Microorganisms Associated with the Marine Sponge Scopalina hapalia: A Reservoir of Bioactive Molecules to Slow Down the Aging Process

Abstract

Aging research aims at developing therapies that delay normal aging processes and some related pathologies. Recently, many compounds and extracts from natural products have been shown to slow aging and/or extend lifespan. Marine sponges and their associated microorganisms have been found to produce a wide variety of bioactive secondary metabolites; however, those from the Southwest of the Indian Ocean are much less studied, especially regarding anti-aging activities. In this study, the microbial diversity of the marine sponge Scopalina hapalia was investigated by metagenomic analysis. Twenty-six bacterial and two archaeal phyla were recovered from the sponge, of which the Proteobacteria phylum was the most abundant. In addition, 30 isolates from S. hapalia were selected and cultivated for identification and secondary metabolites production. The selected isolates were affiliated to the genera Bacillus, Micromonospora, Rhodoccocus, Salinispora, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Nigrospora and unidentified genera related to the family Thermoactinomycetaceae. Crude extracts from selected microbial cultures were found to be active against seven clinically relevant targets (elastase, tyrosinase, catalase, sirtuin 1, Cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), Fyn kinase and proteasome). These results highlight the potential of microorganisms associated with a marine sponge from Mayotte to produce anti-aging compounds. Future work will focus on the isolation and the characterization of bioactive compounds.

Comparative Genomics Provides Insight into the Function of Broad-Host Range Sponge Symbionts

“…1 ). All members of the Persebacteraceae family dominate the microbial community of their respective sponge hosts ( 47 , 56 , 57 , 71 ). We additionally identified what appears to be a third family, consisting of symbionts associated with Coelocarteria singaporensis and Cinachyrella sponge species ( Fig.…”

Comparative genomics provides insight into the function of broad-host range sponge symbionts

“…1). All members of the Persebacteraceae family dominate the microbial community of their respective sponge hosts (44,53,54,89). We additionally identified what appears to be a third family, consisting of symbionts associated with C. singaporensis and Cinachyrella sponge species (Fig.…”

Sponges and Their Symbionts as a Source of Valuable Compounds in Cosmeceutical Field

“…Anti-aging and skin whitening properties from the crude extracts of bacterial symbionts from Scopalina hapalia (South-east coasts of Mayotte) were evaluated on several targets, including elastase, tyrosinase, catalase, sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), fyn kinase, and proteasome [ 66 ]. In particular, the isolate SH-82 ( Micromonospora fluostatini ) exhibited sufficient inhibition of elastase activity, whereas SH-89 exerted significant anti-melanogenic properties by tyrosinase inhibition (58.33%).…”

“…In contrast, the crude extracts of SH-45, SH-54, SH-78, and SH-99 exhibited a slight activity, detected only at the highest concentration (0.033 µg/mL). On the whole, the authors have proposed these sponge-derived bacteria as suitable sources of new skin whitening and anti-aging agents [ 66 ].…”

“…As mentioned before, sponge-associated microbiota produce a plethora of bioactive compounds with beneficial properties for human health [ 6 ]. Despite the great biotechnological relevance, so far, only a few studies have reviewed the potential applications of sponge symbiont metabolites in the cosmetic field focusing on specific sponge species [ 66 ] or grouping several taxa of marine organisms [ 29 ].…”