Talk:Β-Methylamino-L-alanine

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Molecular Biology: MCB

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Different chemical?[edit]

Is Beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (sometimes spelled ß-N-Methylamino-L-Alanine) the same chemical? Badagnani 16:23, 31 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yes...the "N-methyl" indicates a substituted amide. N-methyl amino acids are peptides analogues that are--due to the lack of amide protons--less polar (increasing their oral bio-availability) and not degraded by common proteases. I'll make redirects to the above, plus ß-N-methylamino-L-alanine, ß-methylamino L-alanine, & ß-methylamino-L-alanine. -- Scientizzle 18:33, 31 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, I see in the article referenced at Fat choy that the Hong Kong scientists quoted say that the "N" stands for "nothing." It is confusing that the compound has different (alternate) names, but redirects and mentions of the alternate names in the article will help a lot. Please note that the symbol I gave is a German s-set (double s) and that the proper symbol would probably be the actual Greek beta. Thanks for your expertise. Badagnani 20:40, 31 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the note on the beta...I'll fix that. β-methylamino-L-alanine β-N-methylamino-L-alanine β-methylamino L-alanine

RE: the reference from Fat choy [1], I have no idea where "Beta-Nothing-Methylamino-L-alanine" came from, but that's almost certainly not what the N stands for. N-methyl simply means a methyl group is attached to the nitrogen... -- Scientizzle 22:28, 31 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Fat choy[edit]

Shouldn't fat choy be mentioned in this article? Badagnani (talk) 06:59, 28 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Role of Cyanobacteria[edit]

The article mentions production of BMAA by cyanobacteria, but then implies that it comes from cycad seeds. There seems to be a gap here. If I recall correctly, it has been suggested that the cycads acquire it from associated (commensal?) cyanobacteria. Perhaps the article should explore this. JlTsurkov (talk) 01:25, 2 March 2012 (UTC)[reply]

The cyanobacteria live symbiotically in the roots of the cycads. It is interesting that cyanobacteria are ubiquitous and that all known species of cyanobacteria have been found to produce BMAA. This suggest possible widespread environmental exposure to the toxin. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.176.92.136 (talk) 04:38, 3 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Mechanisms[edit]

I recently conducted research into to the mechanisms of toxicity of BMAA. While writing my thesis I found lots of information on the mechanisms of toxicity, specifically acute effects of BMAA after reacting with the blood buffer forming BMAA carbamate and causing cytotoxicity by acting on glutamate receptors, and the chronic effects (area of my research) caused by misincorporation into nascent peptides causing misfolding and aggregation in neurones leading to apoptosis. I have never done any editing on wiki or even left comments before but I think this article does not have very much information regarding this neurotoxin and I may be able to provide some help. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.176.92.136 (talk) 04:34, 3 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]

BMAA from South Korean Oysters?[edit]

If one eats South Korean Oysters every day, any possible harm?

Does anyone recommend a specific blood test or hair test for BMAA or other (neuro)toxins?

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/food-as-medicine/

49 out of 50 = 98%.

"Researchers in Miami found this BMAA neurotoxin in the brains of Floridians who died from sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and ALS; significant levels in 49 out of 50 samples from Alzheimer’s and ALS patients. The same thing was found up in the Pacific Northwest and in the brains of those dying from Parkinson’s disease. You can also apparently pick up more of this neurotoxin in the Hair of live ALS patients compared to controls.

So, is BMAA present in Florida seafood? Yes, in both freshwater fish and shellfish, like oysters and bass, and out in the bay. And not just in Florida - on up the Eastern seaboard, and out into the Midwest. This could explain ALS clusters around lakes in New Hampshire, or fish in Wisconsin, or blue crabs from the Chesapeake, or seafood eaters in France, or in Finland’s Lakeland district, or around the Baltic Sea, building up particularly in fish, mussels, and oysters".

Asia / South Korea was not mentioned so perhaps it is safe?

(Baltic Sea is a polluted sea between France, Finland and some other countries with average depth of only about 100 meters).

(Pacific Northwest is a geographic region in western North America)

ee1518 (talk) 11:07, 17 October 2016 (UTC)[reply]

Possible link to New Brunswick illness?[edit]

BMAA has been suggested as a possible mechanism for the progressive neurological illness cluster in New Brunswick: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/02/neurological-illness-affecting-young-adults-canada 98.24.60.88 (talk) 11:47, 2 January 2022 (UTC)[reply]

Great Salt Lake dust[edit]

Should we add a mention of the fact that BMAA has been found in Great Salt Lake dust? Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/environment/2023/11/16/study-shines-more-light-toxins/ 98.123.38.211 (talk) 23:19, 16 January 2024 (UTC)[reply]