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Segura-García I, Olson JB, Gochfeld DJ, Brandt ME, Chaves-Fonnegra A. Severe hurricanes increase recruitment and gene flow in the clonal sponge Aplysina cauliformis. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17307. [PMID: 38444224 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Upright branching sponges, such as Aplysina cauliformis, provide critical three-dimensional habitat for other organisms and assist in stabilizing coral reef substrata, but are highly susceptible to breakage during storms. Breakage can increase sponge fragmentation, contributing to population clonality and inbreeding. Conversely, storms could provide opportunities for new genotypes to enter populations via larval recruitment, resulting in greater genetic diversity in locations with frequent storms. The unprecedented occurrence of two Category 5 hurricanes in close succession during 2017 in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) provided a unique opportunity to evaluate whether recolonization of newly available substrata on coral reefs was due to local (e.g. re-growth of remnants, fragmentation, larval recruitment) or remote (e.g. larval transport and immigration) sponge genotypes. We sampled A. cauliformis adults and juveniles from four reefs around St. Thomas and two in St. Croix (USVI). Using a 2bRAD protocol, all samples were genotyped for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Results showed that these major storm events favoured sponge larval recruitment but did not increase the genetic diversity of A. cauliformis populations. Recolonization of substratum post-storms via clonality was lower (15%) than expected and instead was mainly due to sexual reproduction (85%) via local larval recruitment. Storms did enhance gene flow among and within reef sites located south of St. Thomas and north of St. Croix. Therefore, populations of clonal marine species with low pelagic dispersion, such as A. cauliformis, may benefit from increased frequency and magnitude of hurricanes for the maintenance of genetic diversity and to combat inbreeding, enhancing the resilience of Caribbean sponge communities to extreme storm events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Segura-García
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
| | - Julie B Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
| | - Deborah J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi, USA
| | - Marilyn E Brandt
- Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, USA
| | - Andia Chaves-Fonnegra
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Florida Atlantic University, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA
- Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida, USA
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Pankey MS, Gochfeld DJ, Gastaldi M, Macartney KJ, Clayshulte Abraham A, Slattery M, Lesser MP. Phylosymbiosis and metabolomics resolve phenotypically plastic and cryptic sponge species in the genus Agelas across the Caribbean basin. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17321. [PMID: 38529721 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Fundamental to holobiont biology is recognising how variation in microbial composition and function relates to host phenotypic variation. Sponges often exhibit considerable phenotypic plasticity and also harbour dense microbial communities that function to protect and nourish hosts. One of the most prominent sponge genera on Caribbean coral reefs is Agelas. Using a comprehensive set of morphological (growth form, spicule), chemical and molecular data on 13 recognised species of Agelas in the Caribbean basin, we were able to define only five species (=clades) and found that many morphospecies designations were incongruent with phylogenomic and population genetic analyses. Microbial communities were also strongly differentiated between phylogenetic species, showing little evidence of cryptic divergence and relatively low correlation with morphospecies assignment. Metagenomic analyses also showed strong correspondence to phylogenetic species, and to a lesser extent, geographical and morphological characters. Surprisingly, the variation in secondary metabolites produced by sponge holobionts was explained by geography and morphospecies assignment, in addition to phylogenetic species, and covaried significantly with a subset of microbial symbionts. Spicule characteristics were highly plastic, under greater impact from geographical location than phylogeny. Our results suggest that while phenotypic plasticity is rampant in Agelas, morphological differences within phylogenetic species affect functionally important ecological traits, including the composition of the symbiotic microbial communities and metabolomic profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S Pankey
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - D J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research and Environmental Toxicology, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - M Gastaldi
- Escuela Superior de Ciencias Marinas-Universidad Nacional del Comahue, San Antonio Oeste, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - K J Macartney
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
