Adaptation of cyanobacteria to UV-B stress correlated with oxidative stress and oxidative damage

Identification of acidic stress-responsive genes and acid tolerance engineering in Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942

Cyanobacteria are excellent autotrophic photosynthetic chassis employed in synthetic biology, and previous studies have suggested that they have alkaline tolerance but low acid tolerance, significantly limiting their productivity as photosynthetic chassis and necessitating investigations into the acid stress resistance mechanism. In this study, differentially expressed genes were obtained by RNA sequencing-based comparative transcriptomic analysis under long-term acidic stress conditions and acidic shock treatment, in the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. A pathway enrichment analysis revealed the upregulated and downregulated pathways during long-term acidic and shock stress treatment. The subsequent single gene knockout and phenotype analysis showed that under acidic stress conditions, the strains with chlL, chlN, pex, synpcc7942_2038, synpcc7942_1890, or synpcc7942_2547 knocked out grew worse than the wild type, suggesting their involvement in acid tolerance. This finding was further confirmed by introducing the corresponding genes back into the knockout mutant individually. Moreover, individual overexpression of the chlL and chlN genes in the wild type successfully improved the tolerance of S. elongatus PCC 7942 to acidic stress. This work successfully identified six genes involved in acidic stress responses, and overexpressing chIL or chIN individually successfully improved acid tolerance in S. elongatus PCC 7942, providing valuable information to better understand the acid resistance mechanism in S. elongatus PCC 7942 and novel insights into the robustness and tolerance engineering of cyanobacterial chassis. KEY POINTS: • DEGs were identified by RNA-seq based transcriptomics analysis in response to acidic stress in S. elongatus PCC 7942. • Six genes were identified to be involved in acid tolerance in S. elongatus PCC 7942. • Overexpression of chIL or chIN individually successfully improved the acid tolerance of S. elongatus PCC 7942.

Effects of ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation on morphogenesis, antioxidants and photoprotective defense mechanism in a hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain VKB02

The continuous increase in global temperature and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causes profound impacts on the growth and physiology of photosynthetic microorganisms. The hot-spring cyanobacteria have a wide range of mitigation mechanisms to cope up against current unsustainable environmental conditions. In the present investigation, we have explored the indispensable mitigation strategies of an isolated hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain VKB02 under simulated ultraviolet (UV-A, UV-B) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). The adaptive morphological changes were more significantly observed under PAB (PAR, UV-A, and UV-B) exposure as compared to P and PA (PAR and UV-A) irradiations. PAB exposure also exhibited a marked decline in pigment composition and photosynthetic efficiency by multi-fold increment of free radicals. To counteract the oxidative stress, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants defense were significantly enhanced many folds under PAB exposure as compared to the control. In addition, the cyanobacterium has also produced shinorine as a strong free radicals scavenger and excellent UV absorber for effective photoprotection against UV radiation. Therefore, the hot-spring cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. strain VKB02 has unique defense strategies for survival under prolonged lethal UVR conditions. This study will help in the understanding of environment-induced defense strategies and production of highly value-added green photo-protectants for commercial applications.

Effects of temperature up-shift and UV-A radiation on fatty acids content and expression of desaturase genes in cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa: stress tolerance and acclimation responses

Temperature up-shift and UV-A radiation effects on growth, lipid damage, fatty acid (FA) composition and expression of desaturase genes desA and desB were investigated in the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. Although UV-A damaging effect has been well documented, reports on the interactive effects of UV radiation exposure and warming on cyanobacteria are scarce. Temperature and UV-A doses were selected based on the physiological responses previously obtained by studies with the same M. aeruginosa strain used in this study. Cells pre-grown at 26 °C were incubated at the same temperature or 29 °C and exposed to UV-A + PAR and only PAR for 9 days. Growth rate was significantly affected by UV-A radiation independently of the temperature throughout the experiment. High temperature produced lipid damage significantly higher throughout the experiment, decreasing at day 9 as compared to 26 °C. In addition, the cells grown at 29 °C under UV-A displayed a decrease in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) levels, with ω3 PUFA being mostly affected at the end of exposure. Previously, we reported that UV-A-induced lipid damage affects differentially ω3 and ω6 PUFAs. We report that UV-A radiation leads to an upregulation of desA, possibly due to lipid damage. In addition, the temperature up-shift upregulates desA and desB regardless of the radiation. The lack of lipid damage for UV-A on ω3 could explain the lack of transcription induction of desB. The significant ω6 decrease at 26 °C in cells exposed to UV-A could be due to the lack of upregulation of desA.

Long-term tracking robust removal of Microcystis-dominated bloom and microcystin-pollution risk by luteolin continuous-release microsphere at different nitrogen levels-Mechanisms from proteomics and gene expression

Luteolin continuous-release microsphere (CRM) has promising algicidal effect against Microcystis, but how nitrogen (N) level impacted CRM effects on Microcystis growth and microcystins (MCs) pollution was never tracked along long term. This study revealed that luteolin CRM exerted long-term and robust inhibitory effects on Microcystis growth and MC-pollution by sharply decreasing extracellular and total MCs content at each N level, with growth inhibition ratio of 88.18-96.03%, 92.91-97.17% and 91.36-95.55% at 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/L N, respectively, during day 8-30. Further analyses revealed that CRM-stress inhibited transferase, GTPase and ATPase activities, ATP binding, metal ion binding, fatty acid biosynthesis, transmembrane transport and disrupted redox homeostasis to pose equally robust algicidal effect at each N level. At lower N level, CRM-stress tended to induce cellular metabolic mode towards stronger energy supply/acquisition but weaker energy production/consumption, while triggered a shift towards stronger energy production/storage but weaker energy acquisition/consumption as N level elevated, thus disturbing metabolic balance and strongly inhibiting Microcystis growth at each N level. Long-term robust algicidal effect of CRM against other common cyanobacteria besides Microcystis was evident in natural water. This study shed novel insights into inhibitory effects and mechanisms of luteolin CRM on Microcystis growth and MC-pollution in different N-level waters.

Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Zero-Valent Iron Nanoparticle and UV-B Mediated Stress in the Cyanobacterium, Fremyella diplosiphon

Fremyella diplosiphon is an ideal third-generation biofuel source due to its ability to produce transesterified lipids. While nanofer 25s zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVIs) improve lipid production, an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cellular defense can be catastrophic to the organism. In the present study, the effect of ascorbic acid on nZVI and UV-induced stress in F. diplosiphon strain B481-SD was investigated, and lipid profiles in the combination regimen of nZVIs and ascorbic acid compared. Comparison of F. diplosiphon growth in BG11 media amended with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mM ascorbic acid indicated 6 mM to be optimal for the growth of B481-SD. Further, growth in 6 mM ascorbic acid combined with 3.2 mg/L nZVIs was significantly higher when compared to the combination regimen of 12.8 and 51.2 mg/L of nZVIs and 6 mM ascorbic acid. The reversal effect of UV-B radiation for 30 min and 1 h indicated that ascorbic acid restored B481-SD growth. Transesterified lipids characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated C16 hexadecanoate to be the most abundant fatty acid methyl ester in the combination regimen of 6 mM ascorbic acid and 12.8 mg/L nZVI-treated F. diplosiphon. These findings were supported by microscopic observations in which cellular degradation was observed in B481-SD cells treated with 6 mM ascorbic acid and 12.8 mg/L nZVIs. Our results indicate that ascorbic acid counteracts the damaging effect of oxidative stress produced by nZVIs.

