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Wang S, Li X, Yang W, Huang R. Exploring the secrets of marine microorganisms: Unveiling secondary metabolites through metagenomics. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14533. [PMID: 39075735 PMCID: PMC11286668 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Marine microorganisms are increasingly recognized as primary producers of marine secondary metabolites, drawing growing research interest. Many of these organisms are unculturable, posing challenges for study. Metagenomic techniques enable research on these unculturable microorganisms, identifying various biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) related to marine microbial secondary metabolites, thereby unveiling their secrets. This review comprehensively analyses metagenomic methods used in discovering marine microbial secondary metabolites, highlighting tools commonly employed in BGC identification, and discussing the potential and challenges in this field. It emphasizes the key role of metagenomics in unveiling secondary metabolites, particularly in marine sponges and tunicates. The review also explores current limitations in studying these metabolites through metagenomics, noting how long-read sequencing technologies and the evolution of computational biology tools offer more possibilities for BGC discovery. Furthermore, the development of synthetic biology allows experimental validation of computationally identified BGCs, showcasing the vast potential of metagenomics in mining marine microbial secondary metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoyu Wang
- Institute of Marine Science and TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Negative Emission TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Xinyan Li
- Institute of Marine Science and TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Negative Emission TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Weiqin Yang
- School of Computer Science and TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
| | - Ranran Huang
- Institute of Marine Science and TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoShandongChina
- Qingdao Key Laboratory of Ocean Carbon Sequestration and Negative Emission TechnologyShandong UniversityQingdaoChina
- Global Ocean Negative Carbon Emissions (ONCE) Program AllianceQingdaoChina
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Cooreman K, De Spiegeleer B, Van Poucke C, Vanavermaete D, Delbare D, Wynendaele E, De Witte B. Emerging pharmaceutical therapies of Ascidian-derived natural products and derivatives. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104254. [PMID: 37648122 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
In a growing multidrug-resistant environment, the identification of potential new drug candidates with an acceptable safety profile is a substantial crux in pharmaceutical discovery. This review discusses several aspects and properties of approved marine natural products derived from ascidian sources (phylum Chordata, subphylum Tunicata) and/or their deduced analogues including their biosynthetic origin, (bio)chemical preclinical assessments and known efficacy-safety profiles, clinical status in trials, but also translational developments, opportunities and final conclusions. The review also describes the preclinical assessments of a large number of other ascidian compounds that have not been involved in clinical trials yet. Finally, the emerging research on the connectivity of the ascidian hosts and their independent or obligate symbiotic guests is discussed. The review covers the latest information on the topic of ascidian-derived marine natural products over the last two decades including 2022, with the majority of publications published in the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kris Cooreman
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christof Van Poucke
- Technology and Food Science Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brusselsesteenweg 370, BE-9090 Melle, Belgium
| | - David Vanavermaete
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Daan Delbare
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Drug Quality and Registration Group, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, BE-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bavo De Witte
- Aquatic Environment and Quality, Animal Sciences Unit, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Jacobsenstraat 1, BE-8400 Ostend, Belgium.
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Marine Cyclic Peptides: Antimicrobial Activity and Synthetic Strategies. Mar Drugs 2022; 20:md20060397. [PMID: 35736200 PMCID: PMC9230156 DOI: 10.3390/md20060397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Oceans are a rich source of structurally unique bioactive compounds from the perspective of potential therapeutic agents. Marine peptides are a particularly interesting group of secondary metabolites because of their chemistry and wide range of biological activities. Among them, cyclic peptides exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities, including against bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. Moreover, there are several examples of marine cyclic peptides revealing interesting antimicrobial activities against numerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, making these compounds a very promising resource in the search for novel antimicrobial agents to revert multidrug-resistance. This review summarizes 174 marine cyclic peptides with antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, or antiviral properties. These natural products were categorized according to their sources—sponges, mollusks, crustaceans, crabs, marine bacteria, and fungi—and chemical structure—cyclic peptides and depsipeptides. The antimicrobial activities, including against drug-resistant microorganisms, unusual structural characteristics, and hits more advanced in (pre)clinical studies, are highlighted. Nocathiacins I–III (91–93), unnarmicins A (114) and C (115), sclerotides A (160) and B (161), and plitidepsin (174) can be highlighted considering not only their high antimicrobial potency in vitro, but also for their promising in vivo results. Marine cyclic peptides are also interesting models for molecular modifications and/or total synthesis to obtain more potent compounds, with improved properties and in higher quantity. Solid-phase Fmoc- and Boc-protection chemistry is the major synthetic strategy to obtain marine cyclic peptides with antimicrobial properties, and key examples are presented guiding microbiologist and medicinal chemists to the discovery of new antimicrobial drug candidates from marine sources.
