BACKGROUND T-2 toxin poses a great threat to human health because it has the highest toxicity of the currently known trichothecene mycotoxins. To understand the in vivo toxicity and transformation mechanism of T-2 toxin, we investigated the role of one kind of principal phase I drug-metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450 [CYP450] enzymes) on the metabolism of T-2 toxin, which are crucial to the ...

Until recently it could be said that the status of our knowledge of bacterial exotoxins had not changed since Roux and Yersin in 1888 (1) first obt,ained the filtrable diphtheria toxin. Indeed, Topley and Wilson in 1936 (2) stated, “We have not yet. succeeded in isolating any bacterial esotoxin in a chemically pure state, although a considerable degree of ooncentration has been attained by vari...

Until recently it could be said that the status of our knowledge of bacterial exotoxins had not changed since Roux and Yersin in 1888 (1) first obt,ained the filtrable diphtheria toxin. Indeed, Topley and Wilson in 1936 (2) stated, “We have not yet. succeeded in isolating any bacterial esotoxin in a chemically pure state, although a considerable degree of ooncentration has been attained by vari...

TOXINS FOUND IN CIGUATOXIC FISHES IN THE RYUKYU ISLANDS by Yoshiro HASHIMOTO * Evidence for multiplicity of toxin involved in ciguatera has been increasingly accumulated. At least four different toxins have been demonstrated in ciguatoxic fishes in the Ryukyu Islands. The fat-soluble toxin probably identical with ciguatoxin was found in the muscle of Lut/janus bohar and L. monostiqma. This toxi...

There is a spectrum of several threat agents, ranging from nerve agents and mustard agents to natural substances, such as biotoxins and new, synthetic, bioactive molecules produced by the chemical industry, to the classical biological warfare agents. The new, emerging threat agents are biotoxins produced by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Many types of organisms produce substances that ar...

The role of arginine and tyrosine in cytolytic properties of equinatoxin II, isolated from the sea anemone Actinia equina L., was studied by means of chemical modifications. The toxin was modified with 2,3 butanedione and tetranitromethane, respectively. The extent of modification and physico-chemical properties of the modified proteins were checked with amino acid analysis, isoelectric focusin...

The interaction of washed cocci, prepared under specified conditions, and a polynucleotide (AF) results in the formation of streptolysin S provided a fermentable carbohydrate is present. Maximum toxin formation requires, in addition, the presence of magnesium, potassium, and phosphate ions. Streptolysin S production proceeds anaerobically as well as aerobically but under the latter condition, a...