Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2017) | Viewed by 75596

Special Issue Editors

Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
Interests: marine microorganisms; microbial geochemistry; chemical communication; marine microbial natural products
College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Interests: marine natural products chemistry; antibiotics drug discovery; marine microbial chemical ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

All life forms elicit, and respond to, chemical cues — be it organisms coordinating with their environment, host or kin, competing for space, and so on. The finding that some of these chemical cues also have applications as chemotherapeutics to treat infectious disease is arguably one of the great achievements in modern medicine. However, the effectiveness of current antibiotics is eroding and microbial infections are increasingly becoming a more serious threat to human health.

Fortunately, there is immense promise in the merging of new tools and multiple disciplines to explore the untapped diversity of the marine environment for the next generation of antimicrobial agents. In this Special Issue, we focus on the rich sources of marine diversity and the merging of recently developed tools and technologies to bring new therapeutic molecules online for human betterment.

For this Special Issue of Marine Drugs, we urge you to consider publishing your original research in the areas listed below:

  • New targets and assays for accelerating chemical inhibitor discovery
  • New chemotherapeutics discovered through exploration of previously unexplored microbial and other feedstocks
  • New ways of battling microbial infection through the understanding of microbial interactions

Tracy John Mincer
David C. Rowley
Guest Editors

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

  • antimicrobial agents
  • natural products
  • microbial allelopathy

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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2524 KiB  
Article
Biodiversity of Actinobacteria from the South Pacific and the Assessment of Streptomyces Chemical Diversity with Metabolic Profiling
by Andrés Cumsille, Agustina Undabarrena, Valentina González, Fernanda Claverías, Claudia Rojas and Beatriz Cámara
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(9), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15090286 - 11 Sep 2017
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 6449
Abstract
Recently, bioprospecting in underexplored habitats has gained enhanced focus, since new taxa of marine actinobacteria can be found, and thus possible new metabolites. Actinobacteria are in the foreground due to their versatile production of secondary metabolites that present various biological activities, such as [...] Read more.
Recently, bioprospecting in underexplored habitats has gained enhanced focus, since new taxa of marine actinobacteria can be found, and thus possible new metabolites. Actinobacteria are in the foreground due to their versatile production of secondary metabolites that present various biological activities, such as antibacterials, antitumorals and antifungals. Chilean marine ecosystems remain largely unexplored and may represent an important source for the discovery of bioactive compounds. Various culture conditions to enrich the growth of this phylum were used and 232 bacterial strains were isolated. Comparative analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences led to identifying genetic affiliations of 32 genera, belonging to 20 families. This study shows a remarkable culturable diversity of actinobacteria, associated to marine environments along Chile. Furthermore, 30 streptomycete strains were studied to establish their antibacterial activities against five model strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating abilities to inhibit bacterial growth of Gram-positive bacteria. To gain insight into their metabolic profiles, crude extracts were submitted to liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) analysis to assess the selection of streptomycete strains with potentials of producing novel bioactive metabolites. The combined approach allowed for the identification of three streptomycete strains to pursue further investigations. Our Chilean marine actinobacterial culture collection represents an important resource for the bioprospection of novel marine actinomycetes and its metabolites, evidencing their potential as producers of natural bioproducts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Article
Synergistic Antibacterial Effects of Chitosan-Caffeic Acid Conjugate against Antibiotic-Resistant Acne-Related Bacteria
by Ji-Hoon Kim, Daeung Yu, Sung-Hwan Eom, Song-Hee Kim, Junghwan Oh, Won‐Kyo Jung and Young-Mog Kim
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(6), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15060167 - 08 Jun 2017
Cited by 63 | Viewed by 6563
Abstract
The object of this study was to discover an alternative therapeutic agent with fewer side effects against acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases. Acne vulgaris is often associated with acne-related bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus [...] Read more.
