The genetics, biosynthesis and regulation of toxic specialized metabolites of cyanobacteria

Leanne A Pearson; Elke Dittmann; Rabia Mazmouz; Sarah E Ongley; Paul M D'Agostino; Brett A Neilan

doi:10.1016/j.hal.2015.11.002

The genetics, biosynthesis and regulation of toxic specialized metabolites of cyanobacteria

Harmful Algae. 2016 Apr:54:98-111. doi: 10.1016/j.hal.2015.11.002.

Authors

Leanne A Pearson¹, Elke Dittmann², Rabia Mazmouz¹, Sarah E Ongley¹, Paul M D'Agostino¹, Brett A Neilan³

Affiliations

¹ Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia.
² Institut für Biochemie und Biologie, Mikrobiologie, Universität Potsdam, Potsdam-Golm 14476, Germany.
³ Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: b.neilan@unsw.edu.au.

PMID: 28073484
DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2015.11.002

Abstract

The production of toxic metabolites by cyanobacterial blooms represents a significant threat to the health of humans and ecosystems worldwide. Here we summarize the current state of the knowledge regarding the genetics, biosynthesis and regulation of well-characterized cyanotoxins, including the microcystins, nodularin, cylindrospermopsin, saxitoxins and anatoxins, as well as the lesser-known marine toxins (e.g. lyngbyatoxin, aplysiatoxin, jamaicamides, barbamide, curacin, hectochlorin and apratoxins).

Keywords: Biosynthesis; Cyanobacteria; Cyanotoxins; Genetics; Regulation; Specialized metabolites.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Toxins / biosynthesis*
Bacterial Toxins / genetics*
Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
Cyanobacteria / genetics
Cyanobacteria / physiology*
Ecosystem
Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
Humans

Substances

Bacterial Toxins