| | - A Clayshulte Abraham
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - M Slattery
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, USA
| | - M P Lesser
- Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Pruett JL, Pandelides AF, Keylon J, Willett KL, Showalter Otts S, Gochfeld DJ. Life‐stage‐dependent effects of multiple flood‐associated stressors on a coastal foundational species. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.4343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Pruett
- National Center for Natural Products Research University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
| | - Ann Fairly Pandelides
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
| | - Jaycie Keylon
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
| | - Kristine L. Willett
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
| | | | - Deborah J. Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences University of Mississippi, University Mississippi USA
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Lesser MP, Sabrina Pankey M, Slattery M, Macartney KJ, Gochfeld DJ. Microbiome diversity and metabolic capacity determines the trophic ecology of the holobiont in Caribbean sponges. ISME Commun 2022; 2:112. [PMID: 37938762 PMCID: PMC9723761 DOI: 10.1038/s43705-022-00196-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sponges are increasingly recognized as an ecologically important taxon on coral reefs, representing significant biomass and biodiversity where sponges have replaced scleractinian corals. Most sponge species can be divided into two symbiotic states based on symbiont community structure and abundance (i.e., the microbiome), and are characterized as high microbial abundance (HMA) or low microbial abundance (LMA) sponges. Across the Caribbean, sponge species of the HMA or LMA symbiotic states differ in metabolic capacity, as well as their trophic ecology. A metagenetic analysis of symbiont 16 S rRNA and metagenomes showed that HMA sponge microbiomes are more functionally diverse than LMA microbiomes, offer greater metabolic functional capacity and redundancy, and encode for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Stable isotope analyses showed that HMA and LMA sponges primarily consume dissolved organic matter (DOM) derived from external autotrophic sources, or live particulate organic matter (POM) in the form of bacterioplankton, respectively, resulting in a low degree of resource competition between these symbiont states. As many coral reefs have undergone phase shifts from coral- to macroalgal-dominated reefs, the role of DOM, and the potential for future declines in POM due to decreased picoplankton productivity, may result in an increased abundance of chemically defended HMA sponges on tropical coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Lesser
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA.
| | - M Sabrina Pankey
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
| | - Marc Slattery
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, Division of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Keir J Macartney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, 03824, USA
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, Port Isabel, TX, 78958, USA
| | - Deborah J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, 38677, USA
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Monti M, Giorgi A, Easson CG, Gochfeld DJ, Olson JB. Transmission studies and the composition of prokaryotic communities associated with healthy and diseased Aplysina cauliformis sponges suggest that Aplysina Red Band Syndrome is a prokaryotic polymicrobial disease. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6472236. [PMID: 34931677 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aplysina cauliformis, the Caribbean purple rope sponge, is commonly affected by Aplysina Red Band Syndrome. This transmissible disease manifests as circular lesions with red margins and results in bare spongin fibers. Leptolyngbya spp. appear to be responsible for the characteristic red coloration but transmission studies with a sponge-derived isolate failed to establish disease, leaving the etiology of ARBS unknown. To investigate the cause of ARBS, contact transmission experiments were performed between healthy and diseased sponges separated by filters with varying pore sizes. Transmission occurred when sponges were separated by filters with pore sizes ≥2.5 μm, suggesting a prokaryotic pathogen(s) but not completely eliminating eukaryotic pathogen(s). Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing methods, thirty-eight prokaryotic taxa were significantly enriched in diseased sponges, including Leptolyngbya, whereas seven taxa were only found in some, but not all, of the ARBS-affected sponges. These results do not implicate a single taxon, but rather a suite of taxa that changed in relative abundance with disease, suggesting a polymicrobial etiology as well as dysbiosis. As a better understanding of dysbiosis is gained, changes in the composition of associated prokaryotic communities may have increasing importance for evaluating and maintaining the health of individuals and imperiled coral reef ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Monti
