化学生态学在海洋污损生物防除中的应用

在海洋环境中,许多海洋生物都能产生对环境无危害的、具有防污活性的次生代谢产物以保护自身的洁净,利于自身的生存.用化学生态学的方法从海洋生物中提取天然防除物质成为近年来解决海洋污损生物问题的新思路,其目标是寻找高效无毒的防污材料取代原有的对海洋环境有严重危害的化学合成防污材料.虽然目前对提取生物的次生代谢产物的防污机理还所知甚少,但不少从海洋生物中获得的天然产物已显示出良好的防污活性.要解决污损生物防污问题,还需对天然产物的作用机制、生态学效应、天然产物与涂料的结合、控制和释放及野外实验进行更加深入的研究与探讨.     

海洋污损生物数据管理系统的设计与构建

固着或栖息在船舶和人工设施水下部位的海洋污损生物, 会对人们的涉海活动产生不利影响, 其群落的形成和发展过程与温度、盐度、深度、季节、海域、浸海时间、离岸距离和附着基类型等多种因素密切相关。为便于系统分析和综合处理各海区污损生物资料, 理清各要素之间的内在关系, 需要一个能将上述因子与生物群落参数有机地结合起来的数据平台, 将分散、零星的资料予以归纳整合并通过网络共享, 以更好地为生产实践和科学研究服务。本研究采用Internet技术, 应用ASP.NET框架和MySQL数据库, 使用MS Visual Studio 2013设计并开发了服务端部署在Windows 7或Windows Server 2008 R2 (推荐)操作系统上的海洋污损生物数据管理系统, 实现了基于网络的海洋污损生物数据集成、储存与管理, 可完成来源不同、时相变化和海区多样的污损生物数据资料的集成与储存, 能通过单一或多种组合条件进行查询和检索, 并可根据用户的需要导出多种格式的检索结果报表。该系统具备操作简便、方便网络共享、易于升级更新和开拓新功能等特点, 能有效满足科研、生产和管理部门的需要。     

Inhibition of common fouling organisms by marine bacterial isolates ith special reference to the role of pigmented bacteria

Two questions of relevance to the establishment of marine biofouling communities were addressed, viz (1) what is the frequency with which bacterial strains isolated from living and inanimate surfaces in the marine environment show inhibitory activity against the settlement of common fouling organisms, and (2) is the antifouling bacterium, D2, an inhabitant of different marine waters, and how unique is this bacterium, in its mode of action against different target organisms? With respect to the first question, ninety three marine bacteria isolated from various rock surfaces from the marine environment were tested against larvae of Balanus amphitrite and spores of Ulva lactuca. Settlement assays against the diatom Amphora sp. were also performed on 10 of these strains. Nine bacterial isolates were shown to be inhibitory against larval settlement and eight of these strains were also inhibitory against algal spores. Altogether 16 strains were inhibitory against the settlement of algal spores while none of the bacterial strains inhibited diatom settlement. With respect to the second question, D2, a dark green pigmented bacterium, isolated from an adult tunicate off the Swedish west coast, has been found to be a very effective inhibitor against common fouling organisms. In order to see if this bacterium can be found in other marine waters, bacteria from living surfaces of marine plants and animals from waters around Sydney, Australia, were isolated and screened for inhibitory activity against barnacle larvae. Seventy four percent of the 23 plant isolates were shown to be inhibitory against larval settlement while only 30% of the 23 isolates from marine animals reduced settlement. Twenty two of the isolates from different seaweeds were dark pigmented and 20 of these strains inhibited settlement of barnacle larvae and algal spores. Three of the strains showed the same phenotypic expression as D2, and the results indicate that these strains may be D2 or closely related strains, suggesting that D2 may be a common inhabitant in the marine environment.     

Using textured PDMS to prevent settlement and enhance release of marine fouling organisms

The antifouling efficacy of a series of 18 textured (0.2–1000 μm) and non-textured (0 μm) polydimethylsiloxane surfaces with the profiles of round- and square-wave linear grating was tested by recording the settlement of fouling organisms in the laboratory and in the field by monitoring the recruitment of a multi-species fouling community. In laboratory assays, the diatoms Nitzschia closterium and Amphora sp. were deterred by all surface topographies regardless of texture type. Settlement of propagules of Ulva sp. was lower on texture sizes less than the propagule size, and settlement of larvae of Saccostrea glomerata and Bugula neritina was lower on texture sizes closest to, but less than, the sizes of larvae. After a six month field trial, all textured surfaces lost their deterrent effect; however, the foul-release capabilities of textures were still present. High initial attachment was correlated with most fouling remaining after removal trials, indicating that fouling organisms recruited in higher numbers to surfaces upon which they attached most strongly.     

