The University of Tokyo · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Professor Shigeki Matsunaga's research lab specializes in the isolation, structural elucidation, and biological evaluation of bioactive natural products from marine organisms, particularly marine sponges. The lab focuses on discovering novel peptides and glycosides with potent cytotoxic, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities, often featuring unique structural modifications such as non-proteinogenic amino acids and cyclic or bicyclic frameworks. Their work has led to the identification of several important compounds, including theonellamides, aurantosides, and discodermin A, contributing significantly to marine natural product chemistry and drug discovery. The research also explores the biogenesis and ecological roles of these compounds, with implications for understanding symbiotic relationships in marine ecosystems.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTAnatoxin-a(s), a potent anticholinesterase from Anabaena flos-aquaeShigeki Matsunaga, Richard E. Moore, Walter P. Niemczura, and Wayne W. CarmichaelCite this: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 20, 8021–8023Publication Date (Print):September 1, 1989Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 September 1989https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ja00202a057https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00202a057research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissi
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTTheonellamide F. A novel antifungal bicyclic peptide from a marine sponge Theonella spShigeki Matsunaga, Nobuhiro Fusetani, Kanehisa Hashimoto, and Markus WalchliCite this: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 7, 2582–2588Publication Date (Print):March 1, 1989Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 March 1989https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ja00189a035https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00189a035research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse per
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTTheonellamides A-E, cytotoxic bicyclic peptides, from a marine sponge Theonella sp.Shigeki Matsunaga and Nobuhiro FusetaniCite this: J. Org. Chem. 1995, 60, 5, 1177–1181Publication Date (Print):March 1, 1995Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 March 1995https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jo00110a020https://doi.org/10.1021/jo00110a020research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse permissionsArticle Views697Altmetric-Citations10
An antimicrobial peptide, discodermin A, has been isolated from the marine sponge Discodermia kiiensis. The peptide showed antimicrobial activity as well as an inhibition of starfish embryo development. It appeared to be a tetradecapeptide consisting of D-Cys(O3H), L-Asp, L-MeGlu, L-Thr (2 moles), Sar, D-Pro, D-Ala, D- and L-t-Leu, D-Leu, L-Phe, D-Trp, and L-Arg.
ADVERTISEMENT RETURN TO ISSUEPREVArticleNEXTAurantosides A and B: cytotoxic tetramic acid glycosides from the marine sponge Theonella spShigeki Matsunaga, Nobuhiro Fusetani, Yuko Kato, and Hiroshi HirotaCite this: J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 25, 9690–9692Publication Date (Print):December 1, 1991Publication History Published online1 May 2002Published inissue 1 December 1991https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ja00025a054https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00025a054research-articleACS PublicationsRequest reuse
Marine sponges are shown to be abundant sources of bioactive peptides. Structurally they include linear peptides, peptide lactones, cyclic peptides, and depsipeptides, with number of residues ranging from two to 48. Some of them have highly modified structural features with nonproteinogenic amino acid or hydroxy acid residues, while others have those with minimal alterations from the common ribosomal peptides. The structural characteristics, biogenesis, biological activity, and the issue of prod
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