Hi Robin, I don't know that tetrodotoxin of pufferfish has been studied as a paralytic, although I could do a search on this question. However, it strikes me as an unlikely candidate for such an application, both because of its multisystem effects and its mechanism of action. Remember, it does not act at the neuromuscular junction per se, but rather by blocking axonal transmission (recall it interferes with sodium conductance). Also, effects (besides paralysis) include seizures, hematologic problems (DIC), hypotension, cardiac problems (myocardial depression, severe heart block), and of course everyone's favorite...nausea and vomiting. The toxin has been well studied, however; it is C11H17N3O8 or amino-perhydroquinazolone, with molecular weight 319 daltons. Interestingly, Saxitoxin (paralytic shellfish poisoning) has the same basic action on the nerve membrane, but via a different receptor. There is no effect on presynaptic release of acetylcholine or on potassium permeability. As you said, this is interesting stuff. We are still learning about marine toxicology, and I doubt we have scratched the surface. Regards, Leander leander_at_worldnet.att.net *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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