[Application of a fluorescent dye method based on changes in membrane potential in detecting shellfish toxins]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Analytical Chemistry
• Marine Biology

Context:

• Seafood safety is a significant public health concern due to the prevalence of marine biotoxins.
• Existing detection methods for toxins like paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin (PST), tetrodotoxin (TTX), and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning toxin (NST) can be time-consuming or lack sensitivity.
• Understanding the toxicological mechanisms of these toxins is crucial for developing effective countermeasures.

Purpose:

• To develop a rapid, sensitive, and specific assay for detecting common seafood toxins, including PST, TTX, and NST.
• To utilize the potential-dependent fluorescent dye bis-oxonol for monitoring changes in neuroblastoma cell membrane potential induced by these toxins.
• To establish a reliable method for identifying and quantifying toxic compounds in seafood.

Summary:

• Neuroblastoma cells treated with bis-oxonol exhibited potential-dependent fluorescence changes.
• Gonyautoxins (GTX2,3), brevetoxin (BTX), and TTX induced observable changes in cell membrane potential.
• Dose-dependent inhibition of veratridine-induced depolarization by GTX2,3 and TTX was observed, as was NSP-induced depolarization.

Impact:

• This research provides a novel and efficient method for the detection of critical seafood toxins.
• The developed assay can enhance seafood safety protocols and regulatory monitoring.
• This approach offers a reliable tool for toxicological research and risk assessment related to marine biotoxins.