Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2003. / Advisor: Dr. Don Levitan, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Biological Science. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Apr. 7, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

[Truncated abstract] Sponges have an invaluable ecological importance through the provision of shelter and habitat, consolidation of reefs, bio-erosion, and in benthic-pelagic coupling processes. In addition, sponges are known to be an incredible source of compounds with bio-medicinal and commercial applications. Despite their ecological and economic importance, our understanding of the processes which maintain and structure sponge populations is severely lacking compared to other sessile invertebrates (e.g. Cnidarians). This study examines the processes which help maintain and the factors which structure the populations of two sympatric Haliclona species (Demospongiae; Haplosclerida; Chalinidae) at Hamelin Bay on the south west coast of Australia. In addition, the importance of both species to the broader marine community is examined. The reproductive biology of both species was determined from histological sections taken from each species over two years at Hamelin Bay. No evidence of asexual reproduction was observed in either species. Sexual reproduction occurred from November to April in Haliclona sp. 1 (hereafter green Haliclona) and November to May in Haliclona sp. 2 (hereafter brown Haliclona). The green Haliclona is viviparous with both gonochoric and hermaphroditic individuals observed in the population. The brown Haliclona is also viviparous with separate sexes. The onset and progression of reproduction in both species corresponded to increases in water temperature and photoperiod, but only decreasing wave height showed a significant correlation to gametogenesis. ... A significant (P < 0.05) difference in concentration between seasons was also observed, suggesting environmental and physiological factors affect the production of salicylihalamide A in the green Haliclona. The importance of each species to the marine environment was assessed by investigating the endofauna inhabiting each species across their known range ( [approx. ]1000 km's). A total of 948 and 287 endofaunal individuals were found associated with the green and brown Haliclona, respectively. Twenty four endofaunal taxa were found (from mysid shrimps to teleost fish), and the endofaunal assemblages of each species were significantly different. However, only the endofaunal assemblage associated with the green Haliclona varied among locations. Overall, this study demonstrates that the populations of both species are maintained by limited sexual reproductive output and larval dispersal. Abiotic factors (e.g. water temperature, wave exposure) influence the growth and physiology of both species, which is intimately connected to their abilities to reproduce. This has important consequences for the species populations with regard to their resilience to environmental change, and potential for harvesting of biomass for supply of bioactive compounds. Additionally, both species provide important habitats for many other organisms. The findings highlight the need for a detailed understanding of the ecology of potentially exploitable sponge species, to ensure their conservation and limit the impact on the organisms which rely on the sponges.

Depuis une cinquantaine d’années, de nombreuses études ont décrit les spongiaires comme de formidables ressources de produits naturels originaux. Ces découvertes ont attisé la curiosité de nombreux scientifiques issus de domaines variés (chimie, biochimie, biologie moléculaire) qui mettent leurs connaissances en commun afin de comprendre le fonctionnement de ces animaux si particuliers. Les travaux envisagés dans ce manuscrit portent sur les éponges du genre Haliclona issu de l’ordre des Haplosclérides. En effet, ce groupe taxonomique révèle des familles de molécules très particulières, notamment les alcaloïdes 3-AP et les polyacétylènes, qui présentent un potentiel pharmacologique à exploiter. En outre la diversité chimique retrouvée au sein de ce genre remet en question la validité de la classification actuelle des Haplosclérides déjà discutée par les données de biologie moléculaire. L’intérêt particulier porté à ces composés originaux concerne également les voies métaboliques permettant d’aboutir à leur biosynthèse. Ainsi les alcaloïdes 3-AP ne trouvant aucun équivalent notamment dans le monde terrestre, la description de leur voie de biosynthèse n’a alors été envisagée que sous forme d’hypothèses. Afin d’éclaircir les différentes problématiques posées par ce groupe de spongiaires, les études menées pendant ce doctorat ont fait appel à des méthodes et techniques variées tels que les méthodes d’extraction et d’analyses de la chimie des produits naturels classique, l’outil récent qu’est la métabolomique ou encore les expériences de « feeding » et l’utilisation de composés radio-marqués / Since about fifty years, several studies described sponges as astounding resources of original natural products. These discoveries aroused scientist’s curiosity in various areas (chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology) and to understand these animal’s functioning, they share their knowledge. The proposed work in this manuscript, focus on sponges of genus Haliclona from the order Haplosclerida. Indeed, this taxonomic group reveal peculiar chemical families, including 3-AP alkaloids and polyacetylenic compounds, displaying pharmacological potential to be exploited. Besides, chemicalDépôt de thèseDonnées complémentairesdiversity encountered in this genus challenge the actual classification of Haplosclerida group already disputed by biomolecular data. The particular interest in these original compounds also concerns metabolic pathways leading to their biosynthesis. In this way, 3-AP alkaloids, which don’t have any equivalent particularly in terrestrial area, the description of their biosynthesis pathway was only considered by hypothesis. To resolve various problematics proposed by this sponges’ group, studies conducted through this PhD appeal to several methods and technics like usual natural products chemistry extraction and analytical technics, recent tool named metabolomic or feeding experiments with radiolabelled compounds

Les travaux présentés concernent dans une première partie la synthèse biomimétique d’un alcaloïde indolomonoterpénique : la bipléiophylline. La bipléiophylline est le résultat de l’assemblage complexe de deux unités indoliques identiques ancrées sur une plateforme aromatique. Une stratégie générale de synthèse biomimétique de la bipléiophylline consistant i) à la synthèse de l’unité indolique pléiocarpamine et ii) à l’oxydation de l’acide 2,3-dihydroxybenzoïque a été envisagée. L’accès au squelette complexe de la pléiocarpamine a été étudié selon plusieurs stratégies de synthèse totale mais également par hémisynthèse. Parallèlement une étude des conditions d’oxydation notamment par électrochimie de l’acide 2,3-dihydroxybenzoïque ont permis de déterminer et caractériser son potentiel d’oxydation et de mettre au point les conditions de formation de sa forme oxydée. La seconde partie est consacrée à la synthèse biomimétique d’un modèle du cœur central de l’haliclonine A, un alcaloïde de la famille des manzamines. La synthèse de plusieurs précurseurs a été réalisée ainsi que l’étude de l’étape clé de double addition nucléophile sur un 5,6-dihydropyridinium. / Our work deals in the first part with a biomimetic synthesis of bipleiophyllin, an indolomonoterpenic alkaloid. The bipleiophyllin is the result of a complex anchorage of two identical indolic subunits on an aromatic platform. A general strategy for the biomimetic synthesis of bipleiophyllin consisting of i) the synthesis of the indolic unit pleiocarpamin and ii) the oxidation of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid; was considered. Access to the complex skeleton of pleiocarpamin has been studied by different total synthesis strategies but also by hemisynthesis. Meanwhile this work, a study of the oxidation conditions of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid including by electrochemistry, helped identify and characterize its oxidation potential and develop the required conditions to obtain its oxidized form. The second part is devoted to the biomimetic synthesis of a model compound, mimic of the central core of haliclonin A, an alkaloid of the family of manzamins. The synthesis of several precursors and the study of the key step consisting in a double nucleophilic addition to a 5,6-dihydropyridinium were done.

Les travaux de thèse présentés dans ce manuscrit portent sur l'étude de quatre éponges marines issues de la zone Sud-Ouest de l'Océan Indien : Plakortis kenyensis, Theonella swinhoei, Haliclona fascigera et Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. Les travaux entrepris comprenaient l'étude chimique de ces éponges incluant l'extraction, l'isolement et l'identification des métabolites secondaires par différentes techniques chromatographiques (CLMP, CLHP...) et spectroscopiques (UV-visible, HRMS, RMN 1D et 2D...). Douze métabolites secondaires ont été isolés de ces éponges dont six de structures nouvelles, à savoir : l'acide 2,5-époxydocosan-6-én-21-ynoïque (HF1), un acide gras atypique isolé de l'éponge Haliclona fascigera ; la 8-oxo-tryptamine (FR2), la 6,6’-bis-(débromo)- gelliusine F (FR3), la 6-bromo-2’-déméthyl-3’-N-méthyl-1’,8-dihydroaplysinopsine (FR6), la 5,6-dibromo-2’- déméthyl-3’-N-méthyl-1’,8-dihydroaplysinopsine (FR7) et la 5,6-dibromo-3’-déimino-2’-déméthyl-3’-oxo-1’,8- dihydroaplysinopsine (FR8), cinq alcaloïdes indoliques isolés de l'éponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. La valorisation des molécules isolées a ensuite été envisagée via l'évaluation de leurs activités biologiques. Parmi les douze molécules isolées, sept ont montré une activité antipaludique, trois une activité inhibitrice du quorum sensing de la bactérie bioluminescente Vibrio harveyi et cinq une activité anti-microfouling par inhibition de l'adhésion et/ou de la croissance de souches microbiennes marines. / The work described in this manuscript concerns four sponges from the South-West Indian Ocean: Plakortis kenyensis, Theonella swinhoei, Haliclona fascigera and Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. The chemical study of the sponges including extraction, isolation and identification of secondary metabolites was undertaken using various chromatographic (MPLC, HPLC ...) and spectroscopic (UV-visible, HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR ...) techniques. Twelve secondary metabolites including six new molecules were isolated from these sponges. The new molecules are: 2,5-époxydocosan-6-en-21-ynoic acid (HF1) an unusual fatty acid isolated from the sponge Haliclona fascigera; 8-oxo-tryptamine (FR2), 6,6'-bis (debromo)-gelliusine F (FR3), 6-bromo-2'-demethyl-3'-N- methyl-1',8-dihydroaplysinopsine (FR6), 5,6-dibromo-2'-demethyl-3'-N-methyl-1',8-dihydroaplysinopsine (FR7) and 5,6-dibromo-3’-deimino-2’-demethyl-3’-oxo-1’,8-dihydroaplysinopsine (FR8), five indole alkaloids isolated from the sponge Fascaplysinopsis reticulata. The biological activities of the isolated molecules were then evaluated. Among the twelve isolated molecules, seven were active against the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, three were identified as inhibitors of the quorum sensing-regulated bioluminescence in Vibrio harveyi and five, showing marine bacterial adhesion and/or growth inhibition, exhibited potential anti- microfouling activity.

A descoberta de fármacos a partir de produtos isolados de organismos marinhos tem apresentado um grande crescimento nos últimos anos, principalmente devido aos avanços tecnológicos analíticos, síntese química e biotecnologia. Dentre estes, as esponjas representam uma das principais fontes de metabólitos protótipos para diversas atividades, destacando-se os efeitos antitumorais. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo a investigação química e biológica de três esponjas coletadas na costa sul-brasileira: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis e Scopalina ruetzleri. Considerando a correlação entre câncer, distúrbios da coagulação e desbalanço de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), foram realizados ensaios visando a aquisição destas atividades e a identificação de substâncias bioativas. Para a esponja H. tubifera foram observados interessantes efeitos antitumorais em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano (IC50 < 20 μg/ml), além das atividades antioxidante e anticoagulante para a fração acetato de etila. O composto majoritário desta fração foi isolado como um derivado N-Boc e sua configuração foi estabelecida utilizando um novo protocolo de dicroísmo circular e semissíntese de derivados. Assim, este esfingosídeo de cadeia longa isolado (2R,3R,6R,7Z)-2-amino-7-octadecene-1,3,6-triol, foi denominado halisphingosine A. Um novo composto minoritário, halisphingosine B foi obtido usando técnicas de isolamento em escala nanomolar. Sua configuração absoluta foi estabelecida por comparação com o composto A. Da mesma forma, para a esponja S. ruetzleri, a fração acetato de etila demonstrou os resultados mais promissores. Um potencial efeito anticâncer e de inibição dos radicais peroxila foi observado. Além disso, um efeito modulador da peroxidação lipídica foi evidenciado em ensaio ex vivo de dienos conjugados. Através da análise por RMN de 1H, verificou-se que a fração era majoritariamente constituída por ácidos graxos, os quais foram derivatizados para caracterização por Cromatografia Gasosa (GC/FID). Foram identificados 32 ácidos graxos principalmente poli-insaturados (53%). Ácidos graxos minoritários não usuais para o ambiente marinho também foram caracterizados. A esponja P. janeirensis apresentou os efeitos citotóxicos mais promissores em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano, com um IC50 < 1,0 μg/ml para o extrato aquoso (pH 6,8), sendo este efeito pH-dependente, uma