Neurotoxic Alkaloids: Saxitoxin and Its Analogs

Marine Drugs

Maria Wiese¹  Paul M. D𠆚gostino²  Troco K. Mihali¹  Michelle C. Moffitt² 

[1] School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; E-Mails:;School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia; E-Mails:

关键词: saxitoxin;    STX;    paralytic shellfish poisoning;    PSP;    paralytic shellfish toxins;    PSTs;    neurotoxins;    alkaloid analogs;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md8072185

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Saxitoxin (STX) and its 57 analogs are a broad group of natural neurotoxic alkaloids, commonly known as the paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). PSTs are the causative agents of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and are mostly associated with marine dinoflagellates (eukaryotes) and freshwater cyanobacteria (prokaryotes), which form extensive blooms around the world. PST producing dinoflagellates belong to the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium and Pyrodinium whilst production has been identified in several cyanobacterial genera including Anabaena, Cylindrospermopsis, Aphanizomenon Planktothrix and Lyngbya. STX and its analogs can be structurally classified into several classes such as non-sulfated, mono-sulfated, di-sulfated, decarbamoylated and the recently discovered hydrophobic analogs—each with varying levels of toxicity. Biotransformation of the PSTs into other PST analogs has been identified within marine invertebrates, humans and bacteria. An improved understanding of PST transformation into less toxic analogs and degradation, both chemically or enzymatically, will be important for the development of methods for the detoxification of contaminated water supplies and of shellfish destined for consumption. Some PSTs also have demonstrated pharmaceutical potential as a long-term anesthetic in the treatment of anal fissures and for chronic tension-type headache. The recent elucidation of the saxitoxin biosynthetic gene cluster in cyanobacteria and the identification of new PST analogs will present opportunities to further explore the pharmaceutical potential of these intriguing alkaloids.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland