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Marine Drugs
Special Issues
Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins"
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Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins"

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine Toxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 9736

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrew Turner

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth Laboratory, Weymouth, UK
Interests: assessment of new marine toxin threats; cyanobacterial toxins; method development; reference materials; rapid testing methods; one health impacts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Panagiota Katikou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA, Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki, Department of Hy-giene and Technology of Food of Animal Origin and Toxicology, 57001 Thermi, Greece
Interests: marine biotoxins; phycotoxins; harmful algal blooms; toxic pufferfish; emerging marine toxins; tetrodotoxins; ciguatoxins; lipophilic toxins; toxic episodes management; phycotoxins regulatory monitoring; marine toxins analysis; mouse bioassay; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a special issue of Marine Drugs, entitled "Commemorating the Launch of the Section 'Marine Toxins'". This special issue aims to highlight the importance of the newly launched section of Marine Drugs, which focuses on the study of marine toxins.

Marine toxins are natural products produced by a variety of marine organisms, including microalgae and bacteria. These compounds have been found to have a wide range of biological activities, including toxicity to humans and animals, as well as potential applications in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture. The section "Marine Toxins” provides a platform for researchers to share their latest findings on the isolation, characterization, biosynthesis, and biological activities of these bioactive molecules.

To celebrate the launch of this section, Marine Drugs is calling for submissions within this special issue, which will feature original research articles, reviews, and perspectives highlighting recent advancements in the field, on a variety of topics related to marine toxins, including their chemical structures, biosynthesis, and biological activities and their potential applications. Additionally, we welcome articles on the detection, analysis, and monitoring of marine toxins, as well as their impact on human and animal health and the environment.

Topics of interest for this special issue include, but are not limited to:

  • Identification and characterization of new marine toxins
  • Structural elucidation, mechanisms of biosynthesis and regulation of marine toxins
  • Biological evaluation of marine toxins
  • Toxicity and pharmacology of marine toxins
  • Applications of marine toxins in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture
  • Toxicology and risk assessment of marine toxins
  • Methods for the detection and analysis of marine toxins
  • Metabolism and biotransformation of marine toxins
  • Evidence for geographical/temporal expansion of non-regulated marine toxins

We invite all researchers working in the field of marine toxins to contribute their latest research to this special issue. We hope that this collection of articles will serve as a valuable resource for the scientific community and inspire further research in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.

Join us in commemorating the launch of the "Marine Toxins" section of Marine Drugs and contribute to this exciting special issue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Andrew Turner
Dr. Panagiota Katikou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Marine Drugs is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • marine toxins
  • identification and characterization
  • structural elucidation
  • mechanisms of biosynthesis
  • biological evaluation
  • toxicity
  • pharmacology
  • toxicology and risk assessment
  • methods for the detection and analysis
  • metabolism
  • biotransformation
  • applications of marine toxins in medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture
  • evidence for geographical/temporal expansion of non-regulated marine toxins

