Effects of ultraviolet radiation on protein content, respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of Antarctic plankton

Abstract

Depletion of stratospheric ozone causes a significant increase in UV radiation in the Antarctic regions. Its effects include DNA damage, as well as impairment of photosynthesis, respiration, protein synthesis and other metabolic functions. Defence systems of cells are directed against free oxygen radicals liberated through UV radiation. One of their main components of defence systems are superoxide dismutases (SODs). The effects of ultraviolet radiation A and B (UVAR and UVBR) on protein synthesis, respiratory electron transfer (ETS) activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Antarctic plankton were examined. Samples were taken in the Gerlache Strait (Antarctica). Three stations were situated in an area, which showed a Cryptomonas bloom. Two stations were located in areas having a bloom of green nanoflagellates. Samples were exposed for 3 h to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), or to PAR + UVAR or to PAR + UVAR + UVBR, under fixed experimental irradiances. UVBR inhibited protein synthesis and ETS activity, and enhanced SOD activity. UVAR enhanced protein synthesis and ETS activity, and inhibited SOD activity. Samples, which had received more solar radiation prior to experiments showed less inhibition of protein synthesis by experimental UVBR, which suggests acclimation to ambient radiation. Cryptomonas-dominated stations showed less SOD activity than the green flagellate-dominated stations, which might be related to the protection conferred by their phycoerythrin.