CYLINDROSPERMOPSIN

Cylindrospermopsin is a cyanotoxin alkaloid natural product isolated from Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii blooms. Cylindrospermopsin is an inhibitor of protein synthesis, shown to block the in vitro activity of uridine monophosphate synthase complex. The acute toxicity of Cylindrospermopsin is described to be mediated by CYP (cytochrome p450)-generated metabolites, as inhibitors of CYP (cytochrome p450) completely blocked Cylindrospermopsin toxicity. Decreased activity in reduced glutathione (GSH) synthesis correlated with Cylindrospermopsin exposure may further support the damage caused by metabolites through diminished cellular scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Blockade of CYP (cytochrome p450) by inhibitors also protected cells from Cylindrospermopsin-mediated decreases in GSH levels, indicating that CYP (cytochrome p450)-generated metabolites may also mediate the reduction of GSH synthesis and fall in cellular levels of GSH.