Sr2ZnWO6:Eu3+,Bi3+,Li+: a potential white‐emitting phosphor for near‐ultraviolet white light‐emitting diodes

A series of Sr₂ZnWO₆ phosphors co‐doped with Eu³⁺, Bi³⁺ and Li⁺ were prepared using the Pechini method. The samples were tested using X‐ray diffraction and luminescence spectroscopy. The results show that the samples can be effectively excited by near‐ultraviolet (UV) and UV light. The introduction of Bi³⁺ and Li⁺ significantly enhances the fluorescence emission of Sr₂ZnWO₆:Eu³⁺ and changes the light emitted by the phosphors from bluish‐green to white. When excited at 371 nm, Sr_2–x–zZn_1–yWO₆:xEu³⁺,yBi³⁺,zLi⁺ (x = 0.05, y = 0.05, z = 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15) samples emit high‐performance white light. Intense red–orange emission is also observed when excited by UV light. The obtained phosphor is a potential white‐emitting phosphor that could meet the needs of excitation sources with near‐UV chips. In addition, this phosphor might have promising application as a red–orange emitting phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes based on UV light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eu3+‐activated Y2MoO6: a narrow band red‐emitting phosphor with strong near‐UV absorption

Near‐UV excited narrow line red‐emitting phosphors, Eu³⁺‐activated Y₂MoO₆ systems, were synthesized using a simple molten salt reaction. The structure and photoluminescence characteristics were investigated using X‐ray powder diffraction, UV–Vis absorption and fluorescent spectrophotometry. The excitation spectra show strong broad‐band absorptions in the near‐UV to blue light regions which match the radiation of near‐UV light‐emitting diode chips well. Under excitation of either near‐UV or blue light, intense red emission with a main peak of 611 nm is observed, ascribed to the ⁵D₀–⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ ions; the optimal doping concentration is 20 mol%. The chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.65, y = 0.34) of the as‐obtained phosphor are very close to the National Television Standard Committee standard values (x = 0.67, y = 0.33). All these characteristics suggest that this material is a promising red‐emitting phosphor candidate for white‐LEDs based on near‐UV LED chips. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON GROWTH AND PHLOROTANNINS IN FUCUS GARDNERI (PHAEOPHYCEAE) JUVENILES AND EMBRYOS1

Diminishing levels of atmospheric ozone are increasing UV stress on intertidal algae. Early developmental stages tend to be more susceptible to environmental stresses; however, little research has examined how these stages are protected from UV radiation (UVR). Many brown algae contain high levels of phlorotannins, which are thought to function in screening UVR. In this study, we tested the effects of ambient levels of UV‐B and UV‐A on growth and phlorotannin production in 1‐ to 2‐cm juvenile and microscopic postsettlement embryos of the intertidal alga Fucus gardneri Silva. Algae were grown in four light treatments: 1) ambient light; 2) under cellulose acetate, which lowered light quantity but did not affect light quality; 3) under Mylar^TM, which filtered UV‐B; and 4) under Plexiglas^TM, which blocked UV‐A and UV‐B. Over a 3‐week period, UV‐B inhibited and UV‐A enhanced the growth of F. gardneri embryos, whereas the growth of juveniles was not affected. Phlorotannin concentrations of both embryos and juveniles did not differ in any of the light treatments. Our results suggest that embryos of F. gardneri are susceptible to UV light but develop a tolerance to it as they mature. This tolerance may result from increases in phlorotannin concentrations that occur during maturation; however, phlorotannin production in embryonic or juvenile stages is either not induced by UV light or takes more than 3 weeks to occur.     

