title: Presence of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins and soluble proteins in toxic butter clams (Saxidomus giganteus).
abstract: Butter clams obtained from a variety of locations along the northern British Columbia coast were assayed for the presence of individual paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins (PSPT) by HPLC and total PSPT toxicity using the mouse bioassay. Specific organs, namely the siphon, adductor muscle, foot and mantle were examined for soluble antigens that crossreacted with crab Saxitoxin-Induced Protein (SIP) using immunochemical (Western blotting) techniques. Butter clams containing high concentrations of PSPT also had several proteins that crossreacted with crab anti-SIP serum. In particular, soluble proteins with distinctly different molecular weights were found in the siphon and foot, respectively, in toxic shellfish. These proteins were absent in nontoxic butter clams. The concept of using PSPT-induced proteins in the butter clam as a screen for identifying toxic shellfish is introduced.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Kitts
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Beitler
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liston
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D049872:Bivalvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D003386:Brachyura; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005517:Foodborne Diseases; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051379:Mice; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009132:Muscles / Q000737:chemistry; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D012530:Saxitoxin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D012530:Saxitoxin