Production of tetrodotoxin and its derivatives by Pseudomonas sp. isolated from the skin of a pufferfish

Avian chemical defense: Toxic birds not of a feather

“…The occurrence of BTXs in muscle, viscera, and deep regions of the skin argues against these substances being topically applied, i.e., through ''anting,'' a behavior common in passerines where arthropods, fruits, or other materials are smeared directly onto the plumage (8). Perhaps birds sequester BTXs produced by microorganisms (9) in a way analogous to that in which pufferfish (Fugu poecilonotus, Tetrodontidae) may obtain tetrodotoxin, another neurotoxin, from bacteria in their skin (10).…”

Chemistry, etiology, and food chain dynamics of marine toxins

“…14) Later, we detected TTX in two other species, Vibrio pelagius biovar II and Alteromonas tetraodonis. 16) These results demonstrated for the first time that bacteria produce TTX and the toxin is transmitted to marine animals through the food chain. In addition to the algae and crabs, we proved occasional occurrence of TTX in the annelid Pseudopotamia occelata and the ivory shell Babylonia japonica, and deduced that they also were a part of the food chain links.…”

Protection against nerve toxicity by monoclonal antibodies to the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin.

“…Responsible for 00 deaths annually in Japan (4), TDT is found in animal species as diverse as newts and puffer fish (5). This widespread distribution ofTDT across animal species and its apparent lack of in situ biosynthesis (6) suggested an exogenous source for this toxin, which was subsequently confirmed by the isolation ofa variety of TDT-synthesizing bacteria (7). TDT has generated considerable interest in the field of neurobiology by its ability to block sodium ion transport (8).…”