Potential Metal Chelating Ability of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids: A Computational Research

Abstract

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are low molecular-weight (<400 Da) water soluble secondary metabolites that are attributed many functions such as antioxidants, compatible solutes, nitrogen reservoirs and especially, photostable UV-protectants. Recently, they are attracting attention due to their biotechnological and industrial potential for anti-aging and wound healing properties as well. In this study, we explored the metal chelating capacity of selected MAAs ( 4-deoxygadusol, mycosporine-glycine, mycosporine-taurine, palythine, poryphyra-334, shinorine, mycosporine-2-glycine and euhalothece-362) making use of dft calculations. We report model structures of ferrous and ferric ion-MAA complexes and their binding affinities in relation to their structural differences and multiple sites available for chelation on the MAAs. We also investigated calcium ion complexes for mycosporine-glycine, shinorine, porphyra-334 and mycosporine-2-glycine. Our findings support previous suggestions made to explain some experimental results obtained in earlier studies on MAAs. Lastly, we briefly mention the findings in the context of early life and hence relevance to astrobiology.