Spherulization as a process for the exudation of chemical cues by the encrusting sponge C. crambe.

ABSTRACT: Ecological interactions in the marine environment are now recognized to be partly held by chemical cues produced by marine organisms. In particular, sponges are sessile animals thought to rely on the bioactive substances they synthesize to ensure their development and defense. However, the mechanisms leading the sponges to use their specialized metabolites as chemical cues remain unknown. Here we report the constant release of bioactive polycyclic guanidinic alkaloids by the Mediterranean sponge Crambe crambe into the dissolved and the particulate phases using a targeted metabolomics study. These compounds were proven to be stored into already described specialized (spherulous) sponge cells and dispersed into the water column after release through the sponge exhaling channels (oscula), lea

SUBMITTER: Ternon E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4933965 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature