Sterol Ring System Oxidation Pattern in Marine Sponges

Abstract

Abstract: The marine sponges (Porifera) are a unique group of sedentary organisms from which several novel natural products are reported, many of which have useful biological activities. In producing unusual sterols, they occupy a preeminent position among the various groups of organisms. The polar sterols of sponges reported as at the end of the year 2002 number about 250; their ring structure changing a hundred times. The oxidation pattern in the sterol ring system, from the point of view of biogenesis seems to be mainly of four types. Each sponge species is able to produce sterols fitting into one of the four main biogenetic pathways viz., (i) 3β-hydroxy-Δ5-sterol pathway, (ii) 3β-hydroxy-Δ7-sterol pathway, (iii) 3β-hydroxy-Δ5,7-sterol pathway, and (iv) 3α-hydroxy sterol pathway.

Full text

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3, 84-111
Marine Drugs
ISSN 1660-3397
www.mdpi.net/marinedrugs/
Review
Sterol Ring System Oxidation Pattern in Marine Sponges
Nittala S. Sarma,* M. Sri Rama Krishna and S. Ramakrishna Rao
School of Chemistry, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; Tel. 0091-891-2844671,
E-mail: nittalas@lycos.com
Received: 31 January 2005 / Accepted: 7 June 2005 / Published: 7 June 2005
Abstract: The marine sponges (Porifera) are a unique group of sedentary organisms
from which several novel natural products are reported, many of which have useful
biological activities. In producing unusual sterols, they occupy a preeminent position
among the various groups of organisms. The polar sterols of sponges reported as at
the end of the year 2002 number about 250; their ring structure changing a hundred
times. The oxidation pattern in the sterol ring system, from the point of view of
biogenesis seems to be mainly of four types. Each sponge species is able to produce
sterols fitting into one of the four main biogenetic pathways viz., (i) 3β-hydroxy-∆5-
sterol pathway, (ii) 3β-hydroxy-∆7-sterol pathway, (iii) 3β-hydroxy-∆5,7-sterol
pathway, and (iv) 3α-hydroxy sterol pathway.
Keywords: Marine sponges, Polar sterols, Unusual sterols, Ring system, Oxidation pattern
Introduction
The ‘usual’ sterols have the 3β-hydroxy-∆5 (or ∆0)-cholestane (I) nucleus and a C8-C10 side
chain [1]. There are over 200 such sterols, occurring in marine organisms as complex inseparable
mixtures and their identification is usually done by GC-MS. The ‘unusual’ sterols [2] have either or
both of the characteristics of: (i) side chains ranging from C0 to C12 involving loss or addition of
carbon atoms at positions other than C-24, and (ii) (multiple) oxygenation of the nucleus and/or the

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
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side chain. These sterols, by virtue of their greater spread on the polarity scale, can be isolated in pure
condition by liquid chromatography. But, many of them are very unstable and should be handled at
very mild conditions so that artifacts are not mistaken as natural products.
The polar sterols of sponges, particularly the sulfate esters (Schemes 12-14) have interesting
and useful biological activities that make them targets of biological evaluation and synthesis.
Although polyhydroxy sterols have been found in various groups of marine organisms e.g.,
algae, porifera, coelenterata, bryozoa, molluska, echinodermata, arthropoda, tunicata and chordata, a
preeminent position is occupied by porifera, i.e., sponges. A full review of the marine polyhydroxy
steroids was published in 1993 [3]. The reviews that appeared since [4,5] discuss briefly on sponge
sterols. The present review’s purpose is besides giving the account as of date, to describe for the first
time the biogenetic relationships that possibly exist in the sterol nuclear structure. This aspect may
have a bearing on sponge classification, and the geographic occurrence of the organism, and be of
great utility in chemotaxonomic studies. For brevity, the structures of sterols are presented as part
structures, focusing on the oxidation pattern occurring in the sterol ABCD ring system (alone). A
single sterol nucleus, as shown in various schemes (Schemes 3-14) may stand for a number of
individual steroids with structural changes occurring in the side chain that are, however, not shown.
In order to propose biosynthetic relationships, as marine biosynthetic studies are few [6,7],
clues are taken from the pathways operating in the terrestrial plants and animals, which are
documented quite well, and since the pathways operating in marine organisms should essentially be
similar to those operating in terrestrial organisms [8]. In Schemes 1-14 are presented sequential
oxidations within the sterol ABCD ring system that should be taking place as part of biogenesis within
marine sponges. In each product structure, the center where the structural change has resulted
compared to the precursor is shown in red color. The biogenic connectivity between various sterol ring
structures although hypothetical is depicted with the arrow (→) sign for clarity although this sign is
usually reserved for chemical conversions that actually take place. Most often, each sponge species
contains a particular group of polar sterols dominated by a set of closely related biogenetic
mechanisms as presented in each scheme. However, since the schemes are formulated basing on the
‘reported’ sterol composition, and since there is occasionally a lack of information on the total sterol
composition of the sponge (often, it is only the new compounds that are described), the schemes are
subject to refinement.
Several novel sterols containing extra oxygen substitution and side chain modified by
alkylations/dealkylations have been reported from marine sponges. In quite a few species, novel sterols
are the (single) major components of their extracts. Typical examples are aplysterol (II) and 24(28)-
didehydro aplysterol (III), the first sterols [9] with a methyl group at C-26, which have been found as
the major sterols of the sponges of the genus Aplysia (Verongia), calysterol (IV), the major sterol (90%
of the sterol mixture) of the sponge Calyx nicaensis [10], petrosterol (V) of the sponge Petrosia
ficiformis [11,12], strongylosterol (VI), the sole sterol of Strongylophora durissima [13], and
xestosterol (VII) and sutinasterol (VIII) isolated as the predominant sterols of Xestospongia muta [14],
and Xestospongia sp. [15] respectively.

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General biosynthetic Reactions in marine sponges
Working on the usual cholesterol skeleton, sponges are capable of performing enzymatic
oxidation around the active sites, 3β-OH and ∆5 functionalities.
1. epoxidation (generally αα and rarely ββ) followed by its opening in different pathways,
2. oxidation of the allylic C-7 and C-4 carbons to give simple alcohols of the preferred
configuration, and
3. isomerisation of the double bond(s).
The reactions that take place on the 3β-OH and the new OH groups that are introduced (Scheme 2) are:
1. oxidation to a carbonyl,
2. dehydration producing unsaturation which will create new active allylic positions for
further oxidation,
3. retro Diels-Alder reaction in the case of vicinal diols, and
4. condensation reactions involving OH, CH2OH, CHO, and COOH groups at appropriate
locations.
These reactions centering the ∆5 and the 3β -OH are shown in Schemes 1 and 2 respectively.
2
34
110
567
98
12
11 13
14 15
16
17
S
OH
20 22 23 24
28
25
26
27
N
21
N
III
N29
IV
N
V
N
H
VI
N29
30
VII
N
30 31
32
VIII
2
34
110
567
98
12
11 13
14 15
16
17
18
OH
30
29
28
20 2221 23 24 25 26
27
19
IX, lanosterol
Cholesterol Ring System (N)
20 22 23 24 25
26
27
N
21
III

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OH
S
OH O+OH O
OH O
trans
opening OH OH OH +
OH OH
OH OH OH OH
AB
A
cis
opening
OH O
B
OH ROH
trans
opening
cis
opening
OH O
A
OH OH
concerted
opening OH OH
+
OH O
B
concerted
opening OH OH OH OH
+
+OH OH OH
OH OH
OH
Scheme 1.Significant biosynthetic reactions caused by ∆5 (S = side chain; see also scheme 10)

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
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Scheme 2. Significant biosynthetic reactions caused around 3β-OH; [ ] intermediate.
(i) The 6β–OH substituent present in a cis 1,3–diaxial manner to the C-10 Me group can
oxidize it in a step-wise fashion.
(ii) Epimerisation of the 3β-OH can occur if activated by migration of ∆5 to ∆4.
(iii) The ∆4 is amenable for alkylation.
In the following account, the progression of biosynthetic oxidative reactions that should be
operating on the sterol ring system is presented. The pathways shown in the Schemes and discussed
in text refer only to the ring system and not the complete structure of the steroid, as the structure of
the side chain is not considered due to space constraint.
I. ∆5-3β-Hydroxy Steroids
Polar sterols in which the parent sterol nucleus is retained are 1 and 2 from Calyx nicaensis [16]
and C. podatypa [17], and 3 recently from an Indian sample of Petrosia testudinaria [18].
1. Oxidation at C-7 (Scheme 3): The epimeric alcohols 4 and 5 and their ketone 6 are from
Corallistes undulatus [19] and Cliona copiosa [20] by the allylic C-7 oxidation. It was for
some time suspected that the C-7 oxidation might be resulting from auto-oxidation during
isolation procedure. Hence, the isolation of the 7α-glycoside 7 (paschastrelloside A) from
Paschastrella sp. confirms a biotic origin of the 7α oxygen [21]. The novel feature of 7 is
its 2α-OH; the sterol inhibits cell division of fertilized starfish eggs. The presence of the
OH OH
HOH OH
H
OH
OH OH
H
HOOC
OH OH OH
OH OH +OH

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7α-OH and 7-keto group naturally in the sponge has received further proof from the recent
isolation of a number of steroids 8-11 (gelliusterols A-D) from Gellius sp. of the Panaman
Caribbean coast [22]. Sterol 12 was isolated from Polymastia sobustia from South China
Sea [23], as well as 14 [24], 13 from Geodia japonica also from South China Sea [25].
Sterols 15 and 16 are from a Japanese specimen of Strongylophora corticata [26], and 17
(polysterol A) from Epipolasis sp. [27], and 18-27 topsentinols A to J from an Okinawan
species of Topsentia [28]. The sterol containing the nucleus 28 (polysterol B belonging to
another sterol subclass, the 3α-hydroxy sterol sulfates: Scheme 13) co-occurs with 29
(polysterol A). Although for the 3α-oxygenated sterols also, the parent is the 3β-∆5-sterol
nucleus, the biogenetic pathway is somewhat different. The isolation of sterols belonging to
different biogenetic pathways may be due to symbionts causing species heterogeneity or
artifact formation on preservation and the subsequent isolation procedure. Hence, it is
necessary to know these factors well for rationalizing the co-occurrence of sterols
belonging to different biogenetic classes. The Strongylophora corticata sterols may
exemplify this dimension.
Scheme 3. Oxidations at C-7 of ∆5-3β-hydroxy steroid skeleton
2. Oxidation confined to Ring A (Scheme 4): The alcoholic C-3 and allylic C-4 are active
sites for oxidation. The formation of 3-ketone can facilitate migration of the ∆5 to the
conjugated ∆4 position, as found in 30, mycalone from Mycale sp. of Southern Australia
[29]. The chloroketones 31 and 32, kiheisterones C and E present in Strongylacedon sp.
from Maui along with the chlorohydrin D 33 are the only halogenated sterols isolated from
sponges even though halogenated, particularly brominated natural products are common in
marine sponges being derived from red algal symbionts. The products of C-2 activation are
the diosphenols 34 (kiheisterone A) and 35 (kiheisterone B) of the same sponge [30]. A
hydroxylation of the allylic C-4 is demonstrated by the 3β-sulfoxypregnane 36 isolated
OH OH OH OH O-gly
O-gly
OH
1,2,3 5,8,16,18,19,
20,21,22,23,
24,25,26,27
7, gly: glycoside
OH OH OH O
4 6,9,10,11,12,
13,14,15,17, 29

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Scheme 4. ∆5 sterols: Oxidations in the ring A/B system; [ ] : not isolated
from Stylopus australis [31], and the glycoside 37 from Mycale laxissima [32]. The C-1 is
activated via the ∆2 formation by dehydration of the 3β-OH. The ∆2, not so far observed in
sponge sterols is a routine feature in the highly oxygenated sterol classes of withanolides
and physalins from land plants belonging to the Solanaceae family [33]. The intermediate
∆2 can then indulge in vicinal 2α,3β-diol and 2β,3β-diol formation, e.g., the glycosides 38-
40, the wondosterols A, B and C isolated from a two sponge association of Poecillastra
OH OOCl OH ClH
O
OH
OH
O
OH OH
NaO3SO OH
OH
OH
O-xyl-gal
S
OH
gly-O OH
OH
COOH
OH OH
OO
S
OH
OH
SO O
NaO3SO
HOOC
NaO3SO
47
,
48
,
49 46
30 31
,
32 33
41
,
42
,
43
45 44 37, gly: glycoside
34 35
36
38, 39, 40
xyl: xylose; gal: galactose
1
,
2
,
3

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
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wondoensis and Japsis wondoensis [34]. With the ring A becoming oxygen rich, the 19β-
Me becomes amenable for oxidation to –COOH group and consequent lactonisation with
the 2β-OH, as seen in the pregnane γ-carbolactones 41-43 isolated from the Hawaiian
sponge Strongylophora sp. [35]. The free COOH group can also disappear by loss of CO2
leading to ring-A aromatisation found in the sterols 44 geodisterol isolated from Geodia sp.
from Papua New Guinea [36], and the 19-nor pregnane glycoside 45 from Cribrochalina
olemda from Pohnpei, Micronesia [37]. Oxidative elimination of the 19-Me takes place
rather easily in sponges belonging to Axinellideae, e.g., Axinella polypoides, which
contains 46 as the important sterol [38-40]. Its precursor A/B ring structure containing the
19-COOH group is present in the sterols 47-49 isolated from Toxadocia zumi [41].
3. Oxidations and rearrangements in the A/B ring system (Scheme 5): In sponges, ring A-
rearranged sterols cooccur with 3-keto sterols, and 3,6-diones, a phenomenon that is
particularly unique in sponges belonging to the families Axinellideae and
Hymeniacidonidae. This is attributed to an efficient enzyme system due to which the A/B
ring reaction precedes oxidation at other centres, e.g., ∆15 introduction in 50, and ∆14-16α-
OH system in 51 found in the sterols of Axinella proliferans from Reunion island in the
Indian Ocean [42]. The biosynthesis of the unique 52 and 53 (anthosterones A and B
respectively) of Anthoracurata gracia is suggested to take place by a benzilic acid
rearrangement of a 2,3-diketo precursor as a new type of ring A contraction step [43].
OH HOH2C HOH2C
S
HOH2C
SOH
O
OOONOH
OO
OH
O
HOH2COH
OH OH CHO
OH
S
OH OH
O
Scheme 5. ∆5 sterols: 3- Ketosterols and rearranged sterols; [ ] : not isolated; S : side chain
50
5158
52
,
53 54 55, 56
59
1
,
2
,
3

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The ∆4-3,6-diketosterols 54, with several conventional side chains are also from
Anthoracurata gracia, the sponge from which anthosterones 52 and 53 are isolated [43].
The 3,6-diketones of Geodia cydonium [44] and Cinachyra tarentina [45] co-occur with the
more common 3-ketones [46]. The 6-oximino-3-ketones 55 and 56 were obtained from a
mixture of Cinchyrella alloclada and C. apion [47]. The 5α,6α-dihydroxylation is seen in
57 from Spirastrella inconstans from India [48], and the 6α,7β-dihydroxylation is seen in
58 clathriol from Clathria lissosclera [49] of New Zealand. The former seems to be the
precursor of ring B rearranged 59 orostanal isolated from Stellata hiwasaensis of Japan [50].
The sterol 59 is cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing.
4. Ring C oxidation (Scheme 6): The ring C site of oxidation at C-12 may not be requiring
activation offered by a ∆5, a ∆7 or a 3β-OH. The saturated sterol 60 is in fact isolated in this
group from Rhizochalina incrustata [51]. The activation seems to be coming from the
heavily oxygenated (cyclopropane ring containing) side chains, c.f., the potent antitumour
61 [52], and 62-64 [53] from Xestospongia sp., which are named aragusterols A to D, and
65 and 66 [54] and 67 [55] named as xestosterol A, xestosterol B and aragusterol E
respectively, from another Xestospongia sp. collected from Okinawa. In rare cases, a
further hydroxylation occurs at C-7, e.g., 68 xestokerol B; [54] isolated along with
xestokerols A, B and D and C-16, e.g., 69 [55], another aragusterol (aragusterol F) of the
Xestospongia sp from Okinawa. The skeletons 70 and 71 are of aragusterols G and H
respectively, also isolated from this collection [55]. The sterols 72, and 73 are
aragusteroketals A and C respectively that are also from the same sponge [56], and perhaps
artifacts of the isolation procedure.
Scheme 6. ∆5 sterols: Ring C oxidation in saturated sterols ; [ ] : not isolated; S : side chain
OH OH O O
OH S
OOH
OH SOH
OH
SOH
OH
OH
O
OH
OH S
MeO
MeO
S
60 61, 62, 63, 64,
65, 66, 67 68
72, 73
69
71
70
1, 2, 3

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II. ∆7-Sterols
The parent 3β-hydroxy-∆7-sterol nucleus is present in 74 thymosiosterol and 75 (24,27-
didehydrothymosiosterol) isolated from Thymosiopsis sp. from France [57], and 76 isolated from a
Caribbean sponge Scleritoderma sp. cf. paccardi [58].
1. Oxidation involving C-7, C-8, C-9, C-11 and C-14 (Scheme 7): The 3β-hydroxy-5,6-
dihydro-∆7 sterol nucleus seems to be undergoing allylic C-9 and C-14 (of the isomerised
∆8 nucleus) oxidation pathways. The C-9 oxidized 77 from Jericopsis graphidiophora [59]
co-occurs with the C-14 oxidized 78 and 79 [60].
OH OH
OH OH
OH
OH O+OH
O
OH O+OH O
OH
OH
S
OO
OH OOH
S
OH
OH
S
O
SOH
Scheme 7. ∆7 sterols: Oxidation involving C-7, C-8, C-9, C-11, and C-14 ;
[ ]: not isolated: S : side chain
80
74
,
75
,
76 77
83 84
85
,
87
,
88 86
,
89
81 78 79
90 82

