Toxigenesis and biosynthesis of saxitoxin analogues

Abstract

The unique tricyclic skeleton of the so-called paralytic shellfish toxins, which include the pharmacologically important saxitoxin and gonyautoxins, was shown to be biosynthesized from arginine and acetate, and the side-chain carbon from methionine by using 13 C and 13 C- 15 N doubly-labeled precursors. The historical development of the work and the more basic problem regarding the toxigenicity of the organisms are reviewed. © 1986 IUPAC