Bioinformatic, phylogenetic and chemical analysis of the UV‐absorbing compounds scytonemin and mycosporine‐like amino acids from the microbial mat communities of Shark Bay, Australia

Research at Shark Bay, Western Australia, reveals that microbial mats in this UNESCO World Heritage Site produce UV-absorbing compounds—scytonemin and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs)—as a survival strategy against high radiation levels. The study found these photoprotective pigments are predominantly present in the upper layers of three distinct mat types: smooth, pustular, and tufted. Using advanced techniques like UV spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, scientists identified specific MAAs, including mycosporine-glycine and asterina, while also detecting an unknown MAA. Phylogenetic analysis linked scytonemin production to cyanobacteria abundance, highlighting its role in microbial resilience. This discovery underscores the adaptive mechanisms of Shark Bay’s microbial communities, offering insights into their ecological significance.

D’Agostino, P. M., Woodhouse, J. N., Liew, H. T., Sehnal, L., Pickford, R., Wong, H. L., Burns, B. P., & Neilan, B. A. (2019). Bioinformatic, phylogenetic and chemical analysis of the UV‐absorbing compounds scytonemin and mycosporine‐like amino acids from the microbial mat communities of Shark Bay, Australia. Environmental Microbiology, 21(2), 702–715. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.14517