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The ∆8 migrated to ∆8(14) while 8α-OH is formed in 80 isolated from Pellina semitubulosa
[20]. The ∆8 -7-ketone 81 is from Jereicopsis graphidiophora [59]. The ∆14-16-α-hydroxy
sterol 82 is from the Mediterranean sponge Topsentia aurantiaca [61]. Extension of
unsaturation to ∆9(11) followed by epoxidation is behind 83 and 84 [62]. The products of
retro Diels-Alder reaction followed by cyclic ether formation, viz., 85-87, and their 3-
methyl ethers 88, and 89 are from Microscleroderma spirophora from Senegal [60] that co-
occur with the 8,14-seco-8,14-dione 90.
2. Sterol amines (Scheme 8): The steroidal alkaloids, plakinamines 91-95 are α-amino
ketones that are significantly cytotoxic from a Corticium sp. from Vanuatu [63]. Recently,
it is found that the aminoketones (e.g., 96 plakinamine F) cooccur with the aminohydrins,
e.g., 97 (plakinamine E) in the Corticium sp. of Guam [64], and 98 in a Vanuatuan
collection of the same sponge [65]. The amines 96 and 97 have moderate cytotoxicity and
antifungal activity, and nucleic acid-cleaving property. These aminohydrins probably
formed via the addition of the elements of (CH3)2NOH across a ∆3 which may be
responsible for the aminoketones cited above. The 3-amino steroids 99 and 100 that result
from the addition of NH3 across ∆3 are also isolated from the Vanuatuan collection [65].
OH NH2
Me2NOH +Me2NOH
Me2NOO
Me2N
Scheme 8. ∆7 sterols: Sterol amines; [ ] : not isolated
99
,
100
98 97
92 91, 93, 94,
95, 96

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III.∆5,7-Sterols
Many sponge sterols are derived by oxidation of the ∆5,7-sterol nucleus. An intact 3β-hydroxy-∆5,7
nucleus is present in the recently isolated 101 from the Jamaican sample of Agelas sceptrum [66].
1. Epidioxides (Scheme 9): Endoperoxides are routinely prepared in the laboratory by the
action of singlet oxygen on cyclic conjugated dienes. Hence, when the endoperoxides 102-
106 were isolated from Tethya aurantia [67] and 102, 107 and 108 from Axinella
cannabina [68], it was suspected that they might be artifacts. However, such epidioxides
continue to be isolated even when extreme care is taken to prevent their possible formation
during extraction and isolation procedure. Thus, the Okinawan sponge Axinyssa sp. gave
109 axinysterol [69], and Lendenfeldia chondroides from Palau gave the antifouling sterols
110 and 111 [70]. The sponge species Luffariella cf. variabilis of Japan gave a mixture of
the sterol epidioxides 112-120, accompanied with the cytotoxic 121, possessing extra ∆9(11)
double bond [71], which system is also present in 122, recently isolated [72] from the same
Axinyssa sp. that earlier gave 109 axinysterol [69] and which inhibits the growth of several
human cancer cell lines.
2. Epoxy derivatives of
∆
5,7system (Scheme 10): The 1,2-oxides of the ∆5,7 sterols are
predominantly α,α. The intact epoxide 123 and 124 its ∆8(14) isomer, both having
cytotoxicity to a range of human and murine cell lines are isolated recently [73] from
Polymastia tenax. These 7α-alcohols are associated with the dienone 125 in the sponge.
This typical dienone structure containing steroids were earlier isolated as 126, 127 and 128
from Clathrina clathrus [74]. The 5α,6α-epoxy-7α-hydroxy-∆8(14) system is also present in
129 isolated from an Indian specimen of Ircinia fasciculata [75] which should be the
biogenetic precursor of 130 [76]. The 5α,6α-epoxy group opens up in a number of possible
ways (see also Scheme 1), producing 5α,6α-dihydroxy system, 5α,6β-dihydroxy system,
and the 5α-H,6α-hydroxy system. The 5β,6β-epoxide system also occurs in which the 3β-
OH had epimerised to 3α-OH. The opening of this epoxide also proceeds in a number of
ways, e.g., 5α,6β-dihydroxy system, 5β,6α-dihydroxy system and 5β-H,6β-hydroxy sterols.
In each case, the ∆7 causes activation of sites for further modification of the sterol structure.
Scheme 9. ∆5,7 sterols: Epidioxides
OH OH O
OOH O
O
121, 122
102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108,
109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 117, 118, 119, 120
101

