共生菌——新活性天然产物的重要来源

Symbionts,an Important Source of New Bioactive Natural Products

共生菌是长期与宿主共同生活的一大类群的特殊微生物,过去长期被忽略,相关研究相对薄弱。事实上,因长期与宿主共进化,其生理生化特点更加鲜明、次生代谢产物合成更具特色。本文首先简单介绍了近年共生菌次生代谢产物的结构特点与生物学功能,然后对植物内生菌、昆虫共生菌、海绵共附生菌等重要共生微生物做了重点阐述。从已有研究结果来看,共生菌确系新活性天然产物的重要来源。

Symbionts are microorganisms living inside hosts （mostly muhicellular organisms） during a variable period of their life. The natural products produced by symbionts is poorly investigated since the presence and/or productivity of these microorganisms have been neglected for a long duration. However, during the long-time co-evolution with their hosts, symbionts have more chances to acquire unique traits in their biochemistry, physiology and secondary metabolite production. The review summarizes the major progress in symbiont generated natural products, being chemically inspiring and biologically potent secondary metabolites.