Relationship of Bugula neritina (Bryozoa) antineoplastic constituents to the yellow sponge Lissodendoryx isodictyalis

Abstract

Lissodendoryx isodictyalis, a yellow marine animal of the Demospongiae class, was found to yield a series of closely related substances very active against the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia. Separation studies guided by bioassay led to the isolation and characterization of the strongly antineoplastic (P388 leukemia) bryostatins 4–6 (la-c) and 8 (Id) accompanied by new bryostatins A and B. Yields of the bryostatins from 108 kg of wet Gulf of California L. isodictyalis ranged from 3.2 mg of bryostatin 4 to 900 μg and 700 μ g respectively of bryostatins A and B. The actual source of bryostatins 4–6 and 8 appeared to be from intrusion of the Bryozoan Bugula neritina. But bryostatins A (a deoxybryostatin 5) and B (a deoxybryostatin 4) have not hitherto been detected in B. neritina and may represent metabolic transformations performed by the sponge. © 1986 IUPAC