Localization of granulatimide alkaloids in the tissues of the ascidian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didemnum</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">granulatum</Emphasis> |
| |
Authors: | Mirna H R Seleghim Simone P de Lira Patrícia T Campana Roberto G S Berlinck Marcio R Custódio |
| |
Institution: | 1.Instituto de Química de S?o Carlos,Universidade de S?o Paulo,S?o Carlos, SP,Brazil;2.Faculdade de Informática e Administra??o Paulista,S?o Paulo, SP,Brazil;3.Departamento de Fisiologia, Instituto de Biociências,Universidade de S?o Paulo, Cidade Universitária,S?o Paulo, SP,Brazil |
| |
Abstract: | Ascidians are a notable source of nitrogen-bearing secondary metabolites with a wide range of biological activities. Although
many biologically active compounds have been isolated from ascidians, it is often unclear whether the animal or associated
microbial symbionts such as bacteria or fungi are the true biosynthetic source of the metabolites. We have addressed the question
of the biosynthetic source of the alkaloids granulatimide and isogranulatimides by localizing these compounds within the ascidian.
In this work, we demonstrate that granulatimide is stored in Didemnum
granulatum tunic bladder cells. Analysis by confocal fluorescence microscopy at the granulatimide emission range indicated the presence
of fluorescent cells as highly vacuolated cells found dispersed in the ascidian tunic. Since this is the most exposed ascidian
tissue, it is possible that these alkaloids may have a protective role, either as sunscreens and/or as feeding deterrents. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|