Publications

small-subunit rrna genes and in situ hybridization with oligonucleotides specific for the bacterial symbionts in the larvae of the bryozoan bugula neritina and proposal of "candidatus endobugula sertula".	larvae of the bryozoan bugula neritina harbor bacterial symbionts. these symbionts were identified as a novel species of gamma-proteobacterium, based on ribosomal small-subunit rrna gene sequences. in situ hybridization with oligonucleotides specific for the symbiont confirmed the origin of the sequence. the taxonomic status "candidatus endobugula sertula" is proposed for the larval symbiont.	1997	9361448
identification of sibling species of the bryozoan bugula neritina that produce different anticancer bryostatins and harbor distinct strains of the bacterial symbiont "candidatus endobugula sertula".	although the cosmopolitan marine bryozoan bugula neritina is recognized as a single species, natural products from this bryozoan vary among populations. b. neritina is the source of the anticancer drug candidate bryostatin 1, but it also produces other bryostatins, and different populations contain different bryostatins. we defined two chemotypes on the basis of previous studies: chemotype o contains bryostatins with an octa-2,4-dienoate substituent (including bryostatin 1), as well as other bry ...	1999	10390826
microbial symbionts of marine invertebrates: opportunities for microbial biotechnology.	marine invertebrates are sources of a diverse array of bioactive metabolites with great potential for development as drugs and research tools. in many cases, microorganisms are known or suspected to be the biosynthetic source of marine invertebrate natural products. the application of molecular microbiology to the study of these relationships will contribute to basic biological knowledge and facilitate biotechnological development of these valuable resources. the bryostatin-producing bryozoan b. ...	1999	10941782
evidence for the biosynthesis of bryostatins by the bacterial symbiont "candidatus endobugula sertula" of the bryozoan bugula neritina.	the marine bryozoan, bugula neritina, is the source of the bryostatins, a family of macrocyclic lactones with anticancer activity. bryostatins have long been suspected to be bacterial products. b. neritina harbors the uncultivated gamma proteobacterial symbiont "candidatus endobugula sertula." in this work several lines of evidence are presented that show that the symbiont is the most likely source of bryostatins. bryostatins are complex polyketides similar to bacterial secondary metabolites syn ...	2001	11571152
cryptic species, cryptic endosymbionts, and geographical variation in chemical defences in the bryozoan bugula neritina.	molecular markers often offer the only means to discriminate between species and to elucidate the specificity of many community interactions, both of which are key to the understanding of ecological patterns. western atlantic populations of the bryozoan bugula neritina vary in the palatability of their larvae to predators: individuals south of cape hatteras produce chemical deterrents to fish predators that are absent in more northern individuals. we use mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subuni ...	2003	12694284
potent cytotoxins produced by a microbial symbiont protect host larvae from predation.	larvae of the sessile marine invertebrate bugula neritina (bryozoa) are protected by an effective chemical defense. from the larvae, we isolated three bryostatin-class macrocyclic polyketides, including the novel bryostatin 20, that deterred feeding by a common planktivorous fish that co-occurs with b. neritina. a unique bacterial symbiont of b. neritina, endobugula sertula, was hypothesized as the putative source of the bryostatins. we show that: (1) bryostatins are concentrated in b. neritina ...	2004	14747940
approaches to identify, clone, and express symbiont bioactive metabolite genes.	this review discusses approaches to identify, clone, and express bioactive metabolite genes from symbionts of marine invertebrates. criteria for proving symbiotic origin of bioactive metabolites are presented, followed by a comprehensive, practically-oriented overview of techniques to be applied. the bugula neritina/endobugula sertula association is used as a primary example, but other symbioses are discussed. thirty-six compounds are presented and 111 references are cited.	2004	15039839
"candidatus endobugula glebosa," a specific bacterial symbiont of the marine bryozoan bugula simplex.	the bryozoans bugula neritina and bugula simplex harbor bacteria in the pallial sinuses of their larvae as seen by electron microscopy. in b. neritina, the bacterial symbiont has been characterized as a gamma-proteobacterium, "candidatus endobugula sertula." "candidatus e. sertula" has been implicated as the source of the bryostatins, polyketides that provide chemical defense to the host and are also being tested for use in human cancer treatments. in this study, the bacterial symbiont in b. sim ...	2004	15294832
brya: an unusual modular polyketide synthase gene from the uncultivated bacterial symbiont of the marine bryozoan bugula neritina.	"candidatus endobugula sertula," the uncultivated bacterial symbiont of bugula neritina, is the proposed source of the bryostatin family of anticancer compounds. we cloned a large modular polyketide synthase (pks) gene complex from "candidatus endobugula sertula" and characterized one gene, brya, which we propose is responsible for the initial steps of bryostatin biosynthesis. typical pks domains are present. however, acyltransferase domains are lacking in brya, and beta-ketoacyl synthase domain ...	2004	15556005
isolation of two polyketide synthase gene fragments from the uncultured microbial symbiont of the marine bryozoan bugula neritina.	"candidatus endobugula sertula," the uncultured microbial symbiont of the bryozoan bugula neritina, produces ecologically and biomedically important polyketide metabolites called bryostatins. we isolated two gene fragments from b. neritina larvae that have high levels of similarity to polyketide synthase genes. these gene fragments are clearly associated with the symbiont and not with the host.	2006	16997977
identification of the putative bryostatin polyketide synthase gene cluster from "candidatus endobugula sertula", the uncultivated microbial symbiont of the marine bryozoan bugula neritina.	the bryostatins are protein kinase c modulators with unique structural features and potential anticancer and neurological activities. these complex polyketides were isolated from the marine bryozoan bugula neritina, but recent studies indicate that they are produced by the uncultured symbiotic bacterium "candidatus endobugula sertula" ("e. sertula"). here we present the putative biosynthetic genes: five modular polyketide synthase (pks) genes, a discrete acyltransferase, a beta-ketosynthase, a h ...	2007	17253852
localization of 'candidatus endobugula sertula' and the bryostatins throughout the life cycle of the bryozoan bugula neritina.	'candidatus endobugula sertula,' the uncultivated gamma-proteobacterial symbiont of the marine bryozoan bugula neritina, synthesizes bryostatins, complex polyketides that render b. neritina larvae unpalatable to predators. although the symbiosis is well described, little is known about the locations of 'e. sertula' or the bryostatins throughout larval settlement, metamorphosis and early development. in this study, we simultaneously localized 'e. sertula' and the bryostatins in multiple stages of ...	2007	18059493
evolutionary relationships of "candidatus endobugula" bacterial symbionts and their bugula bryozoan hosts.	ribosomal gene sequences were obtained from bryozoans in the genus bugula and their bacterial symbionts; analyses of host and symbiont phylogenetic trees did not support a history of strict cospeciation. symbiont-derived compounds known to defend host larvae from predation were only detected in two out of four symbiotic bugula species.	2008	18390670
genome sequence of strain imcc1989, a novel member of the marine gammaproteobacteria.	strain imcc1989 is a novel member of the oligotrophic marine gammaproteobateria (omg) group, and is closely related with a symbiont group of genera teredinibacter and "candidatus endobugula". here we present the genome sequence of strain imcc1989 that was isolated from the yellow sea by using dilution-to-extinction culturing.	2011	21602334