Potential endocrine disrupting activity of cyanobacteria: Possible roles for microcystins
Metadata
Show metadataAppears in the following Collection
- Kjemisk institutt [1535]
Abstract
This thesis investigated the connection between two major global concerns: the infamous cyanobacteria (“blue-green algae”), and the endocrine disruptors, compounds able to interfere with the hormonal system. Do cyanobacteria exert endocrine disrupting activity? Are the cyanobacterial toxins “microcystins” involved? Cyanobacterial extracts, complex combinations of known and unknown compounds including microcystins, were screened using specific in vitro assays to assess their potential endocrine activity. Pure microcystins were also tested. Results showed that cyanobacterial compounds (microcystins, but also other metabolites) could have an endocrine disrupting activity, especially interfering with hormone production and metabolism. Furthermore, a combination of chemical analysis and reactions were used to deepen structural knowledge of microcystins (they are a family including hundreds of congeners!). Seven new microcystin congeners were identified in this work. Resulting data on the endocrine activity of cyanobacteria as well as the discovery of new microcystins highlighted the complexity and the many “unknowns” that remain behind these two global concerns and their interconnection.List of papers
PAPER I: Mallia, V.; Uhlig, S.; Rafuse, C.; Meija, J.; Miles, C. O., Novel microcystins from Planktothrix prolifica NIVA-CYA 544 Identified by LC–MS/MS, functional group derivatization and 15Nlabeling. Mar. Drugs 2019, 17, 643. doi: 10.3390/md17110643. The paper is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/md17110643 |
PAPER II: Mallia, V.; Ivanova, L.; Eriksen, G.S.; Harper, E.; Connolly, L.; Uhlig, S., Investigation of in vitro endocrine activities of Microcystis and Planktothrix cyanobacterial strains. Toxins 2020, 12, 228. doi: 10.3390/toxins12040228. The paper is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12040228 |
PAPER III: Mallia, V.; Verhaegen, S.; Styrishave B.; Eriksen, G.S.; Johannsen, M.L.; Ropstad, E.; Uhlig, S., Microcystins and Microcystis aeruginosa extracts modulate steroidogenesis differentially in the human H295R adrenal model in vitro. PLoS ONE 15(12): e0244000. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244000. The paper is included in the thesis. Also available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244000 |