saxitoxin /saxi·tox·in/ (sak´sĭ-tok″sin) a powerful neurotoxin synthesized and secreted by certain dinoflagellates, which accumulates in the tissues of shellfish feeding on the dinoflagellates and may cause a severe toxic reaction in persons consuming contaminated shellfish.
saxitoxin
saxitoxin [sak´sĭ-tok″sin]
sax·i·tox·in (s k s -t k sn)n. 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. |
saxitoxin
[sak′sitok′sin]
a powerful neurotoxin found in bivalve mollusks, including mussels, clams, and scallops. It is produced by certain species of dinoflagellates, which are consumed by the mollusks. Saxitoxin may cause a severe food intoxication in humans who eat the contaminated shellfish.
Saxitoxin
A potent paralyzing neurotoxin first isolated from the Alaskan clam—Saxidomus giganteus—which binds to the cell membrane’s Na+ channel, blocking depolarisation at the neuromuscular junction, and increasing permeability for Na+; the toxin is heat-stable, water-soluble and rapidly absorbed from the GI tract; as few as 6 contaminated clams may be fatal
saxitoxin [sak´sĭ-tok″sin]
a powerful heat-stable low molecular weight neurotoxin synthesized and secreted by certain dinoflagellates, such as species of Gonyaulax, which accumulates in the tissue of bivalve mollusks feeding on the dinoflagellates; it may cause a severe toxic reaction called shellfish poisoning in those who ingest contaminated mollusks.
saxitoxin
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.
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