Biomaterial Database

Isoprenoid biosynthesis in a marine sponge of the Amphimedon genus: incorporation studies with [1-14C] acetate, [4-14C] cholesterol and [2-14C] mevalonate. 1988

M J Garson, and V Partali, and S Liaaen-Jensen, and I L Stoilov

Department of Chemistry, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia.

1. We present quantitative evidence from incorporation of [1-14C] acetate that the enzymes to synthesise isoprenoids are present in the marine sponge Amphimedon sp. and that efficient carotenoid synthesis takes place. 2. The de novo synthesis of b,b-carotene and (3R,3'R)-zeaxanthin may occur in a chlorophyll a-producing microalgal symbiont with subsequent aromatisation to (3R)-isoagelaxanthin by the sponge itself. 3. Amphimedon sp. contains nuclear-modified sterols derived by modification of conventional dietary sterols.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008798	Mevalonic Acid	A dihydroxy monocarboxylic acid and precursor in the biosynthetic pathway known as the mevalonate pathway, which produces terpenes and steroids that are vital for diverse cellular functions.	Mevalonate,Acid, Mevalonic
D011161	Porifera	The phylum of sponges which are sessile, suspension-feeding, multicellular animals that utilize flagellated cells called choanocytes to circulate water. Most are hermaphroditic. They are probably an early evolutionary side branch that gave rise to no other group of animals. Except for about 150 freshwater species, sponges are marine animals. They are a source of ALKALOIDS; STEROLS; and other complex molecules useful in medicine and biological research.	Demospongiae,Sponges (Zoology),Sponge (Zoology),Sponges,Poriferas,Sponge
D002338	Carotenoids	The general name for a group of fat-soluble pigments found in green, yellow, and leafy vegetables, and yellow fruits. They are aliphatic hydrocarbons containing 4 terpene subunits.	Carotenes,Carotenoid,Tetraterpene Derivatives,Tetraterpenes,Carotene,Derivatives, Tetraterpene
D002784	Cholesterol	The principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in animal fats and oils.	Epicholesterol
D000085	Acetates	Derivatives of ACETIC ACID. Included under this heading are a broad variety of acid forms, salts, esters, and amides that contain the carboxymethane structure.	Acetate,Acetic Acid Esters,Acetic Acids,Acids, Acetic,Esters, Acetic Acid
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013261	Sterols	Steroids with a hydroxyl group at C-3 and most of the skeleton of cholestane. Additional carbon atoms may be present in the side chain. (IUPAC Steroid Nomenclature, 1987)	Sterol
D013729	Terpenes	A class of compounds composed of repeating 5-carbon units of HEMITERPENES.	Isoprenoid,Terpene,Terpenoid,Isoprenoids,Terpenoids
D019342	Acetic Acid	Product of the oxidation of ethanol and of the destructive distillation of wood. It is used locally, occasionally internally, as a counterirritant and also as a reagent. (Stedman, 26th ed)	Glacial Acetic Acid,Vinegar,Acetic Acid Glacial,Acetic Acid, Glacial,Glacial, Acetic Acid