Sarcophyton Glaucum Research Articles

Marine sterols. IX. Occurrence 0f 24 ξ-methylcholestane-1 β,3 β,5 α, 6 β,25-pentol 25-monoacetate in the soft coral, [formula omitted

The southern Japan's soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum , was found to contain several polyhydroxylated steroids. One of the minor components was isolated and its structure was established as 24 ξ-methylcholestane-1 β, 3 β,5 α,6 β,25-pentol 25-monoacetate from spectral evidence and from comparison with a reference compound, 5 α-spirostan-1 β,3 β,5 α,6 β-tetrol, which was synthesized from ruscogenin. A mixture of 1β,3β,5α,6β-tetra hydroxy C 27- and C 28-sterols was also isolated.

Marine terpenes and terpenoids. I. Structures of four cembrane-type diterpenes; sarcophytol-A, sarcophytol-A acetate sarcophytol-B, and sarcophytonin-A, from the soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum.

The lipid extract of the soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum, was found to contain significant amounts of cembrane-type diterpenes. The structures of four major components, sarcophytol-A, sarcophytol-A acetate, sarcophytol-B, and sarcophytonin-A were characterized on the basis of spectral data and degradative studies by ozonolysis. Sarcophine and 16-deoxosarcophine, which were reported to be abundant in S. glaucum collected in the Red Sea, were not found yet.

Isolation of 23-methylcholesta-5,22-dien-3.BETA.-ol from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum.

A new marine C28 sterol was isolated from the soft coral, Sarcophyton glaucum, and its structure was proposed as (22E)-23-methylcholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol on spectral evidences, especially by the comparison of its 13C-NMR chemical shifts with those of 23, 24-dimethylcholesta-5, 22-dien-3β-ol, which is present in the same soft coral.

Chemical Studies of Marine Invertebrates. XXXV(1). Sarcoglaucol, a Novel Cembrane Diterpene from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton Glaucum (Coelenterata, Octocorallia)(2)

AbstractSarcoglaucol (1), a novel, ichtyotoxic cembrane diterpene has been isolated from the alcyonarian Sarcophyton glaucum. Its structure and relative configuration were determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis.

Space partitioning by stony corals soft corals and benthic algae on the coral reefs of the northern Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea)

The major faunistic and floristic components occupying space on the coral reefs of the northern Gulf of Eilat (Red Sea) are stony corals, soft corals and benthic algae. The percent living coverage of the three components and the relative abundance of the different species of each component were studied by line transects, on the reef flats and the upper forereef zones of nine localities. A wider and higher range of living coverage values of stony corals were recorded at the upper fore-reef zones (18.30–49.09%) compared with the reef flats (5.50–31.66%) at the different stations. The most abundant stony corals on the reef flats areCyphastrea microphthalma, Stylophora pistillata, Favia favus, Porites lutea, Platygyra lamellina and the hydrozoanMillepora dichotoma. The fire coralM. dichotoma dominates the upper fore-reef zone in most of the stations. The average percent living coverage of soft corals on the reef flats ranged between 0.20 and 17.06%, and on the upper fore-reef zones between 1.68 and 15.13%. Seventy percent of the total living coverage of the soft coral community is contributed by 2 to 3 species. They tend to form large monospecific “carpets”, such as those composed ofSinularia sp.,Sarcophyton glaucum andLobophytum pauciflorum. The common benthic algae on the coral reef studied occur as turfs or macroscopic noncalcareous algae. They play a significant role in occupying space, especially on the reef flats. The most abundant algae recorded in all localities are the turfsSphacelaria tribuloides, Jania sp. and the macroscopic non-calcareous algaeTurbinaria elatensis andColpomenia sinuosa. Comparison between reef flats and upper fore-reef zones, in terms of average living cover of stony corals, shows that the variation among the reef flats is grater than the variation among the upper fore-reef zones. However, there is no significant variation in the average living coverage of soft corals between these two zones. Annual living-coverage values of algae on the reef flats are significantly higher than those of the upper fore-reef zones. Extremely low tides occurring periodically but unpredictably at Eilat cause mass mortality of the benthic communities on the reef flats reopening new spaces for settlement. The coexistence of stony corals, soft corals and algae on the reef ecosystem is due to different biological properties of each component. Opportunistic life histories of certain stony corals and most algae enable quick colonization of newly opened spaces. Lack of predators, high tolerance against abiotic factors and ability to form large aggregates of colonies are suggested as possible factors supporting the existence of soft corals in shallow water. Biological factors such as competition, predation and grazing pressure play an increasingly important role in controlling space utilization by the components studied with the advancement of succession.

Inhibition of phosphofructokinase by the toxic cembranolide sarcophine isolated from the soft-bodied coral Sarcophyton glaucum

Sarcophine, a toxic cembranolide extracted from Sarcophyton glaucum, is known to have toxic effects on fishes, mice and rats, and also reacts with cysteine. Evidence is herewith presented to show that sarcophine inhibits the enzyme phosphofructokinase (ATP: d fructose 6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.11) purified from rabbit skeletal muscle. Linear uncompetitive inhibition of the enzyme is indicated due to the reaction of the sarcophine with thiol groups of the enzyme. Sarcophine is shown to be a reversible inhibitor, and a model of the reaction course is offered.

Sarcophine—a new toxin from the soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum (Alcyonaria)

The soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum is avoided by predators and has a toxic effect on fish. From the hexane extract of the dried coral a new diterpene was isolated. This compound was given the name sarcophine. Mass spectra and elemental analysis gave its formula as C 30H 25O 3. The functional groups of sarcophine are: (a) αβ-unsaturated lactone, (b) epoxide, (c) two additional double bonds. Thiol addition to the αβ-unsaturated lactone was investigated. Sarcophine seems to be the main toxic substance of Sarcophyton glaucum. Lethality tests, using Gambusia affinis showed that the ld 50 of the toxin after 3 hr is 3 mg per liter. Sarcophine was toxic to mice, rats and guinea pigs and showed strong anti-acetylcholine action on the isolated guinea pig ilcum. Sarcophine was also a competitive inhibitor of cholinesterase in vitro.