The marine-derived hyaluronic acid and other natural biopolymers offer exciting possibilities in the field of biomaterials, providing sustainable and biocompatible alternatives to synthetic materials. Their unique properties and abundance in marine sources make them valuable resources for various biomedical and industrial applications. Due to high biocompatible features and participation in biological processes related to tissue healing, hyaluronic acid has become widely used in tissue engineering applications, especially in the wound healing process. The present review enlightens marine hyaluronan biomaterial providing its sources, extraction process, structures, chemical modifications, biological properties, and biocidal applications, especially for wound healing/dressing purposes. Meanwhile, we point out the future development of wound healing/dressing based on hyaluronan and its composites and potential challenges.

• Keywords
• characterization, composites, extraction process, hyaluronan, marine sources, wound healing applications,
• MeSH
• Biocompatible Materials pharmacology   MeSH
• Wound Healing MeSH
• Hyaluronic Acid * pharmacology   MeSH
• Bandages * MeSH
• Tissue Engineering MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biocompatible Materials MeSH
• Hyaluronic Acid * MeSH

Two new species of microsporidia are reported from the Atlantic marine fishes: Pleistophora duodecimae sp. n. from skeletal musculature of the rat-tail, Coryphaenoides nasutus Günther and Glugea capverdensis sp. n. from the intestine, mesentery and ovary of the lantern fish, Myctophum punctatum Rafinesque. Formation of secondary xenomas was observed in the latter species. Both species may inflict serious damage upon their hosts.

• MeSH
• Apicomplexa isolation & purification   MeSH
• Marine Biology MeSH
• Fishes parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Haloalkane dehalogenases degrade halogenated compounds to corresponding alcohols by a hydrolytic mechanism. These enzymes are being intensively investigated as model systems in experimental and in silico studies of enzyme mechanism and evolution, but also hold importance as useful biocatalysts for a number of biotechnological applications. Haloalkane dehalogenases originate from various organisms including bacteria (degraders, symbionts, or pathogens), eukaryotes, and archaea. Several members of this enzyme family have been found in marine organisms. The marine environment represents a good source of enzymes with novel properties, because of its diverse living conditions. A number of novel dehalogenases isolated from marine environments show interesting characteristics such as high activity, unusually broad substrate specificity, stability, or selectivity. In this chapter, the overview of haloalkane dehalogenases from marine organisms is presented and their characteristics are summarized together with an overview of the methods for their identification and biochemical characterization.

• Keywords
• Activity, Biocatalyst, Degradation, Environmental pollutants, Haloalkane dehalogenases, Marine environment, Selectivity, Stability,
• MeSH
• Aldehydes metabolism   MeSH
• Alkanes metabolism   MeSH
• Biocatalysis MeSH
• Biotechnology methods   MeSH
• Enzyme Assays methods   MeSH
• Halogens metabolism   MeSH
• Hydrolases chemistry   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Substrate Specificity MeSH
• Green Chemistry Technology methods   MeSH
• Aquatic Organisms metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Aldehydes MeSH
• Alkanes MeSH
• haloalkane dehalogenase MeSH Browser
• Halogens MeSH
• Hydrolases MeSH

Ciliates are a diverse group of protists known for their ability to establish various partnerships and thrive in a wide variety of oxygen-depleted environments. Most anaerobic ciliates harbor methanogens, one of the few known archaea living intracellularly. These methanogens increase the metabolic efficiency of host fermentation via syntrophic use of host end-product in methanogenesis. Despite the ubiquity of these symbioses in anoxic habitats, patterns of symbiont specificity and fidelity are not well known. We surveyed two unrelated, commonly found groups of anaerobic ciliates, the Plagiopylea and Metopida, isolated from anoxic marine sediments. We sequenced host 18S rRNA and symbiont 16S rRNA marker genes as well as the symbiont internal transcribed spacer region from our cultured ciliates to identify hosts and their associated methanogenic symbionts. We found that marine ciliates from both of these co-occurring, divergent groups harbor closely related yet distinct intracellular archaea within the Methanocorpusculum genus. The symbionts appear to be stable at the host species level, but at higher taxonomic levels, there is evidence that symbiont replacements have occurred. Gaining insight into this unique association will deepen our understanding of the complex transmission modes of marine microbial symbionts, and the mutualistic microbial interactions occurring across domains of life.

