Author/Editor     Šuput, Dušan
Title     Effects of cyanotoxins
Type     članek
Source     In: Marine and freshwater toxins Dordrecht : Springer
Publication year     2016
Volume     str. 239-258
Language     eng
Abstract     Cyanobacteria produce a wide range of toxins with different chemical composition and molecular targets. Cyanobacterial neurotoxins comprise a variety of compounds acting either on acetylcholine receptors or acetylcholinesterase, on voltage-gated sodium channels and on excitatory neuronal synapses. Acute intoxications can be lethal and they mainly present as paralytic shellfish poisoning. Chronic exposure may lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Hepatotoxins and neurotoxins present two main groups of cyanobacterial toxins that affect human health. Nodularin and microcystins are hepatotoxins characterized by the presence of non-proteinogenic [beta]-amino acid ADDA in cyclic penta- or heptapeptide structure. Best known acute lethal intoxications of humans have occurred in Brazil, but chronic exposure to these toxins leading to multi-organ failure is a more serious and widespread health problem. Microcystins are also tumor promoters, and there are several reports showing harmful effects of long-term exposure to microcystins in highly populated regions of China and other parts of the world. Cyanobacterial toxins must be considered as a serious threat, and high safety measures must be followed in monitoring the quality of water and food used in human nutrition, medical care, and recreational activities.
Keywords     nevrotoksini
cianobakterije
multi-organska odpoved
neurotoxins
cyanobacteria
multi-organ failure