Dictionary:

saxitoxin

  (săk'sĭ-tŏk'sĭn)

A potent neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates that accumulates in shellfish feeding on these organisms and consequently causes food poisoning in humans who eat the shellfish.

[New Latin Saxi(domus gigantēus), clam species (from Latin saxum, stone; see saxifrage) + TOXIN.]

A potent neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates that accumulates in shellfish feeding on these organisms and consequently causes food poisoning in humans who eat the shellfish.

Neurotoxic tetrahydropurine of the paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxin group from poisonous mussels, clams and plankton; a sodium channel blocker with the same mode of action as tetrodotoxin; originates in some toxic dinoflagellates and in some anabaena spp.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a powerful neurotoxin produced by certain dinoflagellates found in red tides; it can accumulate in mollusks that feed on the dinoflagellates and cause food poisoning to humans

Saxitoxin
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(3aS-(3a-α,4-α,10aR*))2,6-diamino- 4-(((amino-carbonyl)oxy)methyl)-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro- 1H,10H-pyrrolo(1,2-c)purine-10,10-diol
Identifiers
CAS number	35523-89-8
PubChem	37165
Chemical data
Formula	C10H17N7O4
Molar mass	299.29
SMILES	N=C1N[C@@H](COC(N)=O)[C@H]3[C@] 2(N=C(N)N3)N1CCC2(O)O
Complete data

Saxitoxin (STX) is a neurotoxin found in marine dinoflagellates (algae). It is a selective sodium channel blocker. The United States military isolated saxitoxin and assigned it the chemical weapon designation TZ. It is unique among toxins in that it acts in a matter of minutes. The median lethal dose (LCt₅₀) of TZ is 5 mg·min/m³.

The medical importance of saxitoxin is in relation to red tide in shellfish and causes the paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) food poisoning. The blocking of the sodium channel produces a flaccid paralysis that leaves its victim calm and conscious through the progression of symptoms. Death is from respiratory failure.

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.

In episode 122 of the television series "Prison Break", a "glycoside saxitoxin hybrid" is used to cause cardiac arrest of a public official.

See also

• Action potential
• Tetrodotoxin

External links

• http://www.uaf.edu/seagrant/issues/PSP/PSP.pdf
• http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/stx/saxi.htm

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