We present the isolation and characterization of seven novel [natural] pyrroloiminoquinones, the makaluvamines A-F (1-6), makaluvone (7), and the known compounds discorhabdin A (8) and damirone B (9) from the Fijian sponge Zyzzya cf. marsailis. The makaluvamines exhibit potent in vitro cytotoxicity toward the human colon tumor cell-line HCT 116, show differential toxicity toward the topoisomerase II sensitive CHO cell-line xrs-6, and inhibit topoisomerase II in vitro. This activity may be mediated by intercalation into DNA and single-stranded breakage. Makaluvamine A and C exhibited in vivo antitumor activity against the human ovarian carcinoma Ovcar3 implanted in athymic mice. The makaluvamines suggest a plausible interrelationship between the batzelline/isobatzelline and discorhabdin/prianosin classes of compounds.f American Cyanamid Co.

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This review covers the literature published in 2008 for marine natural products, with 829 citations (613 for the period January to December 2008) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, cnidarians, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates, echinoderms, mangroves and other intertidal plants and microorganisms. The emphasis is on new compounds (1065 for 2008), together with the relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies, first syntheses, and syntheses that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

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