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Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Fluorescently Labeled Bacteria as a Tracer to Reveal Novel Pathways of Organic Carbon Flow in Aquatic Ecosystems
Published on: September 13, 2019
Bioactive molecules from ciliates: Structure, activity, and applicative potential
Claudio Alimenti1, Federico Buonanno2, Graziano Di Giuseppe3,4
1Laboratory of Eukaryotic Microbiology and Animal Biology, School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
Abstract:
Ciliates are a rich source of molecules synthesized to socialize, compete ecologically, and interact with prey and predators. Their isolation from laboratory cultures is often straightforward, permitting the study of their mechanisms of action and their assessment for applied research. This review focuses on three classes of these bioactive molecules: (i) water-borne, cysteine-rich proteins that are used as signaling pheromones in self/nonself recognition phenomena; (ii) cell membrane-associated lipophilic terpenoids that are used in interspecies competitions for habitat colonization; (iii) cortical granule-associated molecules of various chemical nature that primarily serve offence/defense functions.
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