• Keywords
• Metopida, Plagiopylea, anaerobic protists, anoxic sediments, archaea, methanogens, symbiosis, syntrophy,
• MeSH
• Anaerobiosis MeSH
• Ciliophora * classification   genetics   physiology   MeSH
• DNA, Archaeal genetics   chemistry   MeSH
• Phylogeny * MeSH
• Geologic Sediments * microbiology   MeSH
• Seawater microbiology   parasitology   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 16S * genetics   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics   MeSH
• Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
• Symbiosis * MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA, Archaeal MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 16S * MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal, 18S MeSH

Antimicrobial peptides are an important component of many organisms' innate immune system, with a good inhibitory or killing effect against the invading pathogens. As a type of biological polypeptide with natural immune activities, antimicrobial peptides have a broad spectrum of antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Nevertheless, these peptides cause no harm to the organisms themselves. Compared with traditional antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides have the advantage of not producing drug resistance and have a unique antibacterial mechanism, which has attracted widespread attention. In this study, marine invertebrates were classified into arthropods, annelids, mollusks, cnidarians, and tunicata. We then analyzed the types, sources and antimicrobial activities of the antimicrobial peptides in each group. We also reviewed the immune mechanism from three aspects: membrane-targeted direct killing effects, non-membrane targeting effects and immunomodulatory effects. Finally, we discussed their applications and the existing problems facing antimicrobial peptides in actual production. The results are expected to provide theoretical support for future research and applications of antimicrobial peptides in marine invertebrates.

• Keywords
• activity, antimicrobial peptides, marine, marine invertebrate, mechanism,
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

Marine pollution has a deleterious impact, both on the conditions of the ecosystem and the biodiversity of the ocean. Researchers in the field of marine chemistry have been putting effort into the creation of efficient catalysts for the purification of seawater. There has been extensive research done on membrane technology for the activation of peroxymonosulfate, which is an extremely effective therapy for saltwater. The sediment of QX03, which was obtained from the western coast of Bohai, is located very close to the modern coastline. The uppermost 15 m of this sector were thoroughly analyzed in sedimentary petrology, grain size, shell, and sediment chroma dating to reconstruct the sedimentary environment and relative sea-level during the time period of 44.80 ka cal BP. This indicates that a sea-retreating and retreating process has taken place; VI (5.2-0 m), Terrestrial deposition, is separated into swamp wetlands (VI-1) and flood plain (VI-2). The changes in sedimentary levels had a fairly strong correlation with the changes in sea level. Within the scope of this study, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the innovative membrane technology for the treatment of seawater by means of aqueous phase advanced oxidation close to the Bohai. The results of this study present a prospective technique that could make it possible to use membrane technology in the process of environmental restoration in marine settings.

• Keywords
• Marine pollution, Sea level, Sedimentary environment,
• MeSH
• Ecosystem * MeSH
• Geologic Sediments * MeSH
• Wetlands MeSH
• Environmental Monitoring MeSH
• Seawater MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor which binds many structurally different molecules. The receptor is able to regulate the expression of a wide array of genes and is involved in cancer and different key physiological processes such as the metabolism of drugs/xenobiotics and endogenous compounds including lipids and carbohydrates, and inflammation. Algae, sponges, sea squirts, and other marine organisms are some of the species from which structurally new molecules have been isolated that have been subsequently identified in recent decades as ligands for PXR. The therapeutic potential of these natural compounds is promising in different areas and has recently resulted in the registration of trabectedin by the FDA as a novel antineoplastic drug. Apart from being potentially novel drugs, these compounds can also serve as models for the development of new molecules with improved activity. The aim of this review is to succinctly summarize the currently known natural molecules isolated from marine organisms with a proven ability to interact with PXR.

• Keywords
• CYP450, PXR, cancer, gene regulation, inflammation, marine origin, natural compound,
• MeSH
• Biological Products chemistry   isolation & purification   pharmacology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Molecular Structure MeSH
• Porifera chemistry   MeSH
• Pregnane X Receptor metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation drug effects   MeSH
• Urochordata chemistry   MeSH
• Aquatic Organisms chemistry   MeSH
• Drug Development * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Biological Products MeSH
• Ligands MeSH
• Pregnane X Receptor MeSH

Diverse microbial ecosystems underpin life in the sea. Among these microbes are many unicellular eukaryotes that span the diversity of the eukaryotic tree of life. However, genetic tractability has been limited to a few species, which do not represent eukaryotic diversity or environmentally relevant taxa. Here, we report on the development of genetic tools in a range of protists primarily from marine environments. We present evidence for foreign DNA delivery and expression in 13 species never before transformed and for advancement of tools for eight other species, as well as potential reasons for why transformation of yet another 17 species tested was not achieved. Our resource in genetic manipulation will provide insights into the ancestral eukaryotic lifeforms, general eukaryote cell biology, protein diversification and the evolution of cellular pathways.

