Comparative proteomic study of the venom of the piscivorous cone snail Conus consors.

In the context of an exhaustive study of the piscivorous cone snail Conus consors, we performed an in-depth analysis of the intact molecular masses that can be detected in the animal's venom, using MALDI and ESI mass spectrometry. We clearly demonstrated that, for the venom of this species at least, it is essential to use both techniques in order to obtain the broadest data set of molecular masses. Only 20% of the total number of molecules detected were found in both mass lists. The two data sets were also compared in terms of mass range and relative hydrophobicity of the components detected in each. With a view to an extensive analysis of this venom's proteome, we further performed a comparative study by ESI-MS between venom obtained after classical dissection of the venom duct versus venom obtained by milking live animals. Surprisingly, although many fewer components were found in the milked venom than in the dissected venom, approximately 50% of those found had not been seen in the dissected venom. Several questions raised by these observations are discussed. With regards to the current knowledge of the cone snail venom composition, our results emphasize the complementary nature of the mass spectrometry methods and of the two techniques used in venom collection.

Sulfated steroids: ptilosteroids A-C and ptilosaponosides A and B from the Solomon Islands marine sponge Ptilocaulis spiculifer.

Three new pregnanes, ptilosteroid A (1), ptilosteroid B (2), and ptilosteroid C (3), and two new pregnane glycosides, ptilosaponoside A (4) and ptilosaponoside B (5), were isolated from the marine sponge Ptilocaulis spiculifer collected in the Solomon Islands. The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Biological tests of these compounds showed that they are not cytotoxic against KB cells.

Agelasines J, K, and L from the Solomon Islands Marine Sponge Agelas cf. mauritiana.

Three new diterpene alkaloids, agelasine J (3), agelasine K (4), and agelasine L (5), were isolated from the marine sponge Agelas cf. mauritiana collected in the Solomon Islands. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by physical data analyses. They displayed in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum.

New 1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidinium alkaloids (phloeodictynes) from the New Caledonian shallow-water haplosclerid sponge Oceanapia fistulosa. Structural elucidation from mainly LC-tandem-MS-soft-ionization techniques and discovery of antiplasmodial activity.

We report here on new 6-hydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimidinium alkaloids, belonging to the phloeodictyne family, isolated from the haplosclerid sponge Oceanapia[=Phloeodictyon]fistulosa(Bowerbank, 1873) from New Caledonian shallow waters. Online LC-ESI-MS analysis, coupled to tandem fragmentation experiments on the crude alkaloid mixture, allowed us to clarify their flat structures, including structural isomers. At least 25 different components, of which 17 are new members with variable terminus and length chains, were characterised, besides less abundant analogues bearing a thioethylguanidine side chain. Crude mixtures and HPLC enriched fractions proved active against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum, with IC(50) values ranging from 0.6 to 6 microM, while cytotoxicity against human A-549 cell line was low. This makes these alkaloids a good prospect as leads for novel antimalarial agents.