Cellular function regulating substances that inhibit echinoderm embryogenesis

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25350965
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Biomolecular chemistry
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: OHTA Shinji 広島大学, 生物圏科学研究科, 教授 (60185270)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 生理活性物質 / 海綿 / 軟体サンゴ / 棘皮動物 / 胚発生

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Search for marine natural products capable of arresting the embryonic development of starfish at the specific stage led to discovery of new specific inhibitors of cellular functions, such as polyacetylene compounds，halogenated sesquiterpenes, macrocyclic diterpenoids which have been isolated from marine sponges, Egyptian sea hare, and Red Sea coral, respectively. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses and the absolute configuration was confirmed by X-ray analysis. We have evaluated the effects of the new compounds on echinoderm embryogenesis and human cancer cell lines. Several compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity in vitro against several human cancer cells.

Free Research Field

天然物有機化学