水华鱼腥藻类菌胞素氨基酸的分子鉴定和化学检测

类菌胞素氨基酸 (MAAs) 是一类具有吸收紫外线能力的物质, 蓝藻MAAs的生物合成及其分子机制的揭示为MAAs基因的快速检测提供了可能。研究采用分子生物学方法扩增了一株分离自太湖的水华鱼腥藻(Dolichospermum flos-aquae CHAB1629)编码脱氢醌合成酶(DHQS)基因的部分片段, 系统树分析发现其与报道的Anabaena sp. 90核酸序列相似度达99%, 而与Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413仅为53.6%; 同时运用HPLC检测发现, 该株水华鱼腥藻MAAs的类型为shinorine。研究结果可为后续浮游类鱼腥藻MAAs的分子鉴定及野外适应性研究提供依据。       

长期植被恢复对中国西南喀斯特石漠化土壤活性有机碳组分含量和酶活性的影响

为揭示中国西南喀斯特石漠化植被恢复对土壤活性有机碳组分含量和酶活性的影响,该研究开展了土壤总有机碳含量、活性有机碳组分(微生物生物量碳、可溶性有机碳、易氧化有机碳)含量以及4种土壤酶(脲酶、蔗糖酶、淀粉酶、碱性磷酸酶)活性对7种典型的植被恢复措施(柏木(Cupressusfunebris)种植、柚木(Tectonagrandis)种植、花椒(Zanthoxylum bungeanum)种植、量天尺(火龙果, Hylocereus undatus)种植、忍冬(金银花, Lonicera japonica)种植、皇竹草(Pennisetum sinese)种植和砂仁(Amomum villosum)种植)的响应研究。结果显示:1)植被恢复明显改善了喀斯特石漠化土壤总有机碳的分布和积累,显著改变了土壤活性有机碳各组分的含量及其在土壤总有机碳含量中的占比。不同植被恢复措施对土壤总有机碳和活性有机碳各组分含量的影响明显不同。柏木和金银花种植的土壤总有机碳含量和储量较高,而草地建设的2种措施(皇竹草和砂仁种植)的土壤总有机碳含量和储量最低。柏木和金银花种植的土壤易氧化有机碳和微生物生物量碳含量较高...     

不同坛紫菜丝状体生化性状的比较研究

为建立坛紫菜(Neoporphyra haitanensis)丝状体新品种选育的生化评价体系, 对比了5个品种/品系丝状体的光合色素和生长指标, 并利用液相色谱-质谱联用技术检测其红藻糖苷、类菌胞素氨基酸(MAAs)和植物激素的含量差异。结果显示, 藻胆蛋白和叶绿素a与净光合放氧速率和相对生长速率呈正相关, 与坛紫菜的高产特性有关。浙东2号(ZD2)、申福2号(SF2)和闽丰1号(MF1)丝状体的藻红蛋白含量较高, 其相对生长速率也较快。红藻糖苷与坛紫菜的耐高温能力有关, 在MF1和MF2中含量较高; 而MAAs与抗紫外辐射有关, 在MF2中含量远高于其他4个品种/品系, 体现了闽丰坛紫菜的耐高温和抗紫外线的南方品种特性。坛紫菜丝状体中发现了异戊烯腺嘌呤、异戊烯腺苷、反式玉米素核苷和芸苔素内酯4种植物激素, 但激素与生产性状的关联性不明确。综上所述, 研究为坛紫菜丝状体的新品种优选和人工培育构建了一套可行的评价指标体系。     

有机碳化合物对湛江等鞭金藻生长的影响

为了探讨有机碳化合物对湛江等鞭金藻的营养效应,实验设置了在f/2培养基中添加葡萄糖、乙酸钠、半乳糖、甘油、乙醇、柠檬酸钠和甘氨酸等7种有机碳化合物的处理,测定了湛江等鞭金藻(Isochrysis zhanjiangensis)的生长情况。结果表明,参试的7种有机碳化合物中,甘氨酸对湛江等鞭金藻细胞生长的促进作用最明显,而乙醇对藻细胞生长的促进效果不明显,其他5种均有不同程度的促进作用。7种有机碳对湛江等鞭金藻胞内蛋白质含量和总脂的积累量具有一定差异性影响。0.5～10g·L^-1的葡萄糖、乙酸钠均可提高胞内蛋白质和总脂的含量。半乳糖对总脂积累量的影响不明显。     

