Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Aoyu Li, Huahua Yu, Rongfeng Li, Yang Yue, Chunlin Yu, Hao Geng, Song Liu, Ronge Xing, Pengcheng Li
Summary: The study demonstrates the myotoxicity of Nemopilema nomurai nematocyst venom for the first time, showing significant muscle swelling, increased CK and LDH in serum, muscle tissue inflammation, and tissue damage. Metalloproteinase inhibitors BMT and EDTA significantly reduce the myotoxicity, inflammatory stimulation, and tissue necrosis induced by NnNV.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Ainara Ballesteros, Carles Trullas, Eric Jourdan, Josep-Maria Gili
Summary: This study aimed to find active ingredients to reduce the symptoms of Pelagia noctiluca stings. Through testing the effects of 31 substances and formulations, it was found that butylene glycol and certain medication formulations were able to inhibit nematocyst discharge. These findings provide a basis for developing preventive products for jellyfish stings and clarifying first-aid protocols.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Abdul Riyas, Aneesh Kumar, Mahesh Chandran, Abdul Jaleel, Appukuttannair Biju Kumar
Summary: The study characterized the proteome of jellyfish venom from three bloom-forming scyphozoan jellyfish along the south-west coast of India, identifying various toxins and unique proteins. Different types of chemical defence armoury were found in the venom of these jellyfish, with Cyanea nozakii containing a protective antioxidant enzyme in abundance. Proteomic data from this study has been made publicly available.
Article
Fisheries
S. Amreen Nisa, K. Govindaraju, R. Vasantharaja, M. Kannan, K. Raja
Summary: The study investigates the production of gold nanoparticles using jellyfish venom and their effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. The nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques and were found to have spherical and triangular shapes with different sizes. The results of the MTT assay showed that the venom-mediated nanoparticles significantly reduced the proliferation of MCF-7 cells compared to normal cells.
AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Amreen Nisa, R. Vasantharaja, S. Supriya, D. Inbakandan, G. Dharani, K. Govindaraju
Summary: Plastic pollution is a major global problem that poses a serious threat to coastal and marine ecosystems. The accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment due to human activities leads to disruptions in the functioning of the ecosystem. This study investigated the degradation ability of nematocyst protein extracted from lyophilized nematocyst samples using three different mediums. The results suggest that jellyfish nematocyst protein can biodeteriorate polyethylene without the need for external physicochemical processes, providing evidence for further research.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Biology
Hemavathi Maduraiveeran, Kavitha Raja, Arulvasu Chinnasamy
Summary: The study found that crude venom from nematocyst of A. flagellatus has anti-cancer and antioxidant properties, inhibiting lung and liver cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 60 μg/ml and 40 μg/ml, respectively, while showing no cytotoxic effects on the Vero cell line.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
S. Amreen Nisa, K. Govindaraju, R. Vasantharaja, M. Kannan, D. Karthickeyan
Summary: The study synthesized gold nanoparticles using jellyfish nematocyst venom protein extracted from PBS and DDW. The two different nanoparticles exhibited spherical morphology with sizes ranging from 31 nm to 27 nm respectively. The toxicity of the nanoparticles was analyzed using HEK293 cells through the MTT assay. Moreover, the anti-cancer activity of the venom protein, PBS/DDW-extracted venom protein-mediated synthesized gold nanoparticles, and standard drug 5-Fluorouracil was evaluated using MCF-7 cancer cells.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ainara Ballesteros, Macarena Marambio, Veronica Fuentes, Mridvika Narda, Andreu Santin, Josep-Maria Gili
Summary: Jellyfish species in Mediterranean coastal waters are not lethal but can cause severe pain and health risks due to their stings. There is currently no consensus among scientists on the most appropriate first-aid protocol for jellyfish stings. Research shows that the use of vinegar as a rinse solution may have varying effects on different jellyfish species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan W. Lawley, Anthony R. Carroll, Carmel McDougall
Summary: The study investigated a new pigment family in cnidarians, called rhizostomins. Eight proteins with specific structural domains were identified as potential precursors of this new pigment. These proteins may produce pigments of different colors in various jellyfish species, as well as perform other biochemical and biophysical roles. Future research could explore the function of rhizostomins and potential biotechnological applications for these proteins.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hye-Jin Eom, Nayoung Lee, Seungshic Yum, Jae-Sung Rhee
Summary: This study found that prolonged exposure to microplastics had negative effects on the early stages of jellyfish, leading to a decrease in asexual reproduction, but did not trigger nematocyst discharge.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aoyu Li, Yang Yue, Rongfeng Li, Chunlin Yu, Xueqin Wang, Song Liu, Ronge Xing, Pengcheng Li, Quanbin Zhang, Huahua Yu