Urany-Less Low Voltage Transmission Electron Microscopy: A Powerful Tool for Ultrastructural Studying of Cyanobacterial Cells

Sample preparation protocols for conventional high voltage transmission electron microscopy (TEM) heavily rely on the usage of staining agents containing various heavy metals, most commonly uranyl acetate and lead citrate. However high toxicity, rising legal regulations, and problematic waste disposal of uranyl acetate have increased calls for the reduction or even complete replacement of this staining agent. One of the strategies for uranyless imaging is the employment of low-voltage transmission electron microscopy. To investigate the influence of different imaging and staining strategies on the final image of cyanobacterial cells, samples stained by uranyl acetate with lead citrate, as well as unstained samples, were observed using TEM and accelerating voltages of 200 kV or 25 kV. Moreover, to examine the possibilities of reducing chromatic aberration, which often causes issues when imaging using electrons of lower energies, samples were also imaged using a scanning transmission electron microscopy at 15 kV accelerating voltages. The results of this study demonstrate that low-voltage electron microscopy offers great potential for uranyless electron microscopy.

In silico insight of cell-death-related proteins in photosynthetic cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria are a large group of ubiquitously found photosynthetic prokaryotes that are constantly exposed to different kinds of stressors of varying intensities and seem to overcome these in a precise and regulated manner. However, a high dose and duration of given stress induce cell death in a few select cyanobacteria, mainly to protect other cells (altruism). Despite the recent findings for the presence of biochemical and molecular hallmarks of cell death in cyanobacteria, it is yet a sketchily understood phenomenon. Regulation of metacaspase-like genes during Programmed Cell Death suggests it to be a genetically controlled mechanism like other eukaryotes. In addition to providing a comprehensive understanding of the current status of cell death in cyanobacteria, this review has used in silico analyses to directly compare the existence of some important molecular players operating in the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Phylogenetic trees for all sequences indicate a cluster with a common ancestry and also a divergence from sequences of eukaryotic origin. To the best of our knowledge, such a comparison (except for orthocaspases) has not been attempted earlier and hopes to encourage workers in the field to investigate this altruistic phenomenon in detail.

Effect of phytochemical vanillic acid on the growth and lipid accumulation of freshwater microalga Euglena gracilis

A feasible approach against the low yield of microalgae biomass involves the use of a stimulator for microalgal growth. In this research, vanillic acid present in the hydrolysate of agricultural waste, was applied to the cultivation of unicellular microalga Euglena gracilis. At the optimal dosage of 800 mg L^-1 vanillic acid, biomass yield at treatment increased 2.08-fold. Correspondingly, the content of chlorophyll a and carotenoids was 3.48 and 2.69 fold than of the control ground, respectively. Increased in cell aspect ratio demonstrated that the alga was more active after vanillic acid treatment. Furthermore, relative lipid and carbohydrate content were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the result showed that vanillic acid increased the lipid content in algal cells without sacrificing biomass, which would be a promising way for future biofuel production.

Long-term and strong suppression against Microcystis growth and microcystin-release by luteolin continuous-release microsphere: Optimal construction, characterization, effects and proteomic mechanisms

Microcystis-dominated cyanobacterial blooms (MCBs) severely threaten ecological health by causing hypoxia and releasing microcystins (MCs). Luteolin has potential as low-cost eco-safe algaecide against Microcystis, but to enhance sustainability of its algicidal effect and elucidate underlying mechanisms at proteomic level are urgently desirable. This study optimally constructed continuous-release microsphere (CRM) of luteolin with strong solidity and durability even after long-term immersion. Applying luteolin CRM, this study developed a long-term algicidal option to strongly inhibit Microcystis growth and MC-release until 49 days, with inhibition ratios of growth and MC-release (both ≥ 98%) and inhibitory effect-lasting time (nearly 50 days) of CRM superior to most former reports, and long-term strong inhibitory effects of CRM on Microcystis growth and MC-release kept stable at various nitrogen levels. Also, luteolin CRM rendered extracellular MCs content decrease to nearby acceptable threshold for drinking water. These signified a promising prospect of luteolin CRM in sustained effective control against toxigenic MCBs in waters of different eutrophic states. Comparative proteomic analysis showed that luteolin CRM significantly up-regulated photosynthesis and protein homestasis, but down-regulated other processes including stress response, MC-synthesis/release, glycolysis, amino acid synthesis, fatty acid synthesis/β-oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, transcription, translation, transport, cell shaping and cell division. These implied that continuous stress of luteolin released from CRM induced Microcystis proteome towards a shift of higher energy storage but lower energy release/consumption, which largely disturbed its physiological metabolic processes and thus negatively impact its growth. Proteomics results shed newly deep insights on algicidal mechanisms of flavonoid in the form of CRM.

Ultraviolet-B radiation stress alters the competitive outcome of algae: Based on analyzing population dynamics and photosynthesis

The solar ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) is increasingly affecting the aquatic ecosystems due to the long-term antropic damage to the stratospheric ozone. The distrupted interspecies competition is one of the primary causes driving the plankton community composition shifts under UVB stress. To reveal the competitive responses to enhanced UVB radiation, we grew two green algae Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and the unicellular cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa in monocultures and in cocultures under differerent UVB intensities (0, 0.3 and 0.7 W m^-2), respectively. Results showed that elevated UVB radiation consistently decreased the population carrying capacies and the photosynthesis of the three species in monocultures. While cocultivated, C. pyrenoidosa was competively excluded by the presence of S. obliquus, and the competitive outcome was not affected by UVB exposure. By contrast, unicellular M. aeruginosa overwhelmingly suppressed the population growth of S. obliquus under no UVB, yet S. obliquus tended to be a better competitor under 0.3-0.7 W m^-2 UVB exposure. The species-specific photosynthesis sensitivity to UVB can partly explain the different tolerance of the algae to UVB and the change of competition outcome under elevated UVB. The present study elucidated the potential role of increased UVB radiation in determining the competitions between phytoplankton species, contributing to the understanding of phytoplankton community shifts under enhanced UVB stress.

