Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is a known risk factor for skin cancer, which can be notably mitigated through the application of sun care products. However, escalating concerns regarding the adverse health and environmental impacts of synthetic anti-UV chemicals underscore a pressing need for the development of biodegradable and eco-friendly sunscreen ingredients. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) represent a family of water-soluble anti-UV natural products synthesized by various organisms. These compounds can provide a two-pronged strategy for sun protection as they not only exhibit a superior UV absorption profile but also possess the potential to alleviate UV-induced oxidative stresses. Nevertheless, the widespread incorporation of MAAs in sun protection products is hindered by supply constraints. Delving into the biosynthetic pathways of MAAs can offer innovative strategies to overcome this limitation. Here, we review recent progress in MAA biosynthesis, with an emphasis on key biosynthetic enzymes including the dehydroquinate synthase homolog MysA, the ATP-grasp ligases MysC and MysD, and the nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-like enzyme MysE. Additionally, we discuss recently discovered MAA tailoring enzymes. The enhanced understanding of the MAA biosynthesis paves the way for not only facilitating the supply of MAA analogs but also for exploring the evolution of this unique family of natural sunscreens.

中文翻译：

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天然防晒霜类菌孢素氨基酸生物合成的最新进展

暴露于紫外线 (UV) 是已知的皮肤癌危险因素，通过使用防晒产品可以显着减轻这种风险。然而，人们对合成抗紫外线化学品对健康和环境的不利影响的担忧不断升级，凸显了开发可生物降解且环保的防晒成分的迫切需要。类菌孢素氨基酸（MAAs）是由多种生物体合成的一类水溶性抗紫外线天然产物。这些化合物可以提供双管齐下的防晒策略，因为它们不仅表现出优异的紫外线吸收特性，而且还具有减轻紫外线引起的氧化应激的潜力。然而，MAA 在防晒产品中的广泛应用受到供应限制的阻碍。深入研究 MAA 的生物合成途径可以提供克服这一限制的创新策略。在这里，我们回顾了 MAA 生物合成的最新进展，重点关注关键的生物合成酶，包括脱氢奎宁酸合酶同系物 MysA、ATP 抓取连接酶 MysC 和 MysD 以及非核糖体肽合成酶 (NRPS) 样酶 MysE。此外，我们还讨论了最近发现的 MAA 剪裁酶。对 MAA 生物合成的加深了解不仅为促进 MAA 类似物的供应铺平了道路，而且还为探索这一独特的天然防晒霜家族的演变铺平了道路。