Search results for "SPONGES"
showing 10 items of 56 documents
Inducible ASABF-Type Antimicrobial Peptide from the Sponge Suberites domuncula: Microbicidal and Hemolytic Activity in Vitro and Toxic Effect on Moll…
2011
Since sponges, as typical filter-feeders, are exposed to a high load of attacking prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, they are armed with a wide arsenal of antimicrobial/cytostatic low-molecular-weight, non-proteinaceous bioactive compounds. Here we present the first sponge agent belonging to the group of ASABF-type antimicrobial peptides. The ASABF gene was identified and cloned from the demospongeSuberites domuncula. The mature peptide, with a length of 64 aa residues has a predicted pI of 9.24, and comprises the characteristic CSαβ structural motif. Consequently, the S. domuncula ASABF shares high similarity with the nematode ASABFs ; it is distantly related to the defensins. The recom…
Virtopsy and Living Individuals Evaluation Using Computed Tomography in Forensic Diagnostic Imaging
2019
The applications of forensic radiology involve both Virtopsy both studies on living people - to demonstrate bone age, search for foreign bodies, such as voluntary injection of drug ovules or surgical sponges accidentally forgotten, to assess gunshot wounds, to evaluate injuries by road accidents, and cases of violence or abuse (both in adults and in children). Computed tomography is the most used imaging tool used in forensic pathology and its indications are mainly focused on cases of unnatural deaths or when a crime is suspected. It is preferred over the standard autopsy in selected cases, such as in putrefied, carbonized or badly damaged bodies; or as a preliminary evaluation in mass dis…
Effect of Reynolds number on TiO2 nanosponges doped with Li+ cations
2018
[EN] Anatase TiO2 nanosponges have been synthesized by anodization of Ti, and Li+ cations have been inserted in these nanostructures. The influence of hydrodynamic conditions (Reynolds number, Re = 0 to Re = 600) during anodization has been studied. Li-Doped TiO2 nanosponges were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman confocal microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Mott¿Schottky analysis (M¿S). The photoelectrochemical performance and resistance to photocorrosion were also measured. Li¿TiO2 nanosponges proved to be better photocatalysts for water splitting than Li¿TiO2 nanotubes. Moreover, the photoelectrochemical behavior of the L…
Studies on puupehenone-metabolites of a Dysidea sp.: structure and biological activity
2007
[EN] Puupchenone (1) and a series of its congeners (2-6) have been isolated from a Dysidea sponge. The unprecedented 20-acetoxyhater-unnadienone (2) exhibiting a five-membered contracted ring, has been characterized. In addition, stereochemical assignment of two previously reported acetone adducts of puupehenone (5 and 6) has been made. Finally, the inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain as well as antibacterial and antifungal activities of all compounds has been evaluated. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Nanosponges for the protection and release of the natural phenolic antioxidants quercetin, curcumin and phenethyl caffeate
2020
The inclusion of polyphenols into nanoporous materials may significantly improve their application as radical trapping agents for therapeutic purposes. In the present work, nanosponges based on hypercross- linked cyclodextrins and calixarenes (NS1–NS3) were used as carriers of three natural phenolic antioxidants: quercetin (Que), curcumin (Cur) and phenethyl caffeate (Phec). Good w/w loadings, namely 7.3% for the Que–NS1 composite, 17.3% for Cur–NS2 and 12.9% for Phec–NS3, were achieved. The release kinetics and the inhibition rate constants (kinh) of the reaction with alkylperoxyl radicals (ROO.) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solutions at pH 7.4 were studied and indicated better antioxidant ac…
Cloning and expression of the sponge longevity gene SDLAGL.
2000
Porifera show a characteristic Bauplan in spite of the fact that (almost) all cells are telomerase-positive and presumably provided with an unlimited potency for cell proliferation. One gene, SDLAGL, was identified in the marine sponge Suberites domuncula whose deduced polypeptide showed high sequence similarity to the longevity assurance genes from other Metazoa. While in single cells no transcripts of SDLAGL could be identified, high expression was seen after re-aggregation of single cells and in proliferating cells of primmorphs.
Experimental indication in favor of the introns-late theory: the receptor tyrosine kinase gene from the sponge Geodia cydonium.
1997
Abstract We have analyzed the gene that encodes receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) from the marine sponge Geodia cydonium, which belongs to the most ancient and simple metazoan groups, the Porifera. RTKs are enzymes found only in metazoa. The sponge gene contains two introns in the extracellular part of the protein. However, the rest of the protein (transmembrane and intracellular part), including the tyrosine kinase (TK)-domain, is encoded by a single exon. In contrast, all TK genes, so far known only from higher animals (vertebrates), contain several introns especially in the TK-domain. The TK-domain of G. cydonium shows similarity with numerous members of receptor as well as nonreceptor TKs.…
Retinoid X receptor and retinoic acid response in the marine sponge Suberites domuncula
2003
SUMMARY To date no nuclear receptors have been identified or cloned from the phylogenetically oldest metazoan phylum, the Porifera (sponges). We show that retinoic acid causes tissue regression in intact individuals of the demosponge Suberites domuncula and in primmorphs, special three-dimensional cell aggregates. Primmorphs were cultivated on a galectin/poly-L-lysine matrix in order to induce canal formation. In the presence of 1 or 50 μmol l–1 retinoic acid these canals undergo regression, a process that is reversible. We also cloned the cDNA from S. domunculaencoding the retinoid X receptor (RXR), which displays the two motifs of nuclear hormone receptors, the ligand-binding and the DNA-…
Siliceous spicules in marine demosponges (example Suberites domuncula)
2005
All metazoan animals comprise a body plan of different complexity. Since-especially based on molecular and cell biological data-it is well established that all metazoan phyla, including the Porifera (sponges), evolved from a common ancestor the search for common, basic principles of pattern formation (body plan) in all phyla began. Common to all metazoan body plans is the formation of at least one axis that runs from the apical to the basal region; examples for this type of organization are the Porifera and the Cnidaria (diploblastic animals). It seems conceivable that the basis for the formation of the Bauplan in sponges is the construction of their skeleton by spicules. In Demospongiae (w…
Differentiation capacity of epithelial cells in the sponge Suberites domuncula.
2004
Sponges (phylum Porifera) represent the oldest metazoans. Their characteristic metazoan adhesion molecules and transcription factors enable them to establish a complex "Bauplan" ; three major differentiated cell types (epithelial cells, skeletal cells/sclerocytes, and contractile cells) can be distinguished. Since no molecular markers are as yet available to distinguish these somatic cells or the corresponding embryonic cells from which they originate, we have selected the following three genes for their characterization: noggin (a signaling molecule in development), a caspase that encodes an apoptotic molecule, and silicatein. Silicatein is an enzyme that is involved in the synthesis of si…