Cyanobacteria and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) stress: Mitigation strategies

Abstract Cyanobacteria are primitive photosynthetic oxygen-evolving prokaryotes that appeared on the Earth when there was no ozone layer to protect them from damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR has both direct and indirect effects on the cyanobacteria due to absorption by biomolecules and UVR-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ageing research reviews 2010-04, Vol.9 (2), p.79-90
Main Authors: Singh, Shailendra P, Häder, Donat-P, Sinha, Rajeshwar P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acids - metabolism
Amino Acids - radiation effects
Apoptosis - physiology
Apoptosis - radiation effects
Cell Survival - physiology
Cell Survival - radiation effects
Cyanobacteria - physiology
Cyanobacteria - radiation effects
Indoles - metabolism
Indoles - radiation effects
Internal Medicine
Neurology
Oxidative Stress - physiology
Oxidative Stress - radiation effects
Phenols - metabolism
Phenols - radiation effects
Signal Transduction - physiology
Signal Transduction - radiation effects
Stress, Physiological - physiology
Stress, Physiological - radiation effects
Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects
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Summary:Abstract Cyanobacteria are primitive photosynthetic oxygen-evolving prokaryotes that appeared on the Earth when there was no ozone layer to protect them from damaging ultraviolet radiation (UVR). UVR has both direct and indirect effects on the cyanobacteria due to absorption by biomolecules and UVR-induced oxidative stress, respectively. However, these organisms have developed several lines of mitigation strategies/defense mechanisms such as avoidance, scavenging, screening, repair and programmed cell death to counteract the damaging effects of UVR. This review presents an update on the effects of UVR on cyanobacteria and the defense mechanisms employed by these prokaryotes to withstand UVR stress. In addition, recent developments in the field of molecular biology of UV-absorbing compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids and scytonemin, are also added and the possible role of programmed cell death, signal perception as well their transduction under UVR stress is being discussed.
ISSN:1568-1637
1872-9649
DOI:10.1016/j.arr.2009.05.004