氯氰菊酯对锥状斯氏藻的毒性效应

为了评估拟除虫菊酯农药对海洋生物以及海洋环境的毒性效应,研究了氯氰菊酯对锥状斯氏藻(Scrippsiellatrochoidea)的毒性效应及其对叶绿素a(Chl.a)、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、丙二醛(MDA)含量等生理生化指标的影响.结果表明,低浓度(≤10 μg·L-1)的氯氰菊酯对锥状斯氏藻生长具有明显的促进作用,而高于50μg·L-1则产生较明显的抑制效应.藻细胞所有生理生化指标在暴露初期的6～12 h较为敏感,24 h或48 h后趋于平稳;细胞内含物包括Chl.a、可溶性糖、可溶性蛋白含量以及SOD活性,在低浓度时均出现诱导现象,而高浓度时则呈现先抑制后恢复的现象.而氯氰菊酯对藻体内MDA含量均具有促进作用,浓度越高促进作用越强.研究结果表明,锥状斯氏藻的各种生化指标对氯氰菊酯的响应均较为敏感,但SOD和MDA对剂量反应更为敏感,最低影响剂量为5μg·L-1和1μg·L-1,可作为拟除虫菊酯农药污染早期预警的生物指示指标.     

有机物质对紫球藻生长的影响*

研究了有机碳、氮源及 B族维生素对紫球藻生长的影响。葡萄糖促生长作用最佳 ,添加 2 % (W/V)葡萄糖时 ,藻细胞生长速度比对照组明显提高 ,培养 10 d收获的生物量增加 92 .6 % ,培养液中的溶解氧含量和藻体叶绿素 a含量也有变化。有机氮源的利用率低 ,仅蛋白胨、酵母汁可被利用。维生素 B2 和 B12 也有促长作用。     

采伐剩余物对林地表层土壤生化特性和酶活性的影响

对福建省大武夷山常绿阔叶林野外站三明观测点的35年生米槠天然更新次生林皆伐后采伐剩余物进行不同处理(火烧LB、保留LR)后表层土壤(0—10 cm)主要生化特性、芳香性指数、腐殖化程度以及酶活性进行研究。结果表明:半年后,与LB相比,LR土壤可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮和微生物量碳含量分别增加92%、105%和39%,土壤有效磷含量和代谢熵值下降42%和68%,土壤酸性磷酸酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶和纤维素水解酶活性增加了3.3倍、2.8倍和2.1倍,酚氧化酶活性下降了34%(P0.05)。LR土壤芳香性指数(4.99±2.39)较低,腐殖化指数(1.72±0.01)较高,但与LB均无显著差异(P0.05)。1a后,LB除土壤β-葡萄糖苷酶活性略有降低外,其他3种土壤酶活性较半年前均显著上升。土壤有机碳、全氮、可溶性有机碳氮、有效磷、土壤碳矿化速率和土壤腐殖化指数较半年时显著下降,其中土壤可溶性有机碳含量减少近80%,代谢熵减少近68%(P0.05)。LR土壤芳香性指数(10.58±0.34)较半年前显著增加(P0.05)。处理1a后LB土壤有效磷含量(1.71±0.12)mg/kg显著高于LR,但LR土壤可溶性有机碳、可溶性有机氮含量和土壤碳矿化速率较LB仍明显更高(P0.05)。可见,采伐剩余物不同处理对森林土壤质量存在不同程度的影响,保留采伐剩余物有利于改善林地水热条件和养分循环,对地力的维持有利。     

赤潮水体中胶体物质对赤潮异弯藻(Heterosigma akashiwo)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)生长的影响

2004年2月9～10日在胶州湾发生的柔弱几内亚藻(Guinardia delicatula)赤潮期间分别在3个典型赤潮站位采集表层水样,利用过滤(0.7μm)和切向超滤(1000 Daltons)分离赤潮暴发水体中的胶体物质,分析了不同滤液及截留液的有机碳含量,并将赤潮异弯藻 (Heterosigma akashiwo)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum)在<1000 Daltons的超滤液及具有不同含量胶体物质(1000 Daltons～0.7μm)的截留液中进行培养.结果发现在发生柔弱几内亚藻赤潮期间水体中的溶解有机碳浓度会增加,特别是胶体有机碳浓度会成倍增长;在不同胶体含量海水中培养的赤潮异弯藻的最大生长率μmax和最大生物量Bf与对照组相比会随着胶体含量的增加而显著增大,而中肋骨条藻的最大生长率μmax和最大生物量Bf与对照组相比会随着胶体含量增加而显著降低,表明柔弱几内亚藻赤潮水体中的胶体物质对赤潮异弯藻的生长起促进作用,而对中肋骨条藻的生长起抑制作用.这说明柔弱几内亚藻在增殖过程中所产生的胶体物质具有他感作用,会影响其它微藻的生长,从而可能对柔弱几内亚藻赤潮的形成起重要作用.     

黄河三角洲盐碱地不同造林模式下的土壤碳氮分布特征

为了探讨不同造林模式对土壤碳氮影响的生态效应,以黄河三角洲盐碱地白蜡+棉花(FC)、香花槐+棉花(RC)、竹柳+棉花(SC)、白蜡林(F)、竹柳林(S)等5种造林模式为研究对象,分析比较各造林模式土壤的碳氮形态及分布特征,为重度退化刺槐林的经营改造和造林模式选择提供理论依据。结果显示:(1)不同造林模式下土壤的可溶性总碳和可溶性有机碳含量均高于裸地,农林间作高于纯林,其中SC模式含量最高,其次为FC和RC模式,而F和S纯林模式较低;5种造林模式不同土层可溶性有机碳含量均表现为0—20 cm高于20—40 cm。(2)农林间作模式0—40 cm土层的可溶性全氮和可溶性有机氮平均含量均高于纯林模式,其中SC模式的含量最高。FC、SC和S纯林模式0—20 cm土层可溶性有机氮含量显著高于20—40 cm土层,分别为其1.4、1.5和2.7倍;而RC模式20—40 cm土层可溶性有机氮含量显著高于0—20 cm土层。(3)5种造林模式中,除F纯林土壤硝态氮低于裸地外,其他造林模式下的土壤各种氮养分含量均显著高于裸地。土壤可溶性有机碳与全氮和铵态氮的相关性达到极显著水平(P0.01)。研究表明农林间作模式可显著提高重度退化刺槐林皆伐后土壤中有效态碳、氮含量,其中SC模式改良效果较好,而纯林模式较差。     

清澜港红树林湿地典型群落类型沉积物活性有机碳组分分布特征

滩涂海岸红树林生态系统通常具有较高的土壤养分,尤其是沉积物有机碳含量。海南岛红树林种类丰富且生长较好,通过对红树林沉积物有机碳组分的基础研究有利于提高对红树林湿地固碳能力的评估精度,加深对海洋蓝碳的认识。以清澜港红树林5种典型群落类型为对象,比较分析表层土壤(0—10 cm)总有机碳(TOC)、微生物生物量碳(MBC)、易氧化有机碳(EOC)、可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量差异及其与土壤因子之间的相关性。结果表明：(1)不同群落类型间,土壤TOC、MBC、DOC和EOC含量均值分别为66.76 g/kg、177.08 mg/kg、25.49 mg/kg和2.34 g/kg。对比发现,土壤TOC在角果木群落中含量最高,但各群落间无显著差异;土壤MBC在不同群落间存在显著差异,其中角果木群落和杯萼海桑群落显著高于榄李群落;土壤DOC在不同群落间存在显著差异,其中海莲群落和角果木群落显著高于其余群落;土壤EOC在不同群落间存在显著差异,其中角果木群落显著高于海莲群落和正红树群落。(2)活性有机碳各个组分占总有机碳的比例均值大小依次为EOC>MBC>DOC。土壤EOC、MBC、DOC的...     

Chemical profiling of mycosporine‐like amino acids in twenty‐three red algal species

Rhodophyta produce a variety of chemically different mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs), compounds that are known as some of the strongest ultraviolet (UV) absorbing molecules in nature. Accordingly, they primarily act as photoprotectants against harmful levels of solar ultraviolet radiation in the UV‐A and UV‐B range. In order to get a deeper understanding of the chemical diversity of MAAs in red algae, pure standards of eleven mycosporine‐like amino acids were isolated from three different species (Agarophyton chilense, Pyropia plicata and Champia novae‐zelandiae) using various chromatographic methods. Their structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Four out of the eleven MAAs are reported for the first time in algae. In addition, a new high‐performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the separation of all isolated MAAs and successfully applied for the analysis of twenty‐three red algal species of marine origin. All of them contained MAAs, the most abundant compounds were shinorine, palythine, asterina‐330 and porphyra‐334. For some samples, the direct assignment of MAAs based on their UV spectra was not possible; therefore, the target analytes were enriched by a simple concentration step, followed by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of the extracts. This approach enabled a deeper insight into the MAA pattern of red algae, indicating that not only the four dominant ones are synthesized but also many others, which were often described as unknown compounds in previous studies.     

