Intraperitoneal-mouse LDL0: 0.25 mg/kg
An oily alkaloid, anatoxin-a has been isolated from Anabaena jfos-aquae.
(+)-Anatoxin-a is a secondary, bicyclic amine alkaloid and cyanotoxin with acute neurotoxicity. The toxin is produced by at least four different genera of cyanobacteria and has been reported in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and New Zealand. Symptoms of anatoxin exposure are loss of coordination, muscular fasciculations, convulsions and death by respiratory paralysis.
A potent nicotinic agonist (K i values are 1.25 and 1840 nM for α 4 β 2 and α 7 nicotinic receptors respectively). Stimulates [ 3 H]-dopamine release from rat striatal synaptosomes (EC 50 = 136 nM).
Poison by intraperitoneal route.An experimental teratogen. When heated todecomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx.