Lipid-Extracted Toxins from a Dinoflagellate, Gambierdiscus toxicus

Abstract

Crude and three diethyl ether extracted, acetone treated, fractions were isolated from large-scale cultures of Gambierdiscus toxicus . Crude extracts at .04 mg/ml inhibited the histamine contraction response in smooth muscle of the guinea pig ileum. Three semi-purified fractions at 5 ng/ml, effectively inhibited the guinea pig ileum preparation. Two of these fractions followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics for a competitive inhibition. The third fraction inhibited in a non-reversible manner. This study has established the presence of three lipid extracted toxins in G . toxicus, outlined a method for their assay in small quantities, and identified at least two of the effects of these toxic extracts in animals.

Part of CIRS Nexus · Curated by Lauren Lowenstein, The Biotoxin Lady