The influence of environmental features in the content of mycosporine‐like amino acids in red marine algae along the Brazilian coast

Mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAA) are ultraviolet screen substances synthesized by marine algae. The physiological function of these substances is related to cellular protection against UV radiation and as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress. These substances can be found mainly in the ocean, among red seaweeds. Its concentration in organisms has been related to ultraviolet radiation and availability of inorganic nitrogen in the environment. We start our study of MAA content in different species to understand if environmental conditions influence the concentration of MAAs in red seaweeds. The Brazilian coast presents abiotic factors that interact to create different physical‐chemical features in the environment. We collected 441 samples from 39 species of red seaweed easily found in the intertidal zone, in low tide, during the summer of 2015. The sampling encompassed a latitudinal gradient (3° S to 28°5′ S) at 23 points along the coast. We quantified and identified the content of MAAs in species through the method of high performance liquid chromatography. We detected for the first time the occurrence of MAAs in certain species of red algae that have not been reported to contain MAAs before. We confirmed that some environmental factors influenced the content of MAAs. Enhanced MAA contents, for example, were found in environments with a basic pH, a high ultraviolet index, and high concentrations of phosphate and nitrate. Salinity, dissolved oxygen and variations of sea surface temperature also influenced, in a secondary way, MAA content in algae in their natural environments.     

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) acquire a UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acid from dietary algae

We hypothesised that Antarctic krill acquire UV-absorbing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from dietary algae, which produce MAAs in response to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. To test this hypothesis, we grew cultures of Phaeocystis antarctica that had been grown under either photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-750 nm) plus UV irradiation (UVR, 280-400 nm), or else PAR-only. Algae grown under PAR-only produced high concentrations of porphyra-334, whereas additional UVR caused formation of high concentrations of mycosporine-glycine:valine and lower concentrations of porphyra-334. Krill were fed with either of these two cultures on eight occasions over 63 days. A third group was starved for the duration of the experiment. Animals were analysed after 36 and 63 days for MAA content. Remaining animals from all treatments were starved for a further 35 days and analysed to examine MAA retention characteristics. Our findings are that krill acquired different MAAs from dietary algae depending on the light conditions under which the algae were grown. Specifically, krill fed algae grown under PAR-only had higher concentrations of porphyra-334 than starved krill. Conversely, krill fed algae grown under PAR with additional UVR had high body concentrations of mycosporine-glycine:valine. MAA concentrations in starved krill remained static throughout the experiment. However, long term starvation (35 days) caused levels of certain acquired MAAs to decline. From this we can infer that MAA concentrations in krill are dependent on the MAA content of phytoplankton, and therefore the algae's response to UV exposure. This has implications for transfer of MAAs through marine trophic webs.     

Mycosporine-like amino acids in Antarctic sea ice algae,and their response to UVB radiation

Mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) were detected in low concentration in sea ice algae growing in situ at Cape Evans, Antarctica. Four areas of sea ice were covered with plastics of different UV absorption exposing the bottom- ice algal community to a range of UV doses for a period of 15 days. Algae were exposed to visible radiation only; visible + UV radiation; and visible + enhanced UV radiation. MAA content per cell at the start of the experiment was low in snow-covered plots but higher in samples from ice with no snow cover. During the study period, the MAA content per cell reduced in all treatments, but the rate of this decline was less under both ambient UV and visible radiation than under snow covered plots. While low doses of UVB radiation may have stimulated some MAA production (or at least slowed its loss), relatively high doses of UVB radiation resulted in almost complete loss of MAAs from ice algal cells. Despite this reduction in MAA content per cell, the diatoms in all samples grew well, and there was no discernible effect on viability. This suggests that MAAs may play a minor role as photoprotectants in sea ice algae. The unique structure of the bottom ice algal community may provide a self-shading effect such that algal cells closest to the surface of the ice contain more MAAs than those below them and confer a degree of protection on the community as a whole.     

