Neurotoxic Alkaloids from Cyanobacteria

Rashel V. Cr mdberg, Cynthia F. Shuman, Carla M. Sorrels, Josh Wingerd, 

This chapter reviews the nitrogen-containing neurotoxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, and follows an earlier review in this series which more broadly covered the alkaloid chemistry of these life forms from the marine environment [3]. A description of the discovery, isolation, structural elucidation, biosynthesis, mechanism of action, structure-activity relationship (SAR), and some aspects of chemical synthesis of cyanobacteria toxins is provided. 

Historically, inquiries have been prompted by toxic cyanobacteria events, and the first section of this chapter will describe compounds discovered through such 

Modem Alkaloids Stmcture, Isolation, Synthesis and Biology. Edited by E. Eattorusso and O. Taglialatela-Scafati Copyright 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 978-3-527-31521-5 

Neurotoxic events linked to cyanobacteria are not limited to freshwater or marine conditions. For example, there is growing evidence that the neurological condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS-PD) is caused by consumption of p-methylaminoalanine (BMAA). BMAA is found in cyanobacteria which grow in the tissues of plants and is possibly biomagnified in the food chain in areas affected by ALS-PD. 

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