saxitoksiinien
Saxitoxtoxins are a group of potent neurotoxic alkaloids produced by certain species of marine dinoflagellates, such as *Alexandrium* and *Gymnodinium*. These toxins are responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), a severe illness in humans and other animals that consume contaminated shellfish. Saxitoxins work by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve and muscle cells, preventing the transmission of nerve impulses. This blockage leads to symptoms ranging from tingling and numbness to paralysis and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death.
The synthesis of saxitoxins involves a complex enzymatic pathway within the dinoflagellate. The toxins can accumulate