vez que o extrato (pH 5,8) não alterou a viabilidade celular. Para P. janeirensis, foi também investigado seu potencial de defesa química em modelo de Zebrafish. Foi observado que o extrato aquoso desencadeia um efeito de fuga, alterando significativamente o comportamento espaço-temporal de peixes Danio rerio. Analisando em conjunto, os dados do presente trabalho representam uma nova contribuição para o estudo químico e biológico de espécies de esponjas marinhas da costa sul-brasileira e apontam as potencialidades destas esponjas na busca de moléculas protótipos para fármacos, especialmente relacionados à terapia do câncer. / Drug discovery from marine natural products has increased in the past few years, mainly due to technological advances in spectroscopy, chemical synthesis and biotechnology. Among all marine animals, sponges represent one of the major sources of prototype metabolites for several biological activities, highlighting the antitumor effects. In this context, this study carried out chemical and biological investigation of three sponges collected on the South Brazilian coastline: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis and Scopalina ruetzleri. Considering the correlation between cancer, clotting disorders and imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), experiments were conducted for acquisition of these activities and identification of bioactive compounds. H. tubifera showed an interesting cytotoxic effect in human neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines (IC50 <20 μg/ml), antioxidant and anticoagulant effect for ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction. The major compound of EtOAc fraction was isolated as an N-Boc derivative and its configuration was established using a new circular dichroism protocol with the production of semi-synthetic derivatives. This long chain sphingoid base (2R,3R,6R,Z)-2-aminooctadec-7-ene-1,3,6-triol was named as halisphingosine A. A new minor compound, halisphingosine B was obtained using nanomol scale techniques and their absolute configuration was established by comparison with compound A. Likewise, for the sponge S. ruetzleri, the EtOAc fraction showed the most promising results. A potential anticancer effect, inhibition of peroxyl radicals and modulation effect of lipid peroxidation was observed. Fingerprint 1H NMR analysis showed that this fraction is mainly constituted of fatty acids. Through Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAMEs) analysis by GC/FID, it was possible to identify 32 fatty acids, of which around 50% were Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). In addition, some minor unusual fatty acids for the marine biosphere were identified. It was observed for P. janeirensis the most promising cytotoxic effects on human glioma and neuroblastoma cells, with an IC50 <1.0 μg/ml to aqueous extract (pH 6.8), being this effect pH-dependent, since the extract (pH 5.8) did not affect the cell viability. Moreover, P. janeirensis was investigated along their potential chemical defense in Zebrafish model. Aqueous extract trigged an escape effect, significantly altering the spatio-temporal swimming activity of animals. Taken together, the data presented from this study represent a new contribution to chemical and biological research of marine sponge species from South Brazilian coastline, and point the potentialities of sponges to search chemical prototypes for drugs, especially related to cancer therapy.

A descoberta de fármacos a partir de produtos isolados de organismos marinhos tem apresentado um grande crescimento nos últimos anos, principalmente devido aos avanços tecnológicos analíticos, síntese química e biotecnologia. Dentre estes, as esponjas representam uma das principais fontes de metabólitos protótipos para diversas atividades, destacando-se os efeitos antitumorais. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo a investigação química e biológica de três esponjas coletadas na costa sul-brasileira: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis e Scopalina ruetzleri. Considerando a correlação entre câncer, distúrbios da coagulação e desbalanço de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), foram realizados ensaios visando a aquisição destas atividades e a identificação de substâncias bioativas. Para a esponja H. tubifera foram observados interessantes efeitos antitumorais em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano (IC50 < 20 μg/ml), além das atividades antioxidante e anticoagulante para a fração acetato de etila. O composto majoritário desta fração foi isolado como um derivado N-Boc e sua configuração foi estabelecida utilizando um novo protocolo de dicroísmo circular