| Names | |
|---|---|
| Systematic IUPAC name
(2S,5S)-9-[(3R)-3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl]-5-(hydroxymethyl)-1-methyl-2-(propan-2-yl)-1,2,4,5,6,8-hexahydro-3H-[1,4]diazonino[7,6,5-cd]indol-3-one | |
| Other names
Lyngbyatoxin-a | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) |
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| ChemSpider | |
PubChem CID |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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| Properties | |
| C27H39N3O2 | |
| Molar mass | 437.628 g·mol−1 |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Lyngbyatoxin-a is a type of alkaloid cyanotoxin produced by certain cyanobacteria species, most notably Moorea producens (formerly classified as Lyngbya majuscula). It is produced as defense mechanism to ward off any would-be predators of the bacterium, being a potent blister agent as well as carcinogen. Low concentrations cause a common skin condition known as seaweed dermatitis.

Lyngbyatoxin is a terpenoid indole alkaloid hybrid that belongs to the class of non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs). Lyngbyatoxin contains a nucleophilic indole ring that takes part in the activation of protein kinases. Figure 1, shows the biosynthesis of Lyngbyatoxin reported by Neilan et al. and Gerwick et al. The non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) LtxA protein condenses L-methyl-valine and L-tryptophan to form the linear dipeptide N-methyl-L-valyl-L-tryptophan. The latter is released via a NADPH-dependent reductive cleavage to form the aldehyde which is subsequently reduced to the corresponding alcohol. A P450-dependent monooxygenase called LtxB then performs the oxidation and subsequent cyclization of N-methyl-L-valyl-L-tryptophan. Finally, LtxC transfers a geranyl functional group from geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP) to carbon number 7 of the indole ring.