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The inhibition of marine biofouling by the bromotyrosine derivative ianthelline, isolated from the Arctic marine sponge Stryphnus fortis, is described. All major stages of the fouling process are investigated. The effect of ianthelline on adhesion and growth of marine bacteria and microalgae is tested to investigate its influence on the initial microfouling process comparing with the known marine antifoulant barettin as a reference. Macrofouling is studied via barnacle ( Balanus improvisus) settlement assays and blue mussel ( Mytilus edulis) phenoloxidase inhibition. Ianthelline is shown to inhibit both marine micro- and macrofoulers with a pronounced effect on marine bacteria (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values 0.1-10 μg/mL) and barnacle larval settlement (IC = 3.0 μg/mL). Moderate effects are recorded on M. edulis (IC = 45.2 μg/mL) and microalgae, where growth is more affected than surface adhesion. The effect of ianthelline is also investigated against human pathogenic bacteria. Ianthelline displayed low micromolar MIC values against several bacterial strains, both Gram positive and Gram negative, down to 2.5 μg/mL. In summary, the effect of ianthelline on 20 different representative marine antifouling organisms and seven human pathogenic bacterial strains is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular fingerprinting of 16S rRNA genes using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to characterize the temporal and spatial variability among sponge-associated bacteria from Mycale hentscheli having distinct bioactive chemotypes. Cluster analysis of T-RFLP and DGGE profiles from M. hentscheli chemotypes largely grouped sponge microbial diversity to their distinct chemotype pattern. Repeat sampling of individual M. hentscheli at one location over a 21-month period showed that the T-RFLP profiles from individual sponges had similarity indices ranging from 60% to 82% and calculated DGGE similarities between 23% and 95%. However, a portion (>35% from DGGE and >19% from T-RFLP) of the microbial community from M. hentscheli appeared to be spatially conserved through all M. hentscheli populations. Sequence analysis of DGGE band fragments showed a similarity among the bands originating from different individuals, different times, and different locations. The sponge-associated relationship of these bands was confirmed, with sequences having similarity to sponge-associated bacteria reported from global locations. This study highlights the spatial and temporal complexity in the distribution of bacterial communities associated with different chemotypes of the marine sponge M. hentscheli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]