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Title: In vitro biosynthetic studies of stevensine, a natural product from the sponge Teichaxinella morchella.
Creator: Andrade, Paul., Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: Stevensine is a biologically active secondary metabolite produced by several marine sponges, including Teichaxinella morchella. Two in vitro methods were used to investigate the biosynthetic origin of stevensine in the sponge T. morchella. A cell-free enzyme extract was developed to test for the incorporation of the potential radiolabeled metabolic precursors histidine, arginine, ornithine, and proline. Secondly, cell cultures of T. morchella were used to determine the biosynthetic origin of...
Show moreStevensine is a biologically active secondary metabolite produced by several marine sponges, including Teichaxinella morchella. Two in vitro methods were used to investigate the biosynthetic origin of stevensine in the sponge T. morchella. A cell-free enzyme extract was developed to test for the incorporation of the potential radiolabeled metabolic precursors histidine, arginine, ornithine, and proline. Secondly, cell cultures of T. morchella were used to determine the biosynthetic origin of stevensine from the radiolabeled amino acids histidine, arginine, ornithine, and proline. Histidine and ornithine/proline were converted to stevensine in the cell culture system. This represents the first study involving the use of cell cultures of a marine invertebrate to investigate the biosynthesis of a biologically active natural product. An understanding of the biosynthetic process leading to the production of this compound in the source organism could lead to the development of more efficient and environmentally safer production methods.
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Date Issued: 1999
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15620
Subject Headings: Sponges, Marine biotechnology, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Novel compounds isolated from the marine sponge Clathria sp.
Creator: Rueda de Leon, Rolando, Gupta, Prasoon, West, Lyndon, Graduate College
Date Issued: 2011-04-08
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3164772
Subject Headings: Sponges, Stereochemistry, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Aquaculture of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae and induction of pseudopterosins.
Creator: Thornton, Renee S., Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: The pseudopterosins are a class of diterpene glycosides isolated from the Caribbean sea whip, Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Pseudopterosins A-D possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (ED50 ca. 3.0 mg/kg). There is a large demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for pseudopterosin derivatives and presently, the only source of these chemicals is from wild-collected gorgonians. Preliminary experiments were performed to develop a reliable, cost-effective...
Show moreThe pseudopterosins are a class of diterpene glycosides isolated from the Caribbean sea whip, Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Pseudopterosins A-D possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (ED50 ca. 3.0 mg/kg). There is a large demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for pseudopterosin derivatives and presently, the only source of these chemicals is from wild-collected gorgonians. Preliminary experiments were performed to develop a reliable, cost-effective production method of the pseudopterosins in order to avoid large-scale harvesting. We exposed the gorgonians to various forms of "stress" in an attempt to increase the amount of pseudopterosins produced. We have also evaluated the feasibility of raising Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae in an aquaculture setting by studying their growth rates in different environments. Our studies indicate that aquaculture used with some simple induction methods can allow for the commercialization of this important biochemical resource.
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Date Issued: 2000
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12727
Subject Headings: Alcyonacea, Aquaculture, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Marine biotechnology: realizing the potential.
Creator: Pomponi, Shirley A., Baden, Daniel G., Zohar, Y.
Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3338530
Subject Headings: Marine biotechnology, Marine pharmacology, Marine natural products
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Biosynthetic Studies of the Bryostatins, Anticancer Agents from the Marine Bryozoan Bugu/a neritina.
Creator: Lawry, Joseph, Kerr, Russell G., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: The bryostatins are a family of macrolide lactones isolated from the marine bryozoan Bugu/a neritina. Since its detection in 1968, bryostatin 1 has demonstrated remarkable anticancer, immunopotentiating, biomodulatory and radioprotective effects which result mainly from its ability to activate protein kinase C, a family of isozymes involved in cellular signal transduction. It is currently being tested in several phase I and phase II clinical trials as a potential anticancer drug for leukemia,...
Show moreThe bryostatins are a family of macrolide lactones isolated from the marine bryozoan Bugu/a neritina. Since its detection in 1968, bryostatin 1 has demonstrated remarkable anticancer, immunopotentiating, biomodulatory and radioprotective effects which result mainly from its ability to activate protein kinase C, a family of isozymes involved in cellular signal transduction. It is currently being tested in several phase I and phase II clinical trials as a potential anticancer drug for leukemia, melanoma and nephrotoma. A series of experiments was undertaken to elucidate the biosynthetic origins of bryostatin, using a fortified crude cell-free enzyme preparation and radiolabelled precursors. A regional characterization of Bugula neritina from Sicily, Italy and Daytona Beach, Florida is also described.
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Date Issued: 1997
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000787
Subject Headings: Macrolide antibiotics, Bryozoa, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Biosynthetic studies of the antitumor ecteinascidins in the marine tunicate Ecteinascidia turbinata.
Creator: Miranda, Neil Fermino, Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: Ecteinascidin is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the colonial ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. Ecteinascidin exhibits tremendous activity against P388 murine leukemia, however its yields from the tunicate are as low as 10^-4%. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursors of ecteinascidin as tyrosine, DOPA and cysteine. Reactive intermediates such as tyrosine and DOPA diketopiperazines have...
Show moreEcteinascidin is a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the colonial ascidian Ecteinascidia turbinata. Ecteinascidin exhibits tremendous activity against P388 murine leukemia, however its yields from the tunicate are as low as 10^-4%. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursors of ecteinascidin as tyrosine, DOPA and cysteine. Reactive intermediates such as tyrosine and DOPA diketopiperazines have also been identified. These preliminary experiments set the stage for subsequent protein isolation.
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Date Issued: 1996
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15242
Subject Headings: Tunicata, Marine pharmacology, Biological assay
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Identification of novel cytotoxic agents from the dinoflagellate symbiont of the gorgonian Erythropodium caribaeorum.
Creator: Wynter, Sherine, Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: Erythropodium caribaeorum is an octocoral known for its production of novel anticancer agents, such as eleutherobin and its analogs as well as for its complex association with symbiotic dinoflagellates (Zooxanthellae; genus Symbiodimum). With this in mind, two sets of experiments were conducted using the extracts of the symbiotic algal cells from Erythropodium caribaeorum: an isolation and characterization of a novel tri-hydroxy sterol and a bioassay-guided isolation of three additional...
Show moreErythropodium caribaeorum is an octocoral known for its production of novel anticancer agents, such as eleutherobin and its analogs as well as for its complex association with symbiotic dinoflagellates (Zooxanthellae; genus Symbiodimum). With this in mind, two sets of experiments were conducted using the extracts of the symbiotic algal cells from Erythropodium caribaeorum: an isolation and characterization of a novel tri-hydroxy sterol and a bioassay-guided isolation of three additional compounds. All compounds exhibit significant bioactivity against the following three cell lines: the human melanoma cell line M14P, the colon cancer cell line RKO and the breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. Importantly, this study reports the first isolation of a bioactive polyhydroxy sterol from a gorgonian's symbiont and further suggests that these algae represent a promising sustainable resource for drug discovery.
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Date Issued: 2004
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13096
Subject Headings: Alcyonacea, Dinoflagellates, Zooxanthellales, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The oceans and human health: the discovery and development of marine-derived drugs.
Creator: Pomponi, Shirley A.
Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007240
Subject Headings: Marine natural products, Marine pharmacology, Drug development
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Isolation of the fatty acid synthetase from the marine invertebrate Bugula neritina.
Creator: Koh, Francis H., Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: The fatty acid synthetase (FAS) from the marine invertebrate Bugula neritina was isolated using cold ethanol precipitation followed by the sequence of G-100 and G-200 size exclusion columns. Native gel analysis indicates the isolation of the FAS and the elution volume from the G-100 column suggests the FAS to be ~282kd. One band with a molecular weight of 66 kDa appeared on the SDS gel of the G-200 sample (F17-30) that eluted at 52.5 mL. The G-200 sample that eluted at 19.2 mL (F1-6)...
