You are here

FAU Collections » FAU Research Repository » FAU Theses and Dissertations

9,11-secogorgosterol biosynthesis in gorgonians

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
1995
Summary:
9,11-secogorgosterol is a secondary metabolite from the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia americana which acts as a chemical defense. The soft coral lives in a symbiotic association with unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursor of 9,11-secogorgosterol as gorgosterol. This finding is significant as it indicates that the conversion of gorgosterol to 9,11-secogorgosterol is due to gorgonian metabolism. Since gorgosterol is known to be a product of zooxanthellae metabolism, this would be the first example of a defensive secondary metabolite being produced by two organisms living in symbiosis. A viable acetone powder has been generated from the crude cell-free extract and has demonstrated the efficient transformation of gorgosterol to 9, 11-secogorgosterol. This indicates possible future value as a synthetic tool for secosterol production.
Title: 9,11-secogorgosterol biosynthesis in gorgonians.
106 views
20 downloads
Name(s): Kellman, Jaelle
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Kerr, Russell G., Thesis advisor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 1995
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, FL
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 75 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: 9,11-secogorgosterol is a secondary metabolite from the gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia americana which acts as a chemical defense. The soft coral lives in a symbiotic association with unicellular algae known as zooxanthellae. A biosynthetic investigation, using in vivo and in vitro methods, has resulted in the identification of the metabolic precursor of 9,11-secogorgosterol as gorgosterol. This finding is significant as it indicates that the conversion of gorgosterol to 9,11-secogorgosterol is due to gorgonian metabolism. Since gorgosterol is known to be a product of zooxanthellae metabolism, this would be the first example of a defensive secondary metabolite being produced by two organisms living in symbiosis. A viable acetone powder has been generated from the crude cell-free extract and has demonstrated the efficient transformation of gorgosterol to 9, 11-secogorgosterol. This indicates possible future value as a synthetic tool for secosterol production.
Identifier: 15180 (digitool), FADT15180 (IID), fau:11952 (fedora)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1995.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Sterols--Synthesis
Alcyonacea
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/15180
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.