Influence of amino acids on okadaic acid production

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.