The Diversity of Cyanobacterial Toxins on Structural Characterization, Distribution and Identification: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The widespread distribution of cyanobacteria in the aquatic environment is increasing the risk of water pollution caused by cyanotoxins, which poses a serious threat to human health. However, the structural characterization, distribution and identification techniques of cyanotoxins have not been comprehensively reviewed in previous studies. This paper aims to elaborate the existing information systematically on the diversity of cyanotoxins to identify valuable research avenues. According to the chemical structure, cyanotoxins are mainly classified into cyclic peptides, alkaloids, lipopeptides, nonprotein amino acids and lipoglycans. In terms of global distribution, the amount of cyanotoxins are unbalanced in different areas. The diversity of cyanotoxins is more obviously found in many developed countries than that in undeveloped countries. Moreover, the threat of cyanotoxins has promoted the development of identification and detection technology. Many emerging methods have been developed to detect cyanotoxins in the environment. This communication provides a comprehensive review of the diversity of cyanotoxins, and the detection and identification technology was discussed. This detailed information will be a valuable resource for identifying the various types of cyanotoxins which threaten the environment of different areas. The ability to accurately identify specific cyanotoxins is an obvious and essential aspect of cyanobacterial research.

Effects of Chronic Exposure to Microcystin-LR on Kidney in Mice

“…MCs are a family of cyclic heptapeptide endotoxins. Presently, approximately 200 different structural analogues of MCs have been found, and microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is reported to be the most toxic and it is the most common studied variant [8,9].…”

Metabolome Variation between Strains of Microcystis aeruginosa by Untargeted Mass Spectrometry

“…Even in microcystin-producing strains, other classes of oligopeptides including cyanopeptolins, aeruginosins, and aerucyclamides, were often the more dominant compounds. The distinct and large variation between strains of the same widespread species highlights the need to characterize the metabolome of a larger number of cyanobacteria, especially as several metabolites other than microcystins can affect ecological and human health.Key Contribution: Metabolome variation between M. aeruginosa strains, highlighted by oligopeptide detection and identification, using a new, untargeted analytical workflow.Toxins 2019, 11, 723 2 of 18 and Planktothrix [17,18], MCs cause the inhibition of protein phosphatases 2A and 1 in vertebrates, which leads to an accumulation of phosphorylated proteins in cells. This accumulation can affect different metabolic pathways, including the inhibition of tumor suppressor proteins, cell proliferation and eventually, death [9,[19][20][21].…”

“…Toxins 2019, 11, 723 2 of 18 and Planktothrix [17,18], MCs cause the inhibition of protein phosphatases 2A and 1 in vertebrates, which leads to an accumulation of phosphorylated proteins in cells. This accumulation can affect different metabolic pathways, including the inhibition of tumor suppressor proteins, cell proliferation and eventually, death [9,[19][20][21].…”

A Review on the Study of Cyanotoxins in Paleolimnological Research: Current Knowledge and Future Needs

“…Apart from MCs and CYN, a number of other cyanobacterial metabolites have been shown to exhibit different degrees and mechanisms of toxicity. Neurotoxic alkaloids, anatoxins (ATXs), saxitoxins (STXs), neurotoxic non-proteinogenic amino acid beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), and hepatotic cyclic peptides nodularins (NODs) have received the most attention and are of the greatest concern to animals and humans [6,7]. The latter group of compounds, NODs, comprising of 10 variants discovered to date, are highly related structurally to MCs [96] and reveal a similar mechanism of toxic action mediated through the potent inhibition of protein phosphatases in hepatocytes [6].…”

“…The major compounds of concern include hepatotoxic microcystins and nodularins; cytotoxic cylindrospermopsin; and neurotoxic anatoxin-a, saxitoxins, and beta-methylamino-L-alanine. These cyanobacterial toxins can impact aquatic organisms, as well as pose a threat to humans and terrestrial animals [6,7]. While the focused concern with these compounds started quite recently (<20 years) from a scientific standpoint, it is plausible that their biosynthesis evolved a relatively long time ago.…”