The isolation and synthesis of novel nematocidal dithiocyanates from an Australian marine sponge, Oceanapia sp.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the EtOH extract of an Oceanapia sp. collected off the northern Rottnest Shelf, Australia, has yielded three novel dithiocyanates, thiocyanatins A (1), B (2a), and C (2b). The structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analysis and confirmed by total synthesis. In addition to featuring an unprecedented dithiocyanate functionality, thiocyanatins possess an unusual 1,16-difunctionalized n-hexadecane carbon skeleton and are revealed as a hitherto unknown class of nematocidal agent.

Onnamide F: a new nematocide from a southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer.

A southern Australian marine sponge, Trachycladus laevispirulifer, has yielded a potent new nematocide with antifungal activity which has been identified as onnamide F (1). The structure for 1 was assigned by detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical conversion to the methyl ester 2. Onnamide F contains a common structural motif previously described in a number of natural products exhibiting interesting pharmacological activities, including the insect chemical defense agent pederin (3), and the sponge metabolites the onnamides, mycalamides, and theopederins.

Lorneamides A and B: two new aromatic amides from a southern Australian marine actinomycete.

A marine actinomycete (MST-MA190) isolated from a sample of beach sand collected near Lorne on the southwest coast of Victoria, Australia, has yielded two new aromatic amides, lorneamide A (1) and lorneamide B (2). The lorneamides belong to a novel class of tri-alkyl-substituted benzenes, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods.

Geodin A magnesium salt: A novel nematocide from a southern australian marine sponge, geodia

A Geodia species collected from southern Australian waters of the Great Australian Bight has yielded a potent new in vitro nematocidal agent identified as geodin A Mg salt (1), a new macrocyclic polyketide lactam tetramic acid magnesium salt. The structure for 1 was assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis.

The vibrational startle response of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria.

Substratum vibrations elicit a fast startle response in unrestrained quiescent desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). The response is graded with stimulus intensity and consists of a small, rapid but conspicuous movement of the legs and body, but it does not result in any positional change of the animal. With stimuli just above threshold, it begins with a fast twitch of the hindlegs generated by movements of the coxa-trochanter and femur-tibia joints. With increasing stimulus intensity, a rapid movement of all legs may follow, resulting in an up-down movement of the whole body. The magnitude of both the hindleg movement and electromyographic recordings from hindleg extensor and flexor tibiae muscles increases with stimulus amplitude and reaches a plateau at vibration accelerations above 20 m s(-)(2) (peak-to-peak). Hindleg extensor and flexor tibiae muscles in unrestrained animals are co-activated with a mean latency of 30 ms. Behavioural thresholds are as low as 0. 47 m s(-)(2) (peak-to-peak) at frequencies below 100 Hz but rise steeply above 200 Hz. The response habituates rapidly, and inter-stimulus intervals of 2 min or more are necessary to evoke maximal reactions. Intracellular recordings in fixed (upside-down) locusts also revealed co-activation of both flexor and extensor motor neurones with latencies of approximately 25 ms. This shows that the neuronal network underlying the startle movement is functional in a restrained preparation and can therefore be studied in great detail at the level of identified neurones.

Protection of cattle against Fasciola hepatica infection by vaccination with glutathione S-transferase.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) from the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica was assessed as a vaccine immunogen in cattle in a number of immunological adjuvants. Significant reductions in fluke burdens (49-69%) were only observed in cattle vaccinated with GST in Quil Alsqualene Montanide (SM) and PLG microspheres in SM but there was no correlation between anti-GST IgG titres and protection. In separate experiments, animals vaccinated with GST in Quil AlSM were still significantly protected (48%, P < 0.05) 6 months after boosting and no significant differences in protection were seen when the metacercarial challenge was given over 1 month instead of as a single bolus. Inhibition of GST enzyme activity in vitro by cattle antisera did not correlate with reduced fluke burdens.

Immobilizing and lethal effects of spider venoms on the cockroach and the common mealbeetle.

Immobilizing and lethal effects of the venoms obtained from six spider species (Brachypelma albopilosum, Atrax robustus, Cupiennius salei, Selenops mexicanus, Tegenaria atrica, Argiope bruennichi) were tested on Blatta orientalis (cockroach) and Tenebrio molitor (common mealbeetle). The immobilizing effects were quantified by measuring insect locomotor activity in circle arenas observed over 72 hr after venom injection. Both insect species showed cramps, quivering and jerking of the limbs as well as flaccid paralysis after venom injection. Through relative toxicity of the venoms tested is the same in T. molitor and B. orientalis, T. molitor is absolutely less sensitive to spider venoms. The effects on locomotor activity show time characteristics specific for each venom. A dependence of the venom paralyzing effects on insect locomotor activity, low intensity of the initial excitatory phase of the venom effects and partial recovery of the insects was found with A. bruennichi and T. atrica venom. The maximal venom yields of A. bruennichi and S. mexicanus are not lethal to B. orientalis, indicating that the mere immobilizing effects of spider venoms are far more crucial to prey capture than their lethal effects. The contribution of a variety of differently acting neurotoxic components in spider venoms to the observed venom effects on insects and the significance of the venoms in spider nutrition, hunting behaviour and ecology are discussed.

Release of neurosecretory protein from insect neurohaemal tissue following electrical stimulation.

A protein, located within the protocerebral neurosecretory system of locusts, is released from the storage lobes of the corpora cardiaca following the propagation of a compound action potential to the storage lobe via the nervus corpus cardiacum I. Release depends upon the entry of extracellular calcium during depolarization. The data presented here indicate that a protein, similar to the neurophysins of vertebrates, is released from neurohaemal tissue of locusts following stimuli which are known to favour hormone release.

Feedback control of juvenile hormone synthesis in cockroaches: possible role for ecdysterone.

Inactive female corpora allata implanted into adult males become active and continue to synthesize juvenile hormone at high rates. However, when an ovary is implanted together with the corpora allata, rates of juvenile hormone synthesis decline as the oocytes complete maturation. Injections of ecdysterone mimic the effect of an implanted ovary.

Isolation of a neurosecretory substance which stimulates RNA synthesis in regenerating planarians.

An approach to the isolation of neurosecretory material from planarians is described. This material stimulated RNA synthesis, in a dose-dependent response, in regenerating Dugesia tigrina. The data support the concept that neurosecretion plays a key role in the process of regeneration in planarians.