Cyanobacteria growing on tree barks possess high amount of sunscreen compound mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs).

The present study describes cyanobacterial species composition and their dominance in biological crusts from barks of different trees, roof top of building and soil of agricultural field. An attempt was also made to explore the presence of photoprotective compounds such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) in the crust samples. Microscopic examination and growth studies revealed the presence of Oscillatoria species in all the crust samples excluding the crust of roof top of a building.

Induction and differential expression of certain novel proteins in Anabaena L31 under UV-B radiation stress.

For examining how UV-B radiation alters the proteome of the N2-fixing cyanobacterium, Anabaena L31, we extracted proteins from cultures irradiated with UV-B + white light and controls (white light irradiated) and analyzed the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Twenty one proteins, including two hypothetical proteins (HPs) were identified and placed in eight functional categories. However several of the proteins were housekeeping proteins involved in key metabolic processes such as carbon, amino acid biosynthesis and energy metabolism, certain proteins seem to have a role in stress (antioxidative enzymes), translation, cellular processes and reductases.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cell extracts of Anabaena doliolum and screening of its antibacterial and antitumor activity.

In the present work, we describe a simple, cheap, and unexplored method for "green" synthesis of silver nanoparticles using cell extracts of the cyanobacterium Anabaena doliolum. An attempt was also made to test the antimicrobial and antitumor activities of the synthesized nanoparticles. Analytical techniques, namely UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and TEMselected area electron diffraction, were used to elucidate the formation and characterization of silver-cyanobacterial nanoparticles (Ag-CNPs).

Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using the cell extract of the cyanobacterium, Anabaena strain L31 and its conjugation with UV-B absorbing compound shinorine.

In the present work, we describe a cheap, unexplored and simple procedure for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) using the cell extract of the cyanobacterium, Anabaena strain L31. An attempt was also made to conjugate synthesized ZnONPs with a UV-absorbing water soluble compound shinorine. UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TEM-selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analyses were made to elucidate the formation and characterization of ZnONPs and ZnONPs-shinorine conjugate.

Molecular mechanisms of ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage and repair.

DNA is one of the prime molecules, and its stability is of utmost importance for proper functioning and existence of all living systems. Genotoxic chemicals and radiations exert adverse effects on genome stability. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) (mainly UV-B: 280-315 nm) is one of the powerful agents that can alter the normal state of life by inducing a variety of mutagenic and cytotoxic DNA lesions such as cyclobutane-pyrimidine dimers (CPDs), 6-4 photoproducts (6-4PPs), and their Dewar valence isomers as well as DNA strand breaks by interfering the genome integrity.

Evidences showing ultraviolet-B radiation-induced damage of DNA in cyanobacteria and its detection by PCR assay.

Impact of ultraviolet-B radiation in causing the damages to the DNA of the cyanobacterium, Anabaena strain BT2 has been investigated. Exposure of genomic DNA (in vitro) to UV-B radiation for 1 h did not cause any shift in the absorption peak (lambda(max)) but more than 30% increase in absorbance was noticed in comparison to untreated control DNA (no exposure to UV-B). This increase in absorbance in a way may be comparable to typical hypochromic effect but there was no decrease in absorbance following transfer of UV-B-treated DNA to fluorescent light or in the dark.

Inactivation of cyanobacterial nitrogenase after exposure to ultraviolet-B radiation.

Exposure of the N(2)-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena BT2 to ultraviolet-B radiation (2.5 W m(-2)) for 30 min resulted in complete loss of nitrogenase activity but 100% cell killing occurred only after a 90-min exposure. Inactivation of nitrogenase activity was not specific to Anabaena BT2; other species also showed a similar effect.