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Aurora Giorgi
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
| | - Cole G Easson
- Biology Department, Middle Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 60, Murfreesboro, TN 37132, USA
| | - Deborah J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677, USA
- Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Julie B Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama, 300 Hackberry Lane, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA
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Barnett AF, Gledhill JH, Griffitt RJ, Slattery M, Gochfeld DJ, Willett KL. Combined and independent effects of hypoxia and tributyltin on mRNA expression and physiology of the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica). Sci Rep 2020; 10:10605. [PMID: 32606384 PMCID: PMC7327041 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67650-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oyster reefs are vital to estuarine health, but they experience multiple stressors and globally declining populations. This study examined effects of hypoxia and tributyltin (TBT) on adult Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica) exposed either in the laboratory or the field following a natural hypoxic event. In the laboratory, oysters were exposed to either hypoxia followed by a recovery period, or to hypoxia combined with TBT. mRNA expression of HIF1-α and Tβ-4 along with hemocyte counts, biomarkers of hypoxic stress and immune health, respectively, were measured. In field-deployed oysters, HIF1-α and Tβ-4 expression increased, while no effect on hemocytes was observed. In contrast, after 6 and 8 days of laboratory-based hypoxia exposure, both Tβ-4 expression and hemocyte counts declined. After 8 days of exposure to hypoxia + TBT, oysters substantially up-regulated HIF1-α and down-regulated Tβ-4, although hemocyte counts were unaffected. Results suggest that hypoxic exposure induces immunosuppression which could increase vulnerability to pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Fairly Barnett
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - James H Gledhill
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Robert J Griffitt
- School of Ocean Science and Engineering, University of Southern Mississippi, 703 East Beach Road, Ocean Springs, MS, 39564, USA
| | - Marc Slattery
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Deborah J Gochfeld
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA.,National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA
| | - Kristine L Willett
- Division of Environmental Toxicology, Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS, 38677, USA.
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Gochfeld DJ, Ankisetty S, Slattery M. Proteomic profiling of healthy and diseased hybrid soft corals Sinularia maxima × S. polydactyla. Dis Aquat Organ 2015; 116:133-141. [PMID: 26480916 DOI: 10.3354/dao02910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Emerging diseases of marine invertebrates have been implicated as one of the major causes of the continuing decline in coral reefs worldwide. To date, most of the focus on marine diseases has been aimed at hard (scleractinian) corals, which are the main reef builders worldwide. However, soft (alcyonacean) corals are also essential components of tropical reefs, representing food, habitat and the 'glue' that consolidates reefs, and they are subject to the same stressors as hard corals. Sinularia maxima and S. polydactyla are the dominant soft corals on the shallow reefs of Guam, where they hybridize. In addition to both parent species, the hybrid soft coral population in Guam is particularly affected by Sinularia tissue loss disease. Using label-free shotgun proteomics, we identified differences in protein expression between healthy and diseased colonies of the hybrid S. maxima × S. polydactyla. This study provided qualitative and quantitative data on specific proteins that were differentially expressed under the stress of disease. In particular, metabolic proteins were down-regulated, whereas proteins related to stress and to symbiont photosynthesis were up-regulated in the diseased soft corals. These results indicate that soft corals are responding to pathogenesis at the level of the proteome, and that this label-free approach can be used to identify and quantify protein biomarkers of sub-lethal stress in studies of marine disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research, and Department of BioMolecular Sciences, University of Mississippi, PO Box 1848, University, MS 38677-1848, USA
