Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (1+1)

5.1.2. Marine bacteria

Many tropical marine organisms have little commercial value, but are increasingly important as resources in the search for new drugs. By screening these marine organisms, high incidences of cytotoxic ity, antiviral activity, antibacterial and anti-carcinogenic and other biological activity have been reported.

It has been demonstrated that marine bacteria produce anti-microbial substances.

• The first documented identification of a bioactive marine bacterial metabolite was the highly brominated pyrrole antibiotic , isolated from a bacterium obtained from the surface of the Caribbean Sea grass Thalassia. Subsequently, this unique metabolite was identified by x-ray crystallographic methods, which composed of more than 70% bromine by weight. The metabolite exhibited impressive in vitro antibiotic properties against Gram-positive bacteria. However, it was inactive for Gram-negative bacteria and animal assays.
• As more evidence is obtained, it is becoming abundantly clear that bacteria form highly specific, symbiotic relationships with marine plants and animals. Experience in this area arose from a study of the pathogen resistance of the estuarine shrimp Palaemon macrodactylus. The eggs of P. dactylus possess significant bacterial epibionts, which, when removed by treatment with antibiotics, leads to the rapid infestation of the eggs by pathogenic fungi, especially of Lagenidium callinectes. It could be due to the anti-fungal agents produced by bacteria.