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Scheme 10. ∆5,7 sterols: Epoxides and derivatives; [ ] : not isolated
OH
OH
OH
OH
HOH2C
OH
O
OH
OH OH
O
OH O
OH OH
OH
OH
OH
OH OAc
OH OH
OH
OH OH
OH
OH OH
OH O
OH O
OH OOH
+
OH OOH
OH OO
OH OH
OH +OH OH OH +OH OH
H
RO OH OAc OAc
OH
OH HOH
OH OH
OH
OH OH
R'O
OH OH
OH
OH OH
OH OH
OH OH
O
OAc
OH OH
OH
OH
OAc
RO OR' OR''
H
RO OR' OR''
H
OH
OH OH
O
OAc
OH
+
1
6
1
0
1
1
38
1
37
158, 159,
160
125,
126,
127
1
36
14
9
1
3
4
,
1
50
124
,
12
3
1
30
139,
R=H
140
141, 142,
143, 144,
145, 146,
1
3
1
1
3
2
1
33
151, R=R′=R′′=Ac
152, R=R′=Ac,
R′′=H
154, R=R′=Ac,
R
′′=
H
153, R=H,
R′=R′′=Ac
155, R=R′=R′′=Ac
157, R=H,

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
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The 5α,6α-dihydroxy system is evidenced in sterols 131 [77], 132 [78], and 133 [79] which
are products of oxidation at extended sites. The sterol 131 is from Dysidea sp. from
Northern Australia, and contains the additional 9α,11α-epoxide of a ∆9(11), itself made
possible by action from ∆8. The sterols that co-occur with 131 in the sponge are 134 and
135, in which the C-11 activation is in evidence. The sterols 134 and 135 inhibit the
binding of IL-8 to the human recombinant IL-8 receptor type A. The sterol 132, also
containing the 9α,11α-epoxide is from an unidentified species of Dysidea collected from
Guam [78]. In this sterol, the 19-Me is additionally hydroxylated. The sterol 133 is from D.
herbaceae [79] from Ethiopia. This sponge is unique since each of the four sterols 136, 133,
137 and 138 isolated from it represents one type of 5,6-epoxide (or its opening), viz., a
trans opening of the 5α,6α-epoxide, a cis opening of the 5α,6α-epoxide, a trans opening of
the 5β,6β-epoxide of the 3α-hydroxy sterol and the 5β,6β-epoxy-4α-hydroxy sterol itself
respectively.
The 5α,6β-dihydroxy system is shown in addition to 136, in 139-148. The sterol 139 and
140 are from D. fragilis [80] collected in the Black Sea. The eight sterols 141-148 are from
D. etheria from Bermuda [81]. The 5α-H,6α-hydroxy system is present in 149 [82] and
150 [83]. It is also present in 151 obtained from a Japanese Spongia sp. [84] which also
gave 152-157 [85]. The unique feature of these six sterols is the presence of 4β-oxygen
function. Further products of the 5β,6β-epoxide opening, in addition to 137 of Dysidea
herbaceae [79] are the A/B cis 158-160 obtained from the same species of D. etheria that
gave the A/B trans 141-148; hence, the unique ability of the two species of Dysidea. D.
herbaceae is further unique for its 161 herbasterol [86], a 5β-H-9(11)-seco steroid, which is
ichthyotoxic and antimicrobial. The cyclic ether 162 is from D. tupha of the Mediterranean
[87].
3. 9(11)-Seco Steroids: A ∆9(11) activation produces the 9α,11α-vicinal diol system which in
turn appears to be responsible for the producion by retro-Diels Alder reaction, the 9,11-
seco ketoaldehydes 163-165 luffasterols A, B and C present in Luffariella sp. from Palau
[88], 166 [45] and 167 [89] isolated from the Mediterranean sponge Spongia officinalis.
The keto aldehyde 166 goes to the keto alcohols 168 and 169 [45] in the sponge. The
epoxy keto alcohol 170 glaciasterol B-3-acetate of Fasciospongia cavernosa which is toxic
to brine shrimp, also from the Mediterranean [90], is however not associated with its
corresponding aldehyde as also in the case of 171 blancasterol from the NE Pacific sponge
Pleraplysilla sp. [91] from Vancouver and 172 from a Japanese species of Stelletta [92]. In
the antihistaminic secosterols 173-182 of Euryspongia sp. from New Caledonia [93]; the 2-
OH which is usually β in this series is epimerised to α-OH.