Recent Progress in the Study of Peroxiredoxin in the Harmful Algal Bloom Species Chattonella marina

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) is a relatively recently discovered antioxidant enzyme family that scavenges peroxides and is known to be present in organisms from biological taxa ranging from bacteria to multicellular eukaryotes, including photosynthetic organisms. Although there have been many studies of the Prx family in higher plants, green algae, and cyanobacteria, few studies have concerned raphidophytes and dinoflagellates, which are among the eukaryotic algae that cause harmful algal blooms (HABs). In our proteomic study using 2-D electrophoresis, we found a highly expressed 2-Cys peroxiredoxin (2-CysPrx) in the raphidophyte Chattonella marina var. antiqua, a species that induces mass mortality of aquacultured fish. The abundance of the C. marina 2-CysPrx enzyme was highest in the exponential growth phase, during which photosynthetic activity was high, and it then decreased by about a factor of two during the late stationary growth phase. This pattern suggested that 2-CysPrx is a key enzyme involved in the maintenance of high photosynthesis activity. In addition, the fact that the depression of photosynthesis by excessively high irradiance was more severe in the 2-CysPrx low-expression strain (wild type) than in the normal-expression strain (wild type) of C. marina suggested that 2-CysPrx played a critical role in protecting the cell from oxidative stress caused by exposure to excessively high irradiance. In the field of HAB research, estimates of growth potential have been desired to predict the population dynamics of HABs for mitigating damage to fisheries. Therefore, omics approaches have recently begun to be applied to elucidate the physiology of the growth of HAB species. In this review, we describe the progress we have made using a molecular physiological approach to identify the roles of 2-CysPrx and other antioxidant enzymes in mitigating environmental stress associated with strong light and high temperatures and resultant oxidative stress. We also describe results of a survey of expressed Prx genes and their growth-phase-dependent behavior in C. marina using RNA-seq analysis. Finally, we speculate about the function of these genes and the ecological significance of 2-CysPrx, such as its involvement in circadian rhythms and the toxicity of C. marina to fish.

Response of Endolithic Chroococcidiopsis Strains From the Polyextreme Atacama Desert to Light Radiation

Cyanobacteria exposed to high solar radiation make use of a series of defense mechanisms, including avoidance, antioxidant systems, and the production of photoprotective compounds such as scytonemin. Two cyanobacterial strains of the genus Chroococcidiopsis from the Atacama Desert - which has one of the highest solar radiation levels on Earth- were examined to determine their capacity to protect themselves from direct photosynthetically active (PAR) and ultraviolet radiation (UVR): the UAM813 strain, originally isolated from a cryptoendolithic microhabitat within halite (NaCl), and UAM816 strain originally isolated from a chasmoendolithic microhabitat within calcite (CaCO3). The oxidative stress induced by exposure to PAR or UVR + PAR was determined to observe their short-term response, as were the long-term scytonemin production, changes in metabolic activity and ultrastructural damage induced. Both strains showed oxidative stress to both types of light radiation. The UAM813 strain showed a lower acclimation capacity than the UAM816 strain, showing an ever-increasing accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a smaller accumulation of scytonemin. This would appear to reflect differences in the adaptation strategies followed to meet the demands of their different microhabitats.

Responses of a hot spring cyanobacterium under ultraviolet and photosynthetically active radiation: photosynthetic performance, antioxidative enzymes, mycosporine-like amino acid profiling and its antioxidative potentials

This study summarizes the response of a hot spring cyanobacterium Fischerella sp. strain HKAR-14, under simulated light conditions of ultraviolet radiation (UVR), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), PAR + UV-A (PA) and PAR + UV-A + UV-B (PAB). Exposure to UVR caused a decline in growth and Chl a while total carotene content increased under PA and PAB. Maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (F v /F m) and relative electron transport rate decreased significantly in PA and PAB exposure. Higher non-photochemical quenching and lower photochemical quenching values were observed in UVR-exposed samples as compared to the control. Levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased significantly in PAB and PA. Fluorescence microscopic images showed an increase in green fluorescence, indicating the generation of ROS in UVR. The antioxidant machinery including superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase showed an increase of 1.76-fold and 2.5-fold superoxide dismutase, 2.4-fold and 3.7-fold catalase, 1.83-fold and 2.5-fold peroxidase activities under PA and PAB, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography equipped with photodiode array detector, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analyses reveal the occurrence of a single mycosporine-like amino acid, shinorine (λ max 332.3 ± 2 nm, m/z 333.1), with a retention time of 1.157 min. The electrochemical characterization of shinorine was determined by cyclic voltammetry. The shinorine molecule possesses electrochemical activity and represents diffusion-controlled process in 0.1 M (pH 7.0) phosphate buffer. An antioxidant assay of shinorine showed its efficient activity as antioxidant which increased in a dose-dependent manner.

Oxidative stress measurement in different morphological forms of wild-type and mutant cyanobacterial strains: Overcoming the limitation of fluorescence microscope-based method

Monitoring of oxidative stress caused by a wide range of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is essential to have an idea about the fitness and growth of photosynthetic organisms. The imaging-based oxidative stress measurement in cyanobacteria using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) dye has the limitation of small sample size as the only selected number of cells are analyzed to measure the ROS levels. Here, we developed a method for oxidative stress measurement by DCFH-DA and flow cytometer (FCM) using unicellular Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 and filamentous Fremyella diplosiphon BK14 cyanobacteria. F. diplosiphon BK14 inherently possess high levels of ROS and showed higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide treatment in comparison to S. elongatus PCC 7942. We successfully measured oxidative stress in glutaredoxin lacking strain (Δgrx3) of S. elongatus PCC 7942, and wild-type Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 using FCM based method. Importantly, ROS were not detected in these two strains of cyanobacteria by fluorescence microscope-based method due to their small spherical morphology. Δgrx3 strain showed high ROS levels in comparison to its wild-type strain. Treatment of abiotic factors such as high PAR in wild-type and Δgrx3 strains of S. elongatus PCC 7942, low PAR or low PAR + UVR in wild-type S. elongatus PCC 7942, and high PAR or high PAR + NaCl in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 increased oxidative stress. In summary, the FCM based method can measure ROS levels produced due to physiological conditions associated with genetic changes or abiotic stress in a large population of cells regardless of their morphology. Therefore, the present study shows the usefulness of the method in monitoring the health of organisms in a large scale cultivation system.