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Easson CG, Slattery M, Momm HG, Olson JB, Thacker RW, Gochfeld DJ. Exploring individual- to population-level impacts of disease on coral reef sponges: using spatial analysis to assess the fate, dynamics, and transmission of Aplysina Red Band Syndrome (ARBS). PLoS One 2013; 8:e79976. [PMID: 24244583 PMCID: PMC3828202 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Marine diseases are of increasing concern for coral reef ecosystems, but often their causes, dynamics and impacts are unknown. The current study investigated the epidemiology of Aplysina Red Band Syndrome (ARBS), a disease affecting the Caribbean sponge Aplysina cauliformis, at both the individual and population levels. The fates of marked healthy and ARBS-infected sponges were examined over the course of a year. Population-level impacts and transmission mechanisms of ARBS were investigated by monitoring two populations of A. cauliformis over a three year period using digital photography and diver-collected data, and analyzing these data with GIS techniques of spatial analysis. In this study, three commonly used spatial statistics (Ripley’s K, Getis-Ord General G, and Moran’s Index) were compared to each other and with direct measurements of individual interactions using join-counts, to determine the ideal method for investigating disease dynamics and transmission mechanisms in this system. During the study period, Hurricane Irene directly impacted these populations, providing an opportunity to assess potential storm effects on A. cauliformis and ARBS. Results Infection with ARBS caused increased loss of healthy sponge tissue over time and a higher likelihood of individual mortality. Hurricane Irene had a dramatic effect on A. cauliformis populations by greatly reducing sponge biomass on the reef, especially among diseased individuals. Spatial analysis showed that direct contact between A. cauliformis individuals was the likely transmission mechanism for ARBS within a population, evidenced by a significantly higher number of contact-joins between diseased sponges compared to random. Of the spatial statistics compared, the Moran’s Index best represented true connections between diseased sponges in the survey area. This study showed that spatial analysis can be a powerful tool for investigating disease dynamics and transmission in a coral reef ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole G. Easson
- Environmental Toxicology Research Program, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Marc Slattery
- Environmental Toxicology Research Program, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
| | - Henrique G. Momm
- Department of Geosciences, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Julie B. Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Robert W. Thacker
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Deborah J. Gochfeld
- Environmental Toxicology Research Program, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
- National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, United States of America
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Olson JB, Thacker RW, Gochfeld DJ. Molecular community profiling reveals impacts of time, space, and disease status on the bacterial community associated with the Caribbean spongeAplysina cauliformis. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2013; 87:268-79. [DOI: 10.1111/1574-6941.12222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Julie B. Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Alabama; Tuscaloosa AL USA
| | - Robert W. Thacker
- Department of Biology; University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham AL USA
| | - Deborah J. Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research; University of Mississippi; University, MS USA
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Slattery M, Ankisetty S, Corrales J, Marsh-Hunkin KE, Gochfeld DJ, Willett KL, Rimoldi JM. Marine proteomics: a critical assessment of an emerging technology. J Nat Prod 2012; 75:1833-1877. [PMID: 23009278 DOI: 10.1021/np300366a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The application of proteomics to marine sciences has increased in recent years because the proteome represents the interface between genotypic and phenotypic variability and, thus, corresponds to the broadest possible biomarker for eco-physiological responses and adaptations. Likewise, proteomics can provide important functional information regarding biosynthetic pathways, as well as insights into mechanism of action, of novel marine natural products. The goal of this review is to (1) explore the application of proteomics methodologies to marine systems, (2) assess the technical approaches that have been used, and (3) evaluate the pros and cons of this proteomic research, with the intent of providing a critical analysis of its future roles in marine sciences. To date, proteomics techniques have been utilized to investigate marine microbe, plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate physiology, developmental biology, seafood safety, susceptibility to disease, and responses to environmental change. However, marine proteomics studies often suffer from poor experimental design, sample processing/optimization difficulties, and data analysis/interpretation issues. Moreover, a major limitation is the lack of available annotated genomes and proteomes for most marine organisms, including several "model species". Even with these challenges in mind, there is no doubt that marine proteomics is a rapidly expanding and powerful integrative molecular research tool from which our knowledge of the marine environment, and the natural products from this resource, will be significantly expanded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Slattery
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.
