Their photochemical properties, as well as
their resemblance to UV-screening compounds named mycosporine-
like amino acids, suggest that they are putative
photoprotective agents. A multipurpose stress function of
mycosporines in fungi has been hypothesized (Oren &
Gunde-Cimerman, 2007), and only recently has the photoprotective
and antioxidant activity of the mycosporine–glutaminol–
glucoside (MGG) been experimentally demonstrated
(Molin´e et al., 2010a). Yeasts are able to synthesize MGG
mainly after stimulation with light (i.e. photostimulation)
(Libkind et al., 2004b)