role, their biosynthesis and commercial application. However, there is a need for extensive work to explore the photoprotective role of various UV-absorbing compounds from marine habitats so that a range of biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications can be found.

show abstract

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Photoprotective compounds from marine organisms

Rastogi

Richa

Sinha

et al. 2010

J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol

194

139

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Among the remaining genes is a putative glycosyltransferase encoded by Npun_R1270. The specific function of this glycosyltransferase is unknown, although its location within the scytonemin gene cluster suggests that it may play a role in exporting the pigment to the extracellular sheath [33]. Moreover, glycosyltransferases have been shown to be involved with EPS biosynthesis [26,36].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Extracellular Polysaccharide Production in a Scytonemin-Deficient Mutant of Nostoc punctiforme Under UVA and Oxidative Stress

2016

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Some cyanobacteria can protect themselves from ultraviolet radiation by producing sunscreen pigments. In particular, the sheath pigment scytonemin protects cells against long-wavelength UVA radiation and is only found in cyanobacteria which are capable of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production. The presence of a putative glycosyltransferase encoded within the scytonemin gene cluster, along with the localization of scytonemin and EPS to the extracellular sheath, prompted us to investigate the relationship between scytonemin and EPS production under UVA stress. In this study, it was hypothesized that there would be a relationship between the biosynthesis of scytonemin and EPS under both UVA and oxidative stress, since the latter is a by-product of UVA radiation. EPS production was measured following exposure of wild-type Nostoc punctiforme and the non-scytonemin-producing strain SCY59 to UVA and oxidative stress. Under UVA, SCY59 produced significantly more EPS than the unstressed controls and the wild type, while both strains produced more EPS under oxidative stress compared to the controls. The results suggest that EPS secretion occurs in response to the oxidative stress by-product of UVA rather than as a direct response to UVA radiation.

show abstract

“…However, the products of NpR1263 and NpR1269 ORFs are still to be functionally characterized. Soule et al (2009b) suggested that two additional conserved clusters, NpF5232 to NpF5236 and a putative two-component regulatory system (NpF1277 and NpF1278), are likely involved in scytonemin biosynthesis and regulation, respectively, on the basis of conservation and location.…”

Section: Structure and Biosynthesis Of Scytoneminmentioning

confidence: 99%

Photoprotective and biotechnological potentials of cyanobacterial sheath pigment, scytonemin

Shailendra¹,

Kumari²,

Rajesh³

et al. 2010

Afr. J. Biotechnol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cyanobacteria are the main component of microbial populations fixing atmospheric nitrogen in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems, especially in wetland rice-fields, where they significantly contribute to fertility as natural biofertilizers. Cyanobacteria require solar radiation as their primary source of energy to carry out both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. The stratospheric ozone depletion which has resulted in an increase in ultraviolet-B (UV-B; 280 -315 nm) radiation on earth's surface has been reported to inhibit a number of photochemical and photobiological processes in cyanobacteria. However, certain cyanobacteria have evolved mechanisms such as synthesis of photoprotective compound scytonemin and their derivatives to counteract the damaging effects of UV-B. In addition this compound has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative potentials. This review deals with the role of scytonemin as photoprotective compound and its pharmacological as well as biotechnological potentials.

show abstract

A comparative genomics approach to understanding the biosynthesis of the sunscreen scytonemin in cyanobacteria

Cited by 87 publications

References 39 publications

Photoprotective compounds from marine organisms

Photoprotective compounds from marine organisms

Extracellular Polysaccharide Production in a Scytonemin-Deficient Mutant of Nostoc punctiforme Under UVA and Oxidative Stress

Photoprotective and biotechnological potentials of cyanobacterial sheath pigment, scytonemin

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About