Pacific Starfish Research Articles

Occurrence of the Indo-West Pacific starfish Luidia magnifica (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Mexican Pacific and a possible introduction to the Caribbean region

Occurrence of the Indo-West Pacific starfish Luidia magnifica (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the Mexican Pacific and a possible introduction to the Caribbean region

Glycosaminoglycans from the Starfish Lethasterias fusca: Structures and Influence on Hematopoiesis.

Crude anionic polysaccharides extracted from the Pacific starfish Lethasterias fusca were purified by anion-exchange chromatography. The main fraction LF, having MW 14.5 kDa and dispersity 1.28 (data of gel-permeation chromatography), was solvolytically desulfated and giving rise to preparation LF-deS with a structure of dermatan core [→3)-β-d-GalNAc-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA-(1→]n, which was identified according to NMR spectroscopy data. Analysis of the NMR spectra of the parent fraction LF led to identification of the main component as dermatan sulfate LF-Derm →3)-β-d-GalNAc4R-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA2R3S-(1→ (where R was SO3 or H), bearing sulfate groups at O-3 or both at O-2 and O-3 of α-l-iduronic acid, as well as at O-4 of some N-acetyl-d-galactosamine residues. The minor signals in NMR spectra of LF were assigned as resonances of heparinoid LF-Hep composed of the fragments →4)-α-d-GlcNS3S6S-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA2S3S-(1→. The 3-O-sulfated and 2,3-di-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues are very unusual for natural glycosaminoglycans, and further studies are needed to elucidate their possible specific influence on the biological activity of the corresponding polysaccharides. To confirm the presence of these units in LF-Derm and LF-Hep, a series of variously sulfated model 3-aminopropyl iduronosides were synthesized and their NMR spectra were compared with those of the polysaccharides. Preparations LF and LF-deS were studied as stimulators of hematopoiesis in vitro. Surprisingly, it was found that both preparations were active in these tests, and hence, the high level of sulfation is not necessary for hematopoiesis stimulation in this particular case.

Total Synthesis of Starfish Cyclic Steroid Glycosides. Part 3, Formal Total Synthesis of Luzonicosides A and D

Comprehensive SummaryLuzonicosides A (1) and D (2) are the major saponins isolated from pacific starfish Echinaster Luzonicus, featuring a sterically congested 16‐membered ring which is formed by bridging the C3 and C6 of a 3β,6β‐dihydroxy‐Δ7‐ene steroid with a 1,2‐trans‐linked linear trisaccharide via glycosidic and ether bonds, respectively. Here, we describe a formal total synthesis of starfish cyclic steroid glycosides 1 and 2. The synthetic route is highly modular and versatile, involving construction of the 16‐membered macrocycles via Au(I)‐catalyzed intramolecular glycosylation, highly efficient installation of unsaturated sugar moieties with ortho‐hexynylbenzoates, elaboration of glucuronic acid unit via post‐oxidation, and a de novo synthesis of the ether‐linked pyranose unit.

Oversulfated dermatan sulfate and heparinoid in the starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta: Structures and anticoagulant activity

Crude anionic polysaccharides extracted from the Pacific starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta were separated by anion-exchange chromatography into fractions LA-F1 and LA-F2. The main fraction LA-F1 was solvolytically desulfated giving rise to preparation LA-F1-DS with a structure of dermatan core [→3)-β-d-GalNAc-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA-(1→]n. Reduction of LA-F1 afforded preparation LA-F1-RED composed mainly of the repeating disaccharide units →3)-β-d-GalNAc4R-(1→4)-α-l-Ido2S3S-(1→, where R was SO3– or H. Analysis of the NMR spectra of the parent fraction LA-F1 led to determine the main component as the oversulfated dermatan sulfate LA-Derm bearing sulfate groups at O-2 and O-3 of α-l-iduronic acid, as well as at O-4 of some N-acetyl-d-galactosamine residues. The minor fraction LA-F2 contained a mixture of LA-Derm and heparinoid LA-Hep, the latter being composed of the fragments →4)-α-d-GlcNS3S6S-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA2S3S-(1→ and →4)-α-d-GlcNS3S-(1→4)-α-l-IdoA2S3S-(1→. The presence of 2,3-di-O-sulfated iduronic acid residues is very unusual both for natural dermatan sulfate and heparinoid. Preparations LA-F1, LA-F2 and LA-F1-RED demonstrated significant anticoagulant effect in vitro.

