Saxitoxin

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Saxitoxin

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Chemical formulaC10H17N7O4

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Molecular mass299.29 g/mol

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CAS number35523-89-8

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SMILESN=C1N(COC(N)=O)32(N=C(N)N3)N1CCC2(O)O

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Saxitoxin (STX), is a neurotoxin found in marine dinoflagellates. It is a selective Na+ (sodium) channel blocker. The United States military isolated Saxitoxin and assigned it the military symbol TZ. It is unique among toxins in that its rate-of-action is in a matter of minutes. The LCt50 of TZ is 5 mg.min/m3.

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The medical importance of Saxitoxin is in relation to red tide in shellfish, and fugu food poisoning. The blocking of the sodium channel produces a flacid paralysis that leaves its victim calm and conscious through the progression of symptoms. Death is from respiratory failure. In Japan those that die from fugu poisoning are ritually layed next to their grave for three days as near-lethal poisonings can mimic death.

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It is listed in schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Though its early isolation and characterization were related to military efforts, Saxitoxin has been more important to cellular research in describing the function of the sodium channel.

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Dinoflagellate: B?tschli 1885...

Sodium: Sodium is the chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Na (Natrium in Latin) and atomic number 11. Sodium is a soft, waxy, silvery reactive metal belonging to the alkali metals that is abundant in natural compounds (especially halite)....

Military symbol: Chemical, biological, and radiological warfare agents are sometimes assigned what is termed a military symbol. Military symbols evolved out of the First World War from the British in part for secrecy, and to simplify reference to chemicals by something other than a chemical name. These symbols are...