Transfer of a cyanobacterial neurotoxin within a temperate aquatic ecosystem suggests pathways for human exposure

authorCount :8
beta-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), a neurotoxic nonprotein amino acid produced by most cyanobacteria, has been proposed to be the causative agent of devastating neurodegenerative diseases on the island of Guam in the Pacific Ocean. Because cyanobacteria are widespread globally, we hypothesized that BMAA might occur and bioaccumulate in other ecosystems. Here we demonstrate, based on a recently developed extraction and HPLC-MS/MS method and long-term monitoring of BMAA in cyanobacterial populations of a temperate aquatic ecosystem (Baltic Sea, 2007-2008), that BMAA is biosynthesized by cyanobacterial genera dominating the massive surface blooms of this water body. BMAA also was found at higher concentrations in organisms of higher trophic levels that directly or indirectly feed on cyanobacteria, such as zooplankton and various vertebrates (fish) and invertebrates (mussels, oysters). Pelagic and benthic fish species used for human consumption were included. The highest BMAA levels were detected in the muscle and brain of bottom-dwelling fishes. The discovery of regular biosynthesis of the neurotoxin BMAA in a large temperate aquatic ecosystem combined with its possible transfer and bioaccumulation within major food webs, some ending in human consumption, is alarming and requires attention.

Eriksson, JohanStockholms universitet,Botaniska institutionen(Swepub:su)jopie (författare)
Berntzon, LottaStockholms universitet,Botaniska institutionen(Swepub:su)lobe1120 (författare)
Spacil, ZdenekStockholms universitet,Institutionen för analytisk kemi,Charles University Prague, Czech Republic (författare)
Ilag, Leopold L.Stockholms universitet,Institutionen för analytisk kemi(Swepub:su)lilag (författare)
Ronnevi, Lars-Olof (författare)
Rasmussen, UllaStockholms universitet,Botaniska institutionen(Swepub:su)rasmu (författare)
Bergman, BirgittaStockholms universitet,Botaniska institutionen(Swepub:su)bergm (författare)
Stockholms universitetBotaniska institutionen (creator_code:org_t)

Ingår i:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences107:20, s. 9252-92570027-84241091-6490

Av författaren/redakt...: Jonasson, Sara; Eriksson, Johan; Berntzon, Lotta; Spacil, Zdenek; Ilag, Leopold L.; Ronnevi, Lars-Ol ...; visa fler...; Rasmussen, Ulla; Bergman, Birgitt ...; visa färre...

Om ämnet

Kungliga biblioteket hanterar dina personuppgifter i enlighet med EU:s dataskyddsförordning (2018), GDPR. Läs mer om hur det funkar här.
Så här hanterar KB dina uppgifter vid användning av denna tjänst.