Semisynthetic Studies Establish a Role for Conjugate Halide Exchange in the Formation of Chlorinated Pyrroloiminoquinones and Related Alkaloids.

Two novel pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids, 6-chlorodamirone A and 6-bromodamirone A, have been identified for the first time from the marine sponge sp. (order: Poecilosclerida: family Latrunculiidae), sourced from Western Australia. Alongside these new compounds, seven previously known metabolites were also isolated.

Dendrillic Acids A and B: Nitrogenous, Rearranged Spongian Nor-Diterpenes from a sp. Marine Sponge.

Two nitrogenous rearranged spongian nor-diterpenoids, dendrillic acids A and B, were isolated from a marine sponge sp. (order: Dendroceratida; family: Darwinellidae). The structures of the metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis as well as density functional theory prediction of NMR chemical shifts and application of the DP4+ algorithm.

Type-I Hemins and Free Porphyrins from a Western Australian Sponge sp.

Two novel free porphyrins, isabellins A and B, as well as the known compounds corallistin D and deuteroporphyrin IX were isolated from a marine sponge sp. LC-MS analysis of the crude extract revealed that the natural products were present both as free porphyrins and iron(III) coordinated hemins, designated isabellihemin A, isabellihemin B, corallistihemin D and deuterohemin IX, respectively. Structures were determined via high-resolution mass spectrometry, UV-Vis spectroscopy and extensive NOESY NMR spectroscopic experiments.

Exploring the trends of adaptation and evolution of sclerites with regards to habitat depth in sea pens.

Octocorals possess sclerites, small elements comprised of calcium carbonate (CaCO) that are important diagnostic characters in octocoral taxonomy. Among octocorals, sea pens comprise a unique order (Pennatulacea) that live in a wide range of depths. Habitat depth is considered to be important in the diversification of octocoral species, but a lack of information on sea pens has limited studies on their adaptation and evolution across depth.

Zamamiphidins B and C, Manzamine-Related Alkaloids from an sp. Marine Sponge Collected in Okinawa.

Zamamiphidins B () and C (), two new manzamine-related alkaloids with an unprecedented fused diazahexacyclic ring system, were isolated from an sp. marine sponge collected in Okinawa. The structures of zamamiphidins B () and C () including the relative configurations were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Insights into the structure and morphogenesis of the giant basal spicule of the glass sponge Monorhaphis chuni.

Background: A basal spicule of the hexactinellid sponge Monorhaphis chuni may reach up to 3 m in length and 10 mm in diameter, an extreme case of large spicule size. Generally, sponge spicules are of scales from micrometers to centimeters. Due to its large size many researchers have described its structure and properties and have proposed it as a model of hexactinellid spicule development.

Taxonomy of some Indian and Pacific oceans Corticium, with the description of three new species from Western Australia (Porifera: Homosclerophorida).

The sponge genus Corticium has important evolutionary significance and great pharmacological potential, but its diversity remains poorly known. In this contribution we redescribe two poorly-known Indian and Pacific oceans species, viz., Corticium simplex and C.

Surveying keratose sponges (Porifera, demospongiae, Dictyoceratida) reveals hidden diversity of host specialist barnacles (Crustacea, Cirripedia, Balanidae).

Sponges represent one of the most species-rich hosts for commensal barnacles yet host utilisation and diversity have not been thoroughly examined. This study investigated the diversity and phylogenetic relationships of sponge-inhabiting barnacles within a single, targeted host group, primarily from Western Australian waters. Specimens of the sponge order Dictyoceratida were surveyed and a total of 64 host morphospecies, representing four families, were identified as barnacle hosts during the study.

Structure Reassignment of Echinosulfone A and the Echinosulfonic Acids A-D Supported by Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction and Density Functional Theory Analysis.

Two previously reported bis-indole alkaloids, echinosulfone A and echinosulfonic acid B, have been isolated for the first time from a Western Australian marine sponge, sp. (order: Poecilosclerida, family: Crellidae). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction of a decomposition product of echinosulfone A prompted our investigation and subsequent structure reassignment of the echinosulfonic acid natural product family, which we report here.

Albanitriles A-G: Antiprotozoal Polyacetylene Nitriles from a Marine Sponge.

Seven new nitrile-bearing polyacetylenes, named albanitriles A-G, were isolated from a marine sponge of the genus (Order: Poecilosclerida, Family: Mycalidae) collected near Albany, Western Australia. Structural elucidation was achieved using a combination of high-resolution mass spectrometry and ultraviolet/visible, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The compounds were found to possess moderate activity against when compared to a metronidazole positive control.

Hexactinellida from the Perth Canyon, Eastern Indian Ocean, with descriptions of five new species.

Glass sponges (Class Hexactinellida) are described from the Perth Canyon in the eastern Indian Ocean, resulting in 10 genera being recorded, including 11 species, five of which are new to science. In addition, the study resulted in two new records for Australia, Pheronema raphanus and Monorhaphis chuni, and one new record for the Indian Ocean, Walteria flemmingi. A second species of Calyptorete is described over 90 years after the genus was first established with a single species.

Naturally Drug-Loaded Chitin: Isolation and Applications.

Naturally occurring three-dimensional (3D) biopolymer-based matrices that can be used in different biomedical applications are sustainable alternatives to various artificial 3D materials. For this purpose, chitin-based structures from marine sponges are very promising substitutes. Marine sponges from the order Verongiida (class Demospongiae) are typical examples of demosponges with well-developed chitinous skeletons.

