Gadusol is a maternally provided sunscreen that protects fish embryos from DNA damage.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is harmful to living cells, leading organisms to evolve protective mechanisms against UVR-induced cellular damage and stress. UVR, particularly UVB (280-320 nm), can damage proteins and DNA, leading to errors during DNA repair and replication. Excessive UVR can induce cellular death.

Gadusol is a maternally provided sunscreen that protects fish embryos from DNA damage.

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and its deleterious effects on living cells selects for UVR-protective mechanisms. Organisms across the tree of life evolved a variety of natural sunscreens to prevent UVR-induced cellular damage and stress. However, in vertebrates, only melanin is known to act as a sunscreen.