Impact of Marine Chemical Ecology Research on the Discovery and Development of New Pharmaceuticals

Marine Drugs, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 21(3), P. 174 - 174

Published: March 9, 2023

Diverse ecologically important metabolites, such as allelochemicals, infochemicals and volatile organic chemicals, are involved in marine organismal interactions. Chemically mediated interactions between intra- interspecific organisms can have a significant impact on community organization, population structure ecosystem functioning. Advances analytical techniques, microscopy genomics providing insights the chemistry functional roles of metabolites This review highlights targeted translational value several chemical ecology-driven research studies their sustainable discovery novel therapeutic agents. These ecology-based approaches include activated defense, allelochemicals arising from interactions, spatio-temporal variations phylogeny-based approaches. In addition, innovative techniques used mapping surface well metabolite translocation within holobionts summarized. Chemical information related to maintenance symbioses biosyntheses specialized compounds be harnessed for biomedical applications, particularly microbial fermentation compound production. Furthermore, climate change ecology organisms—especially production, functionality perception allelochemicals—and its implications drug efforts will presented.

Language: Английский

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The Effects of Combined Stress from pH and Microplastic-Derived Odours on the European Green Crab Carcinus maenas’s Olfactory Behaviour

Animals, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4), P. 464 - 464

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Ocean acidification (OA) associated with climate change is expected to lower the ocean’s pH by 0.5 units 2100. Whilst effects such as coral bleaching and shell calcification are well documented, lesser-known impacts ‘invisible’ on animal sensory systems. Olfactory disruption behaviour towards chemical cues in many marine species, including crustaceans. We examine of microplastic odour additional stressors European green crab C. maenas. Using uridine diphosphate (UDP) triphosphate (UTP) a sex pheromone bouquet, glutathione (GSH) food cue, polyethylene (PE) plastic odour, were mixed carboxycellulose create slow-release gels. Crabs exposed gels seawater values 8.2, 7.6, 7.2. took longer react all odours reduced conditions (pH 8.2 7.2, p = 0.0017). At low pH, PE-exposed crabs exhibited attraction changed behavioural responses burying. The study confirms disruptive olfaction highlights that derivatives can become more bioactive at levels, potentially increasing threat posed pollution. Further research required determine potential long-term combined microplastics environment.

Language: Английский

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Algal volatiles – the overlooked chemical language of aquatic primary producers

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 97(6), P. 2162 - 2173

Published: Aug. 1, 2022

ABSTRACT Volatiles are important ‘infochemicals’ that play a crucial role in structuring life on our planet, fulfilling diverse functions natural and artificial systems. Algae contribute significant quantities to the global budget of volatiles, but ecological roles aquatic volatiles not well understood. In this review, we discuss current knowledge volatile compounds from freshwater marine microalgae macroalgae, with focus their roles. We highlight multiple reported biogenic ranging intraspecific communication for reproduction, intra‐bloom signalling antioxidant functions, various interspecific signal exchanges may allow herbivores locate them function defence against competitors predators. Beyond reviewing understanding, specifically major gaps emerging questions algal research. These novel perspectives have potential improve understanding ecosystems thus need be addressed future Filling these addressing will facilitate humanity's efforts exploit applications.

Language: Английский

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Becoming nose‐blind—Climate change impacts on chemical communication

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 28(15), P. 4495 - 4505

Published: May 16, 2022

Chemical communication via infochemicals plays a pivotal role in ecological interactions, allowing organisms to sense their environment, locate predators, food, habitats, or mates. A growing number of studies suggest that climate change-associated stressors can modify these chemically mediated causing info-disruption scales up the ecosystem level. However, our understanding underlying mechanisms is scarce. Evidenced by range examples, we illustrate this opinion piece change affects different realms similar patterns, from molecular ecosystem-wide levels. We assess importance for terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems propose systematic approach address highlighted knowledge gaps cross-disciplinary research avenues.

Language: Английский

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Bioassay complexities—exploring challenges in aquatic chemosensory research

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 3, 2024

Chemosensory science, the study of how organisms produce and assess olfactory information, is central to our understanding interact gain information about their environment. Signaling cue identification in aquatic systems lags behind knowledge terrestrial insects due analytical challenges aqueous environments. Unambiguous, reliable, fast behavioral assays evaluate biological activity function a chemosensory are critical understand signaling enable research into ecology, evolution, threats changing Yet, range anthropomorphic assumptions made this field create additional interpret data generated. Here, we common including assumed readiness individuals respond, lack on animals’ physiological social status, pre-experimental exposure, innate or learned character responses, acclimation habituation impact animals upon own These factors lead significant variability responses bioassays, both laboratory setups. In light limited cues’ chemical structure, active concentrations samples, undetermined response thresholds, methods mitigation minimize differences between studies. We conclude that currently it nearly impossible compare results from studies undertaken different ecosystems, laboratories, time points. There an urgent need for standardization methods, recording environmental conditions, individuals’ physiology, physical, avoid conflicting contradicting when comparing Including these parameters experimental design interpretation will provide deeper communication, reduce unconscious bias studies, can help explain substantial individuality cues stress.