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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38 pages, 5610 KiB  
Article
Morphological, Toxicological, and Biochemical Characterization of Two Species of Gambierdiscus from Bahía de La Paz, Gulf of California
by Leyberth José Fernández-Herrera, Erick Julián Núñez-Vázquez, Francisco E. Hernández-Sandoval, Daniel Octavio Ceseña-Ojeda, Sara García-Davis, Andressa Teles, Marte Virgen-Félix and Dariel Tovar-Ramírez
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(9), 422; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22090422 - 16 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1186
Abstract
We describe five new isolates of two Gambierdiscus species from Bahía de La Paz in the southern Gulf of California. Batch cultures of Gambierdiscus were established for morphological characterization using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pigment and amino acid profiles [...] Read more.
We describe five new isolates of two Gambierdiscus species from Bahía de La Paz in the southern Gulf of California. Batch cultures of Gambierdiscus were established for morphological characterization using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Pigment and amino acid profiles were also analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV and HPLC-DAD). Finally, toxicity (CTX-like and MTX-like activity) was evaluated using the Artemia salina assay (ARTOX), mouse assay (MBA), marine fish assay (MFA), and fluorescent receptor binding assay (fRBA). These strains were identified as Gambierdiscus cf. caribaeus and Gambierdiscus cf. carpenteri. Toxicity for CTX-like and MTX-like activity was confirmed in all evaluated clones. Seven pigments were detected, with chlorophyll a, pyridine, Chl2, and diadinoxanthin being particularly noteworthy. For the first time, a screening of the amino acid profile of Gambierdiscus from the Pacific Ocean was conducted, which showed 14 amino acids for all strains except histidine, which was only present in G. cf. caribeaus. We report the presence of Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa species in the Mexican Pacific, where ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) cases have occurred. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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19 pages, 2780 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Tentacle Extract and Nematocyst Venom: Toxicity, Mechanism, and Potential Intervention in the Giant Jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai
by Xiao-Yu Geng, Ming-Ke Wang, Xiao-Chuan Hou, Zeng-Fa Wang, Yi Wang, Die-Yu Zhang, Blessing Danso, Dun-Biao Wei, Zhao-Yong Shou, Liang Xiao and Ji-Shun Yang
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(8), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22080362 - 9 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1283
Abstract
The giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai sting can cause local and systemic reactions; however, comparative analysis of the tentacle extract (TE) and nematocyst venom extract (NV), and its toxicity, mechanism, and potential intervention are still limited. This study compared venom from TE and NV [...] Read more.
The giant jellyfish Nemopilema nomurai sting can cause local and systemic reactions; however, comparative analysis of the tentacle extract (TE) and nematocyst venom extract (NV), and its toxicity, mechanism, and potential intervention are still limited. This study compared venom from TE and NV for their composition, toxicity, and efficacy in vitro and in vivo used RAW264.7 cells and ICR mice. A total of 239 and 225 toxin proteins were identified in TE and NV by proteomics, respectively. Pathological analysis revealed that TE and NV caused heart and liver damage through apoptosis, necrosis, and inflammation, while TE exhibited higher toxicity ex vivo and in vivo. Biochemical markers indicated TE and NV elevated creatine kinase, lactatedehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase, with the TE group showing a more significant increase. Transcriptomics and Western blotting indicated both venoms increased cytokines expression and MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, 1 mg/kg PACOCF3 (the phospholipase A2 inhibitor) improved survival from 16.7% to 75% in mice. Our results indicate that different extraction methods impact venom activities, tentacle autolysis preserves toxin proteins and their toxicity, and PACOCF3 is a potential antidote, which establishes a good extraction method of jellyfish venom, expands our understanding of jellyfish toxicity, mechanism, and provides a promising intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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15 pages, 3981 KiB  
Article
Physiological Effects of Oxidative Stress Caused by Saxitoxin in the Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
by Haiyan Wu, Balakrishnan Prithiviraj and Zhijun Tan
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(10), 544; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21100544 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1827
Abstract
Saxitoxin (STX) causes high toxicity by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, and it poses a major threat to marine ecosystems and human health worldwide. Our work evaluated the neurotoxicity and chronic toxicology of STX to Caenorhabditis elegans by an analysis of lifespan, brood size, [...] Read more.
Saxitoxin (STX) causes high toxicity by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels, and it poses a major threat to marine ecosystems and human health worldwide. Our work evaluated the neurotoxicity and chronic toxicology of STX to Caenorhabditis elegans by an analysis of lifespan, brood size, growth ability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels, and the overexpression of green fluorescent protein (GFP). After exposure to a series of concentrations of STX for 24 h, worms showed paralysis symptoms and fully recovered within 6 h; less than 5% of worms died at the highest concentration of 1000 ng/mL for first larval stage (L1) worms and 10,000 ng/mL for fourth larval stage (L4) worms. Declines in lifespan, productivity, and body size of C. elegans were observed under the stress of 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL STX, and the lifespan was shorter than that in controls. With STX exposure, the productivity declined by 32–49%; the body size, including body length and body area, declined by 13–18% and 25–27%, respectively. The levels of ROS exhibited a gradual increase over time, accompanied by a positive concentration effect of STX resulting in 1.14–1.86 times higher levels compared to the control group in L4 worms. Conversely, no statistically significant differences were observed between L1 worms. Finally, after exposure to STX for 48 h, ATP levels and GFP expression in C. elegans showed a significant dose-dependent increase. Our study reports the first evidence that STX is not lethal but imposes substantial oxidative stress on C. elegans, with a dose-responsive relationship. Our results indicated that C. elegans is an ideal model to further study the mechanisms underlying the fitness of organisms under the stress caused by paralytic shellfish toxins including STX. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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13 pages, 1376 KiB  
Article
Monthly Variation of Tetrodotoxin Levels in Pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) Caught from Antalya Bay, Mediterranean Sea
by Ali Rıza Kosker, Merve Karakus, Panagiota Katikou, İsmail Dal, Mustafa Durmus, Yılmaz Ucar, Deniz Ayas and Fatih Özogul
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(10), 527; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21100527 - 5 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2179
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive alien pufferfish species that has rapidly settled throughout the Mediterranean region, poses significant threats not only to native marine species and fisheries but also to public health due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) they harbor. [...] Read more.
The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive alien pufferfish species that has rapidly settled throughout the Mediterranean region, poses significant threats not only to native marine species and fisheries but also to public health due to the tetrodotoxin (TTX) they harbor. In this study, TTX concentrations in L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea were investigated using Q-TOF-LC-MS on a monthly basis over a one-year period. Pufferfish were caught by angling from May 2018 to April 2019. The TTX levels in three different tissues (gonads, liver, and muscle) of 110 pufferfish in total were determined in both male and female individuals caught for 11 months. The highest TTX mean levels generally occurred in the gonads and the lowest in the muscle samples. As regards the maximum TTX contents, the highest concentrations determined were 68.2, 34.2, and 7.8 µg/g in the gonad, liver, and muscle tissues, respectively. The highest levels were generally observed in late autumn to winter (especially in November and December) in all tissues from both genders. Female individuals were generally found to be more toxic than male individuals. The TTX levels found confirm that the consumption of L. sceleratus from Antalya Bay remains dangerous throughout the year, and thus L. sceleratus constantly constitutes an important risk source for public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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18 pages, 3072 KiB  
Article
Nutrient Deficiencies Impact on the Cellular and Metabolic Responses of Saxitoxin Producing Alexandrium minutum: A Transcriptomic Perspective
by Muhamad Afiq Akbar, Nurul Yuziana Mohd Yusof, Gires Usup, Asmat Ahmad, Syarul Nataqain Baharum and Hamidun Bunawan
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(9), 497; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21090497 - 18 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1879
Abstract
Dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Halim is commonly associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) in tropical marine waters due to its saxitoxin production. However, limited information is available regarding the cellular and metabolic changes of A. minutum in nutrient-deficient environments. To fill this gap, our [...] Read more.
Dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum Halim is commonly associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) in tropical marine waters due to its saxitoxin production. However, limited information is available regarding the cellular and metabolic changes of A. minutum in nutrient-deficient environments. To fill this gap, our study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic responses of A. minutum under nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency. The induction of nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency resulted in the identification of 1049 and 763 differently expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Further analysis using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed 702 and 1251 enriched gene ontology (GO) terms associated with nitrogen and phosphorus deficiency, respectively. Our results indicate that in laboratory cultures, nitrogen deficiency primarily affects meiosis, carbohydrate catabolism, ammonium assimilation, ion homeostasis, and protein kinase activity. On the other hand, phosphorus deficiency primarily affects the carbon metabolic response, cellular ion transfer, actin-dependent cell movement, signalling pathways, and protein recycling. Our study provides valuable insights into biological processes and genes regulating A. minutum’s response to nutrient deficiencies, furthering our understanding of the ecophysiological response of HABs to environmental change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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Review

