Raman characterization of the UV-protective pigment gloeocapsin and its role in the survival of cyanobacteria

[en] Extracellular UV-screening pigments gloeocapsin and scytonemin present in the EPS envelopes of extremophile cyanobacteria of freshwater and marine environments were studied by Raman spectroscopy and compared to their intracellular photosynthetic pigments. This Raman spectral analysis of the extracellular pigment gloeocapsin showed that it shared Raman spectral signatures with parietin, a radiation-protective pigment known in lichens. The UV-light spectra also showed similarities. Gloeocapsin occurs in some cyanobacterial species, mostly with exclusion of scytonemin, indicating that these pigments have evolved in cyanobacteria as separate protective strategies. Both gloeocapsin and scytonemin are widely and species-specifically distributed in different cyanobacterial genera and families. The widespread occurrence of these pigments may suggest an early origin, while their detection by Raman Spectroscopy makes them potential biosignatures for cyanobacteria in the fossil record and demonstrates the usefulness of non-destructive Raman spectroscopy analyses for the search of complex organics, including possible photosynthetic pigments, if preservable in early Earth and extraterrestrial samples.

Research Center/Unit :

CIP - Centre d'Ingénierie des Protéines - ULiège

Disciplines :

Earth sciences & physical geography
Biochemistry, biophysics & molecular biology
Microbiology

Author, co-author :

Storme, Jean-Yves ; Université de Liège > Département de géologie > Paléobiogéologie - Paléobotanique - Paléopalynologie (PPP)

Golubic, Stjepko

Wilmotte, Annick ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la vie > Physiologie et génétique bactériennes

Kleinteich, Julia ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la vie > Physiologie et génétique bactériennes

Velazquez, David

Javaux, Emmanuelle ; Université de Liège > Département de géologie > Paléobiogéologie - Paléobotanique - Paléopalynologie (PPP)

Language :

English

Title :

Raman characterization of the UV-protective pigment gloeocapsin and its role in the survival of cyanobacteria

Publication date :

2015

Journal title :

Astrobiology

ISSN :

1531-1074

eISSN :

1557-8070

Publisher :

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., New Rochelle, United States - New York

Volume :

Issue :

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

European Projects :

FP7 - 308074 - ELITE - Early Life Traces, Evolution, and Implications for Astrobiology

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique
UE - Union Européenne
BELSPO - SPP Politique scientifique - Service Public Fédéral de Programmation Politique scientifique
CE - Commission Européenne

Available on ORBi :

since 08 July 2015

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