Language: Английский

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Circadian migrations of cave-dwelling crustaceans guided by their home chemical seascape

Frontiers in Marine Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Sept. 17, 2024

Organisms release and detect molecules for defense, reproduction, feeding strategies finding suitable habitats. For some migratory species, homing behavior could be related to the recognition of their home chemical fingerprint made an assemblage from habitat. In marine realm, functioning ecosystems such as underwater caves largely depends on trophic interactions between outside environment. A key feature these relies circadian migration small crustaceans (Mysida) cave habitat open sea. Recently, it has been hypothesized that migrations involve mediation. Behavioral experiments using a two-choice system have shown mysids significantly seawater rather than control water Here, we used same experimental investigate by two populations mysid Hemimysis margalefi . Both were submitted choice three distinct seawaters vs. seawater. Additionally, tested preference non-cave species ( Leptomysis sp.) seawaters. To evaluate whether was influenced cues conspecifics, complementary experiment H. conducted. Results demonstrated each studied population recognizes its own habitat, this is not occurrence ’s exudates. Mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analyses revealed had specific with only few reproducibly detected signals belonging different classes: peptides, alkaloids, fatty acids, steroids but also inorganic molecules. Organic pollutants detected. Among compounds, one oxylipin derivative peptide considered markers ecosystem. Therefore, postulate seascape participates which are analogous daily-based behavior.

Language: Английский

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Tactics of evasion: strategies used by signallers to deter eavesdropping enemies from exploiting communication systems

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 98(1), P. 222 - 242

Published: Sept. 29, 2022

ABSTRACT Eavesdropping predators, parasites and parasitoids exploit signals emitted by their prey hosts for detection, assessment, localization attack, in the process impose strong selective pressures on communication systems of organisms they exploit. Signallers have evolved numerous anti‐eavesdropper strategies to mitigate trade‐off between costs imposed from signal exploitation need conspecific communication. Eavesdropper fall along a continuum opportunistic highly specialized, tightness eavesdropper–signaller relationship results differential systems. A wide variety eavesdropper Antagonistic selection eavesdroppers can result diverse outcomes including modulation signalling displays, structure, evolutionary loss or gain population. These often reduced conspicuousness decreased ornamentation. enemies, however, also promote While less common, this alternative outcome offers unique opportunity dissect factors that may lead different pathways. In addition, contrary traditional assumptions, no sensory modality is completely ‘safe’ as are ubiquitous broad array filters allow exploitation. We discuss how anthropogenic change affects interactions eavesdropping enemies victims it rapidly modifies environments community composition. Drawing research range taxa modalities, we synthesize current knowledge strategies, challenges field highlight fruitful new directions future research. Ultimately, review conceptual framework understand used signallers communicate under pressure enemies.

Language: Английский

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Short-Term Microplastic Exposure Impairs Cognition in Hermit Crabs

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(6), P. 1055 - 1055

Published: March 14, 2023

We tested whether acute microplastic exposure impacts information gathering and processing (cognition) in hermit crabs (Pagurus bernhardus). For five days, we kept 51 tanks containing either polyethylene microspheres (n = 27) or no plastic 24). then transferred individuals into an intermediate-quality shell presented them with two vials a better worse shell. Because touching both required equivalent behavioural response, this design controlled for general activity. Plastic-exposed were less likely slower than controls to touch the vial, instead preferring vial. Microplastics, therefore, impaired assessments decision-making, providing direct evidence of disrupting crab cognition.

Language: Английский

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Describing the complex chemistry of benthic seawater: from exometabolite sampling strategies to MS-based metabolomics

Natural Product Reports, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

This review highlights advances in characterizing exometabolites (EMs) from benthic organisms, starting with situ sampling methods, then discussing how marine MS-based (exo)metabolomics benefits various fields while addressing ongoing challenges.

Language: Английский

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The Salient Aroma Hypothesis: host plant specialization is linked with plant volatile availability in Lepidoptera

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2042)

Published: March 1, 2025

Host plant use in Lepidoptera has been a primary focus studies of ecological specialization, and multiple factors are likely to be involved shaping the evolution diet breadth. Here, we first describe Salient Aroma Hypothesis, suggesting that availability chemical information, particularly host-associated aromas, plays critical role dietary specialization. According herbivores active during periods when information is abundant, daytime hours aromas hypothesized more prevalent, evolve specialized diets. First, with meta-analysis, show plants release diverse abundant volatile compounds daylight hours, increasing information. We found diurnal tend have diets, while nocturnal species generalized, consistent prediction Hypothesis. further observed morphological differences antennae female correlated variation breadth diel activity patterns, indirectly supporting While influence host Hypothesis offers useful framework linking (e.g. volatiles)

Language: Английский

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