The object of this study was to discover an alternative therapeutic agent with fewer side effects against acne vulgaris, one of the most common skin diseases. Acne vulgaris is often associated with acne-related bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Some of these bacteria exhibit a resistance against commercial antibiotics that have been used in the treatment of acne vulgaris (tetracycline, erythromycin, and lincomycin). In the current study, we tested in vitro antibacterial effect of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates on acne-related bacteria. Three chitosan-phytochemical conjugates used in this study exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than that of chitosan (unmodified control). Chitosan-caffeic acid conjugate (CCA) showed the highest antibacterial effect on acne-related bacteria along with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC; 8 to 256 μg/mL). Additionally, the MIC values of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant P. acnes and P. aeruginosa strains were dramatically reduced in combination with CCA, suggesting that CCA would restore the antibacterial activity of the antibiotics. The analysis of fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices clearly revealed a synergistic antibacterial effect of CCA with antibiotics. Thus, the median sum of FIC (∑FIC) values against the antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains ranged from 0.375 to 0.533 in the combination mode of CCA and antibiotics. The results of the present study suggested a potential possibility of chitosan-phytochemical conjugates in the control of infections related to acne vulgaris. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Article
Borrelidins C–E: New Antibacterial Macrolides from a Saltern-Derived Halophilic Nocardiopsis sp.
by Jungwoo Kim, Daniel Shin, Seong-Hwan Kim, Wanki Park, Yoonho Shin, Won Kyung Kim, Sang Kook Lee, Ki-Bong Oh, Jongheon Shin and Dong-Chan Oh
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(6), 166; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15060166 - 06 Jun 2017
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 4983
Abstract
Chemical investigation of a halophilic actinomycete strain belonging to the genus Nocardiopsis inhabiting a hypersaline saltern led to the discovery of new 18-membered macrolides with nitrile functionality, borrelidins C–E (13), along with a previously reported borrelidin (4). [...] Read more.
Chemical investigation of a halophilic actinomycete strain belonging to the genus Nocardiopsis inhabiting a hypersaline saltern led to the discovery of new 18-membered macrolides with nitrile functionality, borrelidins C–E (13), along with a previously reported borrelidin (4). The planar structures of borrelidins C–E, which are new members of the rare borrelidin class of antibiotics, were elucidated by NMR, mass, IR, and UV spectroscopic analyses. The configurations of borrelidines C–E were determined by the interpretation of ROESY NMR spectra, J-based configuration analysis, a modified Mosher’s method, and CD spectroscopic analysis. Borrelidins C and D displayed inhibitory activity, particularly against the Gram-negative pathogen Salmonella enterica, and moderate cytotoxicity against the SNU638 and K562 carcinoma cell lines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Communication
Chalcomycins from Marine-Derived Streptomyces sp. and Their Antimicrobial Activities
by Shutai Jiang, Lili Zhang, Xuechang Pei, Fang Deng, Dan Hu, Guodong Chen, Chuanxi Wang, Kui Hong, Xinsheng Yao and And Hao Gao
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(6), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15060153 - 29 May 2017
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4118
Abstract
Dihydrochalcomycin (1) and chalcomycin, (2), two known chalcomycins, and chalcomycin E (3), a new compound, were isolated from marine-derived Streptomyces sp. HK-2006-1. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, [...] Read more.
Dihydrochalcomycin (1) and chalcomycin, (2), two known chalcomycins, and chalcomycin E (3), a new compound, were isolated from marine-derived Streptomyces sp. HK-2006-1. Their structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analysis. The antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger of 1–3 were evaluated. Compounds 1–2 exhibited activities against S. aureus with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 32 µg/mL and 4 µg/mL, respectively. The fact that 1–2 showed stronger activity against S. aureus 209P than 3 indicated that the epoxy unit was important for antimicrobial activity. This structure–activity tendency of chalcomycins against S. aureus is different from that of aldgamycins reported in our previous research, which provide a valuable example for the phenomenon that 16-membered macrolides with different sugars do not have parallel structure–activity relationships. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Article
Antibacterial Activities of Bacteria Isolated from the Marine Sponges Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera Collected from Algoa Bay, South Africa
by Relebohile Matthew Matobole, Leonardo Joaquim Van Zyl, Shirley Parker‐Nance, Michael T. Davies‐Coleman and Marla Trindade
Mar. Drugs 2017, 15(2), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/md15020047 - 17 Feb 2017
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 7427
Abstract
Due to the rise in multi‐drug resistant pathogens and other diseases, there is renewed interest in marine sponge endosymbionts as a rich source of natural products (NPs). The South African marine environment is rich in marine biota that remains largely unexplored and may [...] Read more.
Due to the rise in multi‐drug resistant pathogens and other diseases, there is renewed interest in marine sponge endosymbionts as a rich source of natural products (NPs). The South African marine environment is rich in marine biota that remains largely unexplored and may represent an important source for the discovery of novel NPs. We first investigated the bacterial diversity associated with five South African marine sponges, whose microbial populations had not previously been investigated, and select the two sponges (Isodictya compressa and Higginsia bidentifera) with highest species richness to culture bacteria. By employing 33 different growth conditions 415 sponge‐associated bacterial isolates were cultured and screened for antibacterial activity. Thirty‐five isolates showed antibacterial activity, twelve of which exhibited activity against the multi‐drug resistant Escherichia coli 1699, implying that some of the bioactive compounds could be novel. Genome sequencing of two of these isolates confirmed that they harbour uncharacterized biosynthetic pathways that may encode novel chemical structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Review

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286 KiB  
Review
Antibacterial Derivatives of Marine Algae: An Overview of Pharmacological Mechanisms and Applications
by Emer Shannon and Nissreen Abu-Ghannam
Mar. Drugs 2016, 14(4), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/md14040081 - 22 Apr 2016
Cited by 241 | Viewed by 19303
Abstract
The marine environment is home to a taxonomically diverse ecosystem. Organisms such as algae, molluscs, sponges, corals, and tunicates have evolved to survive the high concentrations of infectious and surface-fouling bacteria that are indigenous to ocean waters. Both macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (diatoms) [...] Read more.
The marine environment is home to a taxonomically diverse ecosystem. Organisms such as algae, molluscs, sponges, corals, and tunicates have evolved to survive the high concentrations of infectious and surface-fouling bacteria that are indigenous to ocean waters. Both macroalgae (seaweeds) and microalgae (diatoms) contain pharmacologically active compounds such as phlorotannins, fatty acids, polysaccharides, peptides, and terpenes which combat bacterial invasion. The resistance of pathogenic bacteria to existing antibiotics has become a global epidemic. Marine algae derivatives have shown promise as candidates in novel, antibacterial drug discovery. The efficacy of these compounds, their mechanism of action, applications as antibiotics, disinfectants, and inhibitors of foodborne pathogenic and spoilage bacteria are reviewed in this article. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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Review
Antimicrobial Action of Compounds from Marine Seaweed
by María José Pérez, Elena Falqué and Herminia Domínguez
Mar. Drugs 2016, 14(3), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/md14030052 - 09 Mar 2016
Cited by 387 | Viewed by 25956
Abstract
Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent an attractive source of potential compounds useful for unconventional drugs able to control [...] Read more.
Seaweed produces metabolites aiding in the protection against different environmental stresses. These compounds show antiviral, antiprotozoal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Macroalgae can be cultured in high volumes and would represent an attractive source of potential compounds useful for unconventional drugs able to control new diseases or multiresistant strains of pathogenic microorganisms. The substances isolated from green, brown and red algae showing potent antimicrobial activity belong to polysaccharides, fatty acids, phlorotannins, pigments, lectins, alkaloids, terpenoids and halogenated compounds. This review presents the major compounds found in macroalga showing antimicrobial activities and their most promising applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibacterial Marine Pharmacology)
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