Purification and characterization of a lectin from the starfish Asterias amurensis

In this study, we describe a novel lectin (designated AMUL) from the Northern Pacific starfish Asterias amurensis. AMUL was purified from the coelomic fluid by affinity chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography. The native molecular mass of the lectin was found to be approximately 270 kDa by size-exclusion chromatography using a Superdex 200 column. AMUL showed distinct bands at approximately 14 or 18 kDa on SDS-PAGE under nonreducing or reducing conditions, respectively. The hemagglutination activity of AMUL against rabbit erythrocytes was strongly inhibited by the two sialic acids N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-glycolylneuraminic acid. The glycoproteins tested showed no inhibition of hemagglutination. The first 28 amino acid residues of AMUL were determined by automated Edman degradation, showing that AMUL has considerable sequence homology with C-type lectins from other echinoderms. These results show that AMUL is a novel echinoderm-derived sialic-acid-specific lectin that belongs to the C-type lectin superfamily.

Steroid compounds from pacific starfish Mithrodia clavigera and their toxicity to human melanoma cells

The new sulfated polyhydroxysteroid has been isolated from the Pacific starfish Mithrodia clavigera, collected from Maldives Islands and named as mitrotriol (I, Na-salt of (20S)-3beta,6alpha,20-trihydroxy-5alpha-cholest-9(11)-ene 3-O-sulfate). In addition six previously known compounds, including glycosides: echinasteroside B, granulatoside A, linckoside K, forbeside L and thornasterol sulfate A and cholesterol sulfate were isolated and identified. The structure of mitrotriol was elucidated by spectroscopic methods (mainly 2D NMR: 1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY-45, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC) and mass-spectrometry. For selected compounds, concentrations that showed cytotoxic activity against melanoma cells SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-5 and RPMI-7951 were determined.

ChemInform Abstract: Evasteriosides A (I) and B (II) and Other Sulfated Steroids from the Pacific Starfish Evasterias retifera.

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Bioactive Steroidal Sulfates from the Ambulakrums of the Pacific Starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta

Lysaketotriol (1) and lysaketodiol (2), along with two previously known polyhydroxylated steroidal sulfates (3, 4), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of ambulakrums separated from the arms of the starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta (Sea of Japan). The chemical structures have been elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY-45, HSQC and HMBC) and mass spectrometry. Compound 1 produced moderate stimulation of lysosomal activity in mouse splenocytes and compounds 1-2 showed immunomodulatory activity.

Steroid compounds from two pacific starfish of the genus Evasterias

Three new steroid glycosides (evasteriosides C, D, and E), along with six known compounds, were isolated from two Pacific starfish of the genus Evasterias. Evasterioside C from E. retifera collected from the Sea of Japan was identified as (20R,22E)-3-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-24-nor-5alpha-cholest-22-ene-3beta,6beta,8,15alpha,26-pentaol 26-sulfate sodium salt. The structures of evasterioside D and E from E. echinosoma (collected from the Gulf of Shelichov, the Sea of Okhotsk) were established as (20R,24S)-24-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-5alpha-cholestane-3beta,6alpha,8,15beta,24-pentaol and (20R,24S)-3,24-di-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl)-cholest-4-ene-3beta,6beta,8,15alpha,24-pentaol, respectively. In addition, the known compounds pycnopodiosides A and C, luridoside A, 5alpha-cholestane-3beta,6alpha,8,15beta,16beta,26-hexaol, 5alpha-cholestane-3beta,6alpha,8,15beta,24-pentaol 24-sulfate sodium salt, and marthasterone sulfate sodium salt were identified in E. echinosoma. The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic analyses using 1D and 2D NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and some chemical transformations.

Evasteriosides A and B and other sulfated steroids from the Pacific starfish Evasterias retifera

Two new polar steroidal glycosides identified as sodium (20R,22E,24R,25S)-3-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-24-methyl-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6β,8,15α,26-pentol 26-sulfate (evasterioside A) and sodium (20R,22E)-24-O-(β-d-xylopyranosyl)-5α-cholest-22-ene-3β,6β,8,15α,24-pentol 3-sulfate (evasterioside B) were isolated from the Pacific starfish Evasterias retifera collected in the Sea of Japan. Five known compounds, viz., coscinasterioside B, aphelasterioside A, marthasterone 3-sulfate and (20R)-cholest-7-en-3β-ol and cholesterol sulfates, were identified. The structures of the new natural compounds were established using their 2D NMR and mass spectra and some chemical transformations.

A Ceramide and Cerebroside from the Starfish Asterias amurensis Lütken and Their Plant-Growth Promotion Activities

The new phytosphingosine-type ceramide asteriaceramide A (1) and glucocerebroside asteriacerebroside G (2), together with two known cerebrosides, asteriacerebrosides A and B, were isolated from lipophilic fractions of the whole bodies of the Northern Pacific starfish Asterias amurensis Lütken. The water-soluble fraction afforded two known asterosaponins, glycoside B(2) and asterosaponin-1. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence as (2S,3S,4R,13Z)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoylamino]-13-docosene-1,3,4-triol (1) and 1-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3R,4E,13Z)-2-[(2'R)-2-hydroxytetradecanoylamino]-4,13-docosadiene-1,3-diol (2). Compounds 1, 2, and asteriacerebrosides A and B promoted plant growth in sprouts of Brassica campestris.

