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Effects of a synthetic analog of polycavernoside A on human neuroblastoma cells
Eva Cagide1, M Carmen Louzao, Isabel R Ares
1Departamento de Farmacologia. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. Campus de Lugo. Lugo, Spain.
Background:
Polycavernoside A is a glycosidic marine toxin first extracted from the red alga Polycavernosa tsudai in 1991 when 3 people died after the ingestion of this food. Polycavernoside A is an interesting molecule because of its complex macrolide structure and strong bioactivity. However, the target site of this toxin has not been characterized.
Methods:
We studied the effects of a synthethic analog of polycavernoside A on human neuroblastoma cells by measuring changes in membrane potential with bis-oxonol and variations in intracellular calcium levels with fura-2. Fluorescent phalloidin was utilized for assaying activity on actin cytoskeleton.
Results:
Data showed that this polycavernoside A analog induced a membrane depolarization and an increase in cytosolic calcium levels.
Conclusion:
These results provide the first insight into the mode of action of polycavernoside A, suggesting that: i) this toxin triggers an initial extracellular calcium entry neither produced across L-type voltage-gated calcium channels nor activation of muscarinic receptors ii) there is a depolarization induced by the toxin and due to the extracellular calcium entry.
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