A new polyether toxin from Davis

Chemodiversity of Brevetoxins and Other Potentially Toxic Metabolites Produced by Karenia spp. and Their Metabolic Products in Marine Organisms

In recent decades, more than 130 potentially toxic metabolites originating from dinoflagellate species belonging to the genus Karenia or metabolized by marine organisms have been described. These metabolites include the well-known and large group of brevetoxins (BTXs), responsible for foodborne neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) and airborne respiratory symptoms in humans. Karenia spp. also produce brevenal, brevisamide and metabolites belonging to the hemi-brevetoxin, brevisin, tamulamide, gymnocin, gymnodimine, brevisulcenal and brevisulcatic acid groups. In this review, we summarize the available knowledge in the literature since 1977 on these various identified metabolites, whether they are produced directly by the producer organisms or biotransformed in marine organisms. Their structures and physicochemical properties are presented and discussed. Among future avenues of research, we highlight the need for more toxin occurrence data with analytical techniques, which can specifically determine the analogs present in samples. New metabolites have yet to be fully described, especially the groups of metabolites discovered in the last two decades (e.g tamulamides). Lastly, this work clarifies the different nomenclatures used in the literature and should help to harmonize practices in the future.

Monitoring the Emergence of Algal Toxins in Shellfish: First Report on Detection of Brevetoxins in French Mediterranean Mussels

In France, four groups of lipophilic toxins are currently regulated: okadaic acid/dinophysistoxins, pectenotoxins, yessotoxins and azaspiracids. However, many other families of toxins exist, which can be emerging toxins. Emerging toxins include both toxins recently detected in a specific area of France but not regulated yet (e.g., cyclic imines, ovatoxins) or toxins only detected outside of France (e.g., brevetoxins). To anticipate the introduction to France of these emerging toxins, a monitoring program called EMERGTOX was set up along the French coasts in 2018. The single-laboratory validation of this approach was performed according to the NF V03-110 guidelines by building an accuracy profile. Our specific, reliable and sensitive approach allowed us to detect brevetoxins (BTX-2 and/or BTX-3) in addition to the lipophilic toxins already regulated in France. Brevetoxins were detected for the first time in French Mediterranean mussels (Diana Lagoon, Corsica) in autumn 2018, and regularly every year since during the same seasons (autumn, winter). The maximum content found was 345 µg (BTX-2 + BTX-3)/kg in mussel digestive glands in November 2020. None were detected in oysters sampled at the same site. In addition, a retroactive analysis of preserved mussels demonstrated the presence of BTX-3 in mussels from the same site sampled in November 2015. The detection of BTX could be related to the presence in situ at the same period of four Karenia species and two raphidophytes, which all could be potential producers of these toxins. Further investigations are necessary to understand the origin of these toxins.

Lack of variation in voltage-gated sodium channels of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) exposed to neurotoxic algal blooms

In coastal marine ecosystems, neurotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) often result in large-scale mortality events of many marine species. Historical and frequent exposure to HABs therefore may provide a strong selective pressure for adaptations that result in toxin resistance. Neurotoxin resistance has independently evolved in a variety of terrestrial and marine species via mutations in genes encoding the toxin binding sites within the voltage-gated sodium channel gene complex. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that genetic variation in the putative binding site of brevetoxins in common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) explains differences among individuals or populations in resistance to harmful Karenia brevis blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. We found very little variation in the sodium channel exons encoding the putative brevetoxin binding site among bottlenose dolphins from central-west Florida and the Florida Panhandle. Our study included samples from several bottlenose dolphin mortality events associated with HABs, but we found no association between genetic variation and survival. We observed a significant effect of geographic region on genetic variation for some sodium channel isoforms, but this can be primarily explained by rare private alleles and is more likely a reflection of regional genetic differentiation than the cause of different levels of HAB resistance between regions. In contrast to many other previously studied neurotoxin-resistant species, we conclude that bottlenose dolphins have not evolved resistance to HABs via mutations in genes encoding the brevetoxin binding site on the voltage-gated sodium channels.

