Saxitoxin
Agent Name
Saxitoxin
CAS Number
35523-89-8
Formula
C10-H17-N7-O4
Major Category
Biological Agents
Synonyms
Gonyaulax catenella poison; Mytilus californianus poison; Saxidomus giganteus poison; Saxitoxin hydrate; 1H,10H-Pyrrolo(1,2-c)purine-10,10-diol, 2,6-diamino-4-(((aminocarbonyl)oxy)methyl)-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro-, (3aS-(3a-alpha,4-alpha,10aR*)); 1H,10H-Pyrrolo(1,2-c)purine-10,10-diol, 2,6-diamino-4-(((aminocarbonyl)oxy)methyl)-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro-, (3aS,4R,10aS)-; [ChemIDplus] (3aS,4R,10aS)-2,6-Diamino-4-[[(aminocarbonyl)oxy]methyl]-3a,4,8,9-tetrahydro-1H,10H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]purine-10,10-diol; Mussel poison; Clam poison; Paralytic shellfish poison; Gonyaulax toxin; STX; [Merck Index] UN3462
Category
Seafood Toxins
Description
Solid; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
Sources/Uses
Potent neurotoxin made by dinoflagellates in the Gonyaulax genus; Causes shellfish poisoning in humans; [Merck Index]
Comments
Causes flaccid paralysis without anesthesia (usually neuromuscular blockage) in oral lethal-dose studies of mice, rats, rabbits, cats, and dogs; [RTECS] Symptoms of severe poisoning include paresthesia, muscle weakness, vertigo, cranial nerve dysfunction, respiratory failure, and death; [CDC] May cause irritation; Highly toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption; Targets nerves; [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS] See "Saxitoxin dihydrochloride."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Lethal Concentration
LC50 (mouse) = 0.3 mg/m3/24hr
Explanatory Notes
The Guide in the Emergency Response Guidebook is for "Toxins, extracted from living sources, solid, n.o.s."
Adverse Effects
Neurotoxin
Other CNS neurotoxin
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.