Sesterterpenoids in marine and terrestrial organisms: a relational database

Sesterterpenoids (SSTPs) are pentaprenyl terpenoids derived from the linear precursor geranylfarnesyl diphosphate, which have been isolated from fungi, bacteria, lichens, plants, insects, and various marine invertebrates, especially sponges. To define a schema of knowledge organization on this topic, it was necessary to collect skills from various disciplines such as chemistry, botany, biology, ecology, pharmacology and others. This joint effort led to the definition of a rather detailed conceptual model which was then instantiated in a logical diagram to define the database used in this project [1]. This database contains all the basic concepts, starting with the name of the molecule, the chemical class, the organisms from which it was first extracted, potential bioactivity properties, and major extraction method procedures. Bibliographic references are stored for each passage of information. A public website has been created to visualize and consult the collected material, to share database maintenance activities among managers, and to provide automatic links with other accredited databases for easy and timely updating of the information. Literature covers the years 1918 to 2023 and includes about 2000 SSTPs, classified according to their structural complexity, from linear pentaprenyl to carbocyclic and heterocyclic scaffolds. Marine and terrestrial organismal sources are reported, and also, when possible, the synthetic origin of their SSTPs repertoire. A variety of bioactivities were described, ranging from cytotoxicity against human cancer cells and inhibition of pathogenic microbes, to anti-inflammatory, antiprotozoal, antitubercular and antifeedant activities and modulation of neurodegenerative processes, as well as activity in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity, and as immunosuppressive molecules.