Short-term succession of marine microbial fouling communities and the identification of primary and secondary colonizers

Microbial succession during the initial stages of marine biofouling has been rarely studied, especially in the Arabian Gulf. This study was undertaken to follow temporal shifts in biofouling communities in order to identify primary and secondary colonizers. Quantitative analysis revealed a significant increase in total biomass, coverage of macrofoulers, chlorophyll a concentrations, and bacterial counts with time. The relative abundance of the adnate diatoms increased with time, whereas it decreased in the case of the plocon diatoms. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination based on MiSeq data placed the bacterial communities in three distinct clusters, depending on the time of sampling. While the relative abundance of Alphaproteobacteria and Flavobacteriia decreased with time, suggesting their role as primary colonizers, the relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Planctomycetia increased with time, suggesting their role as secondary colonizers. Biofouling is a dynamic process that involves temporal quantitative and qualitative shifts in the micro- and macrofouling communities.     

Human activities change marine ecosystems by altering predation risk

In ocean ecosystems, many of the changes in predation risk – both increases and decreases – are human‐induced. These changes are occurring at scales ranging from global to local and across variable temporal scales. Indirect, risk‐based effects of human activity are known to be important in structuring some terrestrial ecosystems, but these impacts have largely been neglected in oceans. Here, we synthesize existing literature and data to explore multiple lines of evidence that collectively suggest diverse human activities are changing marine ecosystems, including carbon storage capacity, in myriad ways by altering predation risk. We provide novel, compelling evidence that at least one key human activity, overfishing, can lead to distinct, cascading risk effects in natural ecosystems whose magnitude exceeds that of presumed lethal effects and may account for previously unexplained findings. We further discuss the conservation implications of human‐caused indirect risk effects. Finally, we provide a predictive framework for when human alterations of risk in oceans should lead to cascading effects and outline a prospectus for future research. Given the speed and extent with which human activities are altering marine risk landscapes, it is crucial that conservation and management policy considers the indirect effects of these activities in order to increase the likelihood of success and avoid unfortunate surprises.     

Ultrastructural observations on the marine fouling diatomAmphora

Ecological and Scanning electron microscope (S. E. M.) studies indicated that the diatomAmphora was an important constituent in the initial colonization of test panels coated with a copper antifouling composition.Amphora was also found as the dominant fouling diatom species on paint samples from in-service supertankers and yachts. Associated with the diatom was copious amounts of mucilaginous material, which often encapsulated the cells. Histochemical analysis of the mucilage indicates that it is predominantly polysaccharide in nature. Using the Transmission electron microscope (T. E. M.) and electron microscope cytochemistry the intracellular origin of the adhesive was investigated. T. E. M. and S. E. M. observations of acid-cleaned-cells indicate that the mucilage may be secreted through specialized regions of the frustule. Material isolated from antifouling panels was compared with laboratory culturedAmphora spp. for copper resistance and internal accumulation using TEMSCAN — X ray analytical equipment.     

Glycosidases of marine organisms

This review discusses the catalytic properties, activity regulation, structure, and functions of O-glycoside hydrolases from marine organisms exemplified by endo-1→3-β-D-glucanases of marine invertebrates.     

Inhibition of fouling by marine bacteria immobilised in kappa-carrageenan beads

Antifouling solutions that leave little or no impact in the world's oceans are constantly being sought. This study employed the immobilisation of the antifouling bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata in kappa-carrageenan to demonstrate how a surface may be protected from fouling by bacteria, i.e. a 'living paint'. Attempts so far to produce a 'living paint' have been limited in both longevity of effectiveness and demonstration of applicability, most noticeably regarding the lack of any field data. Here survival of bacteria immobilised in kappa-carrageenan for 12 months in the laboratory is demonstrated and evidence presented for inhibition of fouling for up to 7 weeks in the field (Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia).     