Characterization and localization of a hybrid non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase gene from the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis

The toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, a causative agent of the red tides in Florida, produces a series of toxic compounds known as brevetoxins and their derivatives. Recently, several putative genes encoding polyketide synthase (PKS) were identified from K. brevis in an effort to elucidate the genetic systems involved in brevetoxin production. In this study, novel PKS sequences were isolated from three clones of K. brevis. Eighteen unique sequences were obtained for the PKS ketosynthase (KS) domain of K. brevis. Phylogenetic comparison with closely related PKS genes revealed that 16 grouped with cyanobacteria sequences, while the remaining two grouped with Apicomplexa and previously reported sequences for K. brevis. A fosmid library was also constructed to further characterize PKS genes detected in K. brevis Wilson clone. Several fosmid clones were positive for the presence of PKS genes, and one was fully sequenced to determine the full structure of the PKS cluster. A hybrid non ribosomal peptide synthetase and PKS (NRPS-PKS) gene cluster of 16,061 bp was isolated. In addition, we assessed whether the isolated gene was being actively expressed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and determined its localization at the cellular level by chloroplast isolation. RT-PCR analyses revealed that this gene was actively expressed in K. brevis cultures. The hybrid NRPS-PKS gene cluster was located in the chloroplast, suggesting that K. brevis acquired the ability to produce some of its secondary metabolites through endosymbiosis with ancestral cyanobacteria. Further work is needed to determine the compound produced by the NRPS-PKS hybrid, to find other PKS gene sequences, and to assess their role in K. brevis toxin biosynthetic pathway.

Variation in brevetoxin and brevenal content among clonal cultures of Karenia brevis may influence bloom toxicity

Karenia brevis, the major harmful algal (HA) species in the Gulf of Mexico, produces a suite of brevetoxins and brevenal, a nontoxic brevetoxin antagonist. K. brevis growth is reported to be optimum at oceanic conditions, yet blooms are most problematic in coastal waters. Differences in growth rate, total brevetoxin production, brevetoxin profiles and brevenal production were evaluated among eight K. brevis clones grown at salinities of 35 and 27, but otherwise identical conditions. All measured parameters varied significantly among clones and the individual responses to decreased salinity varied as well. At 27, growth rates of four clones increased (Wilson, TXB3, SP1 and SP2), but decreased in three others (TXB4, SP3 and NBK) as compared to 35. Total brevetoxin cellular concentration varied up to approximately ten-fold among clones. For most clones (5 of 8), no significant difference in total toxin production between salinity treatments was observed; however, there was a shift in brevetoxin profiles to a higher proportion of PbTx-1 vs. PbTx-2 (in 7 of 8 clones). Brevenal production decreased in the majority of the clones (6 of 8) when grown at a salinity of 27. Results suggest that K. brevis produces more PbTx-1 and less brevenal in lower salinity waters.

Semisynthesis of S-desoxybrevetoxin-B2 and brevetoxin-B2, and assessment of their acute toxicities

Brevetoxins are neurotoxins associated with blooms of marine algae such as Karenia brevis and can accumulate in the marine food chain, causing intoxication of marine animals and people consuming seafood. Brevetoxin-B2 ( 5) is a toxic metabolite produced in shellfish exposed to algae that contain brevetoxin-B ( 1). S-Desoxybrevetoxin-B2 ( 4) has been proposed as a cometabolite produced during this transformation, and while LC-MS analyses suggest its presence in shellfish, it has not yet been isolated and characterized. Studies on these materials are severely constrained by the difficulty of obtaining and purifying them from natural sources. We have developed a convenient one-pot conversion of commercially available brevetoxin-B ( 1) into S-desoxybrevetoxin-B2 ( 4), and a simple method for converting 4 into brevetoxin-B2 ( 5). Full NMR and mass-spectral characterization of 4 and 5 confirmed their structures and showed that the ratio of diastereoisomers in the synthetic 4 and 5 was similar to that observed in naturally contaminated shellfish. The LD 50 values for 4, 5, and dihydrobrevetoxin-B ( 6) by ip injection in mice were 211, 400, and 250 microg/kg, respectively. The methodology for synthesis of brevetoxin metabolites should greatly facilitate toxicological, biochemical and immunochemical studies of these substances, as well as the production of analytical standards.

Distribution of Brevetoxin to Lipoproteins in human plasma

To better understand the distribution of brevetoxins in lipoproteins, including their role in tissue delivery and toxin elimination in humans, we examined the interaction of brevetoxin congener PbTx-3 with human lipoproteins. In a scintillation proximity assay (SPA) and microtiter equilibrium dialysis, brevetoxin bound linearly to purified human high density, low density, and very low density lipoproteins (HDL, LDL, and VLDL). Both methods demonstrated higher binding capacity per weight for HDL over the other lipoproteins; approximately 50% higher with SPA and 100% higher with equilibrium dialysis. The preferential binding of brevetoxin to HDL particles is consistent with the higher surface to volume ratio of these particles and the association of the toxin with the surface phospholipid/cholesterol domain of the lipoprotein particle. Lipoprotein components were next separated from a well-characterized human plasma sample to determine the mass distribution of brevetoxin within plasma. Equilibrium dialysis of the fractionated and recombined lipoproteins and plasma proteins determined that brevetoxin distributed predominately (>80%) to lipoproteins associating with each lipoprotein class. These results provide useful information to consider human susceptibility differences, such as those based on dyslipidemia, to the transport and elimination of polyether toxins.

