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Cane toad toxicity: an assessment of extracts from early developmental stages and adult tissues using MDCK cell
Damien C T Halliday1, Daryl Venables, David Moore
1CSIRO Entomology, Black Mountain Laboratories, Clunies Ross Street, Acton, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.
Abstract:
Extracts of the cane toad (Bufo [Chaunus] marinus) adversely affected the growth of Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells during culture. In a similar manner to ouabain treatment, application of toad extracts over a 24 h period resulted in high levels of cytotoxicity, as indicated by cell detachment, increased membrane permeability and loss of mitochondrial function. Cell viability and growth were unchanged for controls (PBS) and increased with the application of Limnodynastes peronii tadpole and adult frog extracts. We investigated the general cytotoxicity of cane toad developmental stages (e.g., eggs, embryonic hatchlings, tadpoles and post-metamorphic toadlets) as well as selected adult tissues (e.g. skin, gut, liver). Our results showed that pre-metamorphic cane toad aqueous extracts used at 1 mg/ml on MDCK cells generated cytotoxicity levels comparable to ouabain treatment (3 microM). After normalisation, extracts from 2-3-month-old toadlets appeared less toxic than pre- and early metamorphic stages. Adult tissues revealed a gradient of cytotoxicity levels ranging from non-toxic brain to highly toxic dorsal skin extracts.
Insights
Cane toad extracts are toxic to kidney cells, similar to ouabain. Toxicity varies by developmental stage and tissue, with dorsal skin being most potent.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cell Biology
- Amphibian Research
Background:
- The cane toad (Bufo [Chaunus] marinus) is a toxic invasive species.
- Understanding toad toxin effects on mammalian cells is crucial for ecological and biomedical research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity of cane toad extracts across developmental stages and adult tissues.
- To compare the toxicity of cane toad extracts to known cytotoxic agents like ouabain.
Main Methods:
- Cytotoxicity assays using Mardin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells.
- Exposure to aqueous extracts from various cane toad life stages (eggs, tadpoles, toadlets) and adult tissues (skin, gut, liver).
- Assessment of cell viability, membrane permeability, and mitochondrial function.
Main Results:
- Cane toad extracts induced significant cytotoxicity in MDCK cells, comparable to ouabain treatment.
- Cytotoxicity varied with developmental stage, with pre-metamorphic stages showing higher toxicity than toadlets.
- Adult tissues exhibited a gradient of toxicity, with dorsal skin being the most cytotoxic.
Conclusions:
- Cane toad extracts possess potent cytotoxic properties affecting kidney cell function.
- Toxicity is stage- and tissue-dependent, highlighting specific toxic components in different life phases.
- These findings contribute to understanding amphibian toxins and their impact on mammalian systems.
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