Physiological characteristics and toxin production of Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanobacterium) in response to DOM in anaerobic digestion effluent

The ecological implications of livestock production intensification have received sustained attention across the globe. Anaerobic digestion is the main process for livestock waste treatment. However, the ecological consequences of dissolved organic matter originating from anaerobic digestion (AD-DOM) in eutrophic water bodies remain elusive. In this study, the physiological responses of a bloom-forming cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, to AD-DOM were investigated. Moreover, the composition of AD-DOM was identified by using thermochemolysis followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The growth of M. aeruginosa FACHB905 was not sensitive to low levels (0.625-1.25%, V/V) of AD-DOM but was inhibited by high levels (2.5-5%, V/V) of AD-DOM, resulting from photoinhibition damage to photosystem II (PSII). The main target of AD-DOM in PSII was the electron accepting side (ψ₀) or the electron donor side (φ P₀), depending on time variables. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level showed a positive correlation with AD-DOM addition; however, it was higher than that of the control for 3.75-5% AD-DOM on the 6th day. The intracellular microcystin contents (including MC-LR and Dha⁷-MC-LR) decreased in response to AD-DOM addition, but extracellular microcystin increased after 6 days of exposure. In addition, GC-MS detection showed that AD-DOM is mainly composed of lignin-derived aromatic compounds, alkanes/alkene, nitrogen-containing compounds, and sterols. The results presented in this study suggested that AD-DOM released from the livestock industry may play a subtle role in affecting harmful algal blooms through level-dependent variables. In addition, the ecological consequences of microcystin released by toxin-producing species under AD-DOM stress are still worth considering.

Effect of erythromycin and modulating effect of CeO2 NPs on the toxicity exerted by the antibiotic on the microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum

Erythromycin is an antibiotic employed in the treatment of infections caused by Gram positive microorganisms and the increasing use has made it a contaminant of emerging concern in aqueous ecosystems. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs), which are known to have catalytic and antioxidant properties, have also become contaminants of emerging concern. Due to the high reactivity of CeO₂ NPs, they can interact with erythromycin magnifying their effects or on the other hand, considering the redox potential of CeO₂ NPs, it can alleviate the toxicity of erythromycin. The present study was carried out to assess the toxicity of both single compounds as well as mixed on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum (freshwater and marine microalgae respectively) employed as target species in ecotoxicological tests. Mechanisms of oxidative damage and those harmful to the photosynthetic apparatus were studied in order to know the toxic mechanisms of erythromycin and the joint effects with CeO₂ NPs. Results showed that erythromycin inhibited the microalgae population growth and effective quantum yield of PSII (E.Q.Y.) in both microalgae. However, the freshwater microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was more sensitive than the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Responses related to the photosynthetic apparatus such as E.Q.Y. was affected by the exposure to erythromycin of both microalgae, as chloroplasts are target organelle for this antibiotic. Mixed experiments (CeO₂ NPs + erythromycin) showed the protective role of CeO₂ NPs in both microalgae preventing erythromycin toxicity in toxicological responses such as the growth of the microalgae population and E.Q.Y.

Sensitive detection of oxidative DNA damage in cyanobacterial cells using supercoiling-sensitive quantitative PCR

Supercoiling-sensitive quantitative PCR (ss-qPCR) is a sensitive technique to detect DNA damage in cultured animal cells and cultured/clinical human cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether the ss-qPCR method can be applied as a sensitive means to detect oxidative DNA damage in unicellular organisms. We used the model cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 as a test organism and H₂O₂ as an exogenetic oxidative toxicant. Results showed that a significant increase in the plasmid DNA damage of S. elongatus PCC 7942 was induced by H₂O₂ in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The sensitivity of ss-qPCR in detecting DNA damage of the cyanobacterium was higher than the cell inhibition method (up to 255 times) as calculated from the slopes of fitted curves in the tested sub-toxic concentration range of 1-5 mM H₂O₂. Ss-qPCR also detected repairable low-intensity DNA damage in the cyanobacterium when DNA repair inhibitors were used. The detection limit of modified ss-qPCR was one tenth of that of previous methods. We also observed that ss-qPCR can be used to detect genomic DNA conformation change of cyanobacterium exposed to H₂O₂. Thus, this method will provide a powerful technical support for investigating the mechanisms of cyanobacterial DNA damage by environmental factors, especially intracellular reactive oxygen species enhancement-related factors.

UV-B radiation induces DEHP degradation and their combined toxicological effects on Scenedesmus acuminatus

The co-contamination discharge of Phthalate esters (PAEs) by human activities and the increased UV radiation is increasing in aquatic ecosystems. However, little information is available about the combined detrimental effects of UV and PAEs on phytoplankton. In this study, the combined effects of UV-B irradiation and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on photosynthesis and antioxidant system of Scenedesmus acuminatus, and the DEHP degradation were investigated. Results showed that UV-B radiation decreased the chlorophyll a fluorescence yield, photosynthetic activity (Fv/Fm), pigment content and superoxide dismutase activity. This radiation also increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and soluble protein and malondialdehyde contents. UV-B radiation with 10 mg L^-1 DEHP improved the Fv/Fm and alleviated the cell damage of S. acuminatus, and the addition of high DEHP concentration (≥50 mg L^-1) aggravated cell damage. The ROS generation also decreased with the increased DEHP concentration. UV-B radiation can effectively promote the DEHP degradation, with the highest degradation rate of 89.9% at an initial DEHP concentration of 10 mg L^-1 within 6 h. This result may be attributed to that UV-B irradiance induced DEHP degradation under the regulation of ROS generated by S. acuminatus. Our findings will contribute to the understanding of the combined toxic mechanisms of UV-B and DEHP and in the evaluation of ecological environment risks for primary producers in aquatic ecosystems.

Toxicity of TiO2, in nanoparticle or bulk form to freshwater and marine microalgae under visible light and UV-A radiation

Use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) has become a part of our daily life and the high environmental concentrations predicted to accumulate in aquatic ecosystems are cause for concern. Although TiO₂ has only limited reactivity, at the nanoscale level its physico-chemical properties and toxicity are different compared with bulk material. Phytoplankton is a key trophic level in fresh and marine ecosystems, and the toxicity provoked by these nanoparticles can affect the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Two microalgae species, one freshwater (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) and the other marine (Phaeodactylum tricornutum), have been selected for testing the toxicity of TiO₂ in NP and conventional bulk form and, given its photo-catalytic properties, the effect of UV-A was also checked. Growth inhibition, quantum yield reduction, increase of intracellular ROS production, membrane cell damage and production of exo-polymeric substances (EPS) were selected as variables to measure. TiO₂ NPs and bulk TiO₂ show a relationship between the size of agglomerates and time in freshwater and saltwater, but not in ultrapure water. Under two treatments, UV-A (6 h per day) and no UV-A exposure, NPs triggered stronger cytotoxic responses than bulk material. TiO₂ NPs were also associated with greater production of reactive oxygen species and damage to membrane. However, microalgae exposed to TiO₂ NPs and bulk TiO₂ under UV-A were found to be more sensitive than in the visible light condition. The marine species (P. tricornutum) was more sensitive than the freshwater species, and higher Ti internalization was measured. Exopolymeric substances (EPS) were released from microalgae in the culture media, in the presence of TiO₂ in both forms. This may be a possible defense mechanism by these cells, which would enhance processes of homoagglomeration and settling, and thus reduce bioavailability.