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A Sumilat D, Ginting EL, A V Pollo G, A Adam A, E Tallei T. Antimicrobial Activities of <i>Rhopalaea</i>-Associated Fungus <i>Aspergillus flavus</i> strain MFABU9. Pak J Biol Sci 2021; 23:911-916. [PMID: 32700838 DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2020.911.916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Rhopalaea is a genus of ascidian belonging to the family Diazonidae. Ascidians provide niches for various microorganisms including fungi. This present study describes the potential new source for natural bioactive compounds from Rhopalaea-associated fungi obtained from Bunaken marine park. MATERIALS AND METHODS As part of an on-going research program to explore the chemical diversity of marine derived fungi, we performed an antimicrobial bioactivity-guided screening of EtOAc extracts of the fungi isolated from ascidian Rhopalaea sp. RESULTS The study confirms that the ascidian obtained from Bunaken marine park was Rhopalaea sp. The fungus isolated from the ascidian was Aspergillus flavus which showed antimicrobial activity against bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aereus, Aeromonas hydrophila and antifungal against the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. CONCLUSION Aspergillus flavus isolated from ascidian Rhopalaea sp. has the potential as antibacterial and antifungal.
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Meena B, Anburajan L, Nitharsan K, Vinithkumar NV, Dharani G. Taxonomic Composition and Biological Activity of Bacterial Communities Associated with Marine Ascidians from Andaman Islands, India. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2021; 193:2932-2963. [PMID: 34028666 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-021-03577-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Marine invertebrates, particularly ascidians, constitute an important source of potential active and biofunctional natural products. The microbial diversity associated with ascidians is little recognized, although these microorganisms play a vital role in marine ecosystems. The objective of this study was to investigate bacterial population diversity in four ascidian samples: Phallusia nigra, Phallusia fumigata, Eudistoma viride, and Rhopalaea macrothorax, collected from the North Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Microbial strains identified up to the species level revealed 236 distinct species/ribotypes out of 298 bacterial strains. Of 298 ascidian-associated bacteria, 72 isolates belong to the class Gammaproteobacteria and the genus Endozoicomonas. The results from this investigation will contribute a broaden knowledge of microbial diversity associated to marine ascidians, and as a promising source for the discovery of new natural products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balakrishnan Meena
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744103, India.
| | - Lawrance Anburajan
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744103, India.
| | - Kirubakaran Nitharsan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620024, India
| | - Nambali Valsalan Vinithkumar
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 744103, India
| | - Gopal Dharani
- Marine Biotechnology Division, Ocean Science and Technology for Islands Group, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600100, India
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Rumengan IFM, Roring VIY, Haedar JR, Siby MS, Luntungan AH, Kolondam BJ, Uria AR, Wakimoto T. Ascidian-associated photosymbionts from Manado, Indonesia: secondary metabolites, bioactivity simulation, and biosynthetic insight. Symbiosis 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-021-00766-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Chalifour B, Li J. A Review of the Molluscan Microbiome: Ecology, Methodology and Future. MALACOLOGIA 2021. [DOI: 10.4002/040.063.0208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Bridget Chalifour
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, 334 UCB, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, U.S.A
| | - Jingchun Li
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, 334 UCB, Boulder, Colorado, 80309, U.S.A
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The bacterial composition associated with Atriolum robustum, a common ascidian from Xisha coral reef, China. Symbiosis 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13199-020-00742-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Utermann C, Echelmeyer VA, Oppong-Danquah E, Blümel M, Tasdemir D. Diversity, Bioactivity Profiling and Untargeted Metabolomics of the Cultivable Gut Microbiota of Ciona intestinalis. Mar Drugs 2020; 19:6. [PMID: 33374243 PMCID: PMC7824411 DOI: 10.3390/md19010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is widely accepted that the commensal gut microbiota contributes to the health and well-being of its host. The solitary tunicate Ciona intestinalis emerges as a model organism for studying host-microbe interactions taking place in the gut, however, the potential of its gut-associated microbiota for marine biodiscovery remains unexploited. In this study, we set out to investigate the diversity, chemical space, and pharmacological potential of the gut-associated microbiota of C. intestinalis collected from the Baltic and North Seas. In a culture-based approach, we isolated 61 bacterial and 40 fungal strains affiliated to 33 different microbial genera, indicating a rich and diverse gut microbiota dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. In vitro screening of the crude microbial extracts indicated their antibacterial (64% of extracts), anticancer (22%), and/or antifungal (11%) potential. Nine microbial crude extracts were prioritized for in-depth metabolome mining by a bioactivity- and chemical diversity-based selection procedure. UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics combining automated (feature-based molecular networking and in silico dereplication) and manual approaches significantly improved the annotation rates. A high chemical diversity was detected where peptides and polyketides were the predominant classes. Many compounds remained unknown, including two putatively novel lipopeptides produced by a Trichoderma sp. strain. This is the first study assessing the chemical and pharmacological profile of the cultivable gut microbiota of C. intestinalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Utermann
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech), Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Am Kiel-Kanal 44, 24106 Kiel, Germany; (C.U.); (V.A.E.); (E.O.-D.); (M.B.)
