Tectitethya crypta
| Tectitethya crypta | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Hadromerida |
| Family: | Tethyidae |
| Genus: | Tectitethya |
| Species: | T. crypta |
| Binomial name | |
| Tectitethya crypta (de Laubenfels, 1949) | |
Tectitethya crypta (formerly known as Cryptotethya crypta and Tethya crypta) is a species of demosponge belonging to the family Tethyidae.[1] It is a massive, shallow-water sponge found in the Caribbean Sea.[2][3] Oftentimes, it is covered in sand and algae.[2][3]
The nucleosides spongothymidine and spongouridine were isolated from this sponge, providing the basis for anti-viral drugs and anti-cancer drugs.[2][3] Vidarabine, an antiviral drug, was derived from these compounds.[4] The discovery of these nucleosides also led to the development of cytarabine for clinical use in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.[5] Gemcitabine, a fluorinated derivative of cytarabine, is used to treat pancreatic, breast, bladder, and non-small-cell lung cancer.[5]
References
- ↑ http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=170927
- 1 2 3 Cerrano, Carlo; Pansini, Maurizio; Valisano, Laura; Calcinai, Barbara; Sarà, Michele; Bavestrello, Giorgio (2004). "Lagoon sponges from Carrie Bow Cay (Belize): Ecological benefits of selective sediment incorporation" (PDF). Boll. Bus. Ist. Biol. Univ. Genova. 68: 239–252. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- 1 2 3 Patricia R. Bergquist (1978). Sponges. University of California Press. p. 205. ISBN 978-0-520-03658-1. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
- ↑ Sagar S, Kaur M, Minneman KP (2010). "Antiviral lead compounds from marine sponges.". Mar Drugs. 8 (10): 2619–38. doi:10.3390/md8102619. PMC 2992996
. PMID 21116410. - 1 2 Schwartsmann G, Brondani da Rocha A, Berlinck RG, Jimeno J (2001). "Marine organisms as a source of new anticancer agents.". Lancet Oncol. 2 (4): 221–5. PMID 11905767.