Show moreThe fatty acid synthetase (FAS) from the marine invertebrate Bugula neritina was isolated using cold ethanol precipitation followed by the sequence of G-100 and G-200 size exclusion columns. Native gel analysis indicates the isolation of the FAS and the elution volume from the G-100 column suggests the FAS to be ~282kd. One band with a molecular weight of 66 kDa appeared on the SDS gel of the G-200 sample (F17-30) that eluted at 52.5 mL. The G-200 sample that eluted at 19.2 mL (F1-6) displayed two predominant bands on the SDS gel corresponding to molecular weights 66 kDa and 97 kDa. Both F1-6 and F17-30 showed FAS activity displaying de novo production of myristic and palmitic acids. From the sequence of purification starting from the cell-free extract (CFE) to the F17-30 sample, a 240 fold increase in specific activity was observed. The Type II FAS experiments showed no substantial evidence of activity, namely of the beta-Hydroxybutyryl acyl-dehydrase and the enoyl reductase enzymes.
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Date Issued: 1998
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15546
Subject Headings: Fatty acids--Synthesis, Marine pharmacology, Bryozoa
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Farming sponges for chemicals with pharmaceutical potential.
Creator: Duckworth, Alan R., Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute
Date Issued: 2001
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3352965
Subject Headings: Sponges, Metabolites, Sponges--Biotechnology, Marine metabolites, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Isolation and Structural Elucidation of Novel Bioactive Natural Products from Marine Organisms of the Western Atlantic Ocean.
Creator: Zhang, Long, West, Lyndon, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract/Description: The aim of this dissertation was to elaborate the exploration of biologically active secondary metabolites from the marine sponge Cacospongia cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas and the soft coral Briareum asbestinum collected from two different sites in Florida State, Boca Raton and Dry Tortugas. In chapter one, a review on previous chemical and biological studies of the marine sponge C. cf. linteiformis and soft coral B. asbestinum is provided. Particular attention is given to...
Show moreThe aim of this dissertation was to elaborate the exploration of biologically active secondary metabolites from the marine sponge Cacospongia cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas and the soft coral Briareum asbestinum collected from two different sites in Florida State, Boca Raton and Dry Tortugas. In chapter one, a review on previous chemical and biological studies of the marine sponge C. cf. linteiformis and soft coral B. asbestinum is provided. Particular attention is given to spongianolides and briarellins, two important classes of compounds isolated from C. cf. linteiformis and B. asbestinum, respectively, and their structural features and diverse bioactivities. In chapter two, the isolation and relative configuration determination of four epimeric sesterterpenoids, spongianolides E & F (18c, 18d, 19c, 19d) from C. cf. linteiformis collected from the Bahamas are discussed. Thanks to chemical modification (acetylation), diastereomeric 18c&18d and 19c&19d, respectively, were able to be isolated using chromatographic techniques for the first time, and then the relative configurations of 18c, 18d, 19c, 19d were determined based on NOESY NMR experiments. The bioactivity of mixture of compounds 18c, 18d, 19c, 19d were tested and it exhibited inhibition against Schnurri-3 (a regulator of postnatal bone mass). In chapter three, the isolation and structural elucidation of four new compounds, florellins A-D (49-52), from B. asbestinum collected off the coast of Boca Raton, FL are discussed. The molecular structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 49-52 are the first briarellins containing an acyl group at C-13, while 49 and 50 are the first briarellins possessing acylation at C-15. Florellins A–C (49-51) were screened and found cytotoxic against three human cell lines, BT474, WM266−4 and HEK293. In chapter four, the isolation and structural elucidation of four new compounds, florellins E-H (57-60), from B. asbestinum collected in Dry Tortugas, FL are discussed. The molecular structures of these compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis. Florellins F (58) and H (60) were screened against three human cell lines, BT474, WM266−4 and HEK293, but no cytotoxicity was exhibited. In chapter five, all the experimental procedures are described, including analytical instruments, animal materials, extraction and isolation processes, spectroscopic data and protocols of bioassays.
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Date Issued: 2017
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004850, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004850
Subject Headings: Pharmacognosy., Natural products--Analysis., Marine pharmacology., Marine biotechnology., Marine algae--Biotechnology., Bioactive compounds.
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Terpene Biosynthesis in the Octocorals Erythropodium caribaeorum and Plexaurella spp.