A novel pyrrole oligoglycoside from the starfish Asterina pectinifera

A novel pyrrole oligoglycoside 3-{O-β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-D-quinovopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-quinovopyranosyl}-2-acetyl-pyrrole, was isolated from the whole bodies of a common Pacific starfish Asterina pectinifera. Its structure was determined by interpretation of its spectral data, including one- and two-dimensional NMR methods.

Phrygiasterol, a Cytotoxic Cyclopropane-Containing Polyhydroxysteroid, and Related Compounds from the Pacific Starfish Hippasteria phrygiana

The new cyclopropane-containing steroid phrygiasterol (1) and steroid glycoside phrygioside B (2), along with previously known borealoside C (2a) and (20R,24S)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,6alpha,8,15alpha,24-pentaol (3), have been isolated from the Pacific starfish Hippasteria phrygiana. On the basis of spectroscopic analyses, using 1D and 2D NMR techniques and some chemical transformations, the structures of 1 and 2 have been established as (20R,24R,25R)-24,26-cyclo-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,6alpha,8,15alpha,16beta,27-hexaol (1) and the sodium salt of (20R,24S)-24-O-(3-O-methyl-4-O-sulfate-beta-d-xylopyranosyl)-5alpha-cholesta-3beta,6alpha,8,15alpha,24-pentaol (2), respectively. Compound 1 inhibited the growth of Ehrlich carcinoma cells with an IC(50) of 50 microg/mL, whereas 2 induced apoptosis of the same cells (EC(50)=70 microg/mL) and inhibited Ca(2+) influx into mouse spleenocytes (EC(50)=20microg/mL).

A novel polyhydroxyl sterol from Asterina pectinifera

A novel polyhydroxyl sterol (1) along with one known polyhydroxyl sterol (2), and two known monoglycosides, asterosaponin P1 (3) and its desulfated monoglycoside (4), have been isolated from the whole bodies of a common Pacific starfish Asterina pectinifera. The structure of the new polyhydroxyl sterol was determined as 15β,16β-isopropylidenedioxy-5α-cholestane-3β,4β,6α,7α,8,26-hexaol by spectroscopic methods, including FABMS, HR-FABMS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

Steroid compounds from the Pacific starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta

Two new steroid compounds, 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholesta-9(11),24-dien-23-one 3-sulfate and 3β,6α-dihydroxy-5α-cholest-9(11)-en-23-one 3-sulfate, were isolated from the Pacific starfish Lysastrosoma anthosticta as the corresponding sodium salts and identified. Two previously known glycosides of 24(S)-5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15β,24-pentol were also isolated and identified as sodium 24-O-β-d-glucopyranoside 6"-sulfate (pycnopodioside C) and sodium 24-O-β-d-xylopyranoside 4"-sulfate (luridoside A).

Hyperosmotic properties of the fluids of the perivisceral coelom and water vascular system of starfish kept under stable conditions

1. 1. Osmotic measurements were made on the perivisceral coelomic and water vascular fluids of 4 species of northwest Pacific starfish and their stable sea-water media. 2. 2. Mean levels of both fluids were hyperosmotic in every species, often at statistically significant levels. 3. 3. For all species combined, mean hyperosmolality (mosmol/kg ± SE) of perivisceral coelomic fluid was 1.49 ± 0.17, and water vascular fluid 6.07 ± 0.74. 4. 4. The hyperosmotic nature of these fluids contributes to water balance, working in conjunction with madreporitic inflow and other factors.

A novel group of highly hydroxylated steroids from the starfish Protoreaster nodosus

Thre novel polyhydroxylated sterols, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,8,15α,16β,26-hexol, 5α-cholestane-3β,6α,7α,8,15α,16β,26-heptol and 5α-cholestane-3β,4β,6α,7α,8,15α,16β,26-octol, have been isolated from the Pacific Starfish Protoreaster nodosus and their structures have been established through extensive 1H NMR and 13C NMR studies, chemical transformations and related spectroscopic data.

DNA sequence organization in the common Pacific starfish Pisaster ochraceous.

