Secondary Metabolic Pathways from the Marine Realm: Mining a Unique Treasure Chest of Biodiversity
Jose V. Lopez, Division of Biomedical Marine Research, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
14 Oct 2005
A growing number of unique and potent natural products (secondary metabolites) are being discovered from marine habitats and organisms. Untapped macro- and microorganismal diversity in the oceans forms the basis of the observed biochemical phenotypes. Our molecular biology research in the Division of Biomedical Marine Research at HBOI, aims to isolate and characterize the genetic factors responsible for marine secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Since many new compounds may be microbial in origin, part of the research focuses on identifying potential microbial sources living within complex communities (sponges) through molecular taxonomic surveys and inventories. Molecular biology has also enabled culture-independent strategies to identify gene sequences potentially involved in brevetoxin biosynthesis, and also in horizontal gene transfer of secondary metabolite genes among disparate species. Lastly, transcriptome-based methods are now being applied as a more direct route for isolating secondary metabolite-associated genes and transcripts from marine organisms.