e semissíntese de derivados. Assim, este esfingosídeo de cadeia longa isolado (2R,3R,6R,7Z)-2-amino-7-octadecene-1,3,6-triol, foi denominado halisphingosine A. Um novo composto minoritário, halisphingosine B foi obtido usando técnicas de isolamento em escala nanomolar. Sua configuração absoluta foi estabelecida por comparação com o composto A. Da mesma forma, para a esponja S. ruetzleri, a fração acetato de etila demonstrou os resultados mais promissores. Um potencial efeito anticâncer e de inibição dos radicais peroxila foi observado. Além disso, um efeito modulador da peroxidação lipídica foi evidenciado em ensaio ex vivo de dienos conjugados. Através da análise por RMN de 1H, verificou-se que a fração era majoritariamente constituída por ácidos graxos, os quais foram derivatizados para caracterização por Cromatografia Gasosa (GC/FID). Foram identificados 32 ácidos graxos principalmente poli-insaturados (53%). Ácidos graxos minoritários não usuais para o ambiente marinho também foram caracterizados. A esponja P. janeirensis apresentou os efeitos citotóxicos mais promissores em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano, com um IC50 < 1,0 μg/ml para o extrato aquoso (pH 6,8), sendo este efeito pH-dependente, uma vez que o extrato (pH 5,8) não alterou a viabilidade celular. Para P. janeirensis, foi também investigado seu potencial de defesa química em modelo de Zebrafish. Foi observado que o extrato aquoso desencadeia um efeito de fuga, alterando significativamente o comportamento espaço-temporal de peixes Danio rerio. Analisando em conjunto, os dados do presente trabalho representam uma nova contribuição para o estudo químico e biológico de espécies de esponjas marinhas da costa sul-brasileira e apontam as potencialidades destas esponjas na busca de moléculas protótipos para fármacos, especialmente relacionados à terapia do câncer. / Drug discovery from marine natural products has increased in the past few years, mainly due to technological advances in spectroscopy, chemical synthesis and biotechnology. Among all marine animals, sponges represent one of the major sources of prototype metabolites for several biological activities, highlighting the antitumor effects. In this context, this study carried out chemical and biological investigation of three sponges collected on the South Brazilian coastline: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis and Scopalina ruetzleri. Considering the correlation between cancer, clotting disorders and imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), experiments were conducted for acquisition of these activities and identification of bioactive compounds. H. tubifera showed an interesting cytotoxic effect in human neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines (IC50 <20 μg/ml), antioxidant and anticoagulant effect for ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction. The major compound of EtOAc fraction was isolated as an N-Boc derivative and its configuration was established using a new circular dichroism protocol with the production of semi-synthetic derivatives. This long chain sphingoid base (2R,3R,6R,Z)-2-aminooctadec-7-ene-1,3,6-triol was named as halisphingosine A. A new minor compound, halisphingosine B was obtained using nanomol scale techniques and their absolute configuration was established by comparison with compound A. Likewise, for the sponge S. ruetzleri, the EtOAc fraction showed the most promising results. A potential anticancer effect, inhibition of peroxyl radicals and modulation effect of lipid peroxidation was observed. Fingerprint 1H NMR analysis showed that this fraction is mainly constituted of fatty acids. Through Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAMEs) analysis by GC/FID, it was possible to identify 32 fatty acids, of which around 50% were Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). In addition, some minor unusual fatty acids for the marine biosphere were identified. It was observed for P. janeirensis the most promising cytotoxic effects on human glioma and neuroblastoma cells, with an IC50 <1.0 μg/ml to aqueous extract (pH 6.8), being this effect pH-dependent, since the extract (pH 5.8) did not affect the cell viability. Moreover, P. janeirensis was investigated along their potential chemical defense in Zebrafish model. Aqueous extract trigged an escape effect, significantly altering the spatio-temporal swimming activity of animals. Taken together, the data presented from this study represent a new contribution to chemical and biological research of marine sponge species from South Brazilian coastline, and point the potentialities of sponges to search chemical prototypes for drugs, especially related to cancer therapy.

