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🦠microbiology review

Cylindrospermopsin

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Cylindrospermopsin is a potent cyanotoxin produced by certain species of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. It is a cyclic alkaloid compound that can have severe hepatotoxic (liver-damaging) and nephrotoxic (kidney-damaging) effects on humans and animals upon exposure.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Cylindrospermopsin is primarily produced by the cyanobacterial species Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, and Raphidiopsis curvata.
  2. Exposure to cylindrospermopsin can occur through the ingestion of contaminated water, recreational activities in affected water bodies, or the consumption of seafood that has bioaccumulated the toxin.
  3. The toxin primarily targets the liver and kidneys, causing damage and dysfunction, and can also affect other organs such as the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system.
  4. Cylindrospermopsin is considered a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis, leading to cell death and tissue damage in exposed organisms.
  5. Monitoring and management of cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria in water sources is crucial for public health, as the toxin can persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain.

Review Questions

  • Describe the source and production of cylindrospermopsin, and explain its significance in the context of 5.4 Algae.
    • Cylindrospermopsin is a potent cyanotoxin produced by certain species of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, which are a type of photosynthetic prokaryotic organisms covered in the 5.4 Algae section. The toxin is primarily produced by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Aphanizomenon ovalisporum, and Raphidiopsis curvata, and its presence is closely linked to the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in aquatic environments. Cylindrospermopsin's significance lies in its ability to cause severe hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects in humans and animals upon exposure, making it a crucial consideration in the management and monitoring of algal blooms in the context of 5.4 Algae.
  • Explain the mechanisms by which cylindrospermopsin exerts its toxic effects on living organisms, and discuss the potential routes of exposure.
    • Cylindrospermopsin is considered a potent inhibitor of protein synthesis, leading to cell death and tissue damage in exposed organisms. The toxin primarily targets the liver and kidneys, causing dysfunction and damage to these vital organs. Exposure to cylindrospermopsin can occur through the ingestion of contaminated water, recreational activities in affected water bodies, or the consumption of seafood that has bioaccumulated the toxin. This multifaceted route of exposure, coupled with the toxin's ability to disrupt cellular processes, underscores the significant health risks associated with cylindrospermopsin in the context of 5.4 Algae.
  • Evaluate the importance of monitoring and managing cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria in water sources, and discuss the potential strategies for mitigating the risks posed by this toxin.
    • Monitoring and management of cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria in water sources is crucial for public health, as the toxin can persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. Strategies for mitigating the risks posed by cylindrospermopsin may include regular water quality testing, the implementation of early warning systems to detect harmful algal blooms, the development of effective water treatment methods to remove the toxin, and the education of the public on the potential dangers of exposure. Additionally, efforts to understand the environmental factors that contribute to the proliferation of cylindrospermopsin-producing cyanobacteria, and the implementation of proactive management plans, can help reduce the occurrence and impact of this potent cyanotoxin in the context of 5.4 Algae.