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26 pages, 2572 KiB  
Review
Marine Algal Toxins and Public Health: Insights from Shellfish and Fish, the Main Biological Vectors
by Kuan-Kuan Yuan, Hong-Ye Li and Wei-Dong Yang
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(11), 510; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22110510 - 10 Nov 2024
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Exposure to toxigenic harmful algal blooms (HABs) can result in widely recognized acute poisoning in humans. The five most commonly recognized HAB-related illnesses are diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), and ciguatera poisoning [...] Read more.
Exposure to toxigenic harmful algal blooms (HABs) can result in widely recognized acute poisoning in humans. The five most commonly recognized HAB-related illnesses are diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP), paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP), and ciguatera poisoning (CP). Despite being caused by exposure to various toxins or toxin analogs, these clinical syndromes share numerous similarities. Humans are exposed to these toxins mainly through the consumption of fish and shellfish, which serve as the main biological vectors. However, the risk of human diseases linked to toxigenic HABs is on the rise, corresponding to a dramatic increase in the occurrence, frequency, and intensity of toxigenic HABs in coastal regions worldwide. Although a growing body of studies have focused on the toxicological assessment of HAB-related species and their toxins on aquatic organisms, the organization of this information is lacking. Consequently, a comprehensive review of the adverse effects of HAB-associated species and their toxins on those organisms could deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind their toxic effects, which is crucial to minimizing the risks of toxigenic HABs to human and public health. To this end, this paper summarizes the effects of the five most common HAB toxins on fish, shellfish, and humans and discusses the possible mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Commemorating the Launch of the Section "Marine Toxins")
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