Summary: This study investigated the biological activity of fucoidan for the treatment of jellyfish dermatitis. The results showed that fucoidan attenuated the inflammatory effects of jellyfish venom and downregulated the MAPK and NF-kappa B pathways. Fucoidan also inhibited the activity of metalloproteinases and phospholipase A2 in the jellyfish venom, reducing the symptoms of jellyfish dermatitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ainara Ballesteros, Carina Ostman, Andreu Santin, Macarena Marambio, Mridvika Narda, Josep-Maria Gili
Summary: This study provides a detailed description of the early stages of the most important jellyfish, Pelagia noctiluca, in the Mediterranean Sea, identifying four stages and providing the first description of cnidome characteristics, which helps in accurate species identification and raises awareness of human envenomation risks.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
S. Amreen Nisa, D. Vinu, P. Krupakar, K. Govindaraju, D. Sharma, Rahul Vivek
Summary: Recent research on marine invertebrates has shown that jellyfish venoms are rich in toxins used for hunting and defense, but can also have harmful effects on humans. The nematocyst, a complex intracellular system found in cnidarians, injects a venomous mixture into prey or predators. These venoms can induce cytotoxicity, ion channel blockade, membrane pore formation, cardiovascular failure, and lethal effects in laboratory animals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Fanghan Wang, Agustin Schiariti, Shengnan Xu, Yuanqing Ma, Tingting Sun, Lei Wang, Jianmin Zhao, Zhijun Dong
Summary: The genus Aurelia contributes significantly to jellyfish blooms due to adaptive reproduction strategies. Different lineages of Aurelia have adapted their reproduction modes according to varying environmental conditions. The effects of temperature and food regimes on reproduction rates were studied in three strains of Aurelia coerulea and two strains of Aurelia solida. Asexual reproduction was affected by these factors, with the United States strain showing the highest reproduction rate and the Israel strain showing the lowest rate. Different reproductive modes were observed, with lateral budding being the main mode for most strains. The ability to switch reproductive strategies based on environmental cues contributes to the frequent blooming events of Aurelia.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Benjamin Americus, Nicole Hams, Anna M. L. Klompen, Gema Alama-Bermejo, Tamar Lotan, Jerri L. Bartholomew, Stephen D. Atkinson
Summary: Cnidarians are ancient venomous organisms that use nematocysts for prey capture or defense. Myxozoans, a group of parasitic cnidarians, have reduced diversity in venom-like compounds (VLCs) compared to free-living cnidarians. VLCs play a role in host adhesion and invasion, with some inherited from a cnidarian ancestor and others potentially gained through convergent evolution. Understanding the function and expression of VLCs during infection enriches the concept of venom function and provides potential targets for therapeutic development against myxozoan infections.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Edgar Gamero-Mora, Allen G. Collins, Sheldon Rey Boco, Serafin Mendez Geson, Andre C. Morandini, Nerida Wilson
Summary: This study analyzes Cassiopea medusae specimens from the Western Pacific and identifies two distinct species based on morphological and molecular evidence. It also provides new insights into the systematics of Cassiopea and highlights the underestimation of species richness in the Western Pacific region.
INVERTEBRATE SYSTEMATICS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Food Science & Technology
Ana M. Moura-da-Silva
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pedro G. Nachtigall, Luciana A. Freitas-de-Sousa, Andrew J. Mason, Ana M. Moura-da-Silva, Felipe G. Grazziotin, Inacio L. M. Junqueira-de-Azevedo
Summary: Comparative analysis of venom compositions in B. cotiara and B. fonsecai revealed distinct regulatory mechanisms and expression profiles of toxin isoforms, suggesting that gene regulation plays a key role in venom evolution among species with conserved ecotypes.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Amanda Ferreira Cunha, David Carmelet-Rescan, Antonio Carlos Marques, Mary Morgan-Richards
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between genetic, morphological, and environmental variability within three benthic marine hydroid species. The results showed contrasting patterns of genetic and phenotypic divergence, suggesting the existence of cryptic speciation and plasticity in different species.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Rafaela Indalecio Moreno, Vanessa O. Zambelli, Gisele Picolo, Yara Cury, Andre C. Morandini, Antonio Carlos Marques, Juliana Mozer Sciani
Summary: Neuroinflammation, a condition associated with dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, can be caused by an inflammatory response to amyloid peptides. This study identified new caspase-1 and cathepsin B inhibitors from Brazilian marine invertebrates. The extract of the box jellyfish Chiropsalmus quadrumanus was found to inhibit caspase-1, and trigonelline was identified as the active molecule. Additionally, betaine from Exaiptasia diaphana was shown to inhibit cathepsin B. These new prototypes may provide potential targets for enzyme inhibition and control of neuroinflammation.
