Fast Detection of Two Smenamide Family Members Using Molecular Networking.

Caribbean sponges of the genus Smenospongia are a prolific source of chlorinated secondary metabolites. The use of molecular networking as a powerful dereplication tool revealed in the metabolome of S. aurea two new members of the smenamide family, namely smenamide F (1) and G (2). The structure of smenamide F (1) and G (2) was determined by spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS, ECD). The relative and the absolute configuration at C-13, C-15, and C-16 was determined on the basis of the conformational rigidity of a 1,3-disubstituted alkyl chain system (i.e., the C-12/C-18 segment of compound (1). Smenamide F (1) and G (2) were shown to exert a selective moderate antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, while being inactive against MG-63

Diet of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in two areas with different land use in south–central La Pampa Province, Argentina

Se estudió la dieta de la Lechucita Vizcachera (Athene cunicularia) en dos áreas condiferente uso de la tierra en el sector central de la ecorregión del Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas,en la provincia de La Pampa, Argentina: en un área protegida (el Parque Nacional Lihué Calel) yen un establecimiento ganadero sujeto a pastoreo intensivo (estancia La Manuela). Se identificaron1251 ítems presa, en su mayoría correspondientes a Coleoptera, Scorpiones y Rodentia. LaLechucita Vizcachera presentó hábitos tróficos generalistas. La importancia numérica de losdistintos ítems presa en la dieta varió significativamente entre ambas áreas, tanto durante laestación reproductiva como durante la no reproductiva. Sin embargo, el peso promedio de lospequeños mamíferos consumidos y la amplitud de nicho trófico estandarizada fueron muy simi-lares entre ambas áreas y coinciden con la información existente para esta especie en otros sectoresde la ecorregión del Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas. Sobre la base de la biomasa consumida, laLechucita Vizcachera se comportó como un predador carnívoro durante la estación reproductivay como carnívoro–insectívoro durante la estación no reproductiva.We studied the diet of the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) in two areas with different land use in the central sector of the Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas Ecoregion, La Pampa Province, Argentina: a protected area (Lihué Calel National Park) and an intensively grazed cattle ranch (La Manuela). We identified 1251 prey items, mainly corresponding to Coleoptera, Scorpiones and Rodentia. In both areas the Burrowing Owl was a generalist feeder. The frequency of the different prey items in the diet varied significantly between areas, both during the reproductive and the non-reproductive seasons. However, the mean weight of ingested small mammals and the standardized trophic niche breadth were similar between areas and to those reported for this species in other sectors of the Monte de Llanuras y Mesetas Ecoregion. According to the ingested biomass, the Burrowing Owl behaved as a carnivorous predator during the reproductive season and as carnivorous–insectivorous during the non-reproductive one.Fil: de Tommaso, Daniela Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Callicó Fortunato, Roberta Glenda. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Teta, Pablo Vicente. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Javier Adolfo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Asociación para la Conservación y el Estudio de la Naturaleza; Argentin

Isolation of Isotrichophycin C and Trichophycins G–I from a Collection of Trichodesmium thiebautii

The trichophycin family of compounds are chlorinated polyketides first discovered from environmental collections of a bloom-forming Trichodesmium sp. cyanobacterium. In an effort to fully capture the chemical space of this group of metabolites, the utilization of MS/MS-based molecular networking of a Trichodesmium thiebautii extract revealed a metabolome replete with halogenated compounds. Subsequent MS-guided isolation resulted in the characterization of isotrichophycin C and trichophycins G–I (1–4). These new metabolites had intriguing structural variations from those trichophycins previously characterized, which allowed for a comparative study to examine structural features that are associated with toxicity to murine neuroblastoma cells. Additionally, we propose the absolute configuration of the previously characterized trichophycin A (5). Overall, the metabolome of the Trichodesmium bloom is hallmarked by an unprecedented amount of chlorinated molecules, many of which remain to be structurally characterized

Cyanobacteria as indicators of water quality in Campania coasts, Italy: a monitoring strategy combining remote/proximal sensing andin situdata

Cyanobacterial blooms (CBs) are generally triggered by eutrophic conditions due to anthropogenic nutrient inputs to local waters (wastewater or contaminated waters). During the bloom, some species produce toxic secondary metabolites (cyanotoxins) that are dangerous for humans and animals. Here, a multidisciplinary strategy for an early detection and constant monitoring is proposed. This strategy combines remote/proximal sensing technology with analytical/biotechnological analyses. To demonstrate the applicability of this strategy, four anthropogenically-impacted sites were selected along the Campania coast of southwestern Italy, in the so called 'Land of Fires'. The sites were observed using satellite and aircraft images during summer, 2015. Algal community composition was determined using spectrophotometric analysis for the detection of the cyanobacterial pigment phycocyanin (PC). Complementary metagenomic analysis revealed the taxonomic presence of cyanobacteria belonging to genera associated with strong eutrophic conditions. Key elements of this strategy are the combination and integration of applying different methodological approaches such as the parallel and combined use of satellite, aerial and in-situ data, the simplified multispectral image indexing and classification for a truly efficient method in detecting early blooms of cyanobacteria. The effectiveness of the strategy has been validated also by the specific taxa of cyanobacteria found in the examined areas that confirm the assumption that cyanobacterial blooms may serve as useful bioindicators of degraded water quality in coastal ecosystems. To our knowledge this is the first time that the presence of cyanobacteria has been observed in water bodies along the Campania coast

