The Structure of An Algal Toxin That Killed A 3 Foot Shark Solved

Researchers led by Professor Allen R. Place at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science have identified the structure and mode of action of sterolysin, a powerful toxin produced by Karlodinium veneficum (formerly Gymnodinium veneficum). This algal species, known for causing mass fish kills, was originally studied in the 1950s near Plymouth Sound, England. The team confirmed that sterolysin creates harmful pores in cell membranes by targeting sterols, fatty molecules that maintain membrane structure. The toxin binds tightly to these molecules, causing cellular damage, while K. veneficum itself remains unharmed due to unique sterols in its own cells. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, validate earlier research from the 1950s and highlight the importance of historical culture collections. This breakthrough may also inspire medical advances, such as treatments for certain cancers, due to sterolysin's precise targeting of specific cells.

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