[ad_1]
Scientists have discovered the genetic basis for the production of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by some harmful algal blooms.
In a new study published in this week's issue of the journal Science, the researchers identified a group of genes related to the production of domoic acid in microscopic plants, or phytoplankton, called Pseudo-nitzschia.
The researchers, whose work is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), found that the genes contain the biological guidelines of toxin manufacture; these genes are "on" when Pseudo-nitzschia produces domoic acid.
"By identifying the genes that code for domoic acid production, we are now able to ask about the ocean conditions that activate or deactivate these genes," said Patrick Brunson, principal author of the study. study. Brunson is affiliated with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and the J. Craig Venter Institute. "The knowledge will allow us to track the evolution of proliferation toxicity at the genetic level."
By showing how the genes for domoic acid production are activated, the authors suggest a way to relate ocean conditions to the origin of algal blooms to the development of toxin production.
"Understanding how algal blooms become toxic and what conditions are causing this proliferation is of paramount importance," said Hedy Edmonds, program director at the Division of Biological Sciences. the sea of the NSF. "This study provides a possible tool for monitoring algal blooms and predicting toxin production before it occurs."
Algal blooms often come in the form of "red tides", so called because of the reddish hue that they give to the waters of the ocean. Proliferation occurs when phytoplankton grow rapidly, sometimes producing toxins that can damage marine mammals and other species.
Harmful algal blooms also pose a threat to human health when toxins accumulate in seafood. High dose exposure to domoic acid can lead to amnesic shellfish poisoning. , a life-threatening illness marked by short-term seizures and short-term memory loss.
Several states have been severely affected by the proliferation of harmful algae. The largest outbreak of harmful algae ever recorded occurred in the summer of 2015 off the west coast of North America, from Alaska to California, and resulted in closure of the fishery to protect consumers from shellfish poisoning.
Scientists have discovered that harmful algal blooms are hard to predict. The organisms responsible for flowering usually have very complex genomes. Knowing the genes involved in the production of domoic acid will allow for better monitoring of algal blooms, according to scientists, and will help identify the conditions that trigger toxin production.
"Due to the complexity of algae genomes, marine microalgae toxin biosynthetic pathways have remained inaccessible for some time," said lead author Bradley Moore, a chemist and geneticist at SAG Skaggs School of Pharmacy. 39, University of California at San Diego. and pharmaceutical sciences.
"Now that we have a genome for Pseudo-nitzschia and a genetic pathway for domoic acid production, we begin to understand why these microalgae produce a toxin and how that ability is activated, "said Mr. Moore. This new knowledge will tell us more about how to predict and prepare for future toxic events. . "
The work has advanced previous research by David Hutchins of the University of Southern California, also co-authoring the study.
When phosphate in the ocean is limited and the amount of carbon dioxide increases, Pseudo-nitzschia can produce large amounts of domoic acid and become harmful.
Carbon dioxide in the sea rises above natural levels. In parallel with rising ocean temperatures, these conditions are leading to more widespread, more toxic and more durable domoic acid blooms and production.
Researchers working on the monitoring and prediction of harmful algal blooms say the results provide insight into the phenomenon and help predict domoic acid events in response to climate change.
The research was also funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and the US Department of Energy.
Source link
