Toxicity of the cyanobacterial neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanineto three aquatic animal species

摘要

β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxin and candidate contributory cause of neurodegenerative diseasesincluding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is produced by aquatic and terrestrial cyanobacteria. We have determined BMAAtoxicity to three aquatic animal species: zebra fish (Danio rerio), brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and the protozoan Nassulasorex. Responses included: clonus convulsions and abnormal spinal axis formation (D. rerio), loss of phototaxis (A. salina)and mortalities (all species). These systems offer potential to further understand BMAA toxicity and the bioaccumulationand fates of BMAA in aquatic food chains leading to potential human exposure.