Free radical was produced in S. japonicus biological sample under UVA radiation.
Levels of p-p38 and p-JNK reached highest at 1 h UVA radiation.
Caspase-3 was activated and DNA was fragmentation after UVA radiation.
Protein degraded and cathepsin L was activated after UVA radiation.
Apoptosis induction is involved in UVA-induced autolysis of S. japonicus.