Where does tetrodoxin come from?

DESCRIPTION: Tetrodotoxin is an extremely potent poison (toxin) found mainly in the liver and sex organs (gonads) of some fish, such as puffer fish, globefish, and toadfish (order Tetraodontiformes) and in some amphibian, octopus, and shellfish species.

1. How do puffer fish produce tetrodotoxin?
2. What is tetrodotoxin where is it found and how is it produced?
3. Where does puffer fish poison come from?
4. What organism produces tetrodotoxin?
5. What does tetrodotoxin do to neurons?
6. What functional groups are found in tetrodotoxin?
7. What elements make up tetrodotoxin?
8. What does tetrodotoxin mean?
9. Is pufferfish and porcupine fish the same?
10. Can a dead puffer fish poison you?
11. How do you prevent tetrodotoxin?
12. Does tetrodotoxin stop the heart?
13. Is tetrodotoxin reversible?
14. Why is there no antidote for tetrodotoxin?

How do puffer fish produce tetrodotoxin?

The origin of TTX is unknown, but in the pufferfish, it seems to be produced by endosymbiotic bacteria that often seem to be passed down the food chain. The ingestion of contaminated pufferfish, considered the most delicious fish in Japan, is the usual route of toxicity.

What is tetrodotoxin where is it found and how is it produced?

This toxin is mainly isolated from the skin, viscera, ovaries, and liver of the pufferfish. The toxin is produced by various species of bacteria, and TTX-bearing animals absorb and accumulate it through the food chain.

Where does puffer fish poison come from?

The liver, gonads (ovaries and testes), intestines and skin of puffer fish typically contain the toxin. Unless puffer fish is cleaned and prepared in a special manner to carefully remove the organs containing toxin, the flesh of the fish will become contaminated with the toxin.

What organism produces tetrodotoxin?

TTX is produced by a diverse group of animals which are phylogenetically unrelated, such as species from pufferfish, Gobies, Newts, Frogs, Horseshoe Crabs, Xanthid Crabs, Blue-ringed Octopus, Gastropods, Starfish, Flatworms, Ribbon worms, Annelids, Arrow worms, Red calcareous alga, Dinoflagellates, Bacteria, etc.

What does tetrodotoxin do to neurons?

Tetrodotoxin is a sodium channel blocker. It inhibits the firing of action potentials in neurons by binding to the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes and blocking the passage of sodium ions (responsible for the rising phase of an action potential) into the neuron.

What functional groups are found in tetrodotoxin?

The chemical structure of tetrodotoxin is shown as; The structure of tetrodotoxin consists of 11 carbon atoms, 3 nitrogen atoms, 8 oxygen atoms, and 17 hydrogen atoms. Tetrodotoxin contains the functional groups like hydroxyl group, ether group and amine (secondary amine) group.

What elements make up tetrodotoxin?

The chemical structure of tetrodotoxin consists of 11 Carbon atoms, 17 Hydrogen atoms, 3 Nitrogen atoms, and 8 Oxygen atoms.

What does tetrodotoxin mean?

Definition of tetrodotoxin

: a neurotoxin C₁₁H₁₇N₃O₈ found especially in puffer fish that blocks nerve conduction by suppressing permeability of the nerve fiber to sodium ions.

Is pufferfish and porcupine fish the same?

Pufferfish or porcupine fish? The term pufferfish is used quite often to design generally, fish that are able to puff themselves. ... The Diodontidae have large external spines and are called most commonly porcupine fish. They are closely related but are not the same.

Can a dead puffer fish poison you?

Puffer fish contain a toxin called tetrodotoxin which is one of the most deadly natural poisons. ... Pufferfish, either alive or dead, can be fatal to both humans and dogs alike if ingested in large enough quantities.

How do you prevent tetrodotoxin?

Prevent others from eating until the source of tetrodotoxin exposure can be ascertained, in order to avoid more casualties. Do not induce vomiting (emesis). Administer supplemental oxygen and assist ventilation as needed.

Does tetrodotoxin stop the heart?

The transient or permanent reduction of the heart rate is most likely the result of a complex systemic reaction to TTX intoxication.

Is tetrodotoxin reversible?

Tetrodotoxin is a reversible, potent, selective and high affinity inhibitor of voltage gated sodium channels Na_v 1.6, 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.2 and 1.7 (IC₅₀ values are 2.3 nM, 4.1 nM, 5.3 nM, 7.6 nM, 14 nM and 36 nM, respectively). Binding is reversible and high affinity (K_d = 1-10 nM).

Why is there no antidote for tetrodotoxin?

Because the toxin is heat-stable, cooking does not destroy it. The toxin works by blocking sodium channels, in turn causing gastrointestinal, neurologic, and cardiac symptoms in patients with tetrodotoxin toxicity. There is currently no known antidote.