Preferential accumulation of carotenoids rather than of mycosporine-like amino acids in copepods from high altitude Himalayan lakes

Zooplankton species have evolved several adaptive strategies to minimize damage caused by exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, but the environmental conditions favoring one strategy or another are not yet fully understood. Here, I quantified the concentration of photoprotective compounds (carotenoids and mycosporine-like amino acids or MAAs) and assessed the photorepair activity (photolyase assay) in populations of the calanoid copepod, Arctodiaptomus jurisowitchi and the cladocerans, Daphnia himalaya and D. longispina, from five high altitude lakes located in the Himalayan Region (Khumbu Valley, Nepal) between 4890 and 5440 m above sea level. The concentration and diversity of MAAs were low in copepods, as well as in seston samples. Significant differences in the concentration of MAAs among the five copepod populations were largely explained (96%) by the lake depth refuge (i.e., the fraction of the water column to which 1% of the surface UVR at 320 nm penetrates). Concentrations of carotenoids (mostly free astaxanthin) in copepods were among the highest reported in the literature. Similar to MAAs, the carotenoid concentration was inversely related to the lake depth refuge. The lowest concentration of photoprotective compounds in copepods was observed in a turbid glacier lake, whereas the highest was found in a shallow water body dominated by a benthic mat of filamentous green algae. Except for the presence of melanin in D. himalaya, no other photoprotective compounds were found in cladocerans. The assay of photolyase activity in A. jurisowitchi and D. himalaya suggested the absence of a photorepair mechanism. The results of this study indicate that the copepod populations from this relatively pristine alpine region rely mainly on the accumulation of carotenoids to minimize damage by UV radiation, a pattern that strongly contrasts with what is known for copepods from other alpine lakes, for instance, in the Alps. I hypothesize that this difference is attributed to nitrogen limitation of the MAA synthesis in phytoplankton from remote Himalayan lakes.     

UV‐Acclimation of Cultured Phytoplankton Exposed to Natural and Enhanced UVB Radiation and Methodological Aspects of MAA Quantification

Bloom‐forming dinoflagellates often synthesize high concentrations of mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) as a protection from high PAR and UV radiation, which may afford them a competitive advantage over other species. Photoprotection and long‐term acclimation to natural and enhanced UVB radiation were examined during 4 weeks in three dinoflagellates and one diatom. Semi‐continuous, nutrient‐replete cultures were maintained outdoors under natural light, with or without additional UVB (from lamps). The photosynthetic performance (XE‐PAM fluorometry) and the concentration and composition of MAAs and photoprotective carotenoids (PPCs; comprising xanthophylls) were followed weekly. A great variety of MAAs was found in the dinoflagellates (up to 10, identified by cochromatography and LC–MS). Large differences between sp. (and between two strains of the same sp.) were observed. In most cases, the composition and concentration of MAAs and PPCs increased under enhanced UVB. Growth rate and photosynthetic performance were sometime lower under enhanced UVB, while in other cases photoacclimation seemed to occur. The least affected sp. was Alexandrium tamarense who responded most rapidly to enhanced UVB. The algae also responded to changes in natural incident radiation. Some methodological aspects of MAA quantification were also investigated (with four species of dinoflagellates). Our results indicate how freezing (liquid‐N) likely breaks the cells, mobilizing the water‐soluble MAAs in the filter moist (otherwise highly packaged in fresh cells), while the organelles containing the pigments remain relatively intact. The implications of standard sample handling on the evaluation of MAA concentration in algae and on the estimation of the absorption of suspended material in water from in vivo spectroscopy (filter pad technique) will also be discussed.     

Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids Extracted from Scallop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Patinopecten yessoensis</Emphasis>) Ovaries: UV Protection and Growth Stimulation Activities on Human Cells

Scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis) are extensively cultured and landed in Japan. During the processing of scallops, large amounts of internal organs and shells are discharged as industrial wastes. To reduce the burden on the environment, effective utilization and disposal methods of the wastes are required. Therefore, we have screened for useful materials in scallop internal organs, and found ultraviolet (UV) absorbing compounds from scallop ovaries. Based on UV absorption, electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), ESI-MS/MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, three UV absorbing compounds were identified as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs): shinorine, porphyra-334 (P-334), and mycosporine-glycine. To investigate whether MAAs can act as a UV protector for human cells, we examined the protective effects of the three MAAs on human fibroblast cells from UV irradiation. All of the three examined MAAs protected the cells from UV-induced cell death. In particular, mycosporine-glycine had the strongest effect. Further, we found a promotion effect of MAAs on the proliferation of human skin fibroblast cells. From these results, it was found that the three MAAs isolated from scallop ovaries have a protective effect on human cells against UV light. MAAs have potential applications in cosmetics and toiletries as a UV protectors and activators of cell proliferation.     

