The biosynthesis of cyanobacterial sunscreen scytonemin in intertidal microbial mat communities.

ABSTRACT: We have examined the biosynthesis and accumulation of cyanobacterial sunscreening pigment scytonemin within intertidal microbial mat communities using a combination of chemical, molecular, and phylogenetic approaches. Both laminated (layered) and nonlaminated mats contained scytonemin, with morphologically distinct mats having different cyanobacterial community compositions. Within laminated microbial mats, regions with and without scytonemin had different dominant oxygenic phototrophs, with scytonemin-producing areas consisting primarily of Lyngbya aestuarii and scytonemin-deficient areas dominated by a eukaryotic alga. The nonlaminated mat was populated by a diverse group of cyanobacteria and did not contain algae. The amplification and phylogenetic assignment of scytonemin biosynthetic

SUBMITTER: Balskus EP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3134115 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature