Mero- Definition Biology
Merotenoids are natural products that are partly derived from terpenoid biosynthesis pathways, as the prefix “mero-” has the meanings of “part”, “partial” and “fragment”.1 Meroterenoids are widely distributed in nature and, depending on the definition, many organic compounds produced by bacteria, fungi, plants and animals can be classified as meroterenoids, which, due to the diversity of the non-terpenoid part, a variety of chemical structures and biological activities. the length of the terpenoid chain, the mode of cyclization of the terpenoid fraction and adaptation reactions. Although meroterenoids are synthesized by all types of organisms, fungi are particularly talented producers of this class of natural products,1,2 providing several clinically used drugs or promising leads, as evidenced by immunosuppressive mycophenolic acid3 and antimicrobial fumagillin.4 In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to reveal the molecular basis of biosynthesis of fungal meroterpenoids. This led to the discovery of many enzymes responsible for fascinating chemical transformations. This paper summarizes recent advances in elucidating meroterenoid fungal pathways and biosynthetic logic for structural diversification and complexation of fungi. To give a clear overview of nature`s synthetic strategy, we will focus on the characteristic chemical reactions and different classes of enzymes used in the biosynthesis of fungal meroterpenoids, rather than simply working on each biosynthetic pathway. The term meroterenoid was first used by Cornforth in 1968 to describe natural products of mixed biosynthetic origin, partly derived from terpenoids [91]. The prefix mero- (from the Greek merus) means “part, part or fragment” and thus a number of secondary metabolites can be described as meropenoids [92]. Most importantly, the family has a reputation for showing strong biological activity, and members have been reported as anti-inflammatory [93, 94], antioxidants [95], antitumors [96] and antibacterials [97]. Subscribe to America`s largest dictionary and get thousands of other definitions and an advanced search – ad-free! borrowed from the French mã rocrine, from mã©©ro- mero- + -crine, from the stem of the Greek crown “no “to separate, choose, decide” – more to some entries 1.
The chemistry of meroterpenoids has developed rapidly over the past decade. This is mainly due to the unique properties of these compounds. Researchers are working tirelessly to elucidate the structure of incredibly complex compounds. It should be noted that the role of plant raw materials as a source of meroterenoids is gradually giving way to synthetic production methods. This is due to the need to obtain sufficient quantities of drugs necessary for convenient medical use. Thus, various synthetic approaches are being developed for the artificial introduction of pharmacophoric terpenoid fragments into non-natural synthetic substrates, with the aim of increasing their biological activity and reducing the toxicity of different classes of organic compounds. Here, the combination of macrocyclic platforms with different types of terpenoid fragments can be considered an interesting possibility. Not all meroplankton are larvae or juvenile stages of larger organisms.
Many dinoflagellates are meroplankton and undergo a seasonal cycle of encystation and dormancy in the benthic zone, followed by excystation and reproduction in the pelagic zone before returning to the benthic zone. [4] [5] There are also meroplankon diatoms; These have a seasonal dormancy period below the photic zone and are often found under the benthos of lakes and coastal areas. [6] Yasunori Yaoita,. Koichi Machida, in Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, 2015 As a small molecule gelling agent (LMWG), Leyong Wang and co-authors synthesized the functionalized pillar derived from cholesterol[6]arene 164. It forms an organogel in cyclohexane/n-hexanol (10:1 V/V) at 10 °C. The resulting organogel reversibly reacts to temperature changes and forms guest-host complexes [122]. For the structure of compound 164, see Fig. 6.42.
Within the genus Penicillium, a large number of species produce andrastins and related Atlantinones and Citreohydridones (Fig. 6), and these species belong to very different sections. These meroterpenoids are classified by species in sections Sclerotiora (P. cainii, P. cibiessium, P. guanacastense, P. jacksonii, P. johnkrugeri, P. mallochii, P. maximae, P. sclerotiorum, P. vanoranjei), Exilicaulis (P.
citreonigrum, P. corylophilum, P. melinii), Charlesia (P. costaricense), Sekaon Lanata-Divaricata (P. camponotum, P. cataractum, P. daleae, P. echinulonalgiovense, P. infrabuccalum, P. nucicola, P. panissanguineum, P. pulvillorum, P.
simplicissimum), Sektion osmophila (P. osmophilum), Sekaon chrysogena (P. allii-sativi, P. chrysogenum, P. dipodomyis, P. flavigenum, P. halotolerans, P. kewense, P. mononematosum, P.
rubens, P. vanluykii), Sekaon Penicillium (P. expansum, P. sclerotigenum), Sekaon fasciculata (P. albocoremium, P. allii, P. caseifulvum, P. crustosum, P. discolor, P. palitans, P. radicicola, P. solitum, P.