Cyclosporin A inhibits creatine uptake by altering surface expression of the creatine transporter

The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin A (CsA) inhibited the hCRT-1 cDNA-induced creatine uptake in Xenopus oocytes and the endogenous creatine uptake in cultured C(2)C(12) muscle cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. FK506, another potent immunosuppressant, was unable to mimic the effect of CsA suggesting that the inhibitory effect of CsA was specific. To delineate the mechanism underlying, we investigated the effect of CsA on the K(m) and V(max) of creatine transport and also on the cell surface distribution of the creatine transporter. Although CsA treatment did not affect the K(m) (20-24 microm) for creatine, it significantly decreased the V(max) of creatine uptake in both oocytes and muscle cells. CsA treatment reduced the cell surface expression level of the creatine transporter in the muscle cells by approximately 60% without significantly altering its total expression level, and the reduction in the cell surface expression paralleled the decrease in creatine uptake. Taken together, our results suggest that CsA inhibited creatine uptake by altering the surface abundance of the creatine transporter. We propose that CsA impairs the targeting of the creatine transporter by inhibiting the function of an associated cyclophilin, resulting in an apparent loss in surface expression of the creatine transporter. Our results also suggest that prolonged exposure to CsA may result in chronically creatine-depleted muscle, which may be a cause for the development of CsA-associated clinical myopathies in organ transplant patients.     

Sphingosine inhibits monocyte tissue factor-initiated coagulation by altering factor VII binding

Tissue factor is a lipoprotein, expressed on the surface of cells, which binds coagulation Factor VII or VIIa, leading to activation of Factors X and IX with subsequent fibrin generation. Cellular tissue factor activity is important in pathophysiologic processes such as inflammation and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this study, the long-chain base sphingosine inhibited coagulation initiated by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated intact human monocytes. Sphingosine (5-100 microM) also profoundly inhibited thromboplastin-initiated coagulation (greater than 90% decrease in thromboplastin activity). This inhibition was dose- and time-dependent. Sphingosine inhibited neither the intrinsic pathway of coagulation nor thrombin generation of fibrin. The sphingosine analogues sphingomyelin, ceramide, or N-acetylsphingosine did not affect thromboplastin activity, suggesting that the polar head of sphingosine was necessary for interaction of the molecule with the coagulation system. Investigation of the biochemical mechanism revealed that sphingosine (5-50 microM), but neither sphingomyelin nor ceramide, inhibited specific binding of radiolabeled Factor VII to lipopolysaccharide-stimulated intact monocytes. The results suggest that sphingosine may regulate monocyte tissue factor-initiated coagulation by modulating Factor VII binding to tissue factor. Sphingosine may represent a new class of inhibitors of hemostasis.     

Noggin overexpression inhibits eyelid opening by altering epidermal apoptosis and differentiation

Contact of developing sensory organs with the external environment is established via the formation of openings in the skin. During eye development, eyelids first grow, fuse and finally reopen, thus providing access for visual information to the retina. Here, we show that eyelid opening is strongly inhibited in transgenic mice overexpressing the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist noggin from the keratin 5 (K5) promoter in the epidermis. In wild-type mice, enhanced expression of the kinase-inactive form of BMPR-IB mediated by an adenovirus vector also inhibits eyelid opening. Noggin overexpression leads to reduction of apoptosis and retardation of cell differentiation in the eyelid epithelium, which is associated with downregulation of expression of the apoptotic receptors (Fas, p55 kDa TNFR), Id3 protein and keratinocyte differentiation markers (loricrin, involucrin). BMP-4, but not EGF or TGF-alpha, accelerates opening of the eyelid explants isolated from K5-Noggin transgenic mice when cultured ex vivo. These data suggest that the BMP signaling pathway plays an important role in regulation of genetic programs of eyelid opening and skin remodeling during the final steps of eye morphogenesis.     

On the origin of pristane in marine organisms

Phytol-U-(14)C was adsorbed on algae and ingested in this form by zooplanktonic copepods (two species of Calanus). The lipids of these animals were analyzed after 48 hr and found to contain radioactive pristane and radioactive phytanic acid. The conversion of phytol to pristane by the copepods is interpreted as a likely biological source of pristane in nature.     

Prospective of the cosmeceuticals derived from marine organisms

Cosmeceuticals, derived from the words ‘cosmetic and pharmaceutical’, have drug-like benefits and contain active ingredients such as vitamins, phytochemicals, enzymes, antioxidants, and essential oils. Cosmeceuticals have attracted increased attention because of their beneficial effects on human health. Bioactive substances derived from marine organisms have diverse functional roles as a secondary metabolite and these properties can be applied to the developments of novel pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Recently, extensive studies have been conducted on the general aspects of the chemical structures, physical and biochemical properties, and biotechnological applications of bioactive substances derived from marine organisms. In this review, we have discussed recent progresses in the biotechnological applications of bioactive substances from marine organisms as cosmeceuticals.