A descoberta de fármacos a partir de produtos isolados de organismos marinhos tem apresentado um grande crescimento nos últimos anos, principalmente devido aos avanços tecnológicos analíticos, síntese química e biotecnologia. Dentre estes, as esponjas representam uma das principais fontes de metabólitos protótipos para diversas atividades, destacando-se os efeitos antitumorais. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivo a investigação química e biológica de três esponjas coletadas na costa sul-brasileira: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis e Scopalina ruetzleri. Considerando a correlação entre câncer, distúrbios da coagulação e desbalanço de espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs), foram realizados ensaios visando a aquisição destas atividades e a identificação de substâncias bioativas. Para a esponja H. tubifera foram observados interessantes efeitos antitumorais em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano (IC50 < 20 μg/ml), além das atividades antioxidante e anticoagulante para a fração acetato de etila. O composto majoritário desta fração foi isolado como um derivado N-Boc e sua configuração foi estabelecida utilizando um novo protocolo de dicroísmo circular e semissíntese de derivados. Assim, este esfingosídeo de cadeia longa isolado (2R,3R,6R,7Z)-2-amino-7-octadecene-1,3,6-triol, foi denominado halisphingosine A. Um novo composto minoritário, halisphingosine B foi obtido usando técnicas de isolamento em escala nanomolar. Sua configuração absoluta foi estabelecida por comparação com o composto A. Da mesma forma, para a esponja S. ruetzleri, a fração acetato de etila demonstrou os resultados mais promissores. Um potencial efeito anticâncer e de inibição dos radicais peroxila foi observado. Além disso, um efeito modulador da peroxidação lipídica foi evidenciado em ensaio ex vivo de dienos conjugados. Através da análise por RMN de 1H, verificou-se que a fração era majoritariamente constituída por ácidos graxos, os quais foram derivatizados para caracterização por Cromatografia Gasosa (GC/FID). Foram identificados 32 ácidos graxos principalmente poli-insaturados (53%). Ácidos graxos minoritários não usuais para o ambiente marinho também foram caracterizados. A esponja P. janeirensis apresentou os efeitos citotóxicos mais promissores em células de glioma e neuroblastoma humano, com um IC50 < 1,0 μg/ml para o extrato aquoso (pH 6,8), sendo este efeito pH-dependente, uma vez que o extrato (pH 5,8) não alterou a viabilidade celular. Para P. janeirensis, foi também investigado seu potencial de defesa química em modelo de Zebrafish. Foi observado que o extrato aquoso desencadeia um efeito de fuga, alterando significativamente o comportamento espaço-temporal de peixes Danio rerio. Analisando em conjunto, os dados do presente trabalho representam uma nova contribuição para o estudo químico e biológico de espécies de esponjas marinhas da costa sul-brasileira e apontam as potencialidades destas esponjas na busca de moléculas protótipos para fármacos, especialmente relacionados à terapia do câncer. / Drug discovery from marine natural products has increased in the past few years, mainly due to technological advances in spectroscopy, chemical synthesis and biotechnology. Among all marine animals, sponges represent one of the major sources of prototype metabolites for several biological activities, highlighting the antitumor effects. In this context, this study carried out chemical and biological investigation of three sponges collected on the South Brazilian coastline: Haliclona tubifera, Polymastia janeirensis and Scopalina ruetzleri. Considering the correlation between cancer, clotting disorders and imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), experiments were conducted for acquisition of these activities and identification of bioactive compounds. H. tubifera showed an interesting cytotoxic effect in human neuroblastoma and glioma cell lines (IC50 <20 μg/ml), antioxidant and anticoagulant effect for ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction. The major compound of EtOAc fraction was isolated as an N-Boc derivative and its configuration was established using a new circular dichroism protocol with the production of semi-synthetic derivatives. This long chain sphingoid base (2R,3R,6R,Z)-2-aminooctadec-7-ene-1,3,6-triol was named as halisphingosine A. A new minor compound, halisphingosine B was obtained using nanomol scale techniques and their absolute configuration was established by comparison with compound A. Likewise, for the sponge S. ruetzleri, the EtOAc fraction showed the most promising results. A potential anticancer effect, inhibition of peroxyl radicals and modulation effect of lipid peroxidation was observed. Fingerprint 1H NMR analysis showed that this fraction is mainly constituted of fatty acids. Through Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAMEs) analysis by GC/FID, it was possible to identify 32 fatty acids, of which around 50% were Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs). In addition, some minor unusual fatty acids for the marine biosphere were identified. It was observed for P. janeirensis the most promising cytotoxic effects on human glioma and neuroblastoma cells, with an IC50 <1.0 μg/ml to aqueous extract (pH 6.8), being this effect pH-dependent, since the extract (pH 5.8) did not affect the cell viability. Moreover, P. janeirensis was investigated along their potential chemical defense in Zebrafish model. Aqueous extract trigged an escape effect, significantly altering the spatio-temporal swimming activity of animals. Taken together, the data presented from this study represent a new contribution to chemical and biological research of marine sponge species from South Brazilian coastline, and point the potentialities of sponges to search chemical prototypes for drugs, especially related to cancer therapy.