Frog protein could become first antidote to deadly red tide toxin
Researchers at UCSF have discovered that a protein found in bullfrogs, called saxiphilin, can neutralize the deadly saxitoxin produced by red tide algal blooms. This discovery could lead to the first effective antidote for paralytic shellfish poisoning.
Why it matters
As climate change increases the frequency of harmful algal blooms, this medical breakthrough offers a potential solution for a previously untreatable, lethal toxin.
by University of California, San Francisco
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Andrew Zinin
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The "red tide" algal blooms that are becoming more frequent along the Pacific coast produce one of the most potent neurotoxins known: saxitoxin, or STX. The toxin accumulates in shellfish and causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) when consumed.
There is no antidote for STX, which was stockpiled as a chemical weapon during the Cold War. But a new UC San Francisco study is likely to change that.
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