Creator: Frenz, Jamie L., Kerr, Russell G., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The marine environment is a prolific source of novel compounds for therapeutic use due to the complex biological and chemical diversity. Throughout the past 30-40 years, over 15,000 natural products have been discovered from the oceans, many of which display a broad range of potential clinical and commercial applications. Many marine invertebrates are sessile organisms that lack physical protection, and which chemical defense may be a possible explanation for these secondary metabolites....
Show moreThe marine environment is a prolific source of novel compounds for therapeutic use due to the complex biological and chemical diversity. Throughout the past 30-40 years, over 15,000 natural products have been discovered from the oceans, many of which display a broad range of potential clinical and commercial applications. Many marine invertebrates are sessile organisms that lack physical protection, and which chemical defense may be a possible explanation for these secondary metabolites. Despite the promise marine natural products have as potent pharmaceutical agents, one of the major factors delaying clinical use is the supply issue. These bioactive compounds are often found in trace amounts in the host organism, which makes harvesting from the reefs unfeasible. A general goal in our lab was to investigate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolite terpenes to ultimately provide a production method of these potent marine derived compounds. Eleutherobin and desmethyleleutherobin are diterpenes isolated from the Caribbean soft coral Erythropodium caribaeorum. These extremely valuable anticancer agents disrupt cell division by polymerizing and stabilizing microtubules, and have demonstrated tumor tissue selectivity toward selected breast, renal, ovarian and lung cancer cell lines. Determining the first intermediate in terpene biosynthesis is the initial step in developing a biotechnological production method of these cytotoxic agents. We investigated the complex chemistry of this coral using a radioactivity-guided isolation procedure, and isolated and partially characterized a diterpene hydrocarbon from E. caribaeorum. The close association between marine invertebrates, zooxanthellae and numerous bacteria gives rise to the question of the identity of the producer of secondary metabolites in marine organisms. If the symbiont produces these therapeutic agents, cell culture methods could be employed to supply the compounds rather than obtaining them from coral reefs. Sesquiterpenes have been isolated from the gorgonian Plexaurella spp., however, no investigations concerning host/symbiont contribution of the sesquiterpenes have been reported. We investigated the biosynthetic source of terpenes in this coral, and experimental evidence indicates that bacteria are responsible for sesquiterpene production. We also examined sesquiterpene variation of Plexaurella spp. from various locations, and found sesquiterpene content to vary within and between species, identifying Plexaurella as a chemically indistinguishable genus.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000853
Subject Headings: Coral reef ecology, Terpenes--Synthesis, Marine pharmacology, Pharmacognosy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Microbial community analysis of the octocoral Eunice a fusca; combined use of cultivation-dependent and independent techniques.
Creator: Duque-Alarcon, Angela Patricia, Kerr, Russell G., Florida Atlantic University
Abstract/Description: The octocoral Eunicea fusca is the source of important anti-inflammatory compounds such as the diterpenes fuscol and the fuscosides. Evidence suggests that these compounds are being produce by bacterial sources that live in symbiosis with the coral. As part of an investigation to better understand the role of bacteria associated with E. fusca , the characterization of the bacterial community using two different techniques (culture dependent technique and culture independent technique) and sea...
Show moreThe octocoral Eunicea fusca is the source of important anti-inflammatory compounds such as the diterpenes fuscol and the fuscosides. Evidence suggests that these compounds are being produce by bacterial sources that live in symbiosis with the coral. As part of an investigation to better understand the role of bacteria associated with E. fusca , the characterization of the bacterial community using two different techniques (culture dependent technique and culture independent technique) and sea water samples was done. Sea water samples were used as a control to determine how closely associated bacteria are to this octocoral. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with universal bacterial primers FC27 and RC 1492 specific to prokaryotic 16S rDNA gene sequences was used to characterize the total bacterial population when using both the culturable and the non-culturable approaches. The results indicate a diverse group of bacteria associated to E. fusca composed of 10 different groups. The pro teo bacteria group was the most predominant group when both techniques were used. The a-proteobacteria represented the highest percentage of bacteria associated to E. fusca.
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Date Issued: 2007
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000748
Subject Headings: Diterpenes--Synthesis, Anti-inflammatory agents, Marine pharmacology, Biodiversity
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Elucidation of pseudopterosin biosynthesis: Oxidations of erogorgiaene and the intermediacy of seco-pseudopterosins.
