Comparative Evaluation of the Chemical Profile of Tentacle Extracts from Sea Anemones of the Genus Bunodossoma (Cnidaria, Actiniaria)

• Grant number: 23/15563-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology
• Principal Investigator: Sérgio Nascimento Stampar
• Grantee: Lívia Slompo Felippe
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Sea anemones belong to the phylum Cnidaria and the class Anthozoa, possessing tentacles equipped with stinging cells called cnidocytes. These cells play a crucial role in capturing prey and defending against predators by releasing stored toxins. The toxins of these cnidarians exhibit diversity both in chemical classification and ecological function, including neurotoxic elements, proteins, cytotoxic peptides, and enzymes. Studies on these venoms are essential due to the significant harm that stings from certain species can cause to humans. However, there is also a growing interest in these substances as potential resources for drug discovery. The project proposes a comparison of toxins between B. caissarum and B. cangicum, aiming to classify the products extracted from their tentacles into chemical classes, assess differences in their habits, propose ecological functions of the toxins, and determine if any of them have practical potential for evaluation and use. Toxins will be obtained through methods such as "milking" and isolation of nematocysts, followed by analysis techniques like SDS-PAGE and reverse-phase liquid chromatography. Data analysis will include mass spectrometry and validation using the "ToxClassifier" algorithm. Expected results include toxin classification, species comparison, proposals for ecological functions, and identification of potential biomedical applications. The research will contribute to understanding the ecology of sea anemones, enriching our comprehension of how these organisms interact with their environments. Additionally, it will provide valuable information for the preservation of marine biodiversity and the characterization of compounds.