| | - Vivien A. Echelmeyer
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech), Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Am Kiel-Kanal 44, 24106 Kiel, Germany; (C.U.); (V.A.E.); (E.O.-D.); (M.B.)
| | - Ernest Oppong-Danquah
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech), Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Am Kiel-Kanal 44, 24106 Kiel, Germany; (C.U.); (V.A.E.); (E.O.-D.); (M.B.)
| | - Martina Blümel
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech), Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Am Kiel-Kanal 44, 24106 Kiel, Germany; (C.U.); (V.A.E.); (E.O.-D.); (M.B.)
| | - Deniz Tasdemir
- GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology (GEOMAR-Biotech), Research Unit Marine Natural Products Chemistry, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Am Kiel-Kanal 44, 24106 Kiel, Germany; (C.U.); (V.A.E.); (E.O.-D.); (M.B.)
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Kiel University, Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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Dou X, Dong B. Origins and Bioactivities of Natural Compounds Derived from Marine Ascidians and Their Symbionts. Mar Drugs 2019; 17:md17120670. [PMID: 31795141 PMCID: PMC6950356 DOI: 10.3390/md17120670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Marine ascidians are becoming important drug sources that provide abundant secondary metabolites with novel structures and high bioactivities. As one of the most chemically prolific marine animals, more than 1200 inspirational natural products, such as alkaloids, peptides, and polyketides, with intricate and novel chemical structures have been identified from ascidians. Some of them have been successfully developed as lead compounds or highly efficient drugs. Although numerous compounds that exist in ascidians have been structurally and functionally identified, their origins are not clear. Interestingly, growing evidence has shown that these natural products not only come from ascidians, but they also originate from symbiotic microbes. This review classifies the identified natural products from ascidians and the associated symbionts. Then, we discuss the diversity of ascidian symbiotic microbe communities, which synthesize diverse natural products that are beneficial for the hosts. Identification of the complex interactions between the symbiont and the host is a useful approach to discovering ways that direct the biosynthesis of novel bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical potentials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Dou
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis & Evolution, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
- College of Agricultural Science and Technology, Tibet Vocational Technical College, Lhasa 850030, China
| | - Bo Dong
- Laboratory of Morphogenesis & Evolution, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China;
- Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China
- Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-0532-82032732
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Phylogenetic Analysis and Screening of Antimicrobial and Antiproliferative Activities of Culturable Bacteria Associated with the Ascidian Styela clava from the Yellow Sea, China. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:7851251. [PMID: 31559313 PMCID: PMC6735190 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7851251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Over 1,000 compounds, including ecteinascidin-743 and didemnin B, have been isolated from ascidians, with most having bioactive properties such as antimicrobial, antitumor, and enzyme-inhibiting activities. In recent years, direct and indirect evidence has shown that some bioactive compounds isolated from ascidians are not produced by ascidians themselves but by their symbiotic microorganisms. Isolated culturable bacteria associated with ascidians and investigating their potential bioactivity are an important approach for discovering novel compounds. In this study, a total of 269 bacteria were isolated from the ascidian Styela clava collected from the coast of Weihai in the north of the Yellow Sea, China. Phylogenetic relationships among 183 isolates were determined using their 16S rRNA gene sequences. Isolates were tested for antimicrobial activity against seven indicator strains, and an antiproliferative activity assay was performed to test for inhibition of human hepatocellular carcinoma Bel 7402 and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell proliferation. Our results showed that the isolates belonged to 26 genera from 18 families in four phyla (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes). Bacillus and Streptomyces were the most dominant genera; 146 strains had potent antimicrobial activities and inhibited at least one of the indicator strains. Crude extracts from 29 strains showed antiproliferative activity against Bel 7402 cells with IC50 values below 500 μg·mL-1, and 53 strains showed antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells, with IC50 values less than 500 μg·mL-1. Our results suggest that culturable bacteria associated with the ascidian Styela clava may be a promising source of novel bioactive compounds.
