Cycles of Domoic Acid Producers in Culture and Coastal Waters

粉尘藻酸是一种有效的神经毒素，在某些环境条件下，特别是在硅质耗竭的情况下，从硅藻物种刺菱形藻(浮游植物)中分离出来。当这种物种被贝类摄取时，它是集中的，对任何食用它们的人来说都是一种神经危害。这一现象是在加拿大爱德华王子岛一次食用贻贝后中毒事件中引起公众注意的。自从硅藻刺痛变种以来，最近(在最近两年内)粉刺藻酸与贝类中毒之间的联系特别令人担忧。多系鱼类是一种无处不在的物种，在我们的许多沿海水域蓬勃发展。弗莱克塞尔博士已经成功地从加拿大布卢姆和加尔维斯顿海湾克隆了这种生物。由于对该物种中毒素产生的调控几乎一无所知，尤其是关于生命周期阶段，因此研究蠕形藻酸产生的循环至关重要。

Demoic acid, a potent neurotoxin, has been isolated from the diatom species Nitzschia pungens (phytoplankton) under certain environmental conditions, particularly silica depletion. When this species is ingested by shellfish, it is concentrated and represents a neurological hazard to any human who consumes them. This phenomenon was brought to the awareness of the public during an episode of poisonings in Prince Edward Island, Canada after eating mussels. This recent linkage of demoic acid with shellfish poisoning ( within the last two years) is of particular concern since the diatom Nitzschia pungens var. multiseries is a ubiquitous species thriving in many of our coastal waters. Dr. Fryxel has succeded in cloning the organism both from the Canadian bloom as well as from Galveston Bay. Because there is virtually nothing known about the regulation of the toxin production in this species especially with regard to life cycle stages, it is critical that the cycles of demoic acid production be worked out.