The sequence arrangement of the genomic DNA from the common sea star Pisaster ochraceous has been examined. Reassociation kinetics at DNA fragment lengths of 300 base pairs (bp) indicate the presence of at least three repetitive components in this DNA. The majority of these repetitive sequences are reiterated over the range from 10 to 100's. Approximately one-third of the nucleotides are found in repetitive sequences. Analysis of the reassociation kinetics of 3000-bp DNA fragments demonstrates the interspersion of repetitive and unique DNA sequences. The hyperchromicity of 3000-bp fragments reassociated to low Cot values (the product of moles of nucleotide per litre and time in seconds), and the size distribution of S1 nuclease resistant DNA duplex in these reassociation products, indicate a short-period interspersion pattern in the starfish genome. Repetitive segments (400 +/- 100 bp) are interspersed with longer unique DNA sequences. At a fragment length of 3000 bp the major fraction of the single-copy DNA is found in such an arrangement. In addition to short repetitive segments a substantial portion of the repetitive DNA nucleotides are found in segments excluded by Sepharose CL-2B (greater than or equal to 2000 bp). As much as one-quarter of the repetitive sequence nucleotides can be assigned to long segments.

The Effects of Exposure to Air on Pacific Starfish and Its Relationship to Distribution

Previous articleNext article No AccessThe Effects of Exposure to Air on Pacific Starfish and Its Relationship to DistributionDonald E. LandenbergerDonald E. Landenberger Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Volume 42, Number 2Apr., 1969 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/physzool.42.2.30158474 Views: 2Total views on this site Citations: 6Citations are reported from Crossref Journal History This article was published in Physiological Zoology (1928-1998), which is continued by Physiological and Biochemical Zoology (1999-present). Copyright 1969 University of ChicagoPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Cristián J. Monaco, David S. Wethey, Brian Helmuth Thermal sensitivity and the role of behavior in driving an intertidal predator–prey interaction, Ecological Monographs 86, no.44 (Oct 2016): 429–447.https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1230CJ Monaco, DS Wethey, S Gulledge, B Helmuth Shore-level size gradients and thermal refuge use in the predatory sea star Pisaster ochraceus: the role of environmental stressors, Marine Ecology Progress Series 539 (Nov 2015): 191–205.https://doi.org/10.3354/meps11475S. Pincebourde, E. Sanford, B. Helmuth Survival and arm abscission are linked to regional heterothermy in an intertidal sea star, Journal of Experimental Biology 216, no.1212 (May 2013): 2183–2191.https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.083881Lea-Anne Henry Intertidal zonation and seasonality of the marine hydroid Dynamena pumila (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa), Canadian Journal of Zoology 80, no.99 (Sep 2002): 1526–1536.https://doi.org/10.1139/z02-146H. D. Van Veldhuizen, V. J. Oakes Behavioral responses of seven species of asteroids to the asteroid predator, Solaster dawsoni (responses of asteroids to the predator Solaster dawsoni), Oecologia 48, no.22 (Mar 1981): 214–220.https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00347967 ADDENDUM, (Jan 1972): 241–255.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-016991-0.50020-9

Studies on Selective Feeding in the Pacific Starfish Pisaster in Southern California

The asteriid starfish Pisaster giganteus and Pisaster ochraceus are important predators of mollusks. Experiments were designed to determine the extent to which predation by starfish on different kinds of prey is selective, and to learn whether selectivity varies according to 1) number and relative density of various alternative prey and 2) past history of feeding of the predators. Seven species of intertidal mollusks were used as prey. When alternatives were presented in equal abundance and in pairs, both species of starfish showed a significant preference for one alternative in all but one pairing. The hierarchy of preferences was well—defined and consistent among replicates. When seven species of prey were presented together in equal abundance, the preferences were of the same patter but were, in general, weaker than those exhibited when prey were presented in pairs. In all experiments, mussels were preferred over other mollusks; the strongest preferences were for Mytilus edulis and Mytilus califonianus over other alternatives. Where mussels (M. californianus) and snails (Tegula funebralis) were presented as alternative prey, changes in their relative densities had little effect on the preference for mussels. When the relative densities of two species of snails (T. funebralis and Acanthina spirata, neither preferred when in equal densities) was varied, a slight preference was shown for the more abundant form at one extreme density only. In this experiment individual starfish exposed to the same relative densities of alternative prey differed in the proportions of alternatives they chose. Starfish fed only on snails (T. funebralis) for 3 months showed an increased preference for these snails over chitons (Nuttalina californica) as well as a reduced preference for mussels; the latter preference reappeared strongly after only 1 week of exposure to both prey. The hypothesis that predators induce stability in prey populations is discussed. The experimental results indicate the importance of preferential feeding to this question. Models of selective feeding based on short—term changes in hunger and situation may be inappropriate when applied to cold—blooded predators. An alternative interpretation, based on learning and hunting behavior, is given for the changes in selectivity observed in these experiments.