Creator: Ferns, Tyrone A., Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: The pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins are diterpene glycosides isolated from the marine octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae . These compounds exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties superior to the industrial standard indomethacin. The overall goal of this work was to complete biosynthetic studies for the development of a biotechnological production method of the pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins. The aim of this project was to identify all intermediates...
Show moreThe pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins are diterpene glycosides isolated from the marine octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae . These compounds exhibit potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties superior to the industrial standard indomethacin. The overall goal of this work was to complete biosynthetic studies for the development of a biotechnological production method of the pseudopterosins and seco-pseudopterosins. The aim of this project was to identify all intermediates involved in pseudopterosin biosynthesis. Previously, the Kerr lab has shown that elisabetatriene and erogorgiaene are the first two committed steps in pseudopterosin biosynthesis. In a continuation of those metabolic studies, the isolation and utilization of 7-hydroxyerogorgiaene, 7,8-dihydroxyerogorgiaene, seco-pseudopterosin J, amphilectosins A and B in pseudopterosin biosynthesis is reported. The utilization of these compounds in pseudopterosin biosynthesis was assessed by incubating these compounds in radiolabeled form with viable cell-free extracts of P. elisabethae and monitoring for the incorporation of a radiolabel in the pseudopterosins. We also report the isolation of the pseudopterosin aglycone from extracts of P. elisabethae and identified the aglycone as the end product of this metabolic pathway.
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Date Issued: 2005
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12164
Subject Headings: Marine pharmacology, Aquaculture, Biological products, Natural products, Pharmacognosy
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Maximizing the potential of marine organism collections for both pharmacological and systematic studies.
Creator: Pomponi, Shirley A.
Date Issued: 1989
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007194
Subject Headings: Marine organisms, Marine natural products, Pharmacology, Johnson-Sea-Link II (Submarine), Submersibles
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: From monsoons to microbes: understanding the ocean's role in human health.
Creator: National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on the Ocean’sRole in Human Health, Pomponi, Shirley A.
Date Issued: 1999
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00007391
Subject Headings: Marine pollution -- Health aspects, Marine pharmacology, Biomedical Research, Infectious Diseases, Algal blooms--Health aspects
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: The bioprocess–technological potential of the sea.
Creator: Pomponi, Shirley A.
Date Issued: 1999
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/2826598
Subject Headings: Aquaculture, Aquatic invertebrates --Cultures and culture media, Marine resources, Marine pharmacology, Mariculture --Management
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Aplysillin A, a thrombin receptor antagonist from the marine sponge, Aplysina fistularis fulva.
Creator: Gulavita, N. K., Pomponi, Shirley A., Wright, Amy E., Garay, M., Sills, Matthew A.
Date Issued: 1995
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/FCLA/DT/3319084
Subject Headings: Sponges --Research, Marine natural products, Receptors, Thrombin, Aplysillin A, Antagonists, Enzyme, Marine pharmacology
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Shifts in copepod grazing on varying concentrations of two bioluminescent dinoflagellate species.
Creator: Breitlow, Karen A., Florida Atlantic University, Widder, Edith A.
Abstract/Description: Grazing on bioluminescent and nonluminescent prey by the copepod Acartia tonsa was examined to determine the effect dinoflagellate bioluminescence has on copepod feeding preferences and rates. The percentage of cells ml-1 remaining after 30 minutes of copepod grazing on the dinoflagellates Lingulodinium polyedrum and Pyrodinium bahamense in their bioluminescent and nonbioluminescent phases was used to compare results for concentrations of 10, 1,000, and 3,000 cells ml-1. The nonluminescent...
