Marine Natural Products

A chemical study of the hexane extracts of the gorgonian octocoral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae collected in San Andres Island, Colombia, led to the isolation of two highly conjugated amphilectane-type diterpenes, compounds 1 and 2. Their structures were established by spectroscopic studies, which included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements (HREIMS). [on SciFinder (R)]

A chemical study of the common Caribbean sea plume Pseudopterogorgia acerosa from Puerto Rico has produced two previously undescribed secondary metabolites. One of them, 1, is a new representative of the pseudopterane family of diterpenes possessing the uncommon 3,4;5,6 diepoxyfuran moiety. The other metabolite, 2, is a rare norcembranolide diterpene. Their chemical structures, including relative stereochemistry, were established by detailed analysis of the spectral data in addition to NMR spectral comparisons with known pseudopterane and cembrane models. [on SciFinder (R)]

Five new pseudopteranoid diterpenes, pseudopteradiene (2), pseudopteradienoic acid (3), 11-pseudopteranol (4), pseudopteranoic acid (5), and diepoxygorgiacerodiol (7), along with five previously described analogues, have been isolated from Puerto Rican specimens of the gorgonian octocoral Pseudopterogorgia acerosa. Detailed analysis of the spectral data and chemical methods were used to establish their structures and to define the relative stereochemistry. [on SciFinder (R)]

[formula: see text] Our screening for marine natural products with anti-tuberculosis activity from the West Indian gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae resulted in the isolation of two active diterpenoid alkaloids, pseudopteroxazole (1) and seco-pseudopteroxazole (2). Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectral analysis, including a variety of two-dimensional techniques. Compounds 1 and 2 are previously undescribed diterpenoids containing the uncommon benzoxazole moiety. Biological screening studies indicated that pseudopteroxazole (1) is a potent growth inhibitor of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, while seco-pseudopteroxazole (2) shows moderate to strong inhibitorial activity. [on SciFinder (R)]

[formula: see text] A chemical study of the hexane extracts of the Caribbean gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata (Verrill) collected in San Andres Island, Colombia, has led to the isolation of an unprecedented heptacyclic C40 bis-diterpenoid, bisgersolanolide (1). The structure of this novel secondary metabolite, which was established by spectroscopic studies that included 2D NMR correlation methods, IR, UV, and accurate mass measurements, was confirmed by synthesis. [on SciFinder (R)]

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np2008335

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np200814j

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np2007878

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np2004165

The toxin content in various life cycle stages of tank-cultivated bullseye puffer (Sphoeroides annulatus) were analyzed by mouse bioassay and ESI-MS spectrometry analysis. The presence of toxin content was determined in extracts of sperm, eggs, embryo, larvae, post-larvae, juvenile, pre-adult, and adult fish, as well as in food items used during the cultivation of the species. Our findings show that only the muscle of juveniles, the viscera of pre-adults, and muscle, liver, and gonad of adult specimens were slightly toxic ( < 1 mouse unit). Thus, cultivated S. annulatus, as occurs with other cultivated puffer fish species, does not represent a food safety risk to consumers. This is the first report of toxin analysis covering the complete life stages of a puffer fish under controlled conditions.

Four novel amicoumacins, namely lipoamicoumacins A–D (1–4), and one new bacilosarcin analog (5) were isolated from culture broth of a marine-derived bacterium Bacillus subtilis, together with six known amicoumacins. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (2D NNR, IR, CD and MS) analysis and in comparison with data in literature.

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np201003c

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np200958r

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np200414c

Seven days: 27 January–2 February 2012

Nature 482, 7383 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482010a

The week in science: sequencing stock rebounds after takeover bid for Illumina; drug companies and nations team up against neglected diseases; and turmoil at the Global Fund.

Genomics ace quits Japan

Nature 482, 7383 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482018a

Author: David Cyranoski

Yusuke Nakamura blames government inertia for his move to the United States.

Japan plans to merge major science bodies

Nature 482, 7383 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482019a

Author: Ichiko Fuyuno

Drive to save money could increase bureaucracy.

Marine ecology: Attack of the blobs

Nature 482, 7383 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482020a

Author: Mark Schrope

Jellyfish will bloom as ocean health declines, warn biologists. Are they already taking over?

Vaccine development: Man vs MRSA

Nature 482, 7383 (2012). http://www.nature.com/doifinder/10.1038/482023a

Author: Maryn McKenna

For decades, Robert Daum has studied the havoc wreaked by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Now he thinks he can stop it for good.

Journal of Natural ProductsDOI: 10.1021/np200786j