Marine natural products

This review covers the literature published in 2004 for marine natural products, with 693 citations (491 for the period January to December 2004) referring to compounds isolated from marine microorganisms and phytoplankton, green algae, brown algae, red algae, sponges, coelenterates, bryozoans, molluscs, tunicates and echinoderms. The emphasis is on new compounds (716 for 2004), together with their relevant biological activities, source organisms and country of origin. Biosynthetic studies (8), and syntheses (80), including those that lead to the revision of structures or stereochemistries, have been included.

A new polyether ladder compound produced by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis

A new ladder-frame polyether compound containing five fused ether rings was isolated from laboratory cultures of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. This compound, named brevenal, and its dimethyl acetal derivative both competitively displace brevetoxin from its binding site in rat brain synaptosomes. Significantly, these compounds are also nontoxic to fish and antagonize the toxic effects of brevetoxins in fish. The structure and biological activity of brevenal, as well as the dimethyl acetal derivative, are described in this paper.

Comparative concentrations of brevetoxins PbTx-2, PbTx-3, BTX-B1 and BTX-B5 in cockle, Austrovenus stutchburyi, greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, and Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas, involved neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in New Zealand

Previously, we found brevetoxins PbTx-3, BTX-B5 and BTX-B1 in cockle, Austrovenus (A.) stutchburyi, PbTx-2, PbTx-3 and BTX-B1 in Pacific oyster, Crassostrea (C.) gigas and PbTx-3 and BTX-B1 in greenshell mussel, Perna (P.) canaliculus following outbreak of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in New Zealand by isolation and/or liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In this study, procedures for quantitative determination of PbTx-2 and BTX-B5 were developed and those for PbTx-3 and BTX-B1 were further examined by LC-MS/MS. In mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization interface operating in the positive or negative ion mode, the protonated ions [M+H]+ of PbTx-2 (m/z 895), [M+H]+ of PbTx-3 (m/z 897), [M-H]- of BTX-B5 (m/z 909), and [M-Na]- of BTX-B1 (m/z 1016) were generated abundantly, when 0.1% formic acid-acetonitrile was used as the mobile phase for column chromatography. The product ions of m/z 877, 725, 111 and 80 from PbTx-2, PbTx-3, BTX-B5 and BTX-B1 were identified, respectively, allowing unambiguous confirmation of these toxins by selective reaction monitoring LC-MS/MS analysis. High levels of PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 were detected in C. gigas, of PbTx-3, BTX-B1 and BTX-B5 in A. stutchburyi, and of PbTx-2, PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 in P. canaliculus by this LC-MS/MS method.

Confirmation of brevetoxin metabolism in cockle, Austrovenus stutchburyi, and greenshell mussel, Perna canaliculus, associated with New Zealand neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, by controlled exposure to Karenia brevis culture

We examined metabolism of PbTxs in New Zealand cockle, Austrovenus (A.) stutchburyi, and greenshell mussel, Perna (P.) canaliculus, by means of liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. PbTx-2, PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 were detected in Karenia (K.) brevis culture medium in the ratio of ca. 50:2:5. The amounts of PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 were greatly increased in both seawater and shellfish exposed to K. brevis cultures or supernatant prepared by disruption of K. brevis under appropriate condition, while those of PbTx-2 were decreased. Some PbTx-2 was present in P. canaliculus, but not in A. stutchburyi. Low levels of BTX-B1 were detected in A. stutchburyi, but not P. canaliculus. Levels of PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 were highest immediately after exposure and then declined rapidly in both shellfish. BTX-B1 increased in concentration after exposure, and was then gradually eliminated from A. stutchburyi. Three successive exposures of A. stutchburyi to K. brevis cultures resulted in similar initial levels of PbTx-3 and BTX-B5, while BTX-B1 accumulated after each dose. In P. canaliculus, initial levels of PbTx-3 were similar, while PbTx-2 and BTX-B5 accumulated after each dose. PbTx-3 and BTX-B5 are proposed to be suitable markers for monitoring shellfish toxicity after a red tide event.

