Microcystinase is a protease that selectively degrades microcystin, an extremely potent cyanotoxin that causes marine pollution and can lead to human and animal food chain poisoning. The enzyme is naturally produced by a number of bacteria isolated in Japan and New Zealand. As of 2012, the chemical structure of this enzyme has not been scientifically determined.[1]
The enzyme degrades the cyclic peptide toxin microcystin into a linear peptide, which is 160 times less toxic.[2] Other bacteria then further degrade the linear peptide.
References
edit- ^ Dziga, Dariusz; Wladyka, Benedykt; Zielińska, Gabriela; Meriluoto, Jussi; Wasylewski, Marcin (Apr 2012). "Heterologous expression and characterisation of microcystinase". Toxicon. 59 (5): 578–86. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.01.001. PMID 22326726.
- ^ Somdee, Theerasak; Thunders, Michelle; Ruck, John; Lys, Isabelle; Allison, Margaret; Page, Rachel (2013). "Degradation of [Dha7]MC-LR by a Microcystin Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Lake Rotoiti, New Zealand". ISRN Microbiology. 2013: 1–8. doi:10.1155/2013/596429. PMC 3712209. PMID 23936728.
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