Isolation of peridinin-related norcarotenoids with cell growth-inhibitory activity from the cultured dinoflagellate of Symbiodinium sp., a symbiont of the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis, and analysis of fatty acids of the dinoflagellate

Abstract

Two norcarotenoids, 1 and 2, related to peridinin (3) were isolated from the cultured dinoflagellate of the genus Symbiodinium, a symbiont of the Okinawan soft coral Clavularia viridis, which contains in abundance antitumor marine prostanoids such as clavulones. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. These compounds showed significant growth-inhibitory activity in vitro toward cancer cells. Analysis of fatty acids of the dinoflagellate was also carried out, suggesting that the marine prostanoids are produced by the host soft coral itself.