Implication of brevetoxin B1 and PbTx-3 in neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in New Zealand by isolation and quantitative determination with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Brevetoxin B1 (BTX-B1) was isolated from Austrovenus stutchburyi following the 1992-1993 outbreak of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) in New Zealand. We report here the first isolation of PbTx-3 from the same shellfish and the development of a procedure for quantitative determination of PbTx-3 and BTX-B1. PbTx-3 was isolated by chromatography on columns of SiO2, ODS, and LH-20, followed by reverse-phase HPLCs. In mass spectrometry (MS) with an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface operating in the positive or negative ion mode, the abundant protonated ion [M+H]+ of PbTx-3 (m/z 897) and the de-sodiated ion [M-Na]- of BTX-B1 (m/z 1016) were generated, respectively. These served as precursor ions for collision-induced dissociation, and the product ions of m/z 725 from PbTx-3 and m/z 80 from BTX-B1 were identified, allowing unambiguous confirmation of these toxins by selected reaction monitoring liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SRM LC-MS/MS) analysis. The determination limits were 0.4 and 2 ng/g for BTX-B1 and PbTx-3 at a signal-to-noise ratio of five, respectively. This LC-MS/MS method was successfully applied to determine BTX-B1 and PbTx-3 in the NSP-associated toxic shellfish. BTX-B1 was found in both A. stutchburyi and Perna canaliculus, but not in Crassostrea gigas, while PbTx-3 was found in all three.

Solution reactivity of brevetoxins as monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and implications for detoxification

The reactivities of brevetoxin compounds in acid and base and under oxidizing conditions were studied using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to monitor reaction products. Brevetoxins are determined to be unstable in acidic and basic solutions. Under acidic conditions, brevetoxins containing an aldehyde functional group in the terminal "tail" side chain are easily converted to acetal structures, while "head" side lactone ring opening proceeds more slowly. Measurement of reaction rate constants indicates the following order of reactivity under acidic conditions: Btx-1 > Btx-2 > Btx-9. Under basic conditions, hydroxide ion attack at the head portion leads to lactone ring opening. Base hydrolysis (0.01 N NaOH in 50:50 methanol/water) goes to completion in 120 min for Btx-2 and Btx-9, but Btx-1 did not react to completion. Both acid and base hydrolyses can lead to reversible lactone ring opening, but base hydrolysis proceeds faster than acid hydrolysis under comparable conditions. Acid treatment is not an effective method for detoxifying brevetoxins. Base treatment can open the lactone ring (type B brevetoxins proceed faster than type A brevetoxins), leading to a product that is reportedly nontoxic, but the reaction is reversible. Brevetoxins are shown to be readily oxidized by permanganate in an irreversible and relatively fast reaction, likely through addition to double bonds followed by bond cleavage, suggesting that it is a viable method for detoxification.

Study on neurotoxic shellfish poisoning involving the oyster, Crassostrea gigas, in New Zealand

Lipid-soluble polyether marine toxins were isolated from 80% methanol extract of oysters, Crassostrea gigas, harvested in 1993 at Tiki Road, Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, by chromatography on columns of LH-20 and ODS (C18), followed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. They were identified as known brevetoxins, PbTx-2 and 3. PbTx-3 was also isolated from oysters collected at Rangaunu Harbour in February 1994 and June 1995, followed by the above procedures.

Antibodies to brevetoxin B: serologic differentiation of brevetoxin B and brevetoxin A

A brevetoxin B immunogen was prepared by reacting brevetoxin B with the amino groups of bovine albumin followed by treatment with sodium borohydride. Immunized rabbits produced antibodies that bound [3H]brevetoxin B-alcohol. This binding increased with repeated immunization (KD for one rabbit after three courses of immunization was about 10 pM). Brevetoxin B inhibited greater than 500 times more effectively than brevetoxin A. When tested in a competitive binding assay with [3H]brevetoxin B-alcohol-brevetoxin B antibody, the alcohol was six times more effective as an inhibitor than brevetoxin B. Despite some similarities in structure with brevetoxin A, the antibodies to brevetoxin B did not recognize the backbone of brevetoxin A.