Primary DNA damage and genetic polymorphisms for CYP1A1, EPHX and GSTM1 in workers at a graphite electrode manufacturing plant

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The results of a cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate whether genetic polymorphisms (biomarkers of susceptibility) for <it>CYP1A1</it>, <it>EPHX </it>and <it>GSTM1 </it>genes that affect polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) activation and detoxification might influence the extent of primary DNA damage (biomarker of biologically effective dose) in PAH exposed workers are presented. PAH-exposure of the study populations was assessed by determining the concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP) in urine samples (biomarker of exposure dose).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The exposed group consisted of workers (n = 109) at a graphite electrode manufacturing plant, occupationally exposed to PAH. Urinary 1OHP was measured by HPLC. Primary DNA damage was evaluated by the alkaline comet assay in peripheral blood leukocytes. Genetic polymorphisms for <it>CYP1A1</it>, <it>EPHX</it> and <it>GSTM1</it> were determined by PCR or PCR/RFLP analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1OHP and primary DNA damage were significantly higher in electrode workers compared to reference subjects. Moreover, categorization of subjects as normal or outlier highlighted an increased genotoxic risk OR = 2.59 (CI95% 1.32–5.05) associated to exposure to PAH. Polymorphisms in <it>EPHX</it> exons 3 and 4 was associated to higher urinary concentrations of 1OHP, whereas none of the genotypes analyzed (<it>CYP1A1</it>, <it>EPHX</it>, and <it>GSTM1</it>) had any significant influence on primary DNA damage as evaluated by the comet assay.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The outcomes of the present study show that molecular epidemiology approaches (i.e. cross-sectional studies of genotoxicity biomarkers) can play a role in identifying common genetic risk factors, also attempting to associate the effects with measured exposure data. Moreover, categorization of subjects as normal or outlier allowed the evaluation of the association between occupational exposure to PAH and DNA damage highlighting an increased genotoxic risk.</p

A New Furanose-Rich Pentaglycosylated GSL from the Sponge Terpios sp.

Marine organisms represent a prolific source of compounds with pharmacological properties. Among these our attention is paid to glycolipids from sponges. Many studies on glycolipids demonstrated their activity on the immune system1 and their influence on angiogenesis and tumor cells proliferation, and therefore they are potentially useful in the therapy against several diseases.Recent investigation of the glycosphingolipid (GSL) composition of the marine sponge Terpios sp. revealed the presence of terpioside A, the first diglycosylceramide having a L-fucofuranose unit in the sugar chain of the molecule. A further investigation of GSL composition of Terpios sp. showed the presence of Terpioside B, a new furanose-rich pentaglycosylated glycosphingolipid, characterized by the presence of two terminal α-L-fucofuranose units. The structure of terpioside B was elucidated using extensive 2D NMR and mass spectrometry studies. In addition, microscale chemical degradation was performed in order to establish the absolute configuration of the whole molecule as well as the length and the nature of the alkyl chains of the ceramide portion

Stories from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis simplex: from structure elucidation to studies of biosynthetic pathways

Chemical analysis of Plakortis simplex sponge extract provided a number of structurally unique secondary metabolites, including the antimalarial polyketide plakortin, the IL-10 inducing simplexide and other unusual glycolipids, and hopanoids. The hypothesis that they could be products of symbionts was explored by a multi-step strategy: i) cell separation of the fresh sponge tissue in combination with chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis; ii) PCR experiments to prove the presence of key enzymes of the biosynthesis of glycolipids and polyketides; iii) cultivation and screening of GSL-producing bacteria; iv) screening of metagenomic DNA of P. simplex in search of a PKS compatible with the structure of plakortin

Glycolipids from sponges. 19. Terpioside from the marine sponge Terpios sp., the first glycosphingolipid having an L-fucofuranose unit

The new diglycosylceramide terpioside has been isolated from the marine sponge Terpios sp. Terpioside is a diglycosylated glycosphingolipid which is the first example of a natural glycosphingolipid having an L-fucofuranose unit. The structure of terpioside was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, whereas chemical degradation was used to establish the nature of the alkyl chains and the absolute configuration of the sugars and of the ceramide stereogenic centers