microcystin


microcystin

(mī-krō-sis'tin), Those compounds produced by Microcystis aeruginosa: potent hepatotoxins and probable tumor promoters.

microcystin

Any toxic, cyclic, non-ribosomal peptide produced by cyanobacteria, which has anticholinesterase activity or causes severe liver injury through DNA damage by activating endonucleases and inhibiting inhibit protein phosphatases types 1 and 2A. Topical exposure to microcystins causes skin and eye irritation, rhinorrhoea, vertigo and fatigue; parenteral exposure may cause death after initial exposure, often due to intrahepatic haemorrhage and hypovolemic shock. An epidemic of microcystin-related death occurred at a haemodialysis centre in Brazil due to impure water.