The Colours OfOphiocomina Nigra(Abildgaard): III. Carotenoid Pigments

Abstract

The red to orange-yellow colours of the ophiuroid, Ophiocomina nigra, are due to carotenoid pigments contained in specialized lipocytes. These cells are dendritic, with their cell bodies located in the dermis below a melanocyte layer and with dendrites approaching, but not penetrating, the epidermis. The lipocytes are either yellow or orange-red.Five principal pigments were detected in addition to two minor constituents, at least one of which may be an artifact. These major pigments are: β-carotene, an acid carotenoid similar to mytiloxanthin, and four xanthophylls of uncertain identity.

Anticancer activity of natural and synthetic acetylenic lipids

“…Mytiloxanthin was found in Ophiocomina nigra (390); and derivatives of the cytotoxic acetylenic carotenoids, (3S,4S,3′S,5′R)-4-hydroxymytiloxanthin, (3S,4S,3′S,4′S)-4,4′-dihydroxydiatoxanthin, (3S, 4S,3′S,4′S)-4,4′-dihydroxyalloxanthin, (3S,3′S,4′S)-4-keto-4′-hydroxydiatoxanthin, and (3S,3′S,4′S)-4-keto-4′-hydroxyalloxanthine were isolated from the starfish Asterina pectinifera and Asterias amurensis (391).…”