On the chemistry, toxicology and genetics of the cyanobacterial toxins, microcystin, nodularin, saxitoxin and cylindrospermopsin.
The cyanobacteria or "blue-green algae", as they are commonly termed, comprise a diverse group of oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria that inhabit a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial environments, and display incredible morphological diversity. Many aquatic, bloom-forming species of cyanobacteria are capable of producing biologically active secondary metabolites, which are highly toxic to humans and other animals. From a toxicological viewpoint, the cyanotoxins span four major classes: the neurotoxins, hepatotoxins, cytotoxins, and dermatoxins (irritant toxins). However, structurally they are quite diverse. Over the past decade, the biosynthesis pathways of the four major cyanotoxins: microcystin, nodularin, saxitoxin and cylindrospermopsin, have been genetically and biochemically elucidated. This review provides an overview of these biosynthesis pathways and additionally summarizes the chemistry and toxicology of these remarkable secondary metabolites.
Pearson
Leanne
L
School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia. leanne.pearson@unsw.edu.au
Mihali
Troco
T
Moffitt
Michelle
M
Kellmann
Ralf
R
Neilan
Brett
B
D000470:Alkaloids; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008387:Marine Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D052998:Microcystins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D012530:Saxitoxin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity; D014498:Uracil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity
D000470:Alkaloids; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D000087522:Cyanobacteria Toxins; D008387:Marine Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C063998:nodularin; C089595:cylindrospermopsin; D012530:Saxitoxin; D014498:Uracil; C078588:microcystin