''Discodermia dissoluta'' is a species of deep-water sea sponge found in the Eastern, Southern, and Southwestern Caribbean, as well as in the Greater Antilles. This sponge is of particular interest to bio and organic chemists due to its production of a potent chemical compound called (+)-discodermolide, which has potential therapeutic applications for

cancer treatment Cancer treatments are a wide range of treatments available for the many different types of cancer, with each cancer type needing its own specific treatment. Treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, targ ...

Description

''D. dissoluta'' has a distinctive morphology, with a thick, smooth surface and a flattened, disc-shaped body that can grow up to 30 cm in diameter. The sponge's body is composed of a complex network of spicules and

spongin Spongin, a modified type of collagen protein, forms the fibrous skeleton of most organisms among the phylum Porifera, the sponges. It is secreted by sponge cells known as spongocytes. Spongin gives a sponge its flexibility. True spongin is found ...

fibers, which provide structural support and protection against predators.

Distribution and habitat

''D. dissoluta'' is found in deep-water environments in the

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

, typically at depths ranging from 70 to 1,200 meters. It is commonly found on rocky substrates and

coral reefs A coral reef is an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, whose polyps cluster in groups. ...

, where it may compete with other benthic organisms for space and resources.

Biochemical properties

''D. dissoluta'' has garnered attention from the scientific community due to its production of (+)-discodermolide, a polyketide natural product with potent anticancer and immunosuppressive properties. (+)-Discodermolide was first isolated and characterized in 1990 by researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, who noted its remarkable structural complexity and unique mechanism of action. The discovery of (+)-discodermolide sparked significant interest in the potential therapeutic applications of natural products derived from marine organisms, and led to extensive research into the biochemical properties and pharmacological effects of this compound.

Applications in cancer treatment

Studies have demonstrated that (+)-discodermolide exhibits potent

cytotoxicity Cytotoxicity is the quality of being toxic to cells. Examples of toxic agents are toxic metals, toxic chemicals, microbe neurotoxins, radiation particles and even specific neurotransmitters when the system is out of balance. Also some types of d ...

against a wide range of cancer cell lines, including those resistant to other chemotherapeutic agents. This has led to considerable interest in the development of (+)-discodermolide and related compounds as potential cancer therapies. (+)-Discodermolide has also been found to have

immunosuppressive Immunosuppression is a reduction of the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immunosuppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse react ...

properties, making it a potential candidate for use in transplant medicine and other applications.

Conservation status

Due to its deep-water habitat and limited distribution, little is known about the population size or conservation status of ''Discodermia dissoluta''. However, like many other marine organisms, it is threatened by human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Research and conservation efforts

''D. dissoluta'' is the subject of ongoing research into its biochemistry, ecology, and potential therapeutic applications. In addition, conservation efforts are underway to protect the species and its habitat from human impacts. These efforts include

marine protected area A marine protected area (MPA) is a protected area of the world's seas, oceans, estuaries or in the US, the Great Lakes. These marine areas can come in many forms ranging from wildlife refuges to research facilities. MPAs restrict human activity ...

s, sustainable fishing practices, and public outreach and education.

References

Tetractinellida Sponges described in 1880 {{Demosponge-stub