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Dror H, Novak L, Evans JS, López-Legentil S, Shenkar N. Core and Dynamic Microbial Communities of Two Invasive Ascidians: Can Host-Symbiont Dynamics Plasticity Affect Invasion Capacity? MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2019; 78:170-184. [PMID: 30411189 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-018-1276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ascidians (Chordata, Ascidiacea) are considered to be prominent marine invaders, able to tolerate highly polluted environments and fluctuations in salinity and temperature. Here, we examined the seasonal and spatial dynamics of the microbial communities in the inner-tunic of two invasive ascidians, Styela plicata (Lesueur 1823) and Herdmania momus (Savigny 1816), in order to investigate the changes that occur in the microbiome of non-indigenous ascidians in different environments. Microbial communities were characterized using next-generation sequencing of partial (V4) 16S rRNA gene sequences. A clear differentiation between the ascidian-associated microbiome and bacterioplankton was observed, and two distinct sets of operational taxonomic units (OTUs), one core and the other dynamic, were recovered from both species. The relative abundance of the dynamic OTUs in H. momus was higher than in S. plicata, for which core OTU structure was maintained independently of location. Ten and seventeen core OTUs were identified in S. plicata and H. momus, respectively, including taxa with reported capabilities of carbon fixing, ammonia oxidization, denitrification, and heavy-metal processing. The ascidian-sourced dynamic OTUs clustered in response to site and season but significantly differed from the bacterioplankton community structure. These findings suggest that the associations between invasive ascidians and their symbionts may enhance host functionality while maintaining host adaptability to changing environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hila Dror
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Lion Novak
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - James S Evans
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Susanna López-Legentil
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC, 28409, USA
| | - Noa Shenkar
- School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
- The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel-Aviv University, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Chen L, Hu JS, Xu JL, Shao CL, Wang GY. Biological and Chemical Diversity of Ascidian-Associated Microorganisms. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:md16100362. [PMID: 30275404 PMCID: PMC6212887 DOI: 10.3390/md16100362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 09/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians are a class of sessile filter-feeding invertebrates, that provide unique and fertile niches harboring various microorganisms, such as bacteria, actinobacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi. Over 1000 natural products, including alkaloids, cyclic peptides, and polyketides, have been isolated from them, which display diverse properties, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. Strikingly, direct evidence has confirmed that ~8% of natural products from ascidians are actually produced by symbiotic microorganisms. In this review, we present 150 natural products from microorganisms associated with ascidians that have been reported up to 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264209, China.
| | - Jin-Shuang Hu
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264209, China.
| | - Jia-Lei Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264209, China.
| | - Chang-Lun Shao
- Laboratory of Marine Drugs, The Ministry of Education of China, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
| | - Guang-Yu Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Marine Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai 264209, China.
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Watters DJ. Ascidian Toxins with Potential for Drug Development. Mar Drugs 2018; 16:E162. [PMID: 29757250 PMCID: PMC5983293 DOI: 10.3390/md16050162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascidians (tunicates) are invertebrate chordates, and prolific producers of a wide variety of biologically active secondary metabolites from cyclic peptides to aromatic alkaloids. Several of these compounds have properties which make them candidates for potential new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer. Many of these natural products are not produced by the ascidians themselves, rather by their associated symbionts. This review will focus mainly on the mechanism of action of important classes of cytotoxic molecules isolated from ascidians. These toxins affect DNA transcription, protein translation, drug efflux pumps, signaling pathways and the cytoskeleton. Two ascidian compounds have already found applications in the treatment of cancer and others are being investigated for their potential in cancer, neurodegenerative and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dianne J Watters
- School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland 4111, Australia.
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Taxonomic and Metabolite Diversity of Actinomycetes Associated with Three Australian Ascidians. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/d9040053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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