Coral-Derived Natural Marine Compound GB9 Impairs Vascular Development in Zebrafish.

Blood vessels in vertebrates are established and genetically controlled in an evolutionarily-conserved manner during embryogenesis. Disruption of vascular growth by chemical compounds or environmental hormones may cause developmental defects. This study analyzed the vascular impacts of marine compound GB9 in zebrafish.

Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 1a (nr2f1a) is required for vascular development in zebrafish.

Genetic regulators and signaling pathways are important for the formation of blood vessels. Transcription factors controlling vein identity, intersegmental vessels (ISV) growth and caudal vein plexus (CVP) formation in zebrafish are little understood as yet. Here, we show the importance of the nuclear receptor subfamily member 1A (nr2f1a) in zebrafish vascular development.

Antibacterial and membrane-damaging activities of β-bungarotoxin B chain.

This study investigates whether the B chain of β-bungarotoxin exerted antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) via its membrane-damaging activity. The B chain exhibited a growth inhibition effect on E. coli but did not show a bactericidal effect on S.