CeO2 NPs, toxic or protective to phytoplankton? Charge of nanoparticles and cell wall as factors which cause changes in cell complexity

CeO₂ nanoparticles (CeO₂ NPs) are well-known for their catalytic properties and antioxidant potential. Recent uses in therapy are based on the Ce⁺³ ions released by CeO₂ NPs. Reactions involving redox cycles between Ce⁺³ and Ce⁺⁴ oxidation stage seem to promote scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus protecting cells from oxygen damage. However, the internalization of CeO₂ NPs and release of Ce⁺³ could be responsible for a toxic effect on cells. The literature reports controversial results on the toxicity of CeO₂ NPs to phytoplankton. Therefore, we have tested the potential toxic effect of two CeO₂ NPs (with positive and negative zeta potential) and bulk CeO₂ (at 0.1, 1, 10, 100 and 200mg·L^-1) on three species of microalgae from different environments: marine diatom (Phaeodactylum tricornutum), marine chlorophyte (Nannochloris atomus) and freshwater chlorophyte (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) over 72h in batch cultures. Responses measured in the microalgae population are: growth, chlorophyll a, cell size, cell complexity, percentage of ROS, and percentage of cell membrane damage. Positive zeta potential CeO₂ NPs provoked greater cell complexity (up to 78, 172 and 23 times more cell complexity than in controls found for C. reinhardtii, P. tricornutum and N. atomus respectively) than negative zeta potential CeO₂ NPs. The SSC signal detected by flow cytometry measured increases of particles entering cells, and this is related to cell viability and levels of intracellular ROS (correlation between SSC and percentage of ROS of 0.72 and 0.97 found for C. reinhardtii and P. tricornutum). When increased cellular complexity over controls is between 2 and 6 times greater, CeO₂ (in bulk or nanoparticulate form) seems to protect against ROS. When increased cellular complexity is from 7 to 23 times greater, CeO₂ does not provoke toxic responses; however, when increased cellular complexity over controls is very high, from 61 to 172 times, increased ROS production and toxic responses are found. Results show that two factors, the charge of CeO₂ NPs and cell wall structure, constitute the primary barrier to the possible accumulation of CeO₂ NPs within phytoplankton cytosol.

Direct and indirect effects of silver nanoparticles on freshwater and marine microalgae (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum)

The last decade has seen a considerable increase in the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which are found in many every-day consumer products including textiles, plastics, cosmetics, household sprays and paints. The release of those AgNPs into aquatic environments could be causing ecological damage. In this study we assess the toxicity of AgNPs of different sizes to two species of microalgae, from freshwater and marine environment (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Phaeodactylum tricornutum respectively). Dissolution processes affect the form and concentration of AgNPs in both environments. Dissolution of Ag from AgNPs was around 25 times higher in marine water. Nevertheless, dissolution of AgNPs in both culture media seems to be related to the small size and higher surface area of NPs. In marine water, the main chemical species were AgCl₂^- (53.7%) and AgCl₃^-2 (45.2%). In contrast, for freshwater, the main chemical species were Ag⁺ (26.7%) and AgCl^- (4.3%). The assessment of toxicological responses, specifically growth, cell size, cell complexity, chlorophyll a, reactive oxygen species, cell membrane damage and effective quantum yield of PSII, corroborated the existence of different toxicity mechanisms for microalgae. Indirect effects, notably dissolved Ag ions, seem to control toxicity to freshwater microalgae, whereas direct effects, notably attachment onto the cell surface and the internalization of AgNPs inside cells, seem to determine toxicity to the marine species studied. This research contributes to knowledge on the role of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in determining the behavior of NPs in different aquatic environments and the interaction with microalgae.

Effect of UV-B Radiation and Desiccation Stress on Photoprotective Compounds Accumulation in Marine Leptolyngbya sp

Increased awareness regarding the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation has led to the search for new sources of natural UV-B protecting compounds. Mycosporine-like amino acids are one of such promising compounds found in several organisms. Cyanobacteria are ideal organisms for isolation of these compounds due to their compatibility and adaptability to thrive under harsh environmental conditions. In the following investigation, we report the production of shinorine in Leptolyngbya sp. isolated from the intertidal region. Based on the spectral characteristics and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, the UV-absorbing compound was identified as shinorine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of shinorine in Leptolyngbya sp. We also investigated the effect of artificial UV-B radiation and periodic desiccation on chlorophyll-a, total carotenoids, and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) production. The UV-B radiation had a negative effect on growth and chlorophyll concentration, whereas it showed an inductive effect on the production of total carotenoids and MAAs. Desiccation along with UV-B radiation led to an increase in the concentration of photoprotective compounds. These results indicate that carotenoids and MAAs thus facilitate cyanobacteria to avoid and protect themselves from the deleterious effects of UV-B and desiccation.

Growth, toxin production, active oxygen species and catalase activity of Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanophyceae) exposed to temperature stress

Microcystis are known for their potential ability to synthesize toxins, mainly microcystins (MCs). In order to evaluate the effects of temperature on chlorophyll a (Chl a), growth, physiological responses and toxin production of a native Microcystis aeruginosa, we exposed the cells to low (23°C) and high (29°C) temperature in addition to a 26°C control treatment. Exponential growth rate was significantly higher at 29°C compared to 23°C and control, reaching 0.43, 0.32 and 0.33day(-)(1) respectively. In addition, there was a delay of the start of exponential growth at 23°C. However, the intracellular concentration of Chl a decreased significantly due to temperature change. A significant increase in intracellular ROS was observed in coincidence with the activation of enzymatic antioxidant catalase (CAT) during the first two days of exposure to 23° and 29°C in comparison to the control experiment, decreasing thereafter to nearly initial values. Five MCs were determined by LC-MS/MS analysis. In the experiments, the highest MC concentration, 205fg [Leu(1)] MC-LR.cell(-1) expressed as MC-LR equivalent was measured in the beginning of the experiment and subsequently declined to 160fg.cell(-1) on day 2 and 70fg.cell(-1) on day 4 in cells exposed to 29°C. The same trend was observed for all other MCs except for the least abundant MC-LR which showed a continuous increase during exposure time. Our results suggest a high ability of M. aeruginosa to perceive ROS and to rapidly initiate antioxidant defenses with a differential response on MC production.

Pathological effects of cyanobacteria on sea fans in southeast Florida

In early August 2008, observations by divers indicated that sea fans, particularly Gorgonia ventalina, Gorgonia flabellum, and Iciligorgia schrammi, were being covered by benthic filamentous cyanobacteria. From August 2008 through January 2009 and again in April 2009, tissue samples from a targeted G. ventalina colony affected by cyanobacteria and from a nearby, apparently healthy (without cyanobacteria) control colony, were collected monthly for histopathological examination. The primary cellular response of the sea fan to overgrowth by cyanobacteria was an increase in the number of acidophilic amoebocytes (with their granular contents dispersed) that were scattered throughout the coenenchyme tissue. Necrosis of scleroblasts and zooxanthellae and infiltration of degranulated amoebocytes were observed in the sea fan surface tissues at sites overgrown with cyanobacteria. Fungal hyphae in the axial skeleton were qualitatively more prominent in cyanobacteria-affected sea fans than in controls.

Preparation of desiccation-resistant aquatic-living Nostoc flagelliforme (Cyanophyceae) for potential ecological application

Nostoc flagelliforme is a terrestrial edible cyanobacterium that grows in arid and semi-arid steppes. The continued over-exploitation in the last century has led to a sharp decline of this resource and a severe deterioration of the steppe ecology. Liquid-cultured N. flagelliforme serves as promising algal 'seeds' for resource restoration. In this study, macroscopic (or visible) aquatic-living colonies (MaACs) of N. flagelliforme were developed under weak light and high nitrogen conditions. In a 24 day shake-flask culture, MaACs were propagated by about 4.5-fold in biomass without loss of their macro-morphology; at the same time, the addition of weak UV-B treatment resulted in slightly bigger MaACs. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) k30, a water-soluble polymer, was used to generate the coating around MaACs, and after full desiccation, the coated MaACs could recover their photosynthetic physiological activity when rehydrated, with 4% PVP k30 for coating being most effective. In contrast, PVP k30-coated microscopic aquatic-living colonies of N. flagelliforme and non-coated MaACs showed no resistance to full desiccation. The macroscopic morphology or structure of MaACs should be crucial for the formation of protection by PVP k30 coating. PVP k30-coated MaACs were more approaching to actual application for resource restoration.

Characterization of the chemical diversity of glycosylated mycosporine-like amino acids in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are UV-absorbing pigments, and structurally unique glycosylated MAAs are found in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune. In this study, we examined two genotypes of N.commune colonies with different water extract UV-absorption spectra. We found structurally distinct MAAs in each genotype. The water extract from genotype A showed a UV-absorbing spectrum with an absorption maximum at 335nm. The extract contained the following compounds: 7-O-(β-arabinopyranosyl)-porphyra-334 (478Da), pentose-bound shinorine (464Da), hexose-bound porphyra-334 (508Da) and porphyra-334 (346Da). The water extract from genotype B showed a characteristic UV-absorbing spectrum with double absorption maxima at 312 and 340nm. The extract contained hybrid MAAs (1050Da and 880Da) with two distinct chromophores of 3-aminocyclohexen-1-one and 1,3-diaminocyclohexen linked to 2-O-(β-xylopyranosyl)-β-galactopyranoside. A novel 273-Da MAA with an absorption maximum at 310nm was also identified in genotype B. The MAA consisted of a 3-aminocyclohexen-1-one linked to a γ-aminobutyric acid chain. These MAAs had potent radical scavenging activities in vitro and the results confirmed that the MAAs have multiple roles as a UV protectant and an antioxidant relevant to anhydrobiosis in N. commune. The two genotypes of N. commune exclusively produced their own characteristic glycosylated MAAs, which supports that MAA composition could be a chemotaxonomic marker for the classification of N. commune.

Responses of a rice-field cyanobacterium Anabaena siamensis TISTR-8012 upon exposure to PAR and UV radiation

The effects of PAR and UV radiation and subsequent responses of certain antioxidant enzymatic and non-enzymatic defense systems were studied in a rice field cyanobacterium Anabaena siamensis TISTR 8012. UV radiation resulted in a decline in growth accompanied by a decrease in chlorophyll a and photosynthetic efficiency. Exposure of cells to UV radiation significantly affected the differentiation of vegetative cells into heterocysts or akinetes. UV-B radiation caused the fragmentation of the cyanobacterial filaments conceivably due to the observed oxidative stress. A significant increase of reactive oxygen species in vivo and DNA strand breaks were observed in UV-B exposed cells followed by those under UV-A and PAR radiation, respectively. The UV-induced oxidative damage was alleviated due to an induction of antioxidant enzymatic/non-enzymatic defense systems. In response to UV irradiation, the studied cyanobacterium exhibited a significant increase in antioxidative enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase. Moreover, the cyanobacterium also synthesized some UV-absorbing/screening substances. HPLC coupled with a PDA detector revealed the presence of three compounds with UV-absorption maxima at 326, 331 and 345 nm. The induction of the biosynthesis of these UV-absorbing compounds was found under both PAR and UV radiation, thus suggesting their possible function as an active photoprotectant.

Enantioselective changes in oxidative stress and toxin release in Microcystis aeruginosa exposed to chiral herbicide diclofop acid

Enantioselective oxidative stress and toxin release from Microcystis aeruginosa after exposure to the chiral herbicide diclofop acid were investigated. Racemic diclofop acid, R-diclofop acid and S-diclofop acid induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, increased the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and triggered toxin release in M. aeruginosa to varying degrees. The increase in MDA concentration and SOD activity in M. aeruginosa occurred sooner after exposure to diclofop acid than when the cyanobacteria was exposed to either the R- and the S-enantiomer. In addition, enantioselective toxicity of the enantiomers was observed. The R-enantiomer trigged more ROS generation, more SOD activity and more toxin synthesis and release in M. aeruginosa cells than the S-enantiomer. Diclofop acid and its R-enantiomer may collapse the transmembrane proton gradient and destroy the cell membrane through lipid peroxidation and free radical oxidation, whereas the S-enantiomer did not demonstrate such action. R-diclofop acid inhibits the growth of M. aeruginosa in the early stage, but ultimately induced greater toxin release, which has a deleterious effect on the water column. These results indicate that more comprehensive study is needed to determine the environmental safety of the enantiomers, and application of chiral pesticides requires more direct supervision and training. Additionally, lifecycle analysis of chiral pollutants in aquatic system needs more attention to aide in the environmental assessment of chiral pesticides.

