A5019879336- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study
- Microbial Natural Products and Biosynthesis
- Marine Sponges and Natural Products
- Ion channel regulation and function
- Plant biochemistry and biosynthesis
- Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Chemical Synthesis and Analysis
- Algal biology and biofuel production
- Ubiquitin and proteasome pathways
- Plant and animal studies
- Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
- Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Photosynthetic Processes and Mechanisms
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
University of Copenhagen
2022-2023
University of Utah
2016-2022
Texas Tech University
2021
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
2021
University of the Philippines Diliman
2013-2020
University of Montana
2017
Abstract Complex polyketides are typically associated with microbial metabolism. Here, we report that animals also make complex, microbe-like polyketides. We show there is a widespread branch of fatty acid synthase- (FAS)-like polyketide synthase (PKS) proteins, which sacoglossan use to synthesize complex products. The purified sacogolassan protein EcPKS1 uses only methylmalonyl-CoA as substrate, otherwise unknown in animal lipid Sacoglossans sea slugs, some eat algae, digesting the cells...
The imperial cone uses small-molecule mimicry, imitating the pheromones of its worm prey in a hunting strategy.
Nearly every animal species on Earth contains a unique polyketide synthase (PKS) encoded in its genome, yet no animal-clade PKS has been biochemically characterized, and even the chemical products of these ubiquitous enzymes are known only few cases. The earliest genome-encoded gene to be identified was SpPks1 from sea urchins. Previous genetic knockdown experiments implicated synthesis urchin pigment echinochrome. Here, we express purify SpPks1, performing biochemical demonstrate that...
Diversity-generating metabolism leads to the evolution of many different chemicals in living organisms. Here, by examining a marine symbiosis, we provide precise evolutionary model how nature generates family novel chemicals, cyanobactins. We show that tunicates and their symbiotic Prochloron cyanobacteria share congruent phylogenies, indicating phylogeny is related host not external habitat or geography. observe exchanges discrete functional genetic modules for cyanobactin secondary...
ABSTRACT Cone snails are biomedically important sources of peptide drugs, but it is not known whether snail-associated bacteria affect venom chemistry. To begin to answer this question, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing eight cone snail species, comparing their microbiomes with each other and those from a variety marine invertebrates. We show that the microbiome distinct in invertebrates conserved specimens around world, including Philippines, Guam, California, Florida. found...
Abstract The emergence of antibiotic resistance necessitates not only the identification new compounds with antimicrobial properties, but also strategies and combination therapies to circumvent this growing problem. Here, we report synergistic activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) β-lactam oxacillin combined 7,8-dideoxygriseorhodin C in vitro. Ongoing efforts identify antibiotics from marine mollusk-associated bacteria resulted isolation a Streptomyces sp....
Peptide hormones and neuropeptides form a diverse class of bioactive secreted molecules that control essential processes in animals. Despite breakthroughs peptide discovery, many signaling peptides remain undiscovered. Recently, we demonstrated the use somatostatin-mimicking toxins from cone snails to identify invertebrate ortholog somatostatin. Here, show this toxin-based approach can be systematically applied discover other unknown secretory are likely have function. Using large sequencing...
Calcium homeostasis is implicated in some cancers, leading to the possibility that selective control of calcium might lead new cancer drugs. On basis this idea, we designed an assay using a glioblastoma cell line and screened collection 1000 unique bacterial extracts. Isolation active compound from hit extract led identification boholamide A (1), 4-amido-2,4-pentadieneoate (APD)-class peptide. Boholamide (1) applied nanomolar range induces immediate influx Ca2+ neuronal cells. APD-class...
In a program to identify pain treatments with low addiction potential, we isolated five steroids, conosteroids A-E (1-5), from the hypobranchial gland of mollusk Conus geographus. Compounds 1-5 were active in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) assay that suggested they might be analgesic. A synthetic analogue 6 was used for detailed pharmacological study. Compound significantly increased threshold mice hot-plate test at 2 and 50 mg/kg. 500 nM antagonizes type-A γ-aminobutyric acid receptors...
ABSTRACT Animals are rich sources of complex polyketides, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products. Most polyketides associated with microbial or plant metabolism 1 . For this reason, symbiotic bacteria dietary organisms often the true producers compounds found in animals 2,3 Although increasing evidence suggests that themselves make some 4–7 , origin most remains unknown. This problem makes it difficult to supply useful animal as drugs severely constrains our understanding...
Abstract Peptide hormones and neuropeptides form a diverse class of signaling molecules that control essential processes in animals. Despite several breakthroughs peptide discovery, many peptides remain undiscovered. Recently, we demonstrated the use somatostatin-like toxins from cone snail venom to identify homologous prey. Here, demonstrate this toxin-based approach can be systematically applied discovery other unknown bilaterian peptides. Using large sequencing datasets, searched for...