Blue Light Reception in Phycomyces: Red Light Sensitization in madC Mutants

Sporangiophores of the zygomycete fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus are sensitive to near UV and blue light. The quantum effectiveness of yellow and red light is more than 6 orders of magnitude below that of near UV or blue light. Phototropism mutants with a defect in the gene madC are about 10⁶ times less sensitive to blue light than the wild type. These mutants respond, however, to yellow and red light when the long wavelength light is given simultaneously with actinic blue light. In the presence of yellow or red light the photogravitropic threshold of madC mutants is lowered about 100-fold though the yellow and the red light alone are phototropically ineffective. A step-up of the fluence rate of broad-band red light (> 600 nm) from 6 × 10^?3 to 6W m^?2 elicits, in mutant C 148 madC, a transient deceleration of the growth rate. The growth rate of the wild type is not affected by the same treatment. The results are interpreted in terms of a red light absorbing intermediate of the blue light photoreceptor of Phycomyces. The intermediate should be short-lived in the wild type and should accumulate in madC mutants.     

Photosynthetic performance,DNA damage and repair in gametes of the endemic Antarctic brown alga Ascoseira mirabilis exposed to ultraviolet radiation

Abstract Stress physiology on the reproductive cells of Antarctic macroalgae remained unstudied. Ascoseira mirabilis is endemic to the Antarctic region, an isolated ecosystem exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Moreover, stratospheric ozone depletion leads to increasing ultraviolet radiation (280–400 nm) at the earth's surface, thus it is necessary to investigate the capacity of reproductive cells to cope with different UV irradiances. This study is aimed to investigate the impact of exposure to different spectral irradiance on the photosynthetic performance, DNA damage and gamete morphology of the A. mirabilis. Gametangia, gametes and zygotes of the upper sublittoral brown alga A. mirabilis were exposed to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR = P; 400–700 nm), P + UV‐A radiation (UV‐A, 320–400 nm) and P + UV‐A + UV‐B radiation (UV‐B, 280–320 nm). Rapid photosynthesis versus irradiance curves of freshly released propagules were measured. Photosynthetic efficiencies and DNA damage (in terms of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers) were determined after 1, 2, 4 and 8 h exposure as well as after 2 days of recovery in dim white light. Saturation irradiance (I_k) in freshly released propagules was 52 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. Exposure for 1 h under 22 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ of PAR significantly reduced the optimum quantum yield (F_v/F_m), suggesting that propagules are low light adapted. Furthermore, UVR significantly contributed to the photoinhibition of photosynthesis. Increasing dose as a function of exposure time additionally exacerbated the effects of different light treatments. The amount of DNA damage increased with the UV‐B dose but an efficient repair mechanism was observed in gametes pre‐exposed to a dose lower than 5.8 × 10³ J m⁻² of UV‐B. The results of this study demonstrate the negative impact of UV‐B radiation. However, gametes of A. mirabilis are capable of photosynthetic recovery and DNA repair when the stress factor is removed. This capacity was observed to be dependent on the fitness of the parental sporophyte.     

Developmental changes in the sensitivity of Volvox to ultraviolet light

The response of Volvox to ultraviolet irradiation was analyzed. Young individuals isolated from a synchronous culture were exposed to UV light (120 J/m²) and subjected to variable lenght periods of dark following irradiation. The major effect of the UV treatment was the inability of the gonidia present in the colonies at the time of irradiation to continue and complete the developmental program. Individuals show a heightened sensitivity to UV for a limited period immediately following inversion and are insensitive at other stages of development. The cytotoxic effect of UV during this interval is completely reversed by the immediate exposure to white light and is increased with longer periods of dark treatment prior to exposure to white light. The temporal profile of the sensitivity defines a smooth curve in which the maximal sensitivity occurs three hours after inversion. The response to higher doses of UV (up to 500 J/m²) is a nonlinear increase in cytotoxicity and is disproportionanately greater in those individuals just prior to the period of maximal sensitivity than those later in development. The results suggest that Volvox has at least two pathways for the repair of UV damage and that one of these, the principal dark repair pathway, is temporarily deficient in the gonidia of young individuals.     