• MeSH
• Biodiversity MeSH
• Models, Biological * MeSH
• DNA administration & dosage   MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Eukaryota classification   physiology   MeSH
• Marine Biology * MeSH
• Transformation, Genetic * MeSH
• Green Fluorescent Proteins metabolism   MeSH
• Environment MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• DNA MeSH
• Green Fluorescent Proteins MeSH

Two new nematode species of the family Cystidicolidae, each representing a new genus, were recovered from marine perciform fishes off New Caledonia, South Pacific: Ascarophisnema tridentatum n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the Japanese large-eye bream, Gymnocranius euanus (Günther) (Lethrinidae) and Metabronemoides mirabilis n. gen., n. sp. from the stomach of the painted sweetlip, Diagramma pictum (Thunberg) (Haemulidae). Ascarophisnema is characterized mainly by its cephalic structures (presence of two tooth-like projections on either side of the base of each pseudolabium, dorsal and ventral inner extensions of each pseudolabium recurved laterally in apical view, and submedian sublabia fused together dorsally and ventrally) and the presence of trident-like deirids, and Metabronemoides by its unique cephalic structures (presence of one dorsal and one ventral labium and four large dorsolateral and ventrolateral labia, and absence of sublabia). Rhabdochona gymnocranius (considered a species inquirenda) is provisionally transferred to the former genus as Ascarophisnema gymnocranius (Yamaguti, 1935) n. comb. To date, a total of seven species of cystidicolids are reported from marine fishes off New Caledonia.

• MeSH
• Species Specificity MeSH
• Spirurida Infections parasitology   veterinary   MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
• Marine Biology MeSH
• Fish Diseases parasitology   MeSH
• Perciformes classification   parasitology   MeSH
• Spiruroidea classification   isolation & purification   ultrastructure   MeSH
• Stomach parasitology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• New Caledonia MeSH

Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are ubiquitous and abundant microorganisms that play key roles in global nitrogen and carbon biogeochemical cycling. Despite recent advances in understanding NOB physiology and taxonomy, currently very few cultured NOB or representative NOB genome sequences from marine environments exist. In this study, we employed enrichment culturing and genomic approaches to shed light on the phylogeny and metabolic capacity of marine NOB. We successfully enriched two marine NOB (designated MSP and DJ) and obtained a high-quality metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) from each organism. The maximum nitrite oxidation rates of the MSP and DJ enrichment cultures were 13.8 and 30.0 μM nitrite per day, respectively, with these optimum rates occurring at 0.1 mM and 0.3 mM nitrite, respectively. Each enrichment culture exhibited a different tolerance to various nitrite and salt concentrations. Based on phylogenomic position and overall genome relatedness indices, both NOB MAGs were proposed as novel taxa within the Nitrospinota and Nitrospirota phyla. Functional predictions indicated that both NOB MAGs shared many highly conserved metabolic features with other NOB. Both NOB MAGs encoded proteins for hydrogen and organic compound metabolism and defense mechanisms for oxidative stress. Additionally, these organisms may have the genetic potential to produce cobalamin (an essential enzyme cofactor that is limiting in many environments) and, thus, may play an important role in recycling cobalamin in marine sediment. Overall, this study appreciably expands our understanding of the Nitrospinota and Nitrospirota phyla and suggests that these NOB play important biogeochemical roles in marine habitats.IMPORTANCE Nitrification is a key process in the biogeochemical and global nitrogen cycle. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) perform the second step of aerobic nitrification (converting nitrite to nitrate), which is critical for transferring nitrogen to other organisms for assimilation or energy. Despite their ecological importance, there are few cultured or genomic representatives from marine systems. Here, we obtained two NOB (designated MSP and DJ) enriched from marine sediments and estimated the physiological and genomic traits of these marine microbes. Both NOB enrichment cultures exhibit distinct responses to various nitrite and salt concentrations. Genomic analyses suggest that these NOB are metabolically flexible (similar to other previously described NOB) yet also have individual genomic differences that likely support distinct niche distribution. In conclusion, this study provides more insights into the ecological roles of NOB in marine environments.

• Keywords
• Nitrospina, Nitrospira, cultivation, marine sediment, metagenomics, nitrite oxidation,
• MeSH
• Bacteria classification   isolation & purification   metabolism   MeSH
• Nitrites metabolism   MeSH
• Geologic Sediments microbiology   MeSH
• Metabolic Networks and Pathways MeSH
• Microbiota * MeSH
• Seawater microbiology   MeSH
• Oxidation-Reduction MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Republic of Korea MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Nitrites MeSH