Microbial biotransformation as a source of chemical diversity in cane toad steroid toxins.
The cane toad is an invasive pest that is rapidly colonising northern Australia. The cane toad parotoid gland secretes cardiotoxic steroids (bufadienolides) that are poisoning native predator species. This study reveals bufadienolide diversity within the secretions of Australian cane toads is different to cane toads from overseas, being far more structurally diverse than previously assumed. It is proposed that this variation is mediated by in situ bacterial biotransformation.
Hayes
R Andrew
RA
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Carmody Road, St. Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia.
Piggott
Andrew M
AM
Dalle
Kristian
K
Capon
Robert J
RJ
D020001:1-Butanol / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D001711:Biotransformation; D002018:Bufanolides / Q000032:analysis; D002024:Bufo marinus; D002621:Chemistry / Q000379:methods; D002845:Chromatography / Q000379:methods; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D017753:Ecosystem; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013045:Species Specificity; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014118:Toxins, Biological / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology
D002018:Bufanolides; D014118:Toxins, Biological; D020001:1-Butanol