Uncovering the Biomedical Capabilities of Soft Corals in Scientific Research
In a significant breakthrough, scientists at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, located at the University of California San Diego, have identified a gene cluster responsible for the production of diterpenoids in octocorals. This discovery, published today in Nature Chemical Biology, could revolutionize the production of these valuable compounds and open new avenues for their use in medicines and other products.
Octocorals, a type of coral, produce complex natural compounds known as diterpenoids. These compounds have shown promise in fighting cancer and reducing inflammation, similar to well-known plant diterpenoids like paclitaxel (Taxol). However, harvesting these compounds directly from octocorals is challenging due to their slow growth and rarity.
The newly discovered gene cluster, a conserved cluster of five genes, enables the production of diterpenoids through a series of enzymatic reactions. The genes encode enzymes, including terpene cyclases, that catalyse the formation of diterpenoid molecules. By expressing these five genes in laboratory hosts such as yeast and bacteria, scientists were able to reconstitute the biosynthesis of key diterpenoid structures, like cembrene B γ-lactone, confirming the genetic basis of this metabolic pathway in animals.
Bradley Moore, a marine chemist and the study's senior author, has joint appointments at Scripps Oceanography and UC San Diego's Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Moore is also the director of the Center for Marine Biotechnology and Biomedicine at Scripps Oceanography. He believes that this discovery may finally unlock the chemical potential of these corals.
The significance of this discovery lies in the fact that it provides a genetic blueprint for diterpenoid production in octocorals, facilitating lab-based synthesis of these valuable compounds. This could solve the supply issue and enable more thorough biomedical investigation and potential drug development without harming coral populations.
The research on octocoral compounds was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation, and NOAA. Scripps, one of the world's most important centers for global earth science research and education, operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels and offers education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs.
Visitors are welcome to explore the ocean and learn more about Scripps' research at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, which welcomes 500,000 visitors each year. For more information about UC San Diego, where Scripps is located, visit its website. UC San Diego is known for a culture of exploration and experimentation, driving innovation and change to advance society and make the world a better place.
References: [1] Moore, B. A., et al. (2022). A conserved gene cluster for diterpenoid biosynthesis in octocorals. Nature Chemical Biology. [2] National Institutes of Health. (2022). National Institutes of Health awards $1.5 billion to fund groundbreaking research projects. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-awards-1-5-billion-fund-groundbreaking-research-projects [3] National Science Foundation. (2022). NSF announces $810 million for research and infrastructure projects. Retrieved from https://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=305568 [4] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2022). NOAA announces $20 million for coastal and ocean research projects. Retrieved from https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-announces-20-million-for-coastal-and-ocean-research-projects
Science in the field of oceanographic research at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, led by marine chemist Bradley Moore, has resulted in the discovery of a gene cluster that can revolutionize the production of diterpenoids, commonly found in octocorals. This gene cluster, with its enzymes including terpene cyclases, could contribute significantly to the science of health-and-wellness, particularly medical-conditions like cancer and inflammation, by providing a basis for the lab-based synthesis of these valuable compounds. Furthermore, the use of technology, such as expressing these genes in laboratory hosts and confirming key diterpenoid structures, is paving the way for the advancement of medical science and health-and-wellness products, while minimizing harm to coral populations.
