Secondary metabolites from Panamanian mat forming cyanobacteria

Marine cyanobacteria are prolific producers of highly active secondary metabolites. While the majority of secondary metabolites from marine cyanobacteria are modified peptides, a variety of structural classes have been isolated and interesting structural features are often integrated into these compounds which are produced by unique biosynthetic pathways. Cyanobacterial secondary metabolites often show cytotoxic activity, however a number have been shown to be highly selective against parasites responsible for tropical diseases. The Panama ICBG has focused on discovery of natural products with activities against malaria, leishmaniasis, Chagas' disease and cancer.

Many filamentous cyanobacteria grow in mats which cover rock, reef, sponge and other surfaces. A number of mats have been collected in different locations across Panama with varied morphology yet they produce similar secondary metabolites. Additionally there have been some mats found at distant sites which have nearly identical morphology that produce very different secondary metabolites with different activities in our bioassays. These cyanobacteria have shown activity against the malaria parasite as well as activity against cancer cells in vitro. Secondary metabolites and activity will be presented from a variety of mat forming cyanobacteria collected across different sites in Panama.