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
98
9(11)- Seco Steroids:
4. Oxidation not involving 5
α
,6
α
-epoxide (Scheme 11): The reactions of the ∆5,7 system
without the mediation of the 5α,6α-epoxide come under this group, e.g., 183 from an
Indian specimen of Suberites carnosus [94]. Of particular significance is the methylation at
C-4, activated by ∆5, as indicated by the occurrence of 184 polymastiamides A [95], and
185-189 polymastiamides B to F in Polymastia baletiformis from Norway, of which A, C,
D and F have the 4α-Me substituent and B and E do not have substitution at C-4 [96]. The
mildly cytotoxic 190 from Theonella swinhoei from Phillippines, has instead a C-4
methylene group, a group that also occurs in the sterols 191-193 from T. swinhoei from
Okinawa [97]. In 191 and 193, the ∆8(14) underwent oxidation to give the 8-14 seco-8,14-
dione. The C-4 activation leading to a 4α-oxysulfate substitution is noticed in the ten
sterols 194-203 acanthosterol sulfates A to J from Acanthodendrilla sp. from Japan [98]. Of
these, 202 (acanthosterol sulfate I) and 203 (acanthosterol sulfate J) showed antifungal
activity and cytotoxicity.
AcO
S
O
O
O
HOH OH
H
O
AcO OH
O
OH
OH
S
O
O
OH
OH
O
OH
AcO OH OH
O
OH
OH
OH
HOH
O
OH
OH
H
OH
OH
S
OH
O
OH OH
HOH
OH
H
H
163, 164, 165, 167166
168, 169, 170 171 172 173, 174, 175, 176,
177 178, 179, 180,
181, 182
161

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
99
IV. 3α-Hydroxy Steroids
The mandatory configuration of the 3-OH is βeq for the basic sterol skeleton. However, the
shifting of ∆5 to ∆4 can induce epimerization of the 3-OH to αax, a cofiguration that gets stabilized by
sulfate ester formation and ∆4 reduction in the sponge sterols.
1.
∆
5-Origin (Scheme 12): The ring system of the sulfated steroids has a lone
representative containing unsaturation in 204 [99]; all others are saturated, cf., 205
halistanol B sulfate from Pachastrella sp. [100] that inhibits endothelium converting
enzyme. Weinbergsterols 206 (A) and 207 (C), have hydroxylation at C-16 while
weinbergsterol B 208 has further hydroxylation at C-18; they are isolated from Petrosia
weiinbergii [101,102]. The disulfates 209, 210 and 207 are sterol orthoesters involving
16β-OH (and 20-OH and 22-O-butyrate of the regular side chain), isolated from the
same sponge. In this group, the 15α,16β-dihydroxylation is seen in 211 clathsterol with
Scheme 11. ∆5,7 sterols: Oxidation not involving epoxides; [ ] : not isolated; S : side chain
OH OH OH OH
+NaO3SO R
OH
O
O
S
+
OH OH
OH O
OH
OH
OSO3H
125 183 184, R=Me
185, R=H
186, R=Me
187, R=Me
188, R=H
189, R=Me
191
,
193
190
,
192
101
194, 195, 196, 197, 198,
199, 200, 201, 202, 203

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
100
anti HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity from an Eritrean sponge of genus Clathria
[103]. The cytotoxic and antifungal 212 echinoclasterol with heavily oxygenated ring E
is from the south Australian sponge Echinoclathria subhispida [104].
3.
∆
5,7-Origin (Scheme 13): The 3α-sulfate esterification is more prolific when the genesis is
from the ∆5,7 sterol skeleton. The activation of ring carbons by ∆7 seems to extend to C-15α
by migration of ∆7 to ∆8(14). In this group, 213 is halistanol sulfate from Halichondria
moorei [99] which has potential activity against HIV virus. It is the forerunner of several
halistanol sulfates, e.g., 214-217 halistanols A to D from Epipolasis sp. [105], and 218 to
220, in vitro HIV inhibiting halistanol sulfates F to H from Pseudoaxynissa digitata [106].
The sterol 221 which showed inhibition in guanosine diphosphate/G protein RAS exchange
assay is ophirapstanol trisulfate from Topsentia ophiraphidites [107]. The sterol 222 is
sokotrasterol sulfate isolated from two Halichondriidea species [108], and 223 is
norsokotrasterol sulfate from Trachyposis halichondroides [109]. The sterol 224 is from a
Japanese specimen of Topsentia sp. [110]. The trioxysulfate 29 polysterol B sulfate of a
Scheme 12. 3α- oxysteroids:
∆
5 origin; [ ] : not isolated, S = side chain
OH OH
NaO3SO
NaO3SO
NaO3SO
NaO3SO
SOH
SOH
OH
NaO3SO
NaO3SO
OH
SOH
OH
OH
OH
H5C6H2CH2O
S
NaO3SO
OH
NaO3SO OAc
204
211
205
206, 207,
209, 210
208 212

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
101
Japanese specimen of Epipolasis sp. is accompanied in the sponge with 28 polysterol
A[27], a sterol that belongs to group 1 as mentioned earlier (Scheme 3).
Scheme 13. 3α-oxysteroids:∆5,7 origin; [ ] : not isolated, S : side chain
OH OH
NaO3SO
S
NaO3SO OAc
OSO3Na
S
OH
OH OH
OH
S
O
H
S
OPO2HMe
OR
OH OH
NaO3SO
OR'
H
S
OH
OH
OH H
OH
O
RO
OH
OH OH
OH
RO3SO
RO3SO OSO3R+
OH
OH
OH OH
OH NaO3SO
OH
OH OHOH
226 230
225
R=Na; 28, 213, 214,
215, 216, 217, 218, 219,
220, 221, 222, 223.
R=tris-(2 amino-
imidazolium); 224
R=H, 14β-H; 228
R=SO3Na, 14β-H; 231
R=SO3Na, 14α-H; 232
229
227 R=H, R′= cyclic with S; 233
R=PO2HNa,
R′= cyclic with S; 234

