Tetrodotoxin

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Tetrodotoxin

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FormulaC11H17N3O8

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LD508.0 - 10.0 µg/kg

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Molecular mass319.28 u

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Tetrodotoxin (anhydrotetrodotoxin 4-epitetrodotoxin, tetrodonic acid, TTX) is a potent neurotoxin, which blocks the nerve function in nerves by binding to the pore of voltage-gated sodium channel in nerve cell membranes. The binding site of this toxin is located at the pore opening the voltage-gated Na+ channel. Its name derives from Tetraodontidae, the scientific family name of the puffer fishes, some species of which carry the toxin. Although tetrodotoxin was discovered in these fish and found in several other animals, it is actually thought to be a product of bacteria such as Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis, certain Pseudomonas and Vibrio species, as well as some others.

Related Topics:
Neurotoxin - Nerve function - Nerve - Pore - Sodium channel - Nerve cell - Membranes - Binding site - Tetraodontidae - Family name - Puffer fish - Bacteria - Pseudoalteromonas tetraodonis - Pseudomonas - Vibrio

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Fish poisoning by consumption of members of the order Tetraodontiformes is one of the most violent intoxications from marine species.

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The gonads, liver, intestines, and skin of pufferfish can contain levels of tetrodotoxin sufficient to produce rapid and violent death. The flesh of many pufferfish may not usually be dangerously toxic.

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Tetrodotoxin has also been isolated from widely differing animal species, including the California newt, parrotfish, frogs of the genus Atelopus, the blue-ringed octopus, starfish, angelfish, and xanthid crabs.

Related Topics:
California newt - Parrotfish - Atelopus - Blue-ringed octopus - Xanthid crab

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Common causes of tetrodotoxin poisoning include the eating of the puffer fish known as fugu, which is a popular but rare delicacy in Japan/Korea and often contains significant amounts of toxin in its liver and other viscera. Cone snail stings represent another common source, which most often affect divers.

Related Topics:
Fugu - Cone snail

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Blue-ringed octopus, which inhabit tidepools, also sometimes contain the toxin, and people have died from their bites. Lethal dose is about .01 mg/kg, less than ricin but more than botulism toxin.

Related Topics:
Blue-ringed octopus - Tidepool - Ricin - Botulism toxin

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