Ceratamines A and B, Antimitotic Heterocyclic Alkaloids Isolated from the Marine Sponge <i>Pseudoceratina</i> sp. Collected in Papua New Guinea

Two novel antimitotic heterocyclic alkaloids, ceratamines A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the marine sponge Pseudoceratina sp., collected in Papua New Guinea. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by analysis of spectroscopic data

Aromatic Cyclic Peroxides and Related Keto-Compounds from the <i>Plakortis</i> sp. Component of a Sponge Consortium

Six unreported aromatic compounds, 1−6, were isolated, along with the known compounds dehydrocurcuphenol and manoalide, from a sample of Plakortis sp., which was the main component of a Pacific sponge consortium. The new molecules were chemically characterized by spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1−4 contain a six-membered cyclic peroxide, whereas 5 and 6 display a terminal methyl ketone. The new metabolites were tested for antifungal and antibacterial properties. Compounds 1 and 4 were weakly active against S. aureus

Bioactive Terpenes from <i>Spongia officinalis</i>

The terpene metabolite pattern of Mediterranean Spongia officinalis was chemically investigated. This study resulted in the isolation of a series of sesterterpenes and C21 furanoterpenes, according to the literature data on this sponge. Four new oxidized minor metabolites (compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4) were isolated along with six known compounds of the furospongin series (compounds 5–8, 9, and 10) and three scalarane sesterterpenes (compounds 11–13). Interestingly, tetrahydrofurospongin-2 (6) and dihydrofurospongin-2 (7), which were among the main metabolites, induced biofilm formation by Escherichia coli. All compounds isolated were also assayed for antibacterial and antifungal properties

Tritoniopsins A–D, Cladiellane-Based Diterpenes from the South China Sea Nudibranch <i>Tritoniopsis elegans</i> and Its Prey <i>Cladiella krempfi</i>

Four diterpenes, tritoniopsins A–D (1–4), have been isolated from the South China Sea nudibranch Tritoniopsis elegans and its prey, the soft coral Cladiella krempfi. They display an unprecedented pyran ring in the cladiellane framework, thus representing a novel cladiellane-based diterpene family. Their structures have been mainly characterized by NMR and mass spectrometric techniques, whereas the relative configuration of compound 1 was secured by X-ray analysis. Antiproliferative assays on tumor and nontumor cell lines have been carried out for the main metabolite, tritoniopsin B (2)

Tritoniopsins A–D, Cladiellane-Based Diterpenes from the South China Sea Nudibranch <i>Tritoniopsis elegans</i> and Its Prey <i>Cladiella krempfi</i>

Four diterpenes, tritoniopsins A–D (1–4), have been isolated from the South China Sea nudibranch Tritoniopsis elegans and its prey, the soft coral Cladiella krempfi. They display an unprecedented pyran ring in the cladiellane framework, thus representing a novel cladiellane-based diterpene family. Their structures have been mainly characterized by NMR and mass spectrometric techniques, whereas the relative configuration of compound 1 was secured by X-ray analysis. Antiproliferative assays on tumor and nontumor cell lines have been carried out for the main metabolite, tritoniopsin B (2)

Tritoniopsins A–D, Cladiellane-Based Diterpenes from the South China Sea Nudibranch <i>Tritoniopsis elegans</i> and Its Prey <i>Cladiella krempfi</i>

Four diterpenes, tritoniopsins A–D (1–4), have been isolated from the South China Sea nudibranch Tritoniopsis elegans and its prey, the soft coral Cladiella krempfi. They display an unprecedented pyran ring in the cladiellane framework, thus representing a novel cladiellane-based diterpene family. Their structures have been mainly characterized by NMR and mass spectrometric techniques, whereas the relative configuration of compound 1 was secured by X-ray analysis. Antiproliferative assays on tumor and nontumor cell lines have been carried out for the main metabolite, tritoniopsin B (2)

Structure and Synthesis of a Unique Isonitrile Lipid Isolated from the Marine Mollusk <i>Actinocyclus papillatus</i>

The first chemical study of an Actinocyclidae nudibranch, Actinocyclus papillatus, resulted in the isolation of (−)-actisonitrile (1), a lipid based on a 1,3-propanediol ether skeleton. The structure was established by spectroscopic methods, whereas the absolute configuration of the chiral center was determined by comparing the optical properties of natural actisonitrile with those of (+)- and (−)-synthetic enantiomers, opportunely prepared. Both (−)- and (+)-actisonitrile were tested in preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity bioassays on tumor and nontumor mammalian cells

Potential of Lipid Biosynthesis under Heterotrophy in the Marine Diatom <i>Cyclotella cryptica</i>

Despite the theoretical high productivity, microalgae-based oil production is not economically sustainable due to the high cost of photoautotrophic cultures. Heterotrophic growth is a suitable economic alternative to overcoming light dependence and climatic/geographic fluctuations. Here we report data about growth performance, biomass production, and lipid composition of the marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica, chosen as a model strain for biodiesel production in heterothrophy. A repeated-batch process of heterotrophic cultivation has also been investigated to assess the robustness and phenotypic stability. The process consisting of six constant cycle repetitions was carried out for 42 days and led to an average dry biomass production of 1.5 ± 0.1 g L–1 of which 20% lipids composed of 60% triglycerides, 20% phospholipids. and 20% glycolipids. The major fatty acids were C16:0 (∼26%), C16:1 ω-7 (∼57%), and C20:5 ω-3 (∼12%), with a significant reduction in the unsaturated fatty acids in comparison to other microalgae grown in heterotrophy. Fatty acids were differently distributed among the glycerolipid classes, and the lipid composition was used to compare the potential properties of C. cryptica oil with traditional vegetable biofuels

Structures of compounds 1–8.

<p>Structures of compounds 1–8.</p

Packaging and Delivery of Chemical Weapons: A <i>Defensive Trojan Horse</i> Stratagem in Chromodorid Nudibranchs

<div><p>Background</p><p>Storage of secondary metabolites with a putative defensive role occurs in the so-called mantle dermal formations (MDFs) that are located in the more exposed parts of the body of most and very likely all members of an entire family of marine mollusks, the chromodorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia). Given that these structures usually lack a duct system, the mechanism for exudation of their contents remains unclear, as does their adaptive significance. One possible explanation could be that they are adapted so as to be preferentially attacked by predators. The nudibranchs might offer packages containing highly repugnant chemicals along with parts of their bodies to the predators, as a defensive variant of the strategic theme of the Trojan horse.</p><p>Methodology and Principal Findings</p><p>We detected, by quantitative ¹H-NMR, extremely high local concentrations of secondary metabolites in the MDFs of six species belonging to five chromodorid genera. The compounds were purified by chromatographic methods and subsequently evaluated for their feeding deterrent properties, obtaining dose-response curves. We found that only distasteful compounds are accumulated in the reservoirs at concentrations that far exceed the values corresponding to maximum deterrent activity in the feeding assays. Other basic evidence, both field and experimental, has been acquired to elucidate the kind of damage that the predators can produce on both the nudibranchs' mantles and the MDFs.</p><p>Significance</p><p>As a result of a long evolutionary process that has progressively led to the accumulation of defensive chemical weapons in localized anatomical structures, the extant chromodorid nudibranchs remain in place when molested, retracting respiratory and chemosensory organs, but offering readily accessible parts of their body to predators. When these parts are masticated or wounded by predators, breakage of the MDFs results in the release of distasteful compounds at extremely high concentration in a way that maximizes their repugnant impact.</p></div