Metal complexes with synthetic ligands or xenosiderophores: potential antivibrionic agents for corals

• Grant number: 24/01424-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Breno Pannia Esposito
• Grantee: Breno Pannia Esposito
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Coral reefs are fundamental structures for aquatic ecosystems and, therefore, for cultural and economic activities, as well as for the protection of coastal regions. Corals are invertebrates that live in symbiosis with microalgae known as zooxanthellae, and this relationship can be affected by environmental stressors (temperature and ocean acidification), leading to the bleaching process, weakening and even making the animal's survival impossible. Coral bleaching can be caused, or exacerbated, by the attack of opportunistic microorganisms such as bacteria of the genus Vibrio (Vibrio coralliilyticus and Vibrio shilonii). In this pro-ject, biologically active derivatives based on "traditional" synthetic metal complexes and in complexes of toxic ions with the xenosiderophore (siderophore absorbed by organisms that do not produce it) desfer-rioxamine (DFO) will be prepared and tested on cultures of both bacteria. Their toxic effects on zooxan-thellae and coral will be tested in parallel, as well as their actions on the microbiome of these holobionts. Finally, a controlled release system will be proposed for in situ use. With this project, we intend to contin-ue the recent efforts of the Laboratory of Bioinorganic Chemistry and Metallodrugs (LAQBAM) at IQUSP in investigating the application of metallic complexes on the different stages of the coral life cycle, with the ultimate objective of contributing to the increase of the resilience of these crucial structures for the environment. (AU)