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306 MEMOIRS OF THE QUEENSLAND MUSEUM HOMEOBOX GENES EXPRESSED IN THE Myxillidae) and during reaggregation were identified ADULT AND REAGGREGATING SPONGE. by RT-PCR with degenerate primers and sequencing. Memoirs ofthe QueenslandMuseum 44: 306. 1999:- As with regeneration in other taxa, investigating the Homcobox genes encode a large family ofconserved molecular genetics of reaggregation in the sponge, transcription factors that control a range ofimportant apartfrom providingmanypracticaladvantages,gives developmental decisions, and can be interspersed or us insight into the level of conservation between organised in clusters (e.g. HOX genes) within embryological and otherdevelopmental processes. To metazoan genomes. A striking feature of many confirm the poriferan origin ofthe homeobox genes homeobox orthologues is how they are expressed in a isolated,theidenticalprocedurewasappliedtoanother similar fashion during the development of spongeandsomehomologousgeneswereobtained.As phylogenetically-disparate animals. In recent years, spongesappearto bemonophyletic withtherestofthe interesthasdeveloped in homeoboxgenesinthe lower Metazoa and the first lineage to diverge during metazoans, such as platyhelminths, cnidarians, and metazoanevolution,thestudyoftheirhomeoboxgenes sponges. Instead of studying embryological provides insight into the initial role of development, focus has often been on the role of metazoan-specific homeobox genes in governing the homeobox genes during regeneration. Interestingly, multicellular state and cellular differentiation. these genes exhibit comparable expression patterns Porifera, reaggregation. development, homeobox duringtheregenerationoflowermetazoans as theydo genes, regeneration. during normal embryological development ofhigher metazoans. Inthisstudy,homeoboxgenesexpressedin ClaireLarroux& BernardM.Degnan(email:bdegnania] the adult sponge (newly dissociated cells) lotrochota zoology.uq.edu.au), DepartmentofZoology. Universityof haculifera Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida: Queensland,Brisbane,Qld.,4072,Australia;IJune1998. ( ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SPONGES None ofthe tested extracts analysed by this method FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL, ATLANTIC could inhibit the growth ofthese microorganisms, an COAST.MemoirsoftheQueenslandMuseum44;306. exception was thePetromicasporganicextractwhich 1999:- Within the research program of biologically showed an inhibitoryactivity forBacillussubtilis. The active natural products, we have investigated different sameextractswereanalysedforantitumouractivity by speciesofmarinespongescollectedbyscubadivingin in vitro inhibition ofproliferation ofdifferent tumour the South-western Atlantic region, near the coast of cell lines. Some of the extracts showed promising South-Brazil,aimingattheevaluationoftheirpotential results. The preliminary antimicrobial assay can be asasourcefornewdrugs. Inordertoachievethisgoal, useful for pointing out sponge species to be further theantimicrobialactivity offivespecies, Tedaniaignis analysed. Porifera. antimicrobial. Atlantic coast, & Duchassaing Michelotti, Pseudaxinella reticulata southern Brazil, biologically active naturalproducts, (Ridley & Dendy), Polymastia janeirensis antitumor. (Boury-Esnault, 1973). Batzellasp. and Petromicasp. were analysed. The sponge species found in this C.Lcrner(email:[email protected]),Institutode particular region constitute a group ofshallow-water Biociencias da Universidade de Sao Paulo (USP) & Demospongiae in which a pharmacological usage has FundacaodeAmparoaPesquisadoEstadodeSaoPaulo not previously been evaluated. Aqueous extracts iFAPESP). Brazil; and Museu de Ciencias Naturals da obtained by grinding and maceration for 30mins FundacaoZoobotdnicadoRioGrandedoSid(MCN/FZB) following freeze-drying, as well as organic solvent & Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio extracts (toluene: methanol 3:1 v/v) were prepared Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil: B. Mothes. L.G. from organisms frozen since the harvesting. Possuclo & J.C. Costa, Museu de Ciencias Naturals da Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by the agar FundacaoZoobotdnicadoRioGrandedoSul(MCN/FZB) diffusionmethodonpaperdisks(6mmdiameter). Each & Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio spongeextract was tested forgrowth inhibition offive Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), Brazil; EES. Schapoval, bacteria species: Escherichia eoli (ATCC 25922), E.Rech. F.M. Farias & A.T. Ilenriques, Faculdade de Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538P), Farmdciada UniversidadeFederaldoRio GrandedoSul Staphylococcusepidermidis(ATCC 12228), Baccillus (UFRGS) & Fundacao deAmparoa PesquisadoEstado subtilis (ATCC 6633), Micrococcus luteus (ATCC doRioGrandedoSul(F.4PERGS)/ConselhoNacionalde 9I 3104213)a1n)dantdwoSaycecashtarspoemcyicese:sCcaernedviidsaiaael(biAcTanCsC(A16T0C0)C. DDD.eesveeMnlavonopslm,veinSmtoeun(ttShoO-ACADime)en,triiBfcriaaczonile;OTfaefncicndeoHlofosogpriictAoan(ltCidNcePaqCnl)ci,enriBcrDaazrsiudlg;e PortoAlegre(IfCPA). Brazil; IJune 1998.