Chemistry, Chemotaxonomy and Biological Activity of the Latrunculid Sponges (Order Poecilosclerida, Family Latrunculiidae)

Marine sponges are exceptionally prolific sources of natural products for the discovery and development new drugs. Until now, have contributed around 30% all metabolites isolated from marine environment. Family Latrunculiidae Topsent, 1922 (class Demospongiae Sollas, 1885, order Poecilosclerida 1928) is a small sponge family comprising seven genera. Latrunculid recognized as major reservoirs diverse types pyrroloiminoquinone-type alkaloids, with myriad biological activities, in particular, cytotoxicity, fuelling their exploration anticancer drug discovery. Almost 100 pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloids structurally related compounds been reported Latrunculiidae. The systematics latrunculid has had complex history, however it now well understood. provided important chemotaxonomic characters this family. to contain other metabolites, such peptides (callipeltins), norditerpenes norsesterpenes (trunculins) macrolides (latrunculins), however, containing latrunculins trunculins transferred families. This review highlights comprehensive literature survey spanning first chemical investigation New Zealand Latrunculia sp. 1986 until August 2020, focusing on diversity activities secondary biosynthetic (microbial) origin taxonomic significance also discussed.