The relative contributions of diet and associated microbiota to the accumulation of UV‐absorbing mycosporine‐like amino acids in the freshwater copepod Boeckella antiqua

1. Mycosporine‐like amino acids (MAAs) are ubiquitous compounds in aquatic organisms that are usually considered sunscreens that protect them from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Given that virtually all animals lack the metabolic pathways to synthesise MAAs de novo, they must acquire them either from their diet or from microorganisms living in close association. In freshwater copepods, accumulation of MAAs is stimulated by exposure to ultraviolet and/or visible radiation. 2. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was performed to assess the contributions of dietary and microbial sources of MAAs in the freshwater copepod Boeckella antiqua. The treatments consisted of two different diets: an MAA‐free diet, including only Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and an MAA‐rich diet, including both C. reinhardtii and Peridinium inconspicuum, crossed with two antibiotic treatments, with and without chloramphenicol. Treatment with chloramphenicol was intended to inhibit the development of bacteria associated with the copepods. 3. MAA concentration in B. antiqua was affected by the experimental conditions: (i) exposure to artificial PAR + UVR stimulated the accumulation of several MAAs (up to 62% increase in total MAA concentration with respect to the initial concentration); (ii) the presence of chloramphenicol in the culture media reduced the MAA concentration in copepods fed an MAA‐free diet; (iii) in the absence of chloramphenicol, copepods fed the MAA‐rich diet had significantly higher total MAA concentration than those fed the MAA‐deficient diet; but (iv) dietary supplementation with an MAA‐rich algae in the presence of chloramphenicol failed to significantly increase total MAA concentration. 4. Analysis of profiles from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) showed that the prokaryotic community associated with the copepods was affected by chloramphenicol. Dendograms constructed from digitalised DGGE images consistently grouped the antibiotics treatments separately from the initial samples and the treatments without antibiotics. Two band positions were exclusive to treatments without antibiotics. 5. We conclude that when offered an MAA‐rich diet, B. antiqua may accumulate a proportion of MAAs from diet. However, we suspect that in the absence of an MAA‐rich dietary source (as in its natural habitat), virtually all MAAs present in B. antiqua are produced by copepod‐associated prokaryotes.     

ULTRAVIOLET SUNSCREENS IN GYMNODINIUM SANGUINEUM (DINOPHYCEAE): MYCOSPORINE-LIKE AMINO ACIDS PROTECT AGAINST INHIBITION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Marine phytoplankton are sensitive to inhibition of photosynthesis by solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation, although sensitivity varies, depending on the growth environment. A mechanism suggested to increase resistance to UV inhibition is the accumulation of UV-absorbing compounds, such as the mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) found in many marine organisms. However, the effectiveness of these compounds as direct optical screens in microorganisms has remained unclear. The red-tide dinoflagellate Gymnodinium sanguineum Hirasaka accumulates about 14-fold more MAAs (per unit of chlorophyll) in high (76 W·m⁻²) than in low (15 W·m⁻²) growth irradiance. Biological weighting functions were estimated for UV inhibition of photosynthesis and showed that the high-light-grown cultures have lower sensitivity to UV radiation at wavelengths strongly absorbed by the MAAs. The time course of photosynthesis during exposure to UV radiation was measured using pulsed amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry and displayed a steady-state level after 15 min of exposure, indicating active repair of damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Repair was blocked in the presence of the antibiotic streptomycin, yet high-light G. sanguineum remained less sensitive to UV radiation than did low-light cultures. These experiments show that MAAs act as spectrally specific UV sunscreens in phytoplankton.     

The synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by cultured, symbiotic dinoflagellates

We tested the hypothesis that there is a relation between phylotypes (phylogenetic types, as determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and partial sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSUrDNA)) and the synthesis of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) by symbiotic dinoflagellates under the influence of ultraviolet radiation (UV-B/A) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). We exposed 27 isolates of symbiotic dinoflagellates simultaneously to UV-B/A and PAR, and subsequently determined the MAAs present in cell extracts and in the media. The algae used included 24 isolates of Symbiodinium spp. originating from jellyfishes, sea anemones, zoanthids, scleractinians, octocorals, and bivalves, and three others in the genera Gymnodinium, Gloeodinium and Amphidinium from a jellyfish, an hydrocoral and a flatworm, respectively. In this study, all of the phylotype A Symbiodinium spp. synthesized up to three identified MAAs. None of the 11 cultured phylotypes B and C Symbiodinium spp. synthesized MAAs. The three non-Symbiodinium symbionts also synthesized up to three MAAs. The results support a conclusion that phylotype A Symbiodinium spp. have a high predilection for the synthesis of MAAs, while phylotypes B and C do not. Synthesis of MAAs by symbiotic dinoflagellates in culture does not appear to relate directly to depths or to the UV exposure regimes from which the consortia were collected.