The isolation of four aminocyclohexenimines (mycosporines) and a structurally related derivative of cyclohexane-1:3-dione (gadusol) from the brine shrimp, Artemia

Abstract

1. 1. Mycosporines, N-substituted amino acid derivatives of 1,5-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxycyclohex-1-en-3-one, were isolated from dormant embryos (cysts) of Artemia. The major component in all strains was mycosporine (-Gly:-Ser). Smaller amounts of other mycosporines containing glycine and threonine, glycine and alaninol as well as glycine and aspartic acid residues were identified in cysts of a strain from Brazil. 2. 2. Free amino acids were released from mycosporines by treatment with either bromine water or an iodine peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.8). 3. 3. The amount of mycosporines in developing cysts decreased while motile nauplii contained only gadusol (1,4,5-trihydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxycyclohex-1-en-3-one).