Halichondria
| Halichondria | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Halichondria panicea | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Porifera |
| Class: | Demospongiae |
| Order: | Halichondrida |
| Family: | Halichondriidae |
| Genus: |
Halichondria Fleming, 1828 |
| Species | |
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see text |
|
see text
Halichondria is a genus of marine demosponges belonging to the family Halichondriidae. These are massive, amorphous sponges with clearly separated inner and outer skeletons consisting of bundles of spicules arranged in a seemingly random pattern.
This genus of sponges became important through the discovery of cell division limiting properties of the extract Halichondrin B, which inhibits cell mitosis. The drug Eribulin, a related compound and an inhibitor of microtubule function, has become an important chemotherapy treatment for certain types of cancer.
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