An international team of scientists was able to identify the exact source of the compound and replicate its synthesis in the lab. The diterpene eleutherobine belongs to the family of molecules known for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being a source of many bioactive molecules, such as retinol and retinal (two forms of vitamin A) and phytol (an early precursor to vitamins E and K).
Among the diterpenes used by corals, eutherobine plays a critical role in defense against predators. The availability of this molecule hinders research and biomedical applications of this molecule. The compound was located on the ocean floor by scientists at Utah State Health University. In the end, it was in a common soft coral species off the coast of Florida that the team found this promising molecule.
The Beginning of Synthesis by Genetically Modified Microbes
Scientists thought eleutherobin was synthesized by symbiotic organisms living inside corals, like many marine organisms. This hypothesis has been definitively disproven since the same group of chemicals is present in some soft coral species without symbiotic organisms. Therefore, they were able to synthesize the compound themselves. Therefore, several live coral samples were examined to determine if their genetic code contained the key to producing eleutherobin. The researcher's task was especially difficult since they had no idea what the production code should look like. According to Eric Schmidt, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Utah and co-author of the study that reported this discovery, the process is like walking in the dark looking for an answer when you do not know the question.
The coral DNA sequences have been found to be similar to genetic instructions found in other species for similar types of connections. In particular, they detected genes involved in producing eleutherobin and combining. This is one of more than 2,500 terpenes in octocorals, the researchers note. To produce soft corals, they altered the genetic code of the bacteria in the lab. Results: Microorganisms were able to replicate the first steps needed to produce eleutherobin.
Not only does this prove that this molecule came from soft corals, but it also confirms that it can be synthesized in the laboratory. This means that large-scale production of this molecule could be developed for anti-cancer treatments. However, before we can accomplish this, we need to figure out how to complete the synthesis. Additionally, the most advantageous method of producing large quantities of this potential drug has yet to be determined.