Motuporin
Motuporin is a potent neurotoxin produced by the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus, which is responsible for the shellfish poisoning known as ciguatera. This toxin is one of the most common causes of fish poisoning worldwide.
Structure and Mechanism[edit | edit source]
Motuporin is a lipophilic compound, meaning it is soluble in fats and oils. Its structure is similar to that of ciguatoxin, another toxin produced by Gambierdiscus toxicus. Both toxins are polycyclic ethers, a class of compounds known for their complexity and difficulty to synthesize.
The mechanism of action of motuporin is not fully understood, but it is believed to act by binding to voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cells, causing them to remain open and leading to a continuous influx of sodium ions. This results in a persistent depolarization of the nerve cell, which can lead to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and in severe cases, paralysis.
Symptoms and Treatment[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of motuporin poisoning can vary widely, but often include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. In severe cases, motuporin poisoning can lead to paralysis and even death.
Treatment for motuporin poisoning is primarily supportive, as there is currently no specific antidote. This can include rehydration, pain management, and in severe cases, hospitalization.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of motuporin poisoning primarily involves avoiding consumption of fish from areas known to be affected by Gambierdiscus toxicus. Cooking or freezing the fish does not destroy the toxin, so the only sure way to avoid poisoning is to avoid eating the fish altogether.
See Also[edit | edit source]
This toxin-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it.
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
