0000000000402500
AUTHOR
R. Batel
Sponge aggregation factor: identification of the specific collagen-binding site by means of a monoclonal antibody.
The aggregation factor (AF) from the sponge Geodia cydonium is known to be a complex proteinaceous particle, composed of a series of different (glyco)proteins (Mr lower than 150,000) around a 90S sunburst-like core structure. One of the low-Mr proteins is the 47-KD cell binding fragment. We describe a new monoclonal antibody (mAb), III1E6, raised against purified AF particles, which recognizes in tissue slices structures present both on the plasma membrane and in a network-like manner in the extracellular space. By applying immunoelectron microscopical, immunoblotting, and immunoaffinity chromatographical techniques, the mAb III1E6 was shown to recognize the core structure of the AF partic…
Sustainable production of bioactive compounds from sponges: primmorphs as bioreactors
Sponges [phylum Porifera] are a rich source for the isolation of biologically active and pharmacologically valuable compounds with a high potential to become effective drugs for therapeutic use. However, until now, only one compound has been introduced into clinics because of the limited amounts of starting material available for extraction. To overcome this serious problem in line with the rules for a sustainable use of marine resources, the following routes can be pursued; first, chemical synthesis, second, cultivation of sponges in the sea (mariculture), third, growth of sponge specimens in a bioreactor, and fourth, cultivation of sponge cells in vitro in a bioreactor.