Suma, HR and Prakash, S and Eswarappa, SM (2020) Naturally occurring fluorescence protects the eutardigrade Paramacrobiotus sp. From ultraviolet radiation: UV tolerance by fluorescence. In: Biology Letters, 16 (10).
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Abstract
Naturally occurring fluorescence has been observed in multiple species ranging from bacteria to birds. In macroscopic animals such as birds, fluorescence provides a visual communication signal. However, the functional significance of this phenomenon is unknown in most cases. Though photoprotection is attributed to fluorescence under ultraviolet (UV) light in some organisms, it lacks direct experimental evidence. Here, we demonstrate naturally occurring fluorescence under UV light in a eutardigrade belonging to the genus Paramacrobiotus. Using a natural variant that lacks fluorescence, we show that the fluorescence confers tolerance to lethal UV radiation. Remarkably, the fluorescent extract from Paramacrobiotus sp. could protect the UV-sensitive tardigrade Hypsibius exemplaris and nematode Caenorhabditis elegans from germicidal UV radiation. We propose that Paramacrobiotus sp. possess a protective fluorescent shield that absorbs harmful UV radiation and emits harmless blue light. © 2020 The Author(s).
| Item Type: | Journal Article |
|---|---|
| Publication: | Biology Letters |
| Publisher: | Royal Society Publishing |
| Additional Information: | The copyright for this article belongs to The Authors. |
| Keywords: | eukaryote; fluorescence; ultraviolet radiation, Caenorhabditis elegans; Hypsibius, animal; fluorescence; Tardigrada; ultraviolet radiation, Animals; Fluorescence; Tardigrada; Ultraviolet Rays |
| Department/Centre: | Division of Biological Sciences > Biochemistry |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jan 2023 08:43 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jan 2023 08:43 |
| URI: | https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/79057 |
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