Salt and UV-B induced changes in Anabaena PCC 7120: physiological, proteomic and bioinformatic perspectives

This study examines response of Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 to salt and UV-B stress by combining physiological, biochemical, proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. Sixty five significantly altered protein spots corresponding to 51 protein genes identified using MALDI-TOF MS/MS were divided into nine functional categories. Based on relative abundance, these proteins were grouped into four major sets. Of these, 27 and 5 proteins were up- and downregulated, respectively, both under salt and UV-B while 8 and 11 proteins showed accumulation in salt and UV-B applied singly. Some responses common to salt and UV-B included (i) enhanced expression of FeSOD, alr3090 and accumulation of MDA indicating oxidative stress, (ii) accumulation of PDH, G6P isomerase, FBPaldolase, TK, GAPDH and PGK suggesting enhanced glycolysis, (iii) upregulation of 6-PGD, 6PGL and NADPH levels signifying operation of pentose phosphate pathway, (iv) upregulation of Dps, NDK and alr3199 indicating DNA damage, and (v) accumulation of proteins of ribosome assembly, transcriptional and translational processing. In contrast, enhanced expression of RUBISCO, increased glycolate oxidase activity and ammonium content under salt signify the difference. Salt was found to be more damaging than UV-B probably due to a cumulative effect of ionic, osmotic and oxidative damage. A group of proteins having common expression represent decreased toxicity of salt and UV-B when applied in combination.

Glycosylated porphyra-334 and palythine-threonine from the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are water-soluble UV-absorbing pigments, and structurally different MAAs have been identified in eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria. In this study novel glycosylated MAAs were found in the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc commune (N. commune). An MAA with an absorption maximum at 334 nm was identified as a hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative with a molecular mass of 508 Da. Another MAA with an absorption maximum at 322 nm was identified as a two hexose-bound palythine-threonine derivative with a molecular mass of 612 Da. These purified MAAs have radical scavenging activities in vitro, which suggests multifunctional roles as sunscreens and antioxidants. The 612-Da MAA accounted for approximately 60% of the total MAAs and contributed approximately 20% of the total radical scavenging activities in a water extract, indicating that it is the major water-soluble UV-protectant and radical scavenger component. The hexose-bound porphyra-334 derivative and the glycosylated palythine-threonine derivatives were found in a specific genotype of N. commune, suggesting that glycosylated MAA patterns could be a chemotaxonomic marker for the characterization of the morphologically indistinguishable N. commune. The glycosylation of porphyra-334 and palythine-threonine in N. commune suggests a unique adaptation for terrestrial environments that are drastically fluctuating in comparison to stable aquatic environments.

Optimization of the C11-BODIPY(581/591) dye for the determination of lipid oxidation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by flow cytometry

Lipid oxidation is a recognized end point for the study of oxidative stress and is an important parameter to describe the mode of micropollutant action on aquatic microorganisms. Therefore, the development of quick and reliable methodologies probing the oxidative stress and damage in living cells is highly sought. In the present proof-of-concept work, we examined the potential of the fluorescent dye C11-BODIPY(591/581) to probe lipid oxidation in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. C11-BODIPY(591/581) staining was combined with flow cytometry measurements to obtain multiparameter information on cellular features and oxidative stress damage within single cells. First, staining conditions were optimized by exploring the capability of the dye to stain algal cells under increasing cell and dye concentrations and different staining procedures. Then lipid oxidation in algae induced by short- and long-term exposures to the three metallic micropollutants, copper, mercury, and nanoparticulate copper oxide, and the two organic contaminants, diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) and diuron was determined. In this work we pointed out C11-BODIPY(591/581) applicability in a wide range of exposure conditions, including studies of oxidation as a function of time and that it is suitable for in vivo measurements of lipid oxidation due to its high permeation and stability in cells and its low interference with algal autofluorescence. © 2013 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.

Reactive oxygen production induced by near-infrared radiation in three strains of the Chl d-containing cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina

Cyanobacteria in the genus Acaryochloris have largely exchanged Chl a with Chl d, enabling them to harvest near-infrared-radiation (NIR) for oxygenic photosynthesis, a biochemical pathway prone to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, ROS production under different light conditions was quantified in three Acaryochloris strains (MBIC11017, HICR111A and the novel strain CRS) using a real-time ethylene detector in conjunction with addition of 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid, a substrate that is converted to ethylene when reacting with certain types of ROS. In all strains, NIR was found to generate less ROS than visible light (VIS). More ROS was generated if strains MBIC11017 and HICR111A were adapted to NIR and then exposed to VIS, while strain CRS demonstrated the opposite behavior. This is the very first study of ROS generation and suggests that Acaryochloris can avoid a considerable amount of light-induced stress by using NIR instead of VIS for its photosynthesis, adding further evolutionary arguments to their widespread appearance.

Sensing and responding to UV-A in cyanobacteria

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause stresses or act as a photoregulatory signal depending on its wavelengths and fluence rates. Although the most harmful effects of UV on living cells are generally attributed to UV-B radiation, UV-A radiation can also affect many aspects of cellular processes. In cyanobacteria, most studies have concentrated on the damaging effect of UV and defense mechanisms to withstand UV stress. However, little is known about the activation mechanism of signaling components or their pathways which are implicated in the process following UV irradiation. Motile cyanobacteria use a very precise negative phototaxis signaling system to move away from high levels of solar radiation, which is an effective escape mechanism to avoid the detrimental effects of UV radiation. Recently, two different UV-A-induced signaling systems for regulating cyanobacterial phototaxis were characterized at the photophysiological and molecular levels. Here, we review the current understanding of the UV-A mediated signaling pathways in the context of the UV-A perception mechanism, early signaling components, and negative phototactic responses. In addition, increasing evidences supporting a role of pterins in response to UV radiation are discussed. We outline the effect of UV-induced cell damage, associated signaling molecules, and programmed cell death under UV-mediated oxidative stress.

Physiological responses of three marine microalgae exposed to cypermethrin

The effects of cypermethrin on physiological responses of three typical marine microalgal species Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae), Scrippsiella trochoidea (Dinophyceae), and Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae), were investigated by 96-h growth tests in a batch-culture system. The 96-h median inhibition concentrations (IC(50)) were 71.4, 205, and 191 μg L(-1) for S. costatum, S. trochoidea, and C. marina, respectively. Quick and significant physiological responses occurred when algal cells were exposed to cypermethrin, and all biochemical parameters varied significantly within 6- or 12-h exposure. Cypermethrin affected algal growth, protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by stimulation at low concentrations (1, 5 μg L(-1)) and inhibition at high concentrations (>50 μg L(-1)). A general increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level was observed in all test groups, which suggested that the toxic effects of cypermethrin were probably exerted through free radical generation. These results suggest that the activation of SOD and promotion of protein at early exposure are important to counteract the oxidative stress induced by cypermethrin, and the inactivation of SOD may be crucial to the growth inhibition of microalgae by cypermethrin.

