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An Enzymatic Route to Sunscreens
Author(s) -
Schmidt Eric W.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
chembiochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.05
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1439-7633
pISSN - 1439-4227
DOI - 10.1002/cbic.201000709
Subject(s) - enzyme , biosynthesis , biochemistry , cyanobacteria , amino acid , biology , metabolic pathway , gene , chemistry , genetics , bacteria
New spin on an old class: The biochemical pathway to shinorine, a typical mycosporine amino acid (MAA) sunscreen, was recently elucidated. Genes for MAA biosynthesis are widespread in diverse taxa, but are particularly common in eukaryotic and cyanobacterial phytoplankton. The biochemical pathway features novel twists on old enzyme classes.