Biological Activity of the Red Sea Sponge Negombata corticata

Sherief Khalifa
College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar

Abstract:

Introduction:
The Red Sea sponge Negombata magnifica, was found to elaborate several macrolides called latrunculins. These macrolides were found to disrupt the organization of microfilaments, and suppress microfilament-mediated processes during fertilization and early development.

Materials:
The sponge Negombata corticata  was collected by SCUBA from the Egyptian Red Sea. The material was frozen at -20°C until processed. A voucher specimen is deposited at the Zoological Museum of the University of Amsterdam.

Methods:
Structure elucidation was carried out using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry.Anti-tumor activity  was estimated by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

Results & Conclusion:
latrunculin A (1), latrunculin B (2), 16-epi-latrunculin B (3) and Latrunculin T(4) were isolated for the first time from the sponge Negombata corticata. The antifungal activity of latrunculin T (4)  was found to be superior to other latrunculins and also showed antitumor activity. Both 2 and 4 showed lymphoproliferative stimulator activity when tested against human lymphoblastic leukemia. The structure of 4 lacks the macrocyclic and hemiketal moieties present in most latrunculins. This chemical feature coupled with the antifungal and antitumor activities enhanced our understanding of latrunculin SAR and provides direction for future lead optimization studies.