3-Nitropropionic acid-exogenous animal neurotoxin and possible human striatal toxin.
3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NPA)--a suicide inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase--is a widely distributed plant and fungal neurotoxin known to induce a damage to basal ganglia, hippocampus, spinal tracts and peripheral nerves in animals. Recent reports from Northern China indicate that 3-NPA is also likely to be responsible for the development of putaminal necrosis with delayed dystonia in children after ingestion of mildewed sugar cane. This article discusses the role of 3-NPA in the causation of the disease in China, its neurotoxic effects in animals and the potential role for this compound as a probe of selective neuronal vulnerability.
Ludolph
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AC
Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Portland, Oregon 97201.
He
F
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Spencer
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Hammerstad
J
J
Sabri
M
M
D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D015651:Mycotoxicosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
D009498:Neurotoxins; D009574:Nitro Compounds; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011422:Propionates; C015392:3-nitropropionic acid