Effects of saxitoxin (STX) and veratridine on bacterial Na(super +) -K(super +) Fluxes: a prokaryote- based STX bioassay

Article Abstract:

The antagonistic effects of saxitoxin (STX) and veratridine (VTD), a Na(super +) channel activator on three gram negative bacteria and their application to an STX bioassay are described. The findings demonstrate that STX and VTD influence bacterial Na(super +) and K(super +) fluxes in opposite ways and these principles can be applied to the development of a prokaryote- based STX bioassay.

Prokaryotes, Biological assay, Bioassay

Identification of a Na(super +)-dependent transporter associated with saxitoxin- producing strains of the cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis

Article Abstract:

HIP1 (highly iterated octameric palindrome) repeated-sequence PCR is used as a valid tool for the investigation of the toxigenicity of related Anabaena circinalis strains and it allowed the identification of a toxic-strain-specific gene corresponding to Na+ -dependent transporter.

Risk factors

Identification of pilus-like structures and genes in microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806

Article Abstract:

Four putative type IV genes from the toxic, naturally transformable Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806 are identified. Three of these genes are clustered in an arrangement, which is identical to that from other cyanobacterial genomes.

Genetic aspects, Observations, Transmission electron microscopes, Genomics