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Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs

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A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2023) | Viewed by 14702

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Valeria Costantino

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Guest Editor

Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Montesano 149, 80131 Naples, Italy
Interests: sustainable exploitation and management of seas; marine natural products, isolation, and stereostructural elucidation of new lead compounds in antimicrobial and anticancer drug discovery; QQ and the QS system in bacteria symbiotic with sponges; cyanobacteria as source of novel lead compounds and toxins
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Social scientists christened as the “Matilda Effect” the phenomenon in which women are underrepresented among the most visible STEM scientists. This is because women scientists’ contribution in science is overlooked or misattributed to their male colleagues. With this Special Issue, we wish to highlight women’s contributions to marine drug research and facilitate collaboration opportunities for women scientists. This will be a little step to increase women’s presence in top academic and industrial leadership positions and among award winners.

Moreover, we strongly encourage research integrating sex and gender analysis into study and innovation processes.

We strongly welcome contributions in the field of marine drugs submitted by women corresponding authors or first name authors: this is the only requirement to submit to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Valeria Costantino
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

lead compounds
toxins
biomolecules
sex and gender analyses
innovation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 3669 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Culture Regime on the Metabolome and Anti-Phytopathogenic Activity of Marine Fungal Co-Cultures

by Mohammed Zawad Reza, Ernest Oppong-Danquah and Deniz Tasdemir

Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22020066 - 27 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1452

Abstract

Co-cultivation, coupled with the OSMAC approach, is considered an efficient method for expanding microbial chemical diversity through the activation of cryptic biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). As part of our project aiming to discover new fungal metabolites for crop protection, we previously reported five polyketides, the macrolides dendrodolides E (1) and N (2), the azaphilones spiciferinone (3) and 8α-hydroxy-spiciferinone (4), and the bis-naphtho-γ-pyrone cephalochromin (5) from the solid Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) co-culture of two marine sediment-derived fungi, Plenodomus influorescens and Pyrenochaeta nobilis. However, some of the purified metabolites could not be tested due to their minute quantities. Here we cultivated these fungi (both axenic and co-cultures) in liquid regime using three different media, Potato Dextrose Broth (PDB), Sabouraud Dextrose Broth (SDB), and Czapek-Dox Broth (CDB), with or without shaking. The aim was to determine the most ideal co-cultivation conditions to enhance the titers of the previously isolated compounds and to produce extracts with stronger anti-phytopathogenic activity as a basis for future upscaled fermentation. Comparative metabolomics by UPLC-MS/MS-based molecular networking and manual dereplication was employed for chemical profiling and compound annotations. Liquid co-cultivation in PDB under shaking led to the strongest activity against the phytopathogen Phytophthora infestans. Except for compound 1, all target compounds were detected in the co-culture in PDB. Compounds 2 and 5 were produced in lower titers, whereas the azaphilones (3 and 4) were overexpressed in PDB compared to PDA. Notably, liquid PDB co-cultures contained meroterpenoids and depside clusters that were absent in the solid PDA co-cultures. This study demonstrates the importance of culture regime in BGC regulation and chemical diversity of fungal strains in co-culture studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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17 pages, 3556 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Hotspot of TTX Contamination in the Adriatic Sea: Study on the Origin and Causative Factors

by Simone Bacchiocchi, Debora Campacci, Melania Siracusa, Alessandra Dubbini, Stefano Accoroni, Tiziana Romagnoli, Alessandra Campanelli, Francesco Griffoni, Tamara Tavoloni, Stefania Gorbi, Cecilia Totti and Arianna Piersanti

Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21010008 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1913

Abstract

Tetrodotoxins (TTXs), the pufferfish venom traditionally associated with Indo-Pacific area, has been reported during last decades in ever wider range of marine organisms and ever more geographical areas, including shellfish in Europe. Wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) grown in the Marche Region (N Adriatic Sea, Italy) were shown to be prone to TTX contamination during the warm season, with a suspected role of Vibrio alginolyticus characterized by non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) and polyketide synthase (PKS)-encoding genes. This work aimed to deepen the knowledge about the toxin’s origin and the way through which it accumulates in mussels. A two-year study (spring–summer 2020–2021) confirmed the recurrent presence of TTX (11–68 µg kg⁻¹) in the official monitored natural mussel beds of the Conero Riviera. During 2021, a supplementary nonroutine monitoring of a natural mussel bed in the same area was carried out weekly from June until August for TTXs and/or the presence of V. alginolyticus. Biotic (mussels, mesozooplankton, worms and phytoplankton); abiotic (water and sediment) matrices and phytoplankton assemblage characterizations were studied. Mussels showed relevant TTX contamination levels (9–296 µg kg⁻¹) with extremely rapid TTX accumulation/depletion rates. The toxin presence in phytoplankton and its distribution in the different mussel tissues supports its possible exogenous origin. The V. alginolyticus count trend overlaps that of TTX contamination in mussels, and similar trends were reported also for some phytoplankton species. The role of V. alginolyticus carrying NRPS or PKS genes as a possible TTX source and of phytoplankton as a “potential vector” should therefore be further investigated. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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12 pages, 3368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Molecular Modeling Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of Marine Compounds as DPP-4 Inhibitors

