Secondary metabolism | EPFL Graph Search

Secondary metabolism (also called specialized metabolism) is a term for pathways and small molecule products of metabolism that are involved in ecological interactions, but are not absolutely required for the survival of the organism. These molecules are sometimes produced by specialized cells, such as laticifers in plants. Secondary metabolites commonly mediate antagonistic interactions, such as competition and predation, as well as mutualistic ones such as pollination and resource mutualisms. Examples of secondary metabolites include antibiotics, pigments and scents. The opposite of secondary metabolites are primary metabolites, which are considered to be essential to the normal growth or development of an organism. Secondary metabolites are produced by many microbes, plants, fungi and animals, usually living in crowded habitats, where chemical defense represents a better option than physical escape. It is very hard to distinguish primary and secondary metabolites due to often overlapping of the intermediates and pathways of primary and secondary metabolism. As an example can serve sterols, that are products of secondary metabolism, and, at the same time, represent a base for a cell structure.

Bioaccumulation and molecular effects of carbamazepine and methylmercury co-exposure in males of Dreissena polymorpha

Florian Frédéric Vincent Breider, Dominique Grandjean, Nguyên Thiên Kim Lê, Claudia Cosio

Dreissena polymorpha is a bivalve promising for biomonitoring in freshwater ecosystems thanks to its abundance and high filtration activity allowing rapid uptake of toxicants and identification of their negative effects. Nonetheless, we still lack knowledg ...

2023

New Approach for the Identification of Isobaric and Isomeric Metabolites

Thomas Rizzo, Ahmed Ben Faleh, Stephan Warnke, Ali H Abikhodr, Teun Van Wieringen

The structural elucidation of metabolite molecules is important in many branches of the life sciences. However, the isomeric and isobaric complexity of metabolites makes their identification extremely challenging, and analytical standards are often require ...

AMER CHEMICAL SOC2023

Coral holobiont cues prime Endozoicomonas for a symbiotic lifestyle

Nils Rädecker, Claudia Isabella Pogoreutz, Gabriela Hannah Holligan Perna

Endozoicomonas are prevalent, abundant bacterial associates of marine animals, including corals. Their role in holobiont health and functioning, however, remains poorly understood. To identify potential interactions within the coral holobiont, we character ...

SPRINGERNATURE2022