https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Index ${session.getAttribute("locale")} 5 https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:44660 Scytonema crispum, CAWBG524 and CAWBG72, isolated in New Zealand. Each strain was previously reported to have a distinct paralytic shellfish toxin profile, a rare observation between strains within the same species. Sequencing of the saxitoxin biosynthetic clusters (sxt) from S. crispum CAWBG524 and S. crispum CAWBG72 revealed the largest sxt gene clusters described to date. The distinct toxin profiles of each strain were correlated to genetic differences in sxt tailoring enzymes, specifically the open-reading frame disruption of the N-21 sulfotransferase sxtN, adenylylsulfate kinase sxtO, and the C-11 dioxygenase sxtDIOX within S. crispum CAWBG524 via genetic insertions. Heterologous overexpression of SxtN allowed for the proposal of saxitoxin and 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate as substrate and cofactor, respectively, using florescence binding assays. Further, catalytic activity of SxtN was confirmed by the in vitro conversion of saxitoxin to the N-21 sulfonated analog gonyautoxin 5, making this the first known report to biochemically confirm the function of a sxt tailoring enzyme. Further, SxtN could not convert neosaxitoxin to its N-21 sulfonated analog gonyautoxin 6, indicating paralytic shellfish toxin biosynthesis most likely occurs along a predefined route. In this study, we identified key steps toward the biosynthetic conversation of saxitoxin to other paralytic shellfish toxins.]]> Wed 28 Feb 2024 15:21:29 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:43969 Wed 05 Oct 2022 14:15:33 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:34853 Wed 04 Dec 2019 10:17:27 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:34123 Dolichospermum circinale (formerly Anabaena circinalis) is responsible for neurotoxic saxitoxin-producing blooms in Australia. Previous studies have reported distinct isolates of toxic D. circinale producing different saxitoxin analogues at varying amounts, but the mechanisms responsible remain poorly understood. To assess the characteristics that may be responsible for this variance, a morphological, molecular and chemical survey of 28 Anabaena isolates was conducted. Morphological characteristics, presence or absence of saxitoxin biosynthetic genes and toxin amount and profile were assessed. The 28 isolates were collected from 16 locations. A correlation between the size of the isolates and its reported toxicity or geographical location could not be found. Molecular screening for the presence of several sxt genes revealed eight out of the 28 strains harboured the sxt gene cluster and all tailoring genes except sxtX. Furthermore, the presence of PSTs was correlated with the presence of the sxt cluster using quantitative pre