Methyl azoxymethanol

Yamanaka H, Obata K (2004) Displaced granule cells in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex in mice treated with methyl-azoxymethanol. Neurosci Lett 358 132-136... 

Glycosides based on a methyl azoxymethanol structure occur in cycads. These glycosides are found in most members of this gymnospermous family, along with an enzyme that effects hydrolysis of the compounds to release methyl... 

Several of these plants are used as human food sources in Oceania and many are eaten by animals in many areas of the South Pacific and in Australia. A form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig s disease) used to be endemic among the Chamorros of Guam and is linked to the presence of an unusual amino acid a-amino-p-propionic acid or p-A-methylamino-L-alanine found in this cycad (Fowler, 1987 Spencer et al., 1987) (see Chapter 13). Methyl azoxymethanol has been shown to be carcinogenic (Hirono, 1972). Cycasin (84) reduces the litter size in rats if consumed prior to mating (Fig. 16.20). 

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