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 in filter-feeding organisms like mussels, clams, and oysters, which ingest the toxic algae. As these shellfish are consumed by higher trophic levels, including humans, the toxins biomagnify, posing a significant public health risk. Various saxitoxin analogues exist, differing in their chemical structure and potency, but all share the same mechanism of action. Monitoring programs are in place globally to detect saxitoxin levels in shellfish populations and issue warnings to prevent poisoning outbreaks.