Table Of Content306 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
HOMEOBOX GENES EXPRESSED IN THE Myxillidae) and during reaggregation were identified
ADULT AND REAGGREGATING SPONGE. by RT-PCR with degenerate primers and sequencing.
Memoirs ofthe QueenslandMuseum 44: 306. 1999:- As with regeneration in other taxa, investigating the
Homcobox genes encode a large family ofconserved molecular genetics of reaggregation in the sponge,
transcription factors that control a range ofimportant apartfrom providingmanypracticaladvantages,gives
developmental decisions, and can be interspersed or us insight into the level of conservation between
organised in clusters (e.g. HOX genes) within embryological and otherdevelopmental processes. To
metazoan genomes. A striking feature of many confirm the poriferan origin ofthe homeobox genes
homeobox orthologues is how they are expressed in a isolated,theidenticalprocedurewasappliedtoanother
similar fashion during the development of spongeandsomehomologousgeneswereobtained.As
phylogenetically-disparate animals. In recent years, spongesappearto bemonophyletic withtherestofthe
interesthasdeveloped in homeoboxgenesinthe lower Metazoa and the first lineage to diverge during
metazoans, such as platyhelminths, cnidarians, and metazoanevolution,thestudyoftheirhomeoboxgenes
sponges. Instead of studying embryological provides insight into the initial role of
development, focus has often been on the role of metazoan-specific homeobox genes in governing the
homeobox genes during regeneration. Interestingly, multicellular state and cellular differentiation.
these genes exhibit comparable expression patterns Porifera, reaggregation. development, homeobox
duringtheregenerationoflowermetazoans as theydo genes, regeneration.
during normal embryological development ofhigher
metazoans. Inthisstudy,homeoboxgenesexpressedin ClaireLarroux& BernardM.Degnan(email:bdegnania]
the adult sponge (newly dissociated cells) lotrochota zoology.uq.edu.au), DepartmentofZoology. Universityof
haculifera Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida: Queensland,Brisbane,Qld.,4072,Australia;IJune1998.
(
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SPONGES None ofthe tested extracts analysed by this method
FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL, ATLANTIC could inhibit the growth ofthese microorganisms, an
COAST.MemoirsoftheQueenslandMuseum44;306. exception was thePetromicasporganicextractwhich
1999:- Within the research program of biologically showed an inhibitoryactivity forBacillussubtilis. The
active natural products, we have investigated different sameextractswereanalysedforantitumouractivity by
speciesofmarinespongescollectedbyscubadivingin in vitro inhibition ofproliferation ofdifferent tumour
the South-western Atlantic region, near the coast of cell lines. Some of the extracts showed promising
South-Brazil,aimingattheevaluationoftheirpotential results. The preliminary antimicrobial assay can be
asasourcefornewdrugs. Inordertoachievethisgoal, useful for pointing out sponge species to be further
theantimicrobialactivity offivespecies, Tedaniaignis analysed. Porifera. antimicrobial. Atlantic coast,
&
Duchassaing Michelotti, Pseudaxinella reticulata southern Brazil, biologically active naturalproducts,
(Ridley & Dendy), Polymastia janeirensis antitumor.
(Boury-Esnault, 1973). Batzellasp. and Petromicasp.
were analysed. The sponge species found in this C.Lcrner(email:[email protected]),Institutode
particular region constitute a group ofshallow-water Biociencias da Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) &
Demospongiae in which a pharmacological usage has FundacaodeAmparoaPesquisadoEstadodeSaoPaulo
not previously been evaluated. Aqueous extracts iFAPESP). Brazil; and Museu de Ciencias Naturals da
obtained by grinding and maceration for 30mins FundacaoZoobotdnicadoRioGrandedoSid(MCN/FZB)
following freeze-drying, as well as organic solvent & Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio
extracts (toluene: methanol 3:1 v/v) were prepared Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil: B. Mothes. L.G.
from organisms frozen since the harvesting. Possuclo & J.C. Costa, Museu de Ciencias Naturals da
Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar FundacaoZoobotdnicadoRioGrandedoSul(MCN/FZB)
diffusionmethodonpaperdisks(6mmdiameter). Each & Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio
spongeextract was tested forgrowth inhibition offive Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil; EES. Schapoval,
bacteria species: Escherichia eoli (ATCC 25922), E.Rech. F.M. Farias & A.T. Ilenriques, Faculdade de
Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Farmdciada UniversidadeFederaldoRio GrandedoSul
Staphylococcusepidermidis(ATCC 12228), Baccillus (UFRGS) & Fundacao deAmparoa PesquisadoEstado
subtilis (ATCC 6633), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC doRioGrandedoSul(F.4PERGS)/ConselhoNacionalde
9I 3104213)a1n)dantdwoSaycecashtarspoemcyicese:sCcaernedviidsaiaael(biAcTanCsC(A16T0C0)C. DDD.eesveeMnlavonopslm,veinSmtoeun(ttShoO-ACADime)en,triiBfcriaaczonile;OTfaefncicndeoHlofosogpriictAoan(ltCidNcePaqCnl)ci,enriBcrDaazrsiudlg;e
PortoAlegre(IfCPA). Brazil; IJune 1998.