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Rohde S, Gochfeld DJ, Ankisetty S, Avula B, Schupp PJ, Slattery M. Spatial variability in secondary metabolites of the indo-pacific sponge Stylissa massa. J Chem Ecol 2012; 38:463-75. [PMID: 22569832 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-012-0124-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Revised: 04/12/2012] [Accepted: 04/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Chemical diversity represents a measure of selective pressures acting on genotypic variability. In order to understand patterns of chemical ecology and biodiversity in the environment, it is necessary to enhance our knowledge of chemical diversity within and among species. Many sponges produce variable levels of secondary metabolites in response to diverse biotic and abiotic environmental factors. This study evaluated intra-specific variability in secondary metabolites in the common Indo-Pacific sponge Stylissa massa over various geographic scales, from local to ocean basin. Several major metabolites were quantified in extracts from sponges collected in American Samoa, Pohnpei, Saipan, and at several sites and depths in Guam. Concentrations of several of these metabolites varied geographically across the Pacific basin, with American Samoa and Pohnpei exhibiting the greatest differences, and Guam and Saipan more similar to each other. There were also significant differences in concentrations among different sites and depths within Guam. The crude extract of S. massa exhibited feeding deterrence against the omnivorous pufferfish Canthigaster solandri at natural concentrations, however, none of the isolated compounds was deterrent at the maximum natural concentrations observed, nor were mixtures of these compounds, thus emphasizing the need for bioassay-guided isolation to characterize specific chemical defenses. Antibacterial activity against a panel of ecologically relevant pathogens was minimal. Depth transplants, predator exclusion, and UV protection experiments were performed, but although temporal variability in compound concentrations was observed, there was no evidence that secondary metabolite concentration in S. massa was induced by any of these factors. Although the reasons behind the variability observed in the chemical constituents of S. massa are still in question, all sponges are not created equal from a chemical standpoint, and these studies provide further insights into patterns of chemical diversity within S. massa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Rohde
- Carl-von-Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
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Ankisetty S, Gochfeld DJ, Diaz MC, Khan SI, Slattery M. Chemical constituents of the deep reef caribbean sponges Plakortis angulospiculatus and Plakortis halichondrioides and their anti-inflammatory activities. J Nat Prod 2010; 73:1494-1498. [PMID: 20738102 DOI: 10.1021/np100233d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Chemical investigations of two collections of the deep reef Caribbean sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus resulted in the isolation of a new compound (1) along with the known compound spiculoic acid B (2) belonging to the spiculoic acid class and four other new compounds (3-6) belonging to the zyggomphic acid class. Three new aromatic compounds (7-9) were isolated from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis halichondrioides. The structural determination of the compounds was based on extensive NMR and mass spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds 1-7 were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity using in vitro assays for inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) activity, as well as inhibition of intracellular reactive oxygen species generation as a result of oxidative stress. The cytotoxicity of these compounds was also evaluated to determine the selectivity index of their bioactivity with respect to cytotoxicity. Compounds 1 and 4 were more potent than the positive control in inhibiting NFκB activity and had IC(50) values of 0.47 and 2.28 μM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sridevi Ankisetty
- Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA
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Slattery M, Kamel HN, Ankisetty S, Gochfeld DJ, Hoover CA, Thacker RW. HYBRID VIGOR IN A TROPICAL PACIFIC SOFT-CORAL COMMUNITY. ECOL MONOGR 2008. [DOI: 10.1890/07-1339.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
A substantial and increasing number of reports have documented dramatic changes and continuing declines in Caribbean coral reef communities over the past 2 decades. To date, the majority of disease reports have focused on scleractinian corals, whereas sponge diseases have been less frequently documented. In this study, we describe Aplysina red band syndrome (ARBS) affecting Caribbean rope sponges of the genus Aplysina observed on shallow reefs in the Bahamas. Visible signs of disease presence included 1 or more rust-colored leading edges, with or without a trailing area of necrotic tissue, such that the lesion forms a contiguous band around part or all of the sponge branch. Microscopic examination of the leading edge of the disease margin indicated that a cyanobacterium was consistently responsible for the coloration. Although the presence of this distinctive coloration was used to characterize the diseased state, it is not yet known whether this cyanobacterium is directly responsible for disease causation. The prevalence of ARBS declined significantly from July to October 2004 before increasing above July levels in January 2005. Transmission studies in the laboratory demonstrated that contact with the leading edge of an active lesion was sufficient to spread ARBS to a previously healthy sponge, suggesting that the etiologic agent, currently undescribed, is contagious. Studies to elucidate the etiologic agent of ARBS are ongoing. Sponges are an essential component of coral reef communities and emerging sponge diseases clearly have the potential to impact benthic community structure on coral reefs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Olson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487, USA.