Effects of brevetoxin-B on motor nerve terminals of mouse skeletal muscle

1. The effects of brevetoxin-B, a red tide toxin, on motor nerve terminal activity were assessed on mouse triangularis sterni nerve-muscle preparations. The perineural waveforms were recorded with extracellular electrodes placed in the perineural sheaths of motor nerves. 2. At 0.11 microM, brevetoxin-B increased the components of waveforms associated with sodium and potassium currents while it decreased the calcium activated potassium current and the slow calcium current of the nerve terminal. The fast calcium current and slow potassium current were not affected. 3. At 1.11 microM, brevetoxin-B decreased all of the components of waveforms associated with sodium, potassium and calcium currents. 4. It is concluded that brevetoxin-B affects sodium, potassium as well as calcium currents in the nerve terminal. The effects may contribute to its pharmacological actions on synaptic transmission.

Florida red-tide toxins (brevetoxins) produce depolarization of airway smooth muscle

Crude preparations of brevetoxin (PBTX) produce airway contraction; however, it is not known if this toxin-induced mechanical response is coupled to changes in airway smooth muscle membrane potential. Membrane potentials and contractility of in vitro canine trachealis smooth muscle preparations were simultaneously measured with a microelectrode and microforce transducer before and during exposure to either the crude toxin (0.01-1.2 micrograms/ml), or the purified fractions PBTX-2 or PBTX-3 (0.01-0.07 micrograms/ml). Membrane potentials in cultured airway smooth muscle-reaggregate preparations were similarly studied. Toxins produced concentration-dependent depolarizations and contractions in in vitro preparations. These responses were not obtained in the presence of either the muscarinic blocking agent atropine, the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX), 0 mM extracellular Ca2+, or the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil. The toxins were without effect in cultured cells, whereas acetylcholine produced depolarizations which were blocked in the presence of atropine, but not TTX. This suggested the presence of functional cholinergic receptors in cultured cells, and the PBTX-induced release of endogenous acetylcholine from peripheral nerve endings in the in vitro airway smooth muscle response.

Distribution and elimination of brevetoxin PbTx-3 in rats

After i.v. administration, [3H]PbTx-3 was rapidly cleared from the blood; less than 10% remained after 1 min. Within 30 min, radiolabel distributed to skeletal muscle (69.5%), liver (18.0%), and intestinal tract (8.0%). Over 24 hr, radiolabel decreased in muscle, remained constant in liver, and increased in the intestinal tract and feces. Elimination occurred via feces (75.1%) and urine (14.4%), with 9.0% remaining in the carcass after 6 days. This distribution and elimination profile suggested that the liver was the major organ of metabolism and that biliary excretion was an important route of elimination. Thin-layer chromatography confirmed the presence of brevetoxin metabolites in fecal extracts. Skeletal muscle does not appear to be a site of metabolism, but a storage compartment, from which toxin is slowly released prior to clearance by the liver. These studies are the first demonstration of in vivo brevetoxin metabolism in mammals.

Nerve membrane sodium channels as the target site of brevetoxins at neuromuscular junctions

Actions of two structurally related toxins, T-17 and brevetoxin-B, isolated from the red-tide dinoflagellate, Ptychodiscus brevis, were studied on the giant axon of the squid and the neuromuscular junctions of the frog and rat. T-17 toxin caused a large increase in the frequency of miniature endplate potentials at nanomolar concentrations. In one typical case with a frog endplate, the frequency increased from 1.9 s-1 before application of 3.5 nM T-17 to 69.3 s-1 within 5 min after application. In the rat muscle, the mean frequency increased from 1.39 s-1 in control to 11.93 s-1 after application of 23.2 nM T-17. The increase in miniature endplate potential frequency was reversed by the addition of 1 microM tetrodotoxin, and was not observed in a solution containing elevated Mg2+ and reduced Ca2+ concentrations. External or internal application of T-17 toxin (2-5 microM) or brevetoxin-B (10-30 microM) to intact or internally perfused squid axons caused a depolarization of the membrane. This depolarization was abolished by the removal of external Na+ or by addition of tetrodotoxin to the external solution. In voltage clamped squid giant axons, exposure to T-17 toxin or brevetoxin-B increased the non-inactivating component of the tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium current. The sodium current was activated at potentials 15 to 40 mV more negative than control. It is proposed that these toxins modify a fraction of the sodium channels to a form which opens at potentials more negative than normal and which inactivates to a lesser extent. This mechanism would predict a depolarization of the nerve membrane at the neuromuscular junction, thus explaining the increased discharge of transmitter.