Ma'edamines C and D, New Bromotyrosine Alkaloids Possessing a Unique Tetrasubstituted Pyridinium Moiety from an Okinawan Marine Sponge sp.

Two new bromotyrosine alkaloids, ma'edamines C and D, were isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge sp. The structures of ma'edamines C and D were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Ma'edamines C and D were the first natural products possessing a unique tetrasubstituted pyridinium moiety such as -alkyl-3,5-diethyl-2-propylpyridinium and -alkyl-3,5-diethyl-4-propylpyridinium, respectively.

Naturally Prefabricated Marine Biomaterials: Isolation and Applications of Flat Chitinous 3D Scaffolds from (Demospongiae: Verongiida).

Marine sponges remain representative of a unique source of renewable biological materials. The demosponges of the family Ianthellidae possess chitin-based skeletons with high biomimetic potential. These three-dimensional (3D) constructs can potentially be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Description of a new species of (Crustacea, Cirripedia) from southern Australia.

A new species of sponge-inhabiting barnacle, , is described herein. This species can be distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of characters, in particular by the shapes of the tergum and scutum and the armament of the cirri. COI sequence data from the type specimens have been lodged with GenBank and a morphological key to the species of is provided to aid future research.

Aurantoside C Targets and Induces Apoptosis in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancers that currently lacks effective targeted therapy. In this study, we found that aurantoside C (C828), isolated from the marine sponge collected from Western Australia, exhibited higher cytotoxic activities in TNBC cells compared with non-TNBC (luminal and normal-like) cells. The cytotoxic effect of C828 was associated to the accumulation of cell at S-phase, resulting in the decline of cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK4, and CDK6, and an increase in p21.

Crambescidin 800, Isolated from the Marine Sponge Monanchora viridis, Induces Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is currently the only group of breast cancers without an effective targeted therapy. Marine sponges have historically been a source of compounds with anticancer activity. In this study, we screened extracts from twenty marine sponges collected off the coast of Western Australia for cytotoxic activity against TNBC cells.

Comparisons of benthic filter feeder communities before and after a large-scale capital dredging program.

Changes in turbidity, sedimentation and light over a two year large scale capital dredging program at Onslow, northwestern Australia, were quantified to assess their effects on filter feeder communities, in particular sponges. Community functional morphological composition was quantified using towed video surveys, while dive surveys allowed for assessments of species composition and chlorophyll content. Onslow is relatively diverse recording 150 sponge species.

Novel chitin scaffolds derived from marine sponge Ianthella basta for tissue engineering approaches based on human mesenchymal stromal cells: Biocompatibility and cryopreservation.

The extraordinary biocompatibility and mechanical properties of chitinous scaffolds from marine sponges endows these structures with unique properties that render them ideal for diverse biomedical applications. In the present work, a technological route to produce "ready-to-use" tissue-engineered products based on poriferan chitin is comprehensively investigated for the first time. Three key stages included isolation of scaffolds from the marine demosponge Ianthella basta, confirmation of their biocompatibility with human mesenchymal stromal cells, and cryopreservation of the tissue-like structures grown within these scaffolds using a slow cooling protocol.

Zamamidine D, a Manzamine Alkaloid from an Okinawan Amphimedon sp. Marine Sponge.

A new manzamine alkaloid, zamamidine D (1), was isolated from an Okinawan Amphimedon sp. marine sponge. The structure of zamamidine D (1) including the relative configuration was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data.

Chitin of poriferan origin and the bioelectrometallurgy of copper/copper oxide.

Chitinous scaffolds isolated from marine demosponge Ianthella basta represent novel templates for deposition of metals such as copper and copper oxides. In contrast to traditional Extreme Biomimetics methods which are based on high temperature reactions, here, we propose an alternative way based on a well-known process - electrochemical deposition or plating. This method allows production of 3D composite materials with metallic and metal oxide structures within their surfaces.

Enantiodivergence in the Biosynthesis of Bromotyrosine Alkaloids from Sponges?

The isolation of bromotyrosine alkaloids, some of which are enantiomers of previously isolated compounds, has highlighted a possible enantiodivergence in their biosynthesis. Two new (1, 2) and six known bromotyrosine alkaloids (4-9), and the enantiomer (10) of a known compound, have been isolated from a Western Australian marine sponge, Pseudoceratina cf. verrucosa.

New Leucettidae de Laubenfels, 1936 (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia.

This paper reports four new Leucettidae (Porifera, Calcarea) from Western Australia, with two representatives of Leucetta and two of Pericharax: L. foliata sp. nov.

Climate-driven regime shift of a temperate marine ecosystem.

Ecosystem reconfigurations arising from climate-driven changes in species distributions are expected to have profound ecological, social, and economic implications. Here we reveal a rapid climate-driven regime shift of Australian temperate reef communities, which lost their defining kelp forests and became dominated by persistent seaweed turfs. After decades of ocean warming, extreme marine heat waves forced a 100-kilometer range contraction of extensive kelp forests and saw temperate species replaced by seaweeds, invertebrates, corals, and fishes characteristic of subtropical and tropical waters.

Hyrtinadines C and D, New Azepinoindole-Type Alkaloids from a Marine Sponge Hyrtios sp.

New bisindole alkaloids, hyrtinadines C (1) and D (2), have been isolated from an Okinawan marine sponge Hyrtios sp. The structures of hyrtinadines C (1) and D (2) were elucidated based on analyses of the spectral data. Hyrtinadines C (1) and D (2) were the relatively rare alkaloids possessing a 3,4-fused azepinoindole skeleton.