The biologically important marine sponge Jaspis coriacea is common throughout the Indo-Pacific and is especially abundant in Fiji reefs. The bengamide family of ketide-amino acids are the predominant secondary metabolites of J. coriacea, and several such analogs are presently a high priority of the parent NCNPDDG grant U19CA52955 because of their cytotoxicity against MDA-435 breast tumor cells. This FIRCA will assist the effort to examine J. coriacea and the bengamides in greater detail. Previous work has established that distribution of the types of bengamides found in J. coriacea samples appears to vary with the season and with the geographical location of the sponges. Although this variability is established, the factors that cause it are not understood. The research proposed will examine the chemical variation of the bengamides in J. coriacea as a function of ecological factors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Fogarty International Center (FIC)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
5R03TW000983-03
Application #
6188543
Study Section
International and Cooperative Projects 1 Study Section (ICP)
Program Officer
Michels, Kathleen M
Project Start
1998-09-30
Project End
2002-09-29
Budget Start
2000-09-30
Budget End
2002-09-29
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$26,342
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Santa Cruz
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
125084723
City
Santa Cruz
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
95064