Method For Producing Marine-Derived Compounds and Novel Compounds Produced Therefrom

Application

An enzyme preparation derived from marine coral extracts that is uniquely capable of converting a precursor to its derivative that is the compound of interest.

Problem

Marine-derived compounds show great promise for use in a wide variety of therapeutic applications, acting as anti-proliferative and anti-cancer agents, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, or cytotoxic substances. However, these compounds are complex, and synthetic methods for their production have not been successful on a scale that would be necessary for commercialization. Secosteroids and pseudopterosins are two specific classes of marine-derived bioactive compounds that show strong possibilities for beneficial therapeutic use, yet are difficult to produce in meaningful amounts without damaging and stressing marine ecosystems and habitats.

Technology

By using the naturally derived enzyme preparation, secosteroids and pseudopterosins, as well as other bioactive compounds, can be synthesized without resorting to harvesting large numbers of marine organisms. The gorgonian Pseudopterogorgia species is the preferred source of enzymes for the preparation, which is produced using standard methods. Using this enzyme extract along with the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), and glutamate dehydrogenase, secosteroids can be produced from steroid precursors. Any given sterol can be converted into its 9(11)-secosterol derivative. Progesterone, cholesterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, and pregnenolone were all successfully converted to their 9(11)-seco derivatives, leading to the conclusion that new and unique secosteroids could be produced using this methodology. Indeed, several novel compounds were produced using the described method. Pseudopterosins can be produced in a like manner except that a precursor molecule or molecules must be included with an acetone powder of the enzyme composition. Since pseudopterosins differ from each other only in their glycosidic side chain, by using unique sugar molecules as precursors, previously unknown and potentially commercially valuable pseudopterosins can be produced. Pseudopterosins have shown superior analgesic activity compared to known standards such as indomethacin.

Competitive Advantage

By using the enzyme preparation obtained from marine organisms, a variety of biologically active compounds can be economically and efficiently produced. The enzyme preparation can facilitate the synthesis of useful and novel substances, in meaningful quantities, that would be extremely difficult to obtain using completely synthetic methods. In addition, using the enzyme preparation to produce secosteroids or pseudopterosins, can yield sufficient amounts of product to be useful on a commercial scale. This invention also holds promise for synthesizing new biologically active compounds that may have a variety of therapeutic uses as single agents or in combination formulations.

Opportunity

The unmet need for effective treatments for cancers and tumors, bacterial diseases, and inflammation is huge and continues to grow with the population. Marine organisms are well known as sources of new therapeutic agents, but these life forms are growing more scarce and difficult to harvest on a large scale. Synthetic methods for producing naturally occurring compounds are lacking in effectiveness and economic efficiency. Many marine-derived biologically active substances could have large markets if the products were commercially available. The enzyme preparation easily converts precursors into secosteroids, pseudopterosins, or novel compounds, which may have medicinal or industrial uses.

Stage of Development

• Two classes of biologically active compounds derived from marine sources.
• Method for identifying, isolating, and using an enzyme preparation derived from marine sources.

Patent Status

One patent has issued: U.S. Patent 6,046,041 April 4, 2000

Researchers

Russell G. Kerr: Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Kerr has been on the faculty of Florida Atlantic University since 1991 where his research has focused on marine derived bioactive products. Determining biosynthetic pathways, enzyme purification, and cloning of key genes are additional areas of his research, in addition to developing sustainable production methods for marine derived compounds. Dr. Kerr is listed as the inventor on 6 patents related to his research.

Field

Drug discovery; Natural products synthesis; Enzyme isolation and purification