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Landi S, Santini G, Vitale E, Di Natale G, Maisto G, Arena C, Esposito S. Photosynthetic, Molecular and Ultrastructural Characterization of Toxic Effects of Zinc in Caulerpa racemosa Indicate Promising Bioremediation Potentiality. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2868. [PMID: 36365321 PMCID: PMC9653827 DOI: 10.3390/plants11212868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Caulerpaceae are unconventional green algae composed of multinucleated, single siphonous cells. The species of Caulerpa are acquiring major scientific interest for both their invasion in the Mediterranean ecological niche and for the production of valuable natural metabolites. Furthermore, the abilities of Caulerpa spp. in the biorecovery of polluted waters were recently investigated. Among heavy metal contaminants in marine systems, zinc (Zn) is considered a critical pollutant, progressively accumulating from plastic leachates. In this study, the responses of Caulerpa racemosa to different levels (5-10 mg L-1) of Zn were studied for 14 days under laboratory-controlled conditions. Effects of Zn were monitored by measuring the growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency and gene expression. Moreover, the ability of Caulerpa to remove Zn from seawater was monitored. Zn induced detrimental effects by decreasing the relative growth rate (RGR) and maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm). Moreover, C. racemosa, grown in contaminated seawater, reduced the levels of Zn to a final concentration of 1.026 and 1.932 mg L-1 after 14 days, thus demonstrating efficient uptake. Therefore, our results characterized the effects of zinc on C. racemosa and the possible role of this alga as being effective in the bioremediation of marine seawater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Landi
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giorgia Santini
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Ermenegilda Vitale
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Natale
- Department of Chemistry, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Giulia Maisto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Carmen Arena
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
| | - Sergio Esposito
- Department of Biology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Cinthia, I-80126 Napoli, Italy
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An Alkaloid from a Highly Invasive Seaweed Increases the Voracity and Reproductive Output of a Model Fish Species. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20080513. [PMID: 36005516 PMCID: PMC9410225 DOI: 10.3390/md20080513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The invasive macroalga Caulerpa cylindracea has spread widely in the Mediterranean Sea, becoming a favorite food item for native fish for reasons yet unknown. By using a combination of behavioral, morphological, and molecular approaches, herein we provide evidence that the bisindole alkaloid caulerpin, a major secondary metabolite of C. cylindracea, significantly increases food intake in the model fish Danio rerio, influencing the regulation of genes involved in the orexigenic pathway. In addition, we found that the compound improves fish reproductive performance by affecting the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. The obtained results pave the way for the possible valorization of C. cylindracea as a sustainable source of a functional feed additive of interest to face critical challenges both in aquaculture and in human nutrition.
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Caulerpin Mitigates Helicobacter pylori-Induced Inflammation via Formyl Peptide Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222313154. [PMID: 34884957 PMCID: PMC8658387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222313154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of novel strategies to control Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-associated chronic inflammation is, at present, a considerable challenge. Here, we attempt to combat this issue by modulating the innate immune response, targeting formyl peptide receptors (FPRs), G-protein coupled receptors that play key roles in both the regulation and the resolution of the innate inflammatory response. Specifically, we investigated, in vitro, whether Caulerpin—a bis-indole alkaloid isolated from algae of the genus Caulerpa—could act as a molecular antagonist scaffold of FPRs. We showed that Caulerpin significantly reduces the immune response against Hp culture filtrate, by reverting the FPR2-related signaling cascade and thus counteracting the inflammatory reaction triggered by Hp peptide Hp(2–20). Our study suggests Caulerpin to be a promising therapeutic or adjuvant agent for the attenuation of inflammation triggered by Hp infection, as well as its related adverse clinical outcomes.
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Tolås I, Kalananthan T, Gomes AS, Lai F, Norland S, Murashita K, Rønnestad I. Regional Expression of npy mRNA Paralogs in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar, L.) and Response to Fasting. Front Physiol 2021; 12:720639. [PMID: 34512390 PMCID: PMC8427667 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.720639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is known as a potent orexigenic signal in vertebrates, but its role in Atlantic salmon has not yet been fully established. In this study, we identified three npy paralogs, named npya1, npya2, and npyb, in the Atlantic salmon genome. In silico analysis revealed that these genes are well conserved across the vertebrate’s lineage and the mature peptide sequences shared at least 77% of identity with the human homolog. We analyzed mRNA expression of npy paralogs in eight brain regions of Atlantic salmon post-smolt, and the effect of 4 days of fasting on the npy expression level. Results show that npya1 was the most abundant paralog, and was predominantly expressed in the telencephalon, followed by the midbrain and olfactory bulb. npya2 mRNA was highly abundant in hypothalamus and midbrain, while npyb was found to be highest expressed in the telencephalon, with low mRNA expression levels detected in all the other brain regions. 4 days of fasting resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of npya1 mRNA expression in the olfactory bulb, increased npya2 mRNA expression in the midbrain and decreased npyb mRNA expression in the pituitary. In the hypothalamus, the vertebrate appetite center, expression of the npy paralogs was not significantly affected by feeding status. However, we observed a trend of increased npya2 mRNA expression (p = 0.099) following 4 days of fasting. Altogether, our findings provide a solid basis for further research on appetite and energy metabolism in Atlantic salmon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingvill Tolås
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ana S Gomes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Floriana Lai
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Sissel Norland
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Koji Murashita
- Physiological Function Division, Aquaculture Research Department, Fisheries Technology Institute, Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency, Tamaki, Japan
| | - Ivar Rønnestad
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Carroll AR, Copp BR, Davis RA, Keyzers RA, Prinsep MR. Marine natural products. Nat Prod Rep 2021; 38:362-413. [PMID: 33570537 DOI: 10.1039/d0np00089b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This review covers the literature published in 2019 for marine natural products (MNPs), with 719 citations (701 for the period January to December 2019) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green, brown and red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1490 in 440 papers for 2019), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Pertinent reviews, biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that led to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included. Methods used to study marine fungi and their chemical diversity have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony R Carroll
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. and Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Brent R Copp
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rohan A Davis
- Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia and School of Enivironment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robert A Keyzers
- Centre for Biodiscovery, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Michèle R Prinsep
- Chemistry, School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
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Landi S, Esposito S. Bioinformatic Characterization of Sulfotransferase Provides New Insights for the Exploitation of Sulfated Polysaccharides in Caulerpa. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186681. [PMID: 32932673 PMCID: PMC7554865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Caulerpa is an unusual algal genus from Caulerpaceae (Chlorophyta, Bryopsidales). Species from this family produce a wide range of metabolites suitable for biotechnology applications. Among these, sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) are often highly desirable for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. Here, we provide a classification of sulfotransferases from Caulerpa; these important enzymes catalyze the nodal step for the biosynthesis of SPs. For this, we performed phylogenetic, genomic, expression analyses and prediction of the protein structure on sulfotransferases from Caulerpa. Sequences, domains and structures of sulfotransferases generally shared common characteristics with other plants and algae. However, we found an extensive duplication of sulfotransferase gene family, which is unique among the green algae. Expression analysis revealed specific transcript abundance in the pinnae and rachis of the alga. The unique genomic features could be utilized for the production of complex SPs, which require multiple and specific sulfation reactions. The expansion of this gene family in Caulerpaceae would have resulted in a number of proteins characterizing the unique SPs found in these algae. We provide a putative biosynthetic pathway of SPs, indicating the unique characteristics of this pathway in Caulerpa species. These data may help in the future selection of Caulerpa species for both commercial applications and genetic studies to improve the synthesis of valuable products from Caulerpa.
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