BIOGENETICALLY DIVERSE, BIOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS OF A SPONGE, ORDER VERONGIDA - BROMOTYRAMINES AND SESQUITERPENE-SHIKIMATE DERIVED METABOLITES

From a Verongid sponge, family Aplysinellidae and most likely a member of an undescribed genus, we have isolated respectable quantities of a bromotyramine derivative, moloka'iamine (1) and of puupehenone (5) re lated compounds. When broken apart, the animal emits hydrogen cyanide. The structures were determined spectrally and by comparison with publ ished data. Puupehenone-related metabolites 2 and 4-8 exhibit a variet y of biological activities (cyotoxicity, antiviral, antifungal, immuno modulatory) to varying degrees. 1, 6-Addition to the conjugated dienon e system of puupehenone (5) enhances some of the activities.