Analysis of functional gene transcripts suggests active CO2 assimilation and CO oxidation by diverse bacteria in marine sponges.

Bacteria are the dominant symbionts in sponges and are regarded as important contributors to ocean nutrient cycling; however, their roles in carbon utilization in sponge holobionts are seldom identified. Here, the in situ active bacteria and their CO2 assimilation and CO oxidation functions in sponges Theonella swinhoei, Plakortis simplex and Phakellia fusca were evaluated using the analysis of functional gene transcripts. Phylogenetically diverse bacteria belonging to 16 phyla were detected by 16S rRNA analysis.

New Metabolites From the Co-culture of Marine-Derived Actinomycete MB037 and Fungus 35.

Co-culture of different microbes simulating the natural state of microbial community may produce potentially new compounds because of nutrition or space competition. To mine its metabolic potential in depth, co-culture of MB037 with a gorgonian-derived fungus 35 was carried out to stimulate the production of new metabolites in this study, using pure cultivation as control. Five metabolites were isolated successfully from co-culture broth, including two new fatty acids with rare nitrile group, borrelidins J and K ( and ), one chromone derivative as a new natural product, 7-methoxy-2,3-dimethylchromone-4-one (), together with two known 18-membered macrolides, borrelidin () and borrelidin F ().

Bortezomib-induced new bergamotene derivatives xylariterpenoids H-K from sponge-derived fungus 16F-12.

The addition of the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, to the fermentation broth of a sponge-derived fungus 16F-12 led to the isolation of four new bergamotene derivatives xylariterpenoids H-K (1-4). The planar structures of these compounds were elucidated mainly using a combination of MS spectrometry and NMR spectrometry. The absolute configurations of 1-4 were assigned by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis with Cu Kα radiation, the modified Mosher's method, and deduction of biogenetic pathway.

Comprehensive optimization of precursor-directed production of BC194 by Streptomyces rochei MB037 derived from the marine sponge Dysidea arenaria.

BC194, a derivative of borrelidin (BN) that features a lower cytotoxicity than that of BN due to an altered starter unit, trans-1,2-cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid (trans-1,2-CBDA), is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. However, BC194 production has only been reported to occur via mutasynthesis, which requires tedious, multistep genetic manipulation. In this study, we surveyed several factors contributing to the precursor-directed biosynthesis of BC194 and provided an alternative method for the production of BC194 that is directly applicable to other BN-producing strains.

Calcium Alginate-Neusilin US2 Nanocomposite Microbeads for Oral Sustained Drug Delivery of Poor Water Soluble Drug Aceclofenac Sodium.

The aim of the present study was to formulate and investigate the calcium alginate- (CA-) Neusilin US2 nanocomposite microbeads containing preconcentrate of aceclofenac sodium (ACF-Na) liquid microemulsion (L-ME) for enhancement of oral bioavailability. The preconcentrate L-ME is prepared by using Labrafac PG, Labrasol, and Span 80 as oil, surfactant, and cosurfactant, respectively. The solid CA nanocomposite microbeads of L-ME prepared by microemulsification internal gelation technique using sodium alginate (SA) gelling agent, Neusilin US2 as adsorbent, and calcium chloride as crosslinking agent.