Mycosporine-like Amino Acids as Natural Scavengers of Singlet Oxygen in Marine Organisms: Photoprotection of Biological Systems

This report concerns a putative role of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA) as natural scavengers of singlet oxygen ($^1$O$_2$) in marine organisms. MAA prepared from the ascidian Lissoclinum patella were found to protect biological systems against detrimental effects of the type II photosensitization in vitro. L. patella MAA were resolved into five components, and the relative $^1$0$_2$ quenching efficiencies were measured for three major components in aqueous media. It turned out that they were all effective in scavenging $^1$0$_2$, to different degrees albeit. The results suggest that physiological relevance of MAA in marine organisms may be found in a 'built-in' defense against photooxidative effects of sunlight.