Screening of compounds with anticancer activities produced by bacteria associated with marine sponges from São Paulo coast

Abstract

The marine sponges stand out among the marine organisms for being the group with the highest number of detected bioactive compounds. Several of these isolated compounds are actually synthesized by the bacterial community associated with these animals. For example, recent studies suggested that certain bioactive compounds obtained from marine sponges, such as polyketide complexes (PKS) and non-ribosomal peptides (NRPS), are probably synthesized by the symbiontic bacteria. This fact is due to the high similarity with metabolites produced by bacteria, or to the fact that PKS and NRPS metabolites belong to classes that are generally found in bacteria. Thus, these animals are potential sources of biotechnological products. Therefore, in this project the genes PKS types I and II, and NPRS will be investigated in the bacteria previously isolated from the marine species Aplysina fulva, A. caissara (endemic) and A. cauliformis present in the coast of São Paulo state. The bacterial strains that amplify the(s) gene(s) PKS types I and/or II, and/or NRPS will have their genome sequenced with the goal of identify the diversity of modules that compose these genes. The analysis of bacterial genomes presents a challenge to the project. With this approach it will be possible to detect the structural diversity of genes PKS types I and II, and NPRS as well as the presence of others genes involved in the production of second metabolites. The results of this project will be innovative by: (i) investigate bacterial isolated from marine sponge of the coast of São Paulo, (ii) examine the presence of genes responsible for the production of compounds with anticancer activity and (iii) the possibility of a better comprehension of the functions played by the microbial symbionts in the host sponges. (AU)