Survey of mycosporine-like amino acid compounds in Antarctic marine organisms: Potential protection from ultraviolet exposure

Abstract

Abstract.To investigate the natural defenses of Antarctic marine organisms against exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (280 to 320 nm), 57 species (1 fish, 48 invertebrates, and 8 algae) were collected during austral spring 1988 in the vicinity of Palmer Station (Anvers Island, Antarctic Peninsula) and were analyzed for the presence of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), compounds that absorb UV radiation and may provide shielding from these biologically hazardous wavelengths. Nearly 90% of the 57 species examined contained MAAs, and eight specific MAA compounds were identified. Seven of these (palythine, porphyra-334, shinorine, mycosporineglycine, palythene, asterina-330, and palythinol) have been observed previously in marine organisms from temperate and tropical latitudes. A new MAA, mycosporineglycine : valine, was found in the Antarctic fish and in 38 of the invertebrate species examined. This study confirms widespread occurrence of MAAs in Antarctic marine organisms and suggests that these species have some degree of natural biochemical protection from UV exposure.

A Quantitative Survey of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAS) in Intertidal Egg Masses from Temperate Rocky Shores

“…Indeed previous surveys have reported MAA concentration based on single samples for each organism (e.g. Karentz et al, 1991;McClintock and Karentz, 1997) or a very low number of replicates (e.g. Bosch et al, 1994;Büdel et al, 1997;Teai et al, 1997;Xiong et al, 1999).…”

Calculation of UV attenuation and colored dissolved organic matter absorption spectra from measurements of ocean color

“…It might result from errors in the determination of K d , wavelengthdependent variation of m d or of the b/a ratio, or from absorption by other components, such as the photoprotective mycosporine-like amino acid pigments, MAAs. These pigments are produced by some phytoplankton and absorb most strongly between 300 and 360 nm [Karentz et al, 1991;Vernet and Whitehead, 1996]. Interactions of this nature could represent a limitation to the remote determination of CDOM absorption coefficients, since, in a phytoplankton bloom which produces a high concentration of MAAs, the relationships developed above might not apply.…”

Effects of solar ultraviolet radiation on photosynthesis of the marine red tide alga Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae)

“…These compounds absorb UVR at a wavelength range between 310 nm and 360 nm and can be synthesized by many organisms [17][18][19][20]. Also many studies [21] have shown that they can be bioaccumulated through the diet by organisms at higher trophic levels that do not have the capacity of synthesis of them. The protective role of MAAs have been shown in previous studies (e.g.…”