In vivo nicking and rejoining of nuclear DNA in ultraviolet-irradiated radiation-resistant and sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum

Summary Some aspects of DNA repair in several radiation-resistant and radiation-sensitive strains of Dictyostelium discoideum were investigated by using alkaline sucrose gradients to analyze for the production and resealing of single-strand breaks following irradiation with 254 nm UV. All radiation-resistant strains and all mutants assayed that are sensitive to both UV and ⁶⁰Co gamma rays produced singlestrand breaks in their nuclear DNA after a UV fluence of 15 J/m². Mutants at the radC locus which are sensitive to UV but as resistant as their parental strains to ⁶⁰Co gamma rays produced many fewer single-strand breaks in their DNA after irradiation with UV. Thus, the radC mutations alter a repair pathway specific for UV-induced DNA damage and presumably affect the activity of a UV-damage-specific endonuclease involved in excision repair. All radiation-resistant strains and all of our mutants sensitive to gamma rays rejoined much of their DNA during a three-hour post-UV-irradiation incubation, suggesting that these strains have at least a partially intact excision repair system.Abbreviations used UV ultraviolet light - PBS phosphate buffered saline - cpm counts per minute     

PHOTOSYNTHETIC ADAPTATION OF A BLOOM‐FORMING CYANOBACTERIUM MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA (CYANOPHYCEAE) TO PROLONGED UV‐B EXPOSURE1

The bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz 854 was cultured with 1.05 W·m^?2 UV‐B for 3 h every day, and its growth, pigments, and photosynthesis were investigated. The specific growth rates represented by chl a concentration and OD₇₅₀ were inhibited 8% and 9% by UV‐B exposure, respectively. Six days of UV‐B treatment significantly reduced cellular contents of phycocyanin and allophycocyanin by 32% and 62%, respectively, and markedly increased the carotenoid content by 27%, but had little effect on the chl a content. The initial values of optimal photosynthetic efficiency for UV‐B treated samples were, respectively, 52%, 87%, and 93% of controls on days 4, 7, and 10 of growth. The light‐saturated photosynthetic rates at day 6 were significantly lower than controls grown without UV‐B. The probability of electron transfer beyond Q_A decreased during UV‐B exposure, and this indicated that the acceptor side of PSII was one of main damage sites. The adaptation of M. aeruginosa 854 to UV‐B radiation could be observed from light‐saturated photosynthetic rates on day 13 and diurnal changes of chl fluorescence during the late growth phase. When both exposed to higher UV‐B, samples cultured under 1.05 W·m^?2 UV‐B for 9 days recovered faster than controls. It is suggested that M. aeruginosa 854 had at least three adaptive strategies to cope with the enhanced UV‐B: increasing the synthesis of carotenoids to counteract reactive oxidants caused by UV‐B exposure, degrading phycocyanin and allophycocyanin to avoid further damage to DNA and reaction centers, and enhancing the repair of UV‐B induced damage to the photosynthetic apparatus.     

INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF PAR AND UV‐B RADIATION ON PSII ELECTRON TRANSPORT IN THE MARINE ALGA DUNALIELLA TERTIOLECTA (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1

To better understand the interactions between PAR and UV‐B radiation in microalgae, the marine chlorophyte alga Dunaliella tertiolecta was subjected to a UV‐B flux of 4.1 W·m ^{? 2} (unweighted) with varying PAR fluxes. Rate constants for damage and repair processes during UV‐B exposure increased with PAR flux. However, recovery after UV‐B exposure increased with PAR up to 300 μmol quanta·m ^{? 2}·s ^{? 1} 1 Received 17 September 2002. Accepted 19 February 2003. , beyond which photoinhibition of PSII electron transport was found to decrease recovery rates. In the absence of PAR during the post UV‐B exposure period, no recovery was seen, indicating that perhaps the lack of light available for photosynthesis depresses repair either directly or indirectly by affecting ATP synthesis. Possible mechanisms for the observed interactions between PAR and UV‐B exposure are discussed.     

