Metal Complexes and Free Radical Toxins Produced by Pfiesteria piscicida

Metal-containing organic toxins produced by Pfiesteria piscicida were characterized, for the first time, by corroborating data obtained from five distinct instrumental methods: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP−MS), liquid chromatograph...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Environmental science & technology 2007-02, Vol.41 (4), p.1166-1172
Main Authors:	Moeller, Peter D. R, Beauchesne, Kevin R, Huncik, Kevin M, Davis, W. Clay, Christopher, Steven J, Riggs-Gelasco, Pamela, Gelasco, Andrew K
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Animals Applied sciences BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BIOSYNTHESIS Brackish CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Chromatography Copper - analysis Copper - chemistry DINOFLAGELLATE Earth sciences Earth, ocean, space Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics Environmental science Exact sciences and technology Free radicals Free Radicals - analysis Iron - analysis Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Marine Toxins - chemistry Marine Toxins - isolation & purification Mass spectrometry METALS Models, Molecular national synchrotron light source Natural water pollution NMR Nuclear magnetic resonance Organic contaminants Pfiesteria Pfiesteria piscicida Pollution Pollution, environment geology Protozoa RADICALS Scientific imaging Seawaters, estuaries Sulfur - analysis TOXICITY TOXINS Water treatment and pollution
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Metal-containing organic toxins produced by Pfiesteria piscicida were characterized, for the first time, by corroborating data obtained from five distinct instrumental methods: nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP−MS), liquid chromatography particle beam glow discharge mass spectrometry (LC/PB-GDMS), electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The high toxicity of the metal-containing toxins is due to metal-mediated free radical production. This mode of activity explains the toxicity of Pfiesteria, as well as previously reported difficulty in observing the molecular target, due to the ephemeral nature of radical species. The toxins are highly labile in purified form, maintaining activity for only 2−5 days before all activity is lost. The multiple toxin congeners in active extracts are also susceptible to decomposition in the presence of white light, pH variations, and prolonged heat. These findings represent the first formal isolation and characterization of a radical forming toxic organic-ligated metal complex isolated from estuarine/marine dinoflagellates. These findings add to an increased understanding regarding the active role of metals interacting with biological systems in the estuarine environment, as well as their links and implications to human health.
ISSN:	0013-936X 1520-5851