title: Palytoxin induces functional changes of anion transport in red blood cells: metabolic impact.
abstract: Palytoxin (PTX) is classified as one of the most powerful marine biotoxins (of high molecular weight and no protein origin) because it is able to interact strongly with important cellular structures influencing their function in different biological processes. This study of the effects of PTX on red blood cells (RBC) extends the knowledge about its toxicity, which concerns not only the well-known action on Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase but also band 3 protein (B3 or AE1), the role of which is essential for anion transport and for the structure, function, and metabolic integrity of the erythrocyte. The effects of PTX on RBC can be summarized as follows: it alters the anionic flux and seriously compromises not only CO(2) transport but also the metabolic modulation centered on the oxy-deoxy cycle of hemoglobin; it stabilizes the plasma membrane by preventing lipid peroxidation; and its effect does not lead to activation of caspases 3 and 8. From what is reported in steps 2 and 3, and on the basis of the results obtained on hemolysis, methemoglobin levels, and phosphatase activity, an increase of the reducing power of the erythrocytes (RBC) in the presence of PTX clearly emerges. The results have enabled us to outline some metabolic adaptations induced in the RBC by PTX.
authors: Organic and Biological Chemistry Department, University of Messina, Italy. sficarra@unime.it
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Ficarra
authors: Annamaria
authors: A
authors: Russo
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Stefanizzi
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Mileto
authors: Davide
authors: D
authors: Barreca
authors: Ersilia
authors: E
authors: Bellocco
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Laganà
authors: Ugo
authors: U
authors: Leuzzi
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Giardina
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Galtieri
authors: Ester
authors: E
authors: Tellone
mesh_terms: D000178:Acrylamides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000838:Anions / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D017136:Ion Transport / Q000187:drug effects*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D000095702:Polyether Toxins
chemical_list: D000178:Acrylamides; D000838:Anions; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; C010272:palytoxin; D000095702:Polyether Toxins