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Florida International University

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

2008

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Diverse Bacterial Pks Sequences Derived From Okadaic Acid-Producing Dinoflagellates, Roberto Perez, Li Liu, Jose Lopez, Tianying An, Kathleen S. Rein May 2008

Diverse Bacterial Pks Sequences Derived From Okadaic Acid-Producing Dinoflagellates, Roberto Perez, Li Liu, Jose Lopez, Tianying An, Kathleen S. Rein

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Okadaic acid (OA) and the related dinophysistoxins are isolated from dinoflagellates of the genus Prorocentrum and Dinophysis. Bacteria of the Roseobacter group have been associated with okadaic acid producing dinoflagellates and have been previously implicated in OA production. Analysis of 16S rRNA libraries reveals that Roseobacter are the most abundant bacteria associated with OA producing dinoflagellates of the genus Prorocentrum and are not found in association with non-toxic dinoflagellates. While some polyketide synthase (PKS) genes form a highly supported Prorocentrum clade, most appear to be bacterial, but unrelated to Roseobacter or Alpha-Proteobacterial PKSs or those derived from other Alveolates Karenia …


Cyanobacterial Toxins As Allelochemicals With Potential Applications As Algaecides, Herbicides And Insecticides, John P. Berry, Miroslav Gantar, Mario H. Perez, Gerald Berry, Fernando G. Noriega May 2008

Cyanobacterial Toxins As Allelochemicals With Potential Applications As Algaecides, Herbicides And Insecticides, John P. Berry, Miroslav Gantar, Mario H. Perez, Gerald Berry, Fernando G. Noriega

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Cyanobacteria (“blue-green algae”) from marine and freshwater habitats are known to produce a diverse array of toxic or otherwise bioactive metabolites. However, the functional role of the vast majority of these compounds, particularly in terms of the physiology and ecology of the cyanobacteria that produce them, remains largely unknown. A limited number of studies have suggested that some of the compounds may have ecological roles as allelochemicals, specifically including compounds that may inhibit competing sympatric macrophytes, algae and microbes. These allelochemicals may also play a role in defense against potential predators and grazers, particularly aquatic invertebrates and their larvae. This …