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Emerging applications of cyanobacterial ultraviolet protecting compound scytonemin

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Abstract

Cyanobacteria are one of the most ancient life forms present today. This phylum of organisms is capable of photosynthesis, and they depend on solar radiation for their survival. They are found under diverse climatic conditions where ultraviolet (UV) radiation can damage cellular machinery. In order to be protected from harmful radiation, many cyanobacteria produce the UV radiation-absorbing compound, scytonemin in the extracellular sheath. In this review, characteristic features of seven sheath-forming cyanobacteria are shown and genes involved in scytonemin biosynthesis are discussed. Scytonemin as a sunscreen compound and its biomedical applications are also summarized. Recent advances on the application of scytonemin as a biosignature for extraterrestrial life on Mars are also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, Govt. P.G. (autonomous) College, Satna, MP, India

    Arti Mishra & Rashmi Singh

  2. Department of Botany, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, 211002, UP, India

    Richa Tandon, Sarika Kesarwani & G. L. Tiwari

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  1. Arti Mishra
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  2. Richa Tandon
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  3. Sarika Kesarwani
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  4. Rashmi Singh
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  5. G. L. Tiwari
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Correspondence to Arti Mishra.

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Mishra, A., Tandon, R., Kesarwani, S. et al. Emerging applications of cyanobacterial ultraviolet protecting compound scytonemin. J Appl Phycol 27, 1045–1051 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0399-y

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