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Molecular Insights into Cyanobacterial Microcystin Toxicity and Algal Bloom Dynamics

This study examines the molecular mechanisms of toxicity caused by cyanobacteria, particularly focusing on the production of microcystin during harmful algal blooms in freshwater environments like Presque Isle. Cyanobacteria are a significant part of the ecosystem and can produce harmful toxins that pose risks to human health, including nausea, liver damage, and other severe effects. Understanding the factors influencing bloom formation and toxin expression is crucial for public health and ecological monitoring. Ongoing research aims to elucidate these mechanisms further.

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Molecular Insights into Cyanobacterial Microcystin Toxicity and Algal Bloom Dynamics

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  1. Molecular Basis for Detection and Cytotoxicity Caused by Cyanobacterial Producing Microcystinin Harmful Algal Blooms Steve Mauro, Ph.D. Gannon University mauro003@gannon.edu

  2. Cyanobacteria are common in freshwater environments • These are bacteria capable of • undergoing photosynthesis • They produce approximately 25% • of the worlds oxygen Actinobacteria - In Presque Isle beach water, cyanobacteria compromise approximately 27% of bacterial content

  3. Certain cyanobacterial strains can produce toxins - These cyanobacterial types become more prevalent as the summer progresses - Many aggregate together in a bloom • Temperature, nutrient content, and • buoyancy are some factors involved • in propagating harmful algal blooms INSERT PICTURE OF BLOOM HERE!!! • Toxin producing cyanobacterial genera include: • - Microcystis • Plankothrix • Anabaena • Nodularia

  4. Toxin expression The toxin is produced due to the expression from a mcy gene cluster There are many variants of this toxin that alter specific toxic impact Gene regulatory mechanisms are not clear but expression appears to be constitutively active in environmental samples

  5. Toxin Etiology The microcystin toxin is transported into cells and acts by hyperphosphorylating proteins • Can lead to: • - Nausea/vomiting • Intrahepatic bleeding • Cancer • Skin irritation • Acute respiratory pneumonia • Gastroenteritis

  6. WHO guidelines for concentration of microcystin exposure Concentrations found thus far in Presque Isle water samples using ELISA assay Avg. concentration microcystin (ppb)

  7. Conclusions/future perspectives Cyanobacteria is a common component of the Presque Isle ecosystem Microcystin is consistently present in Presque Isle bathing waters in the absence of a bloom at what would be considered acceptable levels of exposure Blooms have been detected in the Bay at levels that pose slight to moderate risk to humans Ongoing research and monitoring efforts are needed to better understand the spatial and temporal factors that drive mcy gene expression and harmful algal bloom formation Funding Sources Regional Science Consortium

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