An Outdated Yellow Enzyme helps algae fight photooxidative stress

Outdated Yellow Enzymes (OYEs) have been found within the Thirties and have been the topic of a lot analysis ever since. It is because these biocatalysts — colored yellow by an auxiliary molecule — are able to performing reactions which might be very helpful for the chemical trade, comparable to producing drug precursors or fragrances. Despite the fact that OYEs are discovered in lots of organisms, their pure position for these organisms has hardly been understood to this point — probably as a result of the analysis focus has been on their biotechnological utility. Researchers have now proven that an OYE of the unicellular inexperienced alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is important for this plant microorganism to guard itself from photooxidative stress.