Impact of the neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine on the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana using metabolomics.

The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) has emerged as an environmental factor related to neurodegenerative diseases. BMAA is produced by various microorganisms including cyanobacteria and diatoms, in diverse ecosystems. In the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, BMAA is known to inhibit growth.

Evidence of 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) production as a defense mechanism in diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana.

The neurotoxic secondary metabolite β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its structural isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DAB) are known to be produced by various phytoplankton groups. Despite the worldwide spread of these toxin producers, no obvious role and function of BMAA and DAB in diatoms have been identified. Here, we investigated the effects of biotic factors, i.

Effect and function of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is an environmental factor connected to neurodegenerative diseases. BMAA can be produced by various microorganisms (e.g.

Transfer of the Neurotoxin β--methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) in the Agro-Aqua Cycle.

The neurotoxic non-protein amino acid β--methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) is connected to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. BMAA has been shown to accumulate in aquatic ecosystems, and filter-feeding molluscs seem particularly susceptible to BMAA accumulation. The blue mussels farmed along the Swedish coastline in the Baltic Sea are, due to their small size, exclusively used to produce feed for chicken and fish in the agro-aqua cycle.

Native (Ruditapes decussatus) and non-indigenous (R. philippinarum) shellfish species living in sympatry: Comparison of regulated and non-regulated biotoxins accumulation.

The native Ruditapes decussatus and the non-indigenous Ruditapes philippinarum are an important target of shellfish industries. The aim of this study was to compare an invader with a native species living in sympatry in the view of marine biotoxins accumulation. Samples were analysed for regulated and non-regulated biotoxins.

The effect of exogenous β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) on the diatoms Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira weissflogii.

β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA), a non-protein amino acid with neurodegenerative features, is known to be produced by cyanobacteria, diatoms and a dinoflagellate. BMAA research has intensified over the last decade, and knowledge has been gained about its bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, toxic effects in model organisms and neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro. Nevertheless, knowledge of the actual physiological role of BMAA in the producing species or of the ecological factors that regulate BMAA production is still lacking.

BMAA extraction of cyanobacteria samples: which method to choose?

β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxin reportedly produced by cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates, is proposed to be linked to the development of neurological diseases. BMAA has been found in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems worldwide, both in its phytoplankton producers and in several invertebrate and vertebrate organisms that bioaccumulate it. LC-MS/MS is the most frequently used analytical technique in BMAA research due to its high selectivity, though consensus is lacking as to the best extraction method to apply.

Biotransfer of β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) in a eutrophicated freshwater lake.

β-N-Methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxic non-protein amino acid, plays a significant role as an environmental risk factor in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BMAA producers occur globally, colonizing almost all habitats and represent species from distinct phytoplanktonic groups, i.e.

BMAA in shellfish from two Portuguese transitional water bodies suggests the marine dinoflagellate Gymnodinium catenatum as a potential BMAA source.

The neurotoxin β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) and its putative role in multiple neurodegenerative diseases have been intensely studied since 2005 when the toxin was discovered to be produced by worldwide-distributed cyanobacterial species inhabiting terrestrial, marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems. Recently, BMAA production was also associated with one eukaryotic group, namely, diatoms, raising questions about its production by other phytoplanktonic groups. To test for BMAA bioavailability in ecosystems where abundant phytoplanktonic blooms regularly occur, samples of filter-feeding shellfish were collected in two Portuguese transitional water bodies.