Article
Ecology
Marina Oliveira Fernandez, Adrian Jaimes-Becerra, Antonio Carlos Marques
Summary: The aim of this study was to test trait-environment relationships in hydroids across large spatial and environmental gradients and to evaluate associations between traits, environmental variables, space, and phylogeny. The results showed significant correlations between hydroid traits and environmental variables as well as geographical space, and a correlation between hydroid phylogeny and the environment and geographical space. Multiple environmental variables combined affect the distribution of hydroid traits, which are also influenced by spatial and historical factors. This study provides an overview of how hydroids are distributed across environments according to their traits and reveals the spatial and phylogenetic components of these trait-environment relationships.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Matheus A. de Macedo, Edmar R. Oliveira-Filho, Marilda K. Taciro, Rosane Aparecida M. Piccoli, Jose Gregorio C. Gomez, Luiziana F. Silva
Summary: This article reviews the production and application of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), focusing on the extensively studied copolymer P(3HB-co-4HB). It discusses bacterial cell factories and the economic aspects of P(3HB-co-4HB) production, and reviews the advantages and disadvantages of different bacterial platforms. The article highlights the importance of improving the conversion rate of GBL to 4HB and developing new pathways and strains for future studies.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Paleontology
Consuelo Sendino, Brett Clark, Andre C. Morandini, Tobias Salge, Miranda Lowe, Willian Rushlau
Summary: Well-preserved conulariids from Texas and Oklahoma in the USA were studied using mu CT, revealing longitudinal muscle bundles and a potential gastric cavity. These structures are evident in various specimens and their preservation varies. The longitudinal bundles form V-shaped pairs, fuse apically or medially, and run parallel to the apex along the theca/exoskeleton. This discovery contributes to understanding the evolutionary history of metazoans.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guilherme M. von Montfort, John H. Costello, Sean P. Colin, Andre C. Morandini, Alvaro E. Migotto, Maximiliano M. Maronna, Marcelo Reginato, Hiroshi Miyake, Renato M. Nagata
Summary: Research has found that Ephyrae, the early stages of scyphozoan jellyfish, have conserved morphology among species but undergo morphological changes during development. These changes have significant implications for swimming biomechanics, bioenergetics, and ecology. High-speed imaging analysis of swimming in 17 species of Scyphozoa at different developmental stages revealed differences in swimming kinematics among different lineages, with Rhizostomeae medusae having more prolate bells and higher swimming performances compared to Semaeostomeae medusae.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Celine S. S. Lopes, Fabrizio Scarabino, Alvar Carranza, Ricardo Gonzalez Munoz, Andre C. Morandini, Renato Mitsuo Nagata, Sergio Nascimento Stampar
Summary: This study describes a new species of the genus Arachnanthus and its life cycle, based on specimens from Uruguay and South of Brazil. Results show that Arachnanthus errans sp. nov. has a free-swimming, short-lived larva that spends short-time on the plankton. The adult polyp displays a previously unreported locomotion behavior, it can crawl under and in between the sediment.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jimena Garcia-Rodriguez, Cheryl Lewis Ames, Adrian Jaimes-Becerra, Gisele Rodrigues Tiseo, Andre Carrara Morandini, Amanda Ferreira Cunha, Antonio Carlos Marques
Summary: Ten female Chiropsalmus quadrumanus individuals collected in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) were analyzed to investigate the reproductive behavior of this species. It was found that C. quadrumanus is capable of external fertilization and exhibits multiple reproductive cycles. The sexual maturation process in C. quadrumanus females is rapid, as even small individuals possess mature oocytes.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Mohamed Nejib Daly Yahia, Pedro Range, Bruno Welter Giraldes, Andre C. Morandini
Summary: This study focuses on the monitoring and sampling of jellyfish in the seawaters of eastern Qatar. It presents the first records of jellyfish species in the Qatar pelagic ecosystem, including the semaeostome Chrysaora cf. caliparea and the rhizostomes Marivagia stellata and Catostylus perezi. The study conducted jellyfish monitoring, underwater photography, and sample collection along the eastern coast of Qatar. The findings provide a systematic description, general distribution, and sting risk assessment for the three species. The discussion highlights the blooming capabilities of Chrysaora cf. caliparea and Catostylus perezi, while Marivagia stellata appears to be scarcer.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Felipe M. S. Dias, Raoni K. Pantoja, Jose Gregorio C. Gomez, Luiziana F. Silva
Summary: Gallic acid, a powerful antioxidant, can be obtained from plant tannins through acidic hydrolysis. The use of tannases or tannase-producing microorganisms provides a greener alternative, but high costs remain a barrier. This study explores the metabolic capabilities of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and engineered it to produce gallic acid from cheap and renewable carbon sources.
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Antonio C. Marques, Alvaro E. Migotto, Marcelo Kitahara, Gustavo Muniz Dias, Tania Marcia Costa, Mariana C. Oliveira
Summary: This study surveys and analyzes 300 projects on marine biodiversity funded by FAPESP from 1972 to 2021, finding a gradual increase in project numbers and a expanding geographical range. The majority of projects focus on coastal benthic organisms. The top five research topics include taxonomy, phylogeny, community, "omics", and pollution.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammadhossein Movassaghghazani, Nazanin Shabansalmani
Summary: The study revealed high levels of AFM1 in both breast milk and powdered milk samples in Tehran, with some samples exceeding the established limits. Therefore, monitoring and regulating toxin levels in these products is crucial for maternal and infant health.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Defeng Wen, Wantong Han, Quan Chen, Guanhui Qi, Mengling Gao, Pu Guo, Yu Liu, Zhongyuan Wu, Shulin Fu, Qirong Lu, Yinsheng Qiu
Summary: Luteolin can inhibit FB1-induced intestinal inflammatory injury by inhibiting the activation of NF-kappa B and ERK signaling pathways, according to network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.