Damage to DNA caused by UV-B radiation in the desert cyanobacterium Scytonema javanicum and the effects of exogenous chemicals on the process

Radiation with UV-B increased the damage to DNA in Scytonema javanicum, a desert-dwelling soil microorganism, and the level of damage varied with the intensity of UV-B radiation and duration of exposure. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) also increased because of the radiation. Different exogenous chemicals (ascorbate acid, ASC; N-acetylcysteine, NAC; glyphosate, GPS; and 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, MCPA-Na) differed in their effect on the extent of DNA damage and ROS production: whereas NAC and ASC protected the DNA from damage and resulted in reduced ROS production, the herbicides (GPS and MCPA-Na) increased the extent of damage, lowered the rate of photosynthesis, and differed in their effect on ROS production. The chemicals probably have different mechanisms to exercise their effects: NAC and ASC probably function as antioxidant agents or as precursors of other antioxidant molecules that protect the DNA and photosynthetic apparatus directly from the ROS produced as a result of UV-B radiation, and GPS and MCPA-Na probably disrupt the normal metabolism in S. javanicum to induce the leaking of ROS into the photosynthetic electron transfer pathway following UV-B radiation, and thereby damage the DNA. Such mechanisms have serious implications for the use of environment-friendly herbicides, which, because they can destroy DNA, may prove harmful to soil microorganisms.

The combined effects of UV-B radiation and herbicides on photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in two bloom-forming cyanobacteria

In this study, we investigated the combined effects of UV-B irradiation and herbicides (glyphosate, GPS; 2-Methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, MCPA-Na; 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, DCMU) and the antioxidant (ascorbic acid, ASC) on photosynthesis, antioxidant enzymes and DNA damage in two bloom-forming cyanobacteria, Anabaena sp. and Microcystis viridis. UV-B irradiance increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which decreased chlorophyll a fluorescence yield, pigment content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and caused serious DNA damage. The degree of these damages was aggravated by the addition of DCMU, GPS and MCPA, and was partially mitigated by the addition of ASC. During the recovery process, the degree and mechanism in restoring DNA damage and photosynthesis inhibition were different by the removal of UV-B and herbicides (DCMU, GPS and MCPA) in both cyanobacteria. These results suggest that the combination of UV-B and exogenous herbicides have detrimental effects on cyanobacterial metabolism through either a ROS-mediated process or by affecting the electron transport chain, and may cause the shifts in the phytoplankton community.

Singlet oxygen stress in microorganisms

Singlet oxygen is the primary agent of photooxidative stress in microorganisms. In photosynthetic microorganisms, sensitized generation by pigments of the photosystems is the main source of singlet oxygen and, in nonphotosynthetic microorganisms, cellular cofactors such as flavins, rhodopsins, quinones, and porphyrins serve as photosensitizer. Singlet oxygen rapidly reacts with a wide range of cellular macromolecules including proteins, lipids, DNA, and RNA, and thereby further reactive substances including organic peroxides and sulfoxides are formed. Microorganisms that face high light intensities or exhibit potent photosensitizers have evolved specific mechanisms to prevent photooxidative stress. These mechanisms include the use of quenchers, such as carotenoids, which interact either with excited photosensitizer molecules or singlet oxygen itself to prevent damage of cellular molecules. Scavengers like glutathione react with singlet oxygen. Despite those protection mechanisms, damage by reactions with singlet oxygen on cellular macromolecules disturbs cellular functions. Microorganisms that regularly face photooxidative stress have evolved specific systems to sense singlet oxygen and tightly control the removal of singlet oxygen reaction products. Responses to photooxidative stress have been investigated in a range of photosynthetic and nonphotosynthetic microorganisms. However, detailed knowledge on the regulation of this response has only been obtained for the phototrophic alpha-proteobacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides. In this organism and in related proteobacteria, the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factor RpoE is released from the cognate antisigma factor ChrR in the presence of singlet oxygen and triggers the expression of genes providing protection against photooxidative stress. Recent experiments show that singlet oxygen acts as a signal, which is sensed by yet unknown components and leads to proteolysis of ChrR. RpoE induces expression of a second alternative sigma factor, RpoH(II), which controls a large set of genes that partially overlaps with the heat-shock response controlled by RpoH(I). In addition to the transcriptional control of gene regulation by alternative sigma factors, a set of noncoding small RNAs (sRNAs) appear to affect the synthesis of several proteins involved in the response to photooxidative stress. The interaction of mRNA targets with those sRNAs is usually mediated by the RNA chaperone Hfq. Deletion of the gene encoding Hfq leads to a singlet oxygen-sensitive phenotype, which underlines the control of gene regulation on the posttranscriptional level by sRNAs in R. sphaeroides. Hence, a complex network of different regulatory components controls the defense against photooxidative stress in anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria.

Horizontal gene exchange in environmental microbiota

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) plays an important role in the evolution of life on the Earth. This view is supported by numerous occasions of HGT that are recorded in the genomes of all three domains of living organisms. HGT-mediated rapid evolution is especially noticeable among the Bacteria, which demonstrate formidable adaptability in the face of recent environmental changes imposed by human activities, such as the use of antibiotics, industrial contamination, and intensive agriculture. At the heart of the HGT-driven bacterial evolution and adaptation are highly sophisticated natural genetic engineering tools in the form of a variety of mobile genetic elements (MGEs). The main aim of this review is to give a brief account of the occurrence and diversity of MGEs in natural ecosystems and of the environmental factors that may affect MGE-mediated HGT.

Mycosporine-like amino acids: relevant secondary metabolites. Chemical and ecological aspects

Taxonomically diverse marine, freshwater and terrestrial organisms have evolved the capacity to synthesize, accumulate and metabolize a variety of UV-absorbing substances called mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) as part of an overall strategy to diminish the direct and indirect damaging effects of environmental ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Whereas the enzymatic machinery to synthesize MAAs was probably inherited from cyanobacteria ancestors via the endosymbionts hypothesis, metazoans lack this biochemical pathway, but can acquire and metabolize these compounds by trophic transference, symbiotic or bacterial association. In this review we describe the structure and physicochemical properties of MAAs, including the recently discovered compounds and the modern methods used for their isolation and identification, updating previous reviews. On this basis, we review the metabolism and distribution of this unique class of metabolites among marine organism.

Raman spectroscopic analysis of a desert cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. in response to UVB radiation

Cyanobacteria are capable of tolerating environmental extremes. To survive in extreme environments, cyanobacteria have developed the capability to adapt to a variety of stresses. For example, cyanobacteria have adopted a number of strategies with which to survive UV stress, including expression of UV-screening pigments and antioxidant systems. We have previously shown that several antioxidants are significantly expressed in Nostoc sp. by UVB irradiation. We report here that the content of UV-responsive biomarkers such as β-carotene and scytonemin can be easily detected by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy with use of a small sample size and that the content of β-carotene is dependant on the UVB intensity and exposure time. Our results indicate that Raman spectroscopy may be a helpful tool to analyze UV-protective molecules of cyanobacterium in astrobiological studies without access to large sample sizes and complicated extractions, which are needed by other analytical techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Cyanobacteria and ultraviolet radiation (UVR) stress: mitigation strategies

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.