by Priya Antony, Bincy Baby, Hamda Mohammed Aleissaee and Ranjit Vijayan

Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(12), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20120777 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of blood glucose due to insulin resistance or insulin-secretion defects. The development of diabetes is mainly attributed to the interaction of several complex pathogenic, genetic, environmental and metabolic processes. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease that cleaves X-proline dipeptides from the N-terminus of several polypeptides, including natural hypoglycemic incretin hormones. Inhibition of this enzyme restores and maintains glucose homeostasis, making it an attractive drug target for the management of T2DM. Natural products are important sources of bioactive agents for anti-T2DM drug discovery. Marine ecosystems are a rich source of bioactive products and have inspired the development of drugs for various human disorders, including diabetes. Here, structure-based virtual screening and molecular docking were performed to identify antidiabetic compounds from the Comprehensive Marine Natural Products Database (CMNPD). The binding characteristics of two shortlisted compounds, CMNPD13046 and CMNPD17868, were assessed using molecular dynamics simulations. Thus, this study provides insights into the potential antidiabetic activity and the underlying molecular mechanism of two compounds of marine origin. These compounds could be investigated further for the development of potent DPP-4 inhibitors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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20 pages, 1209 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization and Validation of a High Throughput UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Determination of the EU Regulated Lipophilic Marine Toxins and Occurrence in Fresh and Processed Shellfish

by Teresa D’Amore, Sonia Lo Magro, Valeria Vita and Aurelia Di Taranto

Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(3), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20030173 - 26 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3018

Abstract

Under the name of lipophilic marine toxins, there are included more than 1000 toxic secondary metabolites, produced by phytoplankton, with the common chemical property of lipophilicity. Due to toxicological effects and geographical distribution, in European legislation relevant compounds are regulated, and their determination is accomplished with the reference liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method. In this study a modified ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method has been developed for the identification and quantification of EU-regulated lipophilic toxins. The method optimization included a refinement of SPE-C18 clean-up, in order to reduce matrix interferences. Improved LC conditions and upgraded chromatographic ammonia-based gradient ensured the best separation of all analytes and, in particular, of the two structural isomers (OA and DTX2). Also, different MS parameters were tested, and confirmation criteria finally established. The validation studies confirmed that all parameters were satisfactory. The requirements for precision (RSD% < 11.8% for each compound), trueness (recoveries from 73 to 101%) and sensitivity (limits of quantification in the range 3–8 µg kg⁻¹) were fulfilled. The matrix effect, ranging from −9 to 19%, allowed the use of a calibration curve in solvent (3–320 µg kg⁻¹ in matrix) for quantification of real samples. Method relative uncertainty ranged from 12 to 20.3%. Additionally, a total of 1000 shellfish samples was analysed, providing a first preliminary surveillance study that may contribute to the knowledge of lipophilic marine toxins contamination. Increase in algae proliferation events and intoxication cases, EFSA suggestions for modification of maximum permitted levels and toxicity equivalency factors, and new studies of important toxic effects underline that implementation of reference methods still represents an important task for health and food safety laboratories. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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Review

Jump to: Research

56 pages, 4333 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Marine-Derived Compounds Targeting Topoisomerase II in Cancer Cells: A Review

by Giulia Greco, Valentina Pellicioni, Ivan Cruz-Chamorro, Giuseppe Attisani, Claudio Stefanelli and Carmela Fimognari

Mar. Drugs 2022, 20(11), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/md20110674 - 27 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2305

Abstract

Cancer affects more than 19 million people and is the second leading cause of death in the world. One of the principal strategies used in cancer therapy is the inhibition of topoisomerase II, involved in the survival of cells. Side effects and adverse reactions limit the use of topoisomerase II inhibitors; hence, research is focused on discovering novel compounds that can inhibit topoisomerase II and have a safer toxicological profile. Marine organisms are a source of secondary metabolites with different pharmacological properties including anticancer activity. The objective of this review is to present and discuss the pharmacological potential of marine-derived compounds whose antitumor activity is mediated by topoisomerase II inhibition. Several compounds derived from sponges, fungi, bacteria, ascidians, and other marine sources have been demonstrated to inhibit topoisomerase II. However, some studies only report docking interactions, whereas others do not fully explain the mechanisms of topoisomerase II inhibition. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed, as well as a careful toxicological profile evaluation with a focus on cancer cell selectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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33 pages, 7369 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Chemical Diversity of Phorbas Sponges as a Source of Novel Lead Compounds in Drug Discovery

by Alessia Caso, Fernanda Barbosa da Silva, Germana Esposito, Roberta Teta, Gerardo Della Sala, Laura P. A. Nunes Cavalcanti, Alessandra Leda Valverde, Roberto Carlos C. Martins and Valeria Costantino

Mar. Drugs 2021, 19(12), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/md19120667 - 26 Nov 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2443

Abstract

Porifera, commonly referred to as marine sponges, are acknowledged as major producers of marine natural products (MNPs). Sponges of the genus Phorbas have attracted much attention over the years. They are widespread in all continents, and several structurally unique compounds have been identified from this species. Terpenes, mainly sesterterpenoids, are the major secondary metabolites isolated from Phorbas species, even though several alkaloids and steroids have also been reported. Many of these compounds have presented interesting biological activities. Particularly, Phorbas sponges have been demonstrated to be a source of cytotoxic metabolites. In addition, MNPs exhibiting cytostatic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities have been isolated and structurally characterized. This review provides an overview of almost 130 secondary metabolites from Phorbas sponges and their biological activities, and it covers the literature since the first study published in 1993 until November 2021, including approximately 60 records. The synthetic routes to the most interesting compounds are briefly outlined. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women in Science: Their Contribution in Marine Drugs)

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