Show moreGrazing on bioluminescent and nonluminescent prey by the copepod Acartia tonsa was examined to determine the effect dinoflagellate bioluminescence has on copepod feeding preferences and rates. The percentage of cells ml-1 remaining after 30 minutes of copepod grazing on the dinoflagellates Lingulodinium polyedrum and Pyrodinium bahamense in their bioluminescent and nonbioluminescent phases was used to compare results for concentrations of 10, 1,000, and 3,000 cells ml-1. The nonluminescent diatom Thalassiosira eccentrica was later offered along with each of the dinoflagellates. When diatoms were offered with P. bahamense, the copepods consumed them in equal amounts regardless of bioluminescence at the lower concentration, while the higher concentration showed decreased grazing with bioluminescence. Nonbioluminescent L. polyedrum was consumed at a high rate for all concentrations, but grazing decreased once they were bioluminescent. Copepods switched to T. eccentrica once the dinoflagellates became bioluminescent, except at 3,000 cells ml-1, at which all grazing was reduced. These results indicate there may be a threshold concentration separating two functions of dinoflagellate bioluminescence.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13357
Subject Headings: Dinoflagellates, Marine pharmacology, Bioluminescence, Marine animals--Behavior, Predation (Biology), Adaptation (Biology)
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Isolation and biosynthesis of terpenes in Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae and Leptogorgia minimata.
Creator: von Saalfeld, Silke., Florida Atlantic University, Kerr, Russell G.
Abstract/Description: The marine environment has proven to be an extremely rich source of novel natural products with activities in a variety of biological assays. The field of marine natural products chemistry has enjoyed an explosion of growth over the past 40 years and currently there are marine-derived metabolites in clinical trials for cancer, analgesia, allergy and cognitive diseases. Even with this tremendous development, it is clear that chemists and pharmacologists are only beginning to scratch the...
Show moreThe marine environment has proven to be an extremely rich source of novel natural products with activities in a variety of biological assays. The field of marine natural products chemistry has enjoyed an explosion of growth over the past 40 years and currently there are marine-derived metabolites in clinical trials for cancer, analgesia, allergy and cognitive diseases. Even with this tremendous development, it is clear that chemists and pharmacologists are only beginning to scratch the surface of the biomedical potential of marine organisms. One problem with this source of new pharmaceuticals is that the supply of such compounds can be problematic. The thesis describes projects directed at fundamental biosynthetic questions regarding terpenes from marine corals. In a general sense, these projects are directed as addressing the supply issue identified above. One project examined the origin of terpene building blocks in the coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. A second project focused on the characterization of terpenes from Leptogorgia minimata. Here, a new cembranoid diterpene was isolated. Experiments were also conducted to identify a microbial source of terpene biosynthesis in this system. Data strongly supported a bacterial origin of these compounds.
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Date Issued: 2006
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/13325
Subject Headings: Natural products--Synthesis, Marine pharmacology, Aquaculture, Terpenes, Marine chemical ecology
Format: Document (PDF)

FAU Theses and Dissertations (15)	+ -
HBOI Faculty Contributions (7)	+ -
FAU Graduate Student Research (1)	+ -

Marine pharmacology (21)	+ -
Aquaculture (4)	+ -
Marine natural products (4)	+ -
Sponges (4)	+ -
Alcyonacea (3)	+ -

Adaptation (Biology) (2)	+ -
Anti-inflammatory agents (2)	+ -
Bryozoa (2)	+ -
Dinoflagellates (2)	+ -
Marine biotechnology (2)	+ -
Natural products--Synthesis (2)	+ -
Pharmacognosy (2)	+ -
Terpenes--Synthesis (2)	+ -
Algal blooms--Health aspects (1)	+ -
Antagonists, Enzyme (1)	+ -
Aplysillin A (1)	+ -
Aquatic invertebrates --Cultures and culture media (1)	+ -
Axinellida (1)	+ -
Bioactive compounds. (1)	+ -
Biodiversity (1)	+ -
Biological assay (1)	+ -
Biological products (1)	+ -
Bioluminescence (1)	+ -
Biomedical Research (1)	+ -
Biosynthesis (1)	+ -
Coral reef ecology (1)	+ -
Coral reef ecology--Caribbean Area (1)	+ -
Diterpenes--Synthesis (1)	+ -
Drug development (1)	+ -
Ecophysiology (1)	+ -

Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (15)	+ -
article (6)	+ -
abstract (1)	+ -
table of contents (1)	+ -

Florida Atlantic University (14)	+ -
Kerr, Russell G. (12)	+ -
Pomponi, Shirley A. (6)	+ -
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science (5)	+ -
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (4)	+ -

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