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Comparative studies of the actin cytoskeleton response to maitotoxin and okadaic acid

G Diogène1, V Fessard, A Dubreuil

  • 1Unité INSERM 303, 1 Avenue Jean Lorrain, F-06300, France.

Toxicology in Vitro : an International Journal Published in Association with BIBRA
|July 24, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Maitotoxin (MTX) and okadaic acid (OA) phycotoxins induce distinct cellular responses in fibroblasts. MTX causes blebbing, while OA leads to cell rounding, both affecting F-actin without impacting viability.

Area of Science:

  • Marine biology
  • Cell biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Phycotoxins from dinoflagellates like Gambierdiscus toxicus and Prorocentrum lima pose significant health risks.
  • Maitotoxin (MTX) and okadaic acid (OA) are key phycotoxins with known biological activities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate and differentiate the specific cytotoxic effects of MTX and OA on BHK 21 C13 fibroblasts.
  • To characterize the cellular and cytoskeletal changes induced by these phycotoxins.

Main Methods:

  • Exposure of BHK 21 C13 fibroblasts to purified MTX, OA, and crude extracts from G. toxicus and P. lima.
  • Microscopic observation of cellular morphology and F-actin distribution using fluorescence microscopy.

Main Results:

  • MTX and G. toxicus extracts induced rapid dose-dependent blebbing and F-actin depolymerization.
  • OA and P. lima extracts caused cells to become polygonal then round, with significant F-actin alterations.
  • Distinct cellular responses were identified, defining an 'MTX-like' and an 'OA-like' effect.
  • F-actin reduction occurred at non-cytotoxic doses for both toxin types.

Conclusions:

  • MTX and OA elicit uniquely identifiable cytotoxic effects on fibroblasts.
  • Cytoskeletal disruption, particularly F-actin changes, is a primary mechanism of phycotoxin action.
  • These findings aid in distinguishing phycotoxin poisoning based on cellular response patterns.

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