Domoic acid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Domoic acid | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | [] |
| PubChem | |
| SMILES |
|
| ChemSpider ID | |
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C15H21NO6 |
| Molar mass | 311.3303 g/mol |
| Hazards | |
| R-phrases | R20 R21 R22 |
| S-phrases | S36 S37 |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox references |
|
Domoic acid (DA), the neurotoxin which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), is an amino acid associated with certain harmful algal blooms.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Occurrence
In 1958, domoic acid was originally isolated from the red alga called "doumoi" or "hanayanagi" (Chondria armata[2])in Japan. "Doumoi" is used as an anthelmintic in Tokunoshima, Kagoshima.[citation needed] Domoic acid is also produced by diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia.[3][4]
[edit] Chemistry
 |
This section requires expansion. |
Domoic acid is a structural analog of kainic acid and proline.
[edit] Toxicology
Considerable recent research has been carried out by the Marine Mammal Center and other scientific centers on the association of domoic acid-producing harmful algal blooms and neurological damage in marine mammals of the Pacific Ocean.
Domoic acid can bioaccumulate in marine organisms such as shellfish, anchovies, and sardines that feed on the phytoplankton known to produce this toxin. DA can accumulate in high concentrations in the tissues of these plankton feeders when the toxic phytoplankton itself is high in concentration in the surrounding waters.
In mammals, including humans, domoic acid acts as a neurotoxin, causing short-term memory loss, brain damage and, in severe cases, death. DA-producing Algal blooms are associated with the phenomenon of Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). In marine mammals, domoic acid typically causes seizures and tremors. In the brain, domoic acid especially damages the hippocampus and amygdaloid nucleus. It damages the neurons by activating AMPA and kainate receptors, causing an influx of calcium. Although calcium flowing into cells is a normal event, the uncontrolled increase of calcium causes the cell to degenerate. Because the hippocampus may be severely damaged, long-term memory loss occurs.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Domoic Acid and Pseudo-nitzschia References Domoic Acid and Pseudo-nitzschia References
- ^ Picture
- ^ Pseudo-nitzschia H. Peragallo in H. & M. Peragallo 1900, emend Hasle 1993
- ^ Diatoms (12 species)
[edit] External links
- Domoic Acid and Pseudo-nitzschia References at Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Domoic acid page IPCS INCHEM
- Domoic acid page WDFW