Isolation and spectral characteristics of four toxins from the dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis

Four ichthyotoxins were isolated from crude toxic extracts of Ptychodiscus brevis using a combination of solvent partitioning, thin layer chromatography and reversed phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The toxins were analyzed by mass, infrared, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and were found to constitute two structural families of two toxins each: brevetoxins 1 and 2 and brevetoxins 3 and 4. Comparison with literature data indicates that brevetoxins 1 and 2 are identical to the previously described and characterized 11-ring polyether toxins brevetoxins C and B, respectively. The other two compounds (brevetoxins 3 and 4) also represent a structural pair (with chloroacetone and alpha-methylene-propanal side chains, respectively) which has a different, but related, basic ring-structure.

Actions of Ptychodiscus brevis toxins on nerve and muscle membranes

Pharmacological actions of two brevetoxins isolated from Ptychodiscus brevis, T17 and T34, on nerve and muscle membranes were studied using vertebrate and invertebrate preparations. T17 (10 ng/ml) caused an increase in the frequency of miniature endplate potentials (MEPPs) in rat and frog neuromuscular junctions. Application of tetrodotoxin (TTX) completely abolished the increase in MEPP frequency. The results suggest that T17 depolarizes the nerve terminal through opening of the sodium channel. Application of either T17 or T34 to the crayfish and squid giant axons caused a dose-dependent depolarization of the axon membranes with a maximum depolarization of about 30 mV. The depolarizing action was antagonized by sodium-free external saline solution or TTX. Voltage clamp experiments demonstrated that the primary action of the toxins is to cause the sodium channels to open at the normal resting potential. The binding of toxin to a channel site could be prevented by procaine, but not by TTX. The binding site for T17 is presumably separate from the TTX receptor, but related or identical to the binding site for procaine. The brevetoxin-induced depolarization of the nerve terminal membrane with the subsequent enhanced transmitter release is the underlying mechanism for a number of pharmacological actions on various neuro-effector systems.

The chemistry of brevetoxins: a review

The structure of the unique 'red tide' dinoflagellate neurotoxin, brevetoxin-B is presented and the experimental data supporting the chemical structure is discussed. A brief account of the other brevetoxins and their structural relationships is also presented. A biosynthetic scheme for the natural formation of the brevetoxin skeleton is proposed. Studies of the most toxic of the three pure brevetoxins, brevetoxin-A, indicate a skeleton differing from that of brevetoxin-B.

Positive inotropic and toxic effects of brevetoxin-B on rat and guinea pig heart

Brevetoxin-B (GbTX-B), a cyclic polyether purified from the marine dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve, produced positive inotropic and arrhythmogenic effects on isolated rat and guinea pig cardiac preparations at concentrations between 1.25 X 10(-8) and 1.87 X 10(-7) M. The toxin (10(-7) M) transiently increased left ventricular +dP/dt, hydraulic work, and oxygen consumption of paced working rat hearts, then reduced these variables during continuous exposure. Brevetoxin-B exerted a much smaller positive inotropic effect on working guinea pig hearts, but produced a marked and sustained inotropic effect on guinea pig left atria. The toxin also produced arrhythmias in rat and guinea pig hearts, characterized by ventricular tachycardia and A-V blockade. Sympatholytic procedures (beta blockade or reserpine pretreatment) partially blocked the positive inotropic effects, and eliminated the ventricular tachycardia, but not the A-V blockade. Tetrodotoxin markedly inhibited the positive inotropic effect of GbTX-B. Brevetoxin-B did not inhibit guinea pig cardiac Na,K-ATPase activities. The results show that GbTX-B is a potent cardiotoxin and suggest that GbTX-B exerts positive inotropic and arrhythmogenic effects by increasing sarcolemmal sodium permeability, and by releasing catecholamines from sympathetic nerve endings.

Neuromuscular blocking action of two brevetoxins from the Florida red tide organism Ptychodiscus brevis

The action of Ptychodiscus brevis "brevetoxins" T17 and T34 on rat phrenic nerve-stimulated hemidiaphragm contraction is reported. The potency of T34 is greater than the potency of T17, but both cause a complete block of neuromuscular transmission in the nM to pM concentration ranges. Preparations exposed to low concentrations of T17 can recover in the presence of the toxin, whereas the effects of T34 are irreversible. The initial contracture produced by each is prevented by tetrodotoxin or curare. Neuromuscular block does not appear to be due to acetylcholine depletion, as determined by electron microscope examination of the neuromuscular junctions of blocked preparations. Persistent nerve depolarization is believed to be responsible for the neuromuscular block.