Assessing the effectiveness of low‐pressure ultraviolet light for inactivating Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) micro‐organisms

Aims: To assess low‐pressure ultraviolet light (LP‐UV) inactivation kinetics of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) strains in a water matrix using collimated beam apparatus. Methods and Results: Strains of M. avium (n = 3) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (n = 2) were exposed to LP‐UV, and log₁₀ inactivation and inactivation kinetics were evaluated. All strains exhibited greater than 4 log₁₀ inactivation at fluences of less than 20 mJ cm^?2. Repair potential was evaluated using one M. avium strain. Light repair was evaluated by simultaneous exposure using visible and LP‐UV irradiation. Dark repair was evaluated by incubating UV‐exposed organisms in the dark for 4 h. The isolate did not exhibit light or dark repair activity. Conclusions: Results indicate that MAC organisms are readily inactivated at UV fluences typically used in drinking water treatment. Differences in activation kinetics were small but statistically significant between some tested isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study: Results provide LP‐UV inactivation kinetics for isolates from the relatively resistant MAC. Although UV inactivation of Mycobaterium species have been reported previously, data collected in this effort are comparable with recent UV inactivation research efforts performed in a similar manner. Data were assessed using a rigorous statistical approach and were useful towards modelling efforts.     

Reactivation of Giardia lamblia cysts after exposure to polychromatic UV light

Aims: In this study, we determined the ability of a promising alternative UV technology – a polychromatic emission from a medium‐pressure UV (MP UV) technology – to inhibit the reactivation of UV‐irradiated Giardia lamblia cysts. Methods and Results: A UV‐collimated beam apparatus was used to expose shallow suspensions of purified G. lamblia cysts in PBS (pH 7·2) or filtered drinking water to a low dose (1 mJ cm^?2) of MP UV irradiation. After UV irradiation, samples were exposed to two repair conditions (light or dark) and two temperature conditions (25°C or 37°C for 2–4 h). The inactivation of G. lamblia cysts by MP UV was very extensive, and c. 3 log₁₀ inactivation was achieved with a dose of 1 mJ cm^?2. Meanwhile, there was no apparent reactivation (neither in vivo nor in vitro) of UV‐irradiated G. lamblia under the conditions tested. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that, unlike the traditional low‐pressure (LP) UV technology, an alternative UV technology (MP UV) could inhibit the reactivation of UV‐irradiated G. lamblia cysts even when the cysts were exposed to low UV doses. Significance and Impact of the Study: It appears that alternative UV technology has some advantages over the traditional LP UV technology in drinking water disinfection because of their high level of inactivation against G. lamblia cysts and also effective inhibition of reactivation in UV‐irradiated G. lamblia cysts.     

Studies on radiation-sensitive mutants of E. coli. 3. Participation of the rec system in induction of mutation by ultraviolet irradiation

Summary The bacterial recA gene participates in the induction by UV irradiation of the clear mutation of phage and the Lac^- mutation of bacteria. The necessary function is induced by irradiation of Rec⁺ bacteria and acts upon DNA irradiated with UV light.     

Water- and temperature-dependence of DNA damage and repair in the fruticose lichen Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis exposed to UV-B radiation

The induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) by ultraviolet‐B radiation (UV‐B, 280–315 nm) and repair mechanisms were studied in the lichen Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis exposed to different temperatures and water status conditions. In addition, the development and repair of CPDs were studied in relation to the different developmental stages of the lichen thallus podetial branches. Air‐dried lichen thalli exposed to UV‐B radiation combined with relatively high visible light (HL, 800 μmol m^?2 s^?1; 400–700 nm) for 7 days showed a progressive increase of CPDs with no substantial repair, although HL was present during and after irradiation with UV‐B. Fully hydrated lichen thalli, that had not been previously exposed to UV‐B radiation for 7 days, were given short‐term UV‐B radiation treatment at 25°C, and accumulated DNA lesions in the form of CPDs, with repair occurring when they were exposed to photoreactivating conditions (2 h of 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1, 400–700 nm). A different pattern was observed when fully hydrated thalli were exposed to short‐term UV‐B radiation at 2°C, in comparison with exposure at 25°C. High levels of CPDs were induced at 2°C under UV‐B irradiation, without significant repair under subsequent photoreactivating light. Likewise, when PAR (300 μmol m^?2 s^?1) and UV‐B radiation were given simultaneously, the CPD levels were not lowered. Throughout all experiments the youngest, less differentiated parts of the lichen thallus – namely ‘tips’, according to our arbitrary subdivision – were the parts showing the highest levels of CPD accumulation and the lowest levels of repair in comparison with the older thallus tissue (‘stems’). Thus the experiments showed that Cladonia arbuscula ssp. mitis is sensitive to UV‐B irradiation in the air‐dried state and is not able to completely repair the damage caused by the radiation. Furthermore, temperature plays a role in the DNA damage repairing capacity of this lichen, since even when fully hydrated, C. arbuscula ssp. mitis did not repair DNA damage at the low temperatures.     

Apoptosis development pathways in human lymphocytes induced by UV light and reactive oxygen species

We have studied alterations in the structural state of DNA, the level of membrane Fas-receptor expression, functional activity of caspase-3, the concentration of Ca²⁺, p53 and cytochrome c proteins in human lymphocyte cells in the dynamics of apoptosis, induced by UV light (240–390 nm) at doses of 151, 1510, and 3020 J/m² and reactive oxygen species (ROS): superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen. It was established that UV light and ROS induce lymphocyte DNA fragmentation after the incubation of a modified cell for 20 h. It was shown that in 1–5 h after UV light and ROS exposure on lymphocytes, an increase is observed in the level of membrane death Fas-receptors as compared to intact cells. Enhancement was revealed in the functional activity of lymphocyte caspase-3 4 h after the generation of singlet oxygen, hydroxyl radical, and the addition of hydrogen peroxide, as well as 8 and 24 h and 6 and 8 h of UV irradiation of cells at doses of 151 and 1510 J/m², respectively. Using the DNA comet approach, it was revealed that DNA damage (single-stranded breaks) appears approximately 15–20 min after UV irradiation of lymphocytes at doses of 1510 and 3020 J/m² and the addition of hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 10⁻⁶ mol/L (comets of the C1 type) and reaches its maximum 6 h after cell modification (comets of the C2 and C3 types). Six hours after exposure of lymphocytes to hydrogen peroxide and UV light at doses of 1510 and 3020 J/m², it was established that the p53 level increased in the investigated cells. It was established that under UV light exposure and exogenous generation of reactive oxygen species, the increase in the calcium level in lymphocyte cytoplasm is determined by Ca²⁺ efflux from the intracellular depots as a result of activation of the components of the phosphoinositide information transmission mechanism to a cell. A hypothesis was proposed on the correlation between changes in the calcium level and initiation of programmed cell death in human lymphocytes after UV light and ROS exposure. It was concluded that the lead role is played by receptor-mediated (Fas-dependent) caspase and p53-dependent pathways in the development of lymphocyte apoptosis induced by exposure to UV light at doses of 151 and 1510 J/m² and reactive oxygen metabolites. A scheme is presented which considers possible intracellular events leading to apoptotic death of lymphocytes after UV irradiation.     

