Sponge cells

Schippers, K. J., Martens, D. E., Pomponi, S. A., and Wijffels, R. H. (2011). Cell cycle analysis of primary sponge cell cultures. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol. Anim. 47,302-311. 

Muller WEG, Grebenjuk VA, Le Pennec G, Schroder H-C, Briimmer F, Hentschel U, Muller IM, Breter H-J (2004) Sustainable Production of Bioactive Compounds by Sponges - Cell Culture and Gene Cluster Approach A Review. Mar Biotechnol 6 105... 

Over half of the compounds reported for lithistid sponges were isolated from Theonella (family Theonellidae). Theonella species have been reported to contain a wide variety of cyclic and linear peptides and polyketides, as well as 3-alkyl piperidine derivatives nearly identical to those reported from the order Haplosclerida.58 There is also a single report of cyano- and isothiocyano-sesquiter-penes similar to those isolated from Axinellidae (order Halichondrida).42 Bewley et al. performed a cellular localization study on Theonella swinhoei in which several types of microorganisms were separated from the sponge cells. Chemical analysis of the extracts from the separated cells indicated that the bicyclic peptide theopalauamide was found exclusively in filamentous bacteria while the polyketide swinholide A was localized to a mixed population of unicellular bacteria.59... 

Garson, M. J., Thompson, J. E., Larsen, R. M., Battershill, C. N., Murphy, P. T., and Berquist, P. R., Terpenes in sponge cell membranes cell separation and membrane fractionation studies with the tropical marine sponge Amphimedon sp., Lipids, 27, 378, 1992. 

The biosynthesis of the halichondrins, a family of compounds isolated from Lissodendoryx sp., was found to be associated with Percoll-enriched fractions of choanocytes and spherulous cells.109 The discorhabdins, isolated from Latrunculia brevis, were also observed to be associated with sponge cells using similar techniques. 

In addition, sponges harbor symbiotic intracellular microorganisms which may or may not be obligate symbionts and required for production of the desired metabolites. Maintenance of sponge cell cultures may require the use of antibiotics however, use of antibiotics may be harmful to the sponge cells115 and may alter the biosynthesis of the desired metabolite. 

Battershill, C. N., Pomponi, S. A., Willoughby, R., Northcote, L., McClean M. L., Munro, M. H. G., Blunt, J. W., and Garson, M. J., Sponge cells or symbionts The site of biosynthesis of biologically active metabolites in two species of sponges and the feasibility of cell culture as a production option, in 9th International Symposium on Marine Natural Products, 1998, Symposium Proc., Tonnville, Australia. 

CCI in Sponge Cell Adhesion CCI in Embryo Cell Adhesion CCI in Melanoma Cell Adhesion CCI in Myelin Compaction... 

Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions have been suggested as mediators of cell adhesion and aggregation. Studies of four different interactions— sponge cell aggregation, embryo and myelin compaction, and melanoma cell adhesion— have provided insights into the role of the saccharides in these events. The biological context of these associations as well as the results of experiments using biophysical and chemical model systems are described. 

A variety of 3-alkylpiperidine-derived compounds have been obtained from sponges belonging to five families of the order Haplosclerida (26). They show a range of bioactivities, for example, cytotoxic, antimalarial, and antifouling. It is likely that 3-alkylpiperidines are produced by sponge cells but not by symbiotic microorganisms. 

Simpson, T.L., 1968. The structure and function of sponge cells new criteria for the taxonomy of poecilosclerid sponges (Demospongiae). Yale Univ. Peabody Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull., 25 1—141. 

---