UV-A radiation increases biomass yield by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation in the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides

Ultraviolet (UV) A radiation (315-400 nm) is the predominant component of solar UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. However, the underlying mechanisms of the positive effects of UV-A on photosynthetic organisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV-A radiation on the growth, photosynthetic ability, and metabolome of the edible cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides. Exposures to 5-15 W m-2 (15-46 µmol photons m-2 s-1) UV-A and 4.35 W m-2 (20 μmol photons m-2 s-1) visible light for 16 days significantly increased the growth rate and biomass production of N. sphaeroides cells by 18%-30% and 15%-56%, respectively, compared to the non-UV-A-acclimated cells. Additionally, the UV-A-acclimated cells exhibited a 1.8-fold increase in the cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) pool with an increase in photosynthetic capacity (58%), photosynthetic efficiency (24%), QA re-oxidation, photosystem I abundance, and cyclic electron flow (87%), which further led to an increase in light-induced NADPH generation (31%) and ATP content (83%). Moreover, the UV-A-acclimated cells showed a 2.3-fold increase in ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activity, indicating an increase in their carbon-fixing capacity. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics further revealed that UV-A radiation upregulated the energy-storing carbon metabolism, as evidenced by the enhanced accumulation of sugars, fatty acids, and citrate in the UV-A-acclimated cells. Therefore, our results demonstrate that UV-A radiation enhances energy flow and carbon assimilation in the cyanobacterium N. sphaeroides.IMPORTANCEUltraviolet (UV) radiation exerts harmful effects on photo-autotrophs; however, several studies demonstrated the positive effects of UV radiation, especially UV-A radiation (315-400 nm), on primary productivity. Therefore, understanding the underlying mechanisms associated with the promotive effects of UV-A radiation on primary productivity can facilitate the application of UV-A for CO2 sequestration and lead to the advancement of photobiological sciences. In this study, we used the cyanobacterium Nostoc sphaeroides, which has an over 1,700-year history of human use as food and medicine, to explore its photosynthetic acclimation response to UV-A radiation. As per our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV-A radiation increases the biomass yield of N. sphaeroides by enhancing energy flow and carbon assimilation. Our findings provide novel insights into UV-A-mediated photosynthetic acclimation and provide a scientific basis for the application of UV-A radiation for optimizing light absorption capacity and enhancing CO2 sequestration in the frame of a future CO2 neutral, circular, and sustainable bioeconomy.