Luminescence studies on Ba2ZnSi2O7 : Eu2+ phosphors crystals

A novel blue green‐emitting phosphor Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ was prepared by combustion synthesis method and an efficient bluish green emission under from ultraviolet to visible light was observed. The emission spectrum shows a single intensive band centered at 503 nm, which corresponds to the 4f⁶5d¹ → 4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺. The excitation spectrum is a broad band extending from 260 to 465 nm, which matches the emission of ultraviolet light‐emitting diodes (UV‐LEDs). The effect of doped Eu²⁺ concentration on the emission intensity of Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ was also investigated. The result indicates that Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ : Eu²⁺ can be potentially useful as a UV radiation‐converting phosphor for white light‐emitting diodes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of UV irradiation on the capacity of an Hfr recA strain of Escherichia coli to act as donor

Summary The ability of a recA Hfr strain of Escherichia coli to form colonies is extremely sensitive to inhibition by ultraviolet light (Fig. 2). Furthermore, in this strain the synthesis of DNA is stopped completely by a dose of 385 ergs/mm² of UV (Fig. 3). Nevertheless, the ability of this recA Hfr strain to act as a donor in sexual recombination was no more sensitive to UV than that of a wild type donor (Fig. 1). Furthermore, when irradiated and mated with a recA female, in which DNA synthesis was also inhibited by UV (Fig. 3), there was a net synthesis of DNA as measured by the incorporation of C¹⁴ thymidine (Fig. 4). By using nalidixic acid resistant recA donors and recipients in all combinations, irradiating with UV and treating with nalidixic acid during mating, it is shown that DNA was synthesized by the donor (Fig. 5). It is concluded that synthesis of DNA directed by the sex factor during mating in a recA donor is not as sensitive to inhibition by UV as normal DNA synthesis in a recA donor.     

Photosynthates stimulate the UV-B induced fungal anthraquinone synthesis in the foliose lichen Xanthoria parietina

Synthesis of the cortical anthraquinone pigment parietin (= physcion) was studied in acetone‐rinsed, parietin‐free Xanthoria parietina thalli. UV‐B induced the synthesis, which increased linearly with UV‐B (log‐transformed) to the highest applied UV‐B level (1.8 W m^?2). At natural UV‐B levels (0.75 W m^?2), parietin resynthesis occurred at a constant pace (106 mg m^?2 d^?1) during a 14‐d period at 220 µmol m^?2 s^?1 PAR. Under these conditions, 56% of the natural parietin content prior to extraction was resumed, accounting for 10% of total net carbon gain. In the presence of UV‐B, the remaining results were consistent with the hypothesis assuming that photosynthates regulate the pace at which parietin is synthesized by the mycobiont. Resynthesis was rapid when photosynthesis was activated by light, or when certain carbohydrates were added exogenously. Additions of ribitol, the carbohydrate delivered from the photobiont, increased the parietin resynthesis substantially. Mannitol, the main fungal polyol, was significantly less effective. Furthermore, parietin resynthesis in X. parietina was depressed at high and low hydration when net photosynthesis is depressed. Therefore, the photobiont regulates the parietin resynthesis pace in its mycobiont partner by the delivery of photosynthates. In conclusion, both lichen bionts play important roles in the synthesis of parietin, which probably acts as a PAR‐ rather than a UV‐B‐screen.     

MORPHO‐FUNCTIONAL PATTERNS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC KELP LESSONIA NIGRESCENS: EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON 14C FIXATION AND PRIMARY PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS1

The morpho‐functional patterns of photosynthesis, measured as ¹⁴C‐fixation and chl fluorescence of PSII, also as affected by different doses of UV radiation in the laboratory were examined in the South Pacific kelp Lessonia nigrescens Bory of the coast of Valdivia, Chile (40°S). The results indicated the existence of longitudinal thallus profiles in physiological performance. In general, blades exhibited higher rates of carbon fixation and pigmentation as compared with stipes and holdfasts. Light‐independent ¹⁴C fixation (LICF) was high in meristematic zones of the blades (3.5 μmol ¹⁴C·g^?1 fresh weight [FW]·h^?1), representing 2%–16% (percentage ratio) of the photosynthetic ¹⁴C fixation (20 μmol ¹⁴C·g^?1 FW·h^?1). Exposures to UV radiation indicated that biologically effective UV‐B doses (BED_{photoinhibition300}) of 200–400 kJ·m^?2 (corresponding to current daily doses measured in Valdivia on cloudless summer days) inhibit photosynthetic ¹⁴C fixation of blades by 90%, while LICF was reduced by 70%. The percentage ratio of LICF to photosynthetic ¹⁴C fixation increased under UV exposure to 45%. Primary light reactions measured as maximum quantum yield (F_v/F_m) and electron transport rate (ETR) indicated a higher UV susceptibility of blades as compared with stipes and holdfasts: after a 48 h exposure to UV‐B, the decrease in the blades was close to 30%, while in the stipes and holdfasts it was <20%. The existence of translocation of labeled carbon along the blades suggests that growth at the meristem may be powered by nonphotosynthetic processes. A possible functional role of LIFC, such as during reduction of photosynthetic carbon fixation due to enhanced UV radiation, is discussed. These results in general support the idea that the UV‐related responses in Lessonia are integrated in the suite of morpho‐functional adaptations of the alga.     

UV‐B INDUCTION OF UV‐B PROTECTION IN ULVA PERTUSA (CHLOROPHYTA)1

The green macroalga Ulva pertusa Kjellman produced UV‐B absorbing compounds with a prominent absorption maximum at 294 nm in response only to UV‐B, and the amounts induced were proportional to the UV‐B doses. Under a 12:12‐h light:dark regime, the production of UV‐absorbing compounds occurred only during the exposure periods with little turnover in the dark. There was significant reduction in growth in parallel with the production of UV‐B absorbing compounds. The polychromatic action spectrum for the induction of UV‐B absorbing compounds in U. pertusa exhibits a major peak at 292 nm with a smaller peak at 311.5 nm. No significant induction was detected above 354.5 nm, and radiation below 285 nm caused significant reduction in the levels of UV‐B absorbing compounds. After UV‐B irradiation at 1.0 W·m^?2 for 9 h, the optimal photosynthetic quantum yield of the samples with UV‐B absorbing compounds slightly increased relative to the initial value, whereas that of thalli lacking the compounds declined to 30%–34% of the initial followed by subsequent recovery in dim light of up to 84%–85% of the initial value. There was a positive and significant relationship between the amount of UV‐B absorbing compounds with antioxidant activity as determined by the α,α‐diphenyl‐β‐picrylhydrazyl scavenging assay. In addition to mat‐forming characteristics and light‐driven photorepair, the existence and antioxidant capacity of UV‐B absorbing compounds may confer U. pertusa a greater selective advantage over other macroalgae, thereby enabling them to thrive in the presence of intense UV‐B radiation.     

Photoreactivation reverses ultraviolet radiation induced premutagenic lesions leading to frameshift mutations in Escherichia coli

Summary The effect of photoreactivation of the ultraviolet radiation induced reversion of a trpE9777 frameshift mutation was studied in a uvrA6 derivative of Escherichia coli K12. Two different photoreactivation treatments were used, one providing a single flash of photoreactivating light and another providing 10 min of light from fluorescent lamps. The reversion frequency of the trpE9777 frameshift mutation was strongly reduced when subsequently exposed to visible light. The dose modification factor (the ratio of equally effective doses), for cells challenged with single-flash photoreactivation, for survival and induction of reversion to Trp⁺ was 3.6 and 3.4, respectively. UV induction of RecA protein synthesis was not reversed by a single flash of photoreactivation. The dose modification factor for 10 min of fluorescent lamp photoreactivation for survival and for induction of reversion to Trp⁺ was 6.5 and 6.3, respectively. The dose modification factor for 10 min of photoreactivation for induction of RecA protein was 1.7–2.5. Photoreactivation decreased the reversion of trpE9777 and increased survival to the same extent. We concluded that cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers are the premutagenic lesions of UV mutagenesis of the trpE9777 allele in a uvrA6 background.