Okadaic acid (OA) (1) was the first example of a group of polyether toxins
known to be produced by marine microalgae, which are responsible for the na
tural phenomena known as Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) red tides. It
is also a highly selective inhibitor of protein phosphatases type 1 (PP1)
and 2A (PP2A), as well as being a potent tumour promoter. For these reasons
, OA is an extremely useful tool for studying cellular processes and an imp
ortant standard for polluted shellfish control. In this paper. we report on
a double objective: to improve the production of toxins and verify the app
arent participation of amino acids in the formation of these polyethers by
monitoring their influence on the promotion of growth, total cell yield and
increased in toxicity in Prorocentrum lima of the PL2V strain in batch cul
tures, in a modified K medium. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re
served.