CIRCADIAN PROTECTION AGAINST OXIDATIVE STRESS IN MARINE ALGAE

Abstract

The aspects relating molecular control of the biological clocks to the cellular toxicity and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in marine algae are presented here in the following topics: (i) quantification data of the major antioxidant enzyme activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidation, aiming to gain a better understanding of the oscillatory levels of oxidative modifications in algal cells, (ii) correlation is made of the biosynthesis of low molecular weight antioxidants, such as carotenoids, melatonin, reduced gluthatione, and (iii) damage to the ROS targets, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids in membranes, proteins and nucleic acids.