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Gochfeld DJ, Olson JB, Slattery M. Colony versus population variation in susceptibility and resistance to dark spot syndrome in the Caribbean coral Siderastrea siderea. Dis Aquat Organ 2006; 69:53-65. [PMID: 16703766 DOI: 10.3354/dao069053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Scleractinian corals appear to be increasingly susceptible to pathogenic diseases, yet it is poorly understood why certain individuals, populations or species are more susceptible to diseases than others. Clearly an understanding of mechanisms of disease resistance in corals is essential to our understanding of patterns of disease incidence and virulence; this work must begin by examining the colony and population levels of organization. The Caribbean coral Siderastrea siderea exhibits variability in susceptibility to dark spot syndrome (DSS), a disease of unknown origin that can result in tissue necrosis. On the reef scale, variability in DSS prevalence in S. siderea occurred through time, but was not correlated with site, seawater temperature or depth. We monitored colonies of S. siderea affected by DSS, as well as their nearest neighbor controls, for 2 years in the Bahamas and found a marked decline in extent of DSS infection in October of both years. A preliminary survey of antimicrobial activity in S. siderea indicated selective activity against certain ecologically relevant bacteria. To assess whether changes in chemical defenses were responsible for the observed temporal variability in DSS prevalence, we sampled S. siderea for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical variability between resistant and susceptible colonies of S. siderea. These data suggest that phenotypic plasticity in antimicrobial activity may impact microbial settlement and/or survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah J Gochfeld
- National Center for Natural Products Research, PO Box 1848, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA.
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Gochfeld DJ, El Sayed KA, Yousaf M, Hu JF, Bartyzel P, Dunbar DC, Wilkins SP, Zjawiony JK, Schinazi RF, Schlueter Wirtz S, Tharnish PM, Hamann MT. Marine natural products as lead anti-HIV agents. Mini Rev Med Chem 2003; 3:401-24. [PMID: 12769693 DOI: 10.2174/1389557033487962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Current anti-HIV drugs have extreme side effects and resistance to these drugs develops rapidly. The marine environment holds an unprecedented number of unusual chemical structural classes with activity against HIV. We review the literature on anti-HIV activity of marine natural products and discuss the efficacy of different structural classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Gochfeld
- Department of Pharmacognosy and the National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 1848, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
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Gochfeld DJ, Hamann MT. Isolation and biological evaluation of filiformin, plakortide F, and plakortone G from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis sp. J Nat Prod 2001; 64:1477-9. [PMID: 11720540 DOI: 10.1021/np010216u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The bioassay- and spectroscopic-guided fractionation of the antimalarial extract from a Jamaican sponge, Plakortis sp., resulted in the isolation of three metabolites. The previously reported bromoaromatic filiformin (1) was obtained from our sample of Plakortis sp., and the potential origins of this compound are discussed. The peroxide-containing metabolite, plakortide F (2), is a more typical Plakortis metabolite and was shown to exhibit significant activity against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. The isolation, structure, and bioactivity of a new lactone, plakortone G (3), are also reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Gochfeld
- Department of Pharmacognosy and National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi 38677, USA
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Burger J, Cooper K, Gochfeld DJ, Saliva JE, Safina C, Lipsky D, Gochfeld M. Dominance of Tilapia mossambica, an Introduced Fish Species, in Three Puerto Rican Estuaries. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1992. [DOI: 10.2307/1352698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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