Chemical Ecology of Marine Natural Products

The chemical ecology of marine natural products explores how organisms in the ocean deploy a remarkable array of secondary metabolites to mediate interactions with predators, competitors and symbionts. These compounds—encompassing polyketides, terpenoids, alkaloids and peptides—serve as chemical defences, signalling molecules and competitive agents that shape community structure and biodiversity. Many benthic invertebrates, such as sponges, molluscs and corals, rely on both de novo biosynthesis and microbial symbionts to produce bioactive metabolites that deter predation, inhibit fouling and regulate larval settlement. Algae release allelochemicals to suppress nearby competitors, while bacteria within host tissues can generate toxins or antibiotics that fortify the host’s defences. Advances in mass spectrometry, genome mining and imaging techniques have revealed complex biosynthetic pathways and the detailed spatial distribution of metabolites in tissues. Understanding these chemical interactions not only illuminates ecological dynamics but also guides the discovery of novel compounds for antifouling coatings, antibiotics and anticancer agents, highlighting the global significance of marine chemical ecology for both ecosystem management and biotechnological innovation.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Chemical Ecology of Marine Natural Products publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in chemical ecology of marine natural products across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Secondary metabolites: Organic compounds not directly involved in growth or reproduction but mediating ecological interactions such as defence, competition and signalling.

Sequestration: Uptake, transport and storage of exogenous chemicals by an organism for defensive or communicative purposes.

Symbiotic bacteria: Microorganisms living in close association with a host, often contributing to the host’s chemical defences or metabolic capabilities.

Mantle dermal formations (MDFs): Specialized anatomical reservoirs in nudibranch molluscs that store and release defensive secondary metabolites at points of predator contact.

References

1. Synthase-selected sorting approach identifies a beta-lactone synthase in a nudibranch symbiotic bacterium. Microbiome (2023).
2. Choose Your Weaponry: Selective Storage of a Single Toxic Compound, Latrunculin A, by Closely Related Nudibranch Molluscs. PLOS ONE (2016).
3. Packaging and Delivery of Chemical Weapons: A Defensive Trojan Horse Stratagem in Chromodorid Nudibranchs. PLOS ONE (2013).