LC/ESI/MS method development for the analysis of hepatotoxic cyclic peptide microcystins in animal tissues.

Microcystins (MCYSTs) are a family of related cyclic heptapeptides produced by several genera and species of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). MCYSTs are potent and specific inhibitors of the serine threonine family of protein phosphatases, especially PP1 and PP2A. MCYSTs inhibit a liver's protein phosphatase by forming a covalent linkage between MCYSTs' Mdha residue and the phosphatase's cysteine residue.