An anti-dengue and anti-herpetic polysulfated fraction isolated from the coenocytic green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides inhibits thrombin generation in vitro / Uma fração polissulfatada anti- dengue e anti- herpética isolada da alga marinha verde cenocítica Caulerpa cupressoides inibe geração de trombina in vitro

The antiviral potency of Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyta) sulfated polysaccharidic fractions (Cc -SP1→3) associated with thrombin generation (TG) assay is unknown. This study analyzed the structure of Cc-SP1 and its effects against herpes viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2), dengue-virus (DENV-1) , human-metapneumovirus (HMPV) and adenovirus (AdV) in Vero and mosquito C6/36 cell-lines and as inhibitor of TG in 60- fold diluted human plasma using continuous system. Infrared analysis indicated ulvan containing 11% sulfate, 40.16% total sugars and 6% uronic acid. Procedures of agarose/polyacrylamide gels electrophoresis revealed two major components presenting sulfate and non SPs, with molecular dispersion ranging from 8 to > 100 kDa, respectively, as confirmed by gel permeation chromatography. Cc-SP1 did not cause cytotoxicity up to 1000 µg mL-1 and was more effective inhibitor of DENV-1 (96%, 0.35 µg mL-1) compared with HSV-1 (90%, 27 µg mL- 1) and HSV-2 (99.9%, 0.9 µg mL-1) in Vero cell-line, whose selectivity indexes were > 714, > 9.2 and > 131, respectively, but was inactive against HMPV, AdV and C6/36 cell-line using plate reduction assay. Cc-SP1 required concentration 20.8-fold higher of SPs than heparin for abolishes intrinsically TG, but at concentrations so far the anti-HSV-1. Therefore, TG assay provides data to guide studies of Cc-SP1 on anticoagulant/antiviral effects.

A potência antiviral de frações polissacarídicas sulfatadas de Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyta) (Cc-PS1→3) é desconhecida e associada com ensaio de geração de trombina (GT). Analisaram-se de Cc-PS1 estrutura e efeitos contra herpesviroses (HSV-1 e HSV-2), vírus da dengue (DENV-1), metapneumovírus-humano (MPVH) e adenovírus (AdV) em linhagens de células Vero e de mosquito C6/36 e como inibidora de GT em plasma humano diluído 60 vezes usando sistema contínuo. Análise de infravermelho indicou 'ulvana' contendo sulfato (11%), açúcares totais (40,16%) e ácido urônico (6%). Procedimentos de electroforese em géis de agarose/poliacrilamida revelaram dois componentes majoritários apresentando sulfato e polissacarídeos não sulfatados, com dispersão molecular variando de 8 a > 100kDa, respectivamente, confirmada por cromatografia de permeação em gel. Cc-PS1 não causou citotoxicidade até 1000 µg mL-1 e se mostrou, em linhagem de célula Vero usando ensaio de redução de placas, inibidora efetiva de DENV-1 (96%; 0,35 µg mL-1) comparada com HSV-1 (90%; 27 µg mL-1) e HSV-2 (99,9%; 0,9 µg mL-1), cujos índices de seletividade foram > 714; > 9,2 e > 278, respectivamente, enquanto, demonstrou-se ineficaz sobre HMPV, AdV e linhagem de célula C6/36. Foi requerida concentração 20,8 vezes maior de Cc-PS1 que heparina para abolir GT intrinsicamente, mas em concentrações diferentes da anti-HSV-1. Portanto, ensaio de GT fornece dados para estudos direcionados sobre efeitos anticoagulante/antiviral de Cc-PS1.

Physical factors contributing to the benthic dominance of the alga Caulerpa sertularioides (Caulerpaceae, Chlorophyta) in the upwelling Bahía Culebra, north Pacific of Costa Rica / Factores físicos que contribuyen a la dominancia bentónica del alga Caulerpa sertularioides (Caulerpaceae, Chlorophyta) en la surgencia Bahía Culebra, Pacífico norte de Costa Rica

Caulerpa sertularioides has been spreading in Bahía Culebra, a seasonal upwelling bay in the north Pacific of Costa Rica, since 2001. The survey was carried out from December 2003 to March 2005, in several locations around Bahía Culebra, located inside the Gulf of Papagayo. This study investigated spatial and temporal patterns, percent coverage, monthly growth rate, reproductive adaptations, and morphological variations of frond length and stolon diameter of Caulerpa sertularioides, at different environmental physical and chemical factors at the bay. The alga extended to depths of 23 m on a variety of substrates. The stolons extended quickly, with a maximum growth rate of 31.2 cm month-1. This alga grows mainly by fragmentation of its fronds and stolons; nevertheless it can also reproduce sexually by releasing gametes in the water column. These two modes of spreading promote the adaptation of this opportunistic species to environmental, chemical, and physical changes at this bay. At the same time the alga showed variations in the length of its fronds and stolons, adapting to conditions such as depth and season. Average percent cover and frond density increased during the dry season when the upwelling of nutrients and cold water occurs. In the rainy season the average percent cover and frond density decreased; however there was a peak in September, when high precipitation resulted in runoff into the bay of nutrient-rich waters. The morphological and physiological plasticity of C. sertularioides, in synergy with its predominant clonal propagation and sexual reproduction provided this species with a great adaptability to changes in temperature and nutrient concentration at Bahía Culebra.

Desde el 2001 se ha observado una propagación del alga verde Caulerpa sertularioides en Bahía Culebra, zona de afloramiento costero, en el Pacífico norte de Costa Rica. El muestreo se llevó acabo entre Diciembre 2003 a marzo 2005, en varias localidades de Bahía Culebra. En este estudio se presentan los patrones de distribución, cobertura, tasa mensual de crecimiento, adaptaciones reproductivas y variaciones morfológicas del largo de la fronda y diámetro del estolón de Caulerpa sertularioides, a diferentes factores ambientales físico-químicos en Bahía Culebra. Esta alga se extiende hasta profundidades de 23 m, en una gran variedad de sustratos. Los estolones se extienden rápidamente, con un crecimiento máximo de 31.2 cm mes-1. Esta alga se propaga principalmente por la fragmentación de sus frondas y estolones, así mismo se reproduce sexualmente liberando gametos a la columna de agua. Estos modos de reproducción promueven la adaptación de esta especie oportunista, a los cambios ambientales, tanto químicos, como físicos, de la bahía. Al mismo tiempo esta alga presenta variaciones en el largo de sus frondas y el diámetro del rizoma, adaptándose a diferentes profundidades y condiciones de la época del año. El porcentaje de cobertura y densidad de frondas aumentan durante la época seca, cuando emergen aguas frías y nutrientes por el afloramiento costero. Por otro lado, en la época lluviosa estas medidas decrecen, sin embargo se presenta un pico en setiembre, cuando la precipitación aumenta y llega una carga extra de nutrientes a la bahía por escorrentía. La plasticidad morfológica y fisiológica de C. sertularioides, en sinergia con su propagación clonal, proveen a esta alga con una gran adaptabilidad a los cambios en temperatura y nutrientes de Bahía Culebra.