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
102
In Epipolasis sp. [105], the trioxysulfates are associated with the product 225 of further
hydroxylation at C-15. The 15-ketosterol 226 xestobergsterol A, that inhibits the release of
histamine from rat mast cells was isolated from Xestospongia bergquistii [111]. It was earlier
isolated from Ircinia sp. from Okinawa [112]. The simultaneous activation of 6α by ∆4 and 7β
and 15α by ∆8(14) followed by oxidation of the 15-OH to 15-ketone appears to be taking place
in 227 contignasterol [113]. In these 15-keto sterols, the configuration at C-14 is 14βH as
opposed to the usual 14αH configuration. The same 14βH configuration is noticed in 228
xestobergsterol C and the further 1β-hydroxylated steroid 229 xestobergsterol B from the
above Ircinia sp. The sterol 230 with an additional 4α-OH from the Malaysian Haliclona sp.
[114] and 231 from a new species of Oceanapia [115] also contain this ring structure. The
sterol 231 is in fact accompanied with its 14αH epimer 232 in the sponge. Hence, a switchover
of the original 14αH configuration to the more stable 14βH is indicated in these ketones. The
reduction thereafter of the 15-ketone to 15β-OH should be responsible for 233 and 234 of two
Philippine unidentified Haplosclerid sponges [116].
3. 14
α
-Methylation (Scheme 14): The 14α-methylation is more common among tetracyclic
triterpenes of land plants, e.g., lanosterol (VIII). This feature, together with the 4,4-
dimethylation over the C19 cholesterol nucleus gives the usual C22 tetracyclic triterpene nucleus.
Scheme 14. 14α-Methylation; [ ] : not isolated, S : side chain
OH
OH
S
OH
S
OH
OH
OO
HO3SO
HO3SO
OSO3HNaO3SO
NaO3SO
OH OSO3Na
NaO3SO
NaO3SO
235
240
236, 237, 238, 239 241, 242, 243,
244, 245
101

Mar. Drugs 2005, 3
103
The 14α-sterols of sponges all possess a ∆9(11)-unsaturation indicating that biological
methylation in these sterols by 1,2-addition is facilitated in a homoannular-1,3-diene ring C as
shown in the Scheme 14, cf., 235 lembehsterol B with ∆5 retained from the Indonesian
Petrosia strongylata isolated together with the 6-O-sulfate ester viz., 236 lembehsterol A [117].
This steroid ring system was earlier found in 237 ibisterol sulfate (which is cytoprotective
against the HIV-1 virus) from Topsentia sp. [118] and later also in 238 and 239, ibisterols B
and C of a Phillippine sponge Xestospongia sp. These two sterols are associated with the
ketoepoxide 240 [119]. The sterols 238, 239 and 240 are inhibitors of HIV-I integrase. In 241
to 245, topsentiasterol sulfates A to E isolated from an Okinawan Topsentia sp. have the
additional 4β-OH group [120].
Conclusions
As at the end of the year 2002, there are about 250 polar sterols from marine sponges that
contain features of oxidation in the ring structure following a set pattern; the ring structure changing a
hundred times. From this pattern, the sponges are inferred to follow pathways that appear to be
distinct and characteristic of the individual sponge species. The marine sponges, in terms of their
ability to produce polar sterols appear to be working on one of the four types of the sterol A/B ring
system viz., (i) ∆5-3β-hydroxy system, (ii) ∆7-3β-hydroxy system, (iii) ∆5,7-3β-hydroxy system and (iv)
3α-oxy-∆5 and 3α-oxy-∆5,7 sterol systems. In a few exceptional cases, a sponge may, however, contain
sterols belonging to different classes, e.g., Dysidea herbaceae. Since the observed chemical
composition of a sponge may have been, in addition to the intrinsic nature of the sponge itself, due to
symbionts, ecological variations, and isolation procedure, these changes should be carefully considered
in trying to infer biogenetic relationships. Once this is done, it may become possible to predict new
structures that can perhaps fit into the gaps of the biogenetic sequence of a given sponge, before they
are actually isolated as natural products.
Acknowledgements
We thank Mr. Sk.G. Pasha, SRF, for technical assistance.
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