Using metabolic profiles to screen for novel compounds in deep-sea sponges

Abstract: The chemical diversity of the phylum Porifera have provided marine natural products (MNPs) such as alkaloids, terpenoids and peptides with ranging biological activity. Every two days a novel compound deriving from sponges are discovered. The aim of this report is to explore the metabolic diversity of deep-sea sponges collected from five different geographical locations. The metabolome of the deep-sea sponges was studied with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC- MS/MS) and screened for peptides and other major compounds. The aim also includes the selection, isolation and characterisation of a compound obtained from the metabolic profiling of the sponges. The metabolic profiles of 25 sponges were screened. The specimens analysed in this report displayed great metabolic diversity and peptides, halogenated compounds as well as presumable alkaloids were found. The spectra of some specimens displayed low sensitivity which required optimisation such as increase of volume injection. Nevertheless, the report offers novel discoveries for sponges that have never previously been examined. The brominated compound derived from the sponge Desmacella annexa was analysed using large-scale extraction and different analytical techniques such as preparative-HPLC, Q-Tof-MS and NMR. However, the isolation of the target compound was unsuccessful due to co-extractant compounds and insufficient amount of the compound to perform further purification.  Nevertheless, the discoveries made from the metabolic profiles of the sponges may be of assistance when selecting potential bioactive compounds for further studies. Furthermore, bioassays may be performed in the future on the extracts obtained from the sponge Desmacella annexa.