Chemical and Biological Aspects of Water-Soluble Heterocyclic Marine Natural Products

Abstract

Water soluble marine natural products are interesting as they generally do not penetrate into the cells but exhibit biological activities through cell surface receptors, ion channels, and glycans. Some molecules, however, interact with cell membrane and disrupt it. In this review, discovery, structures, and biological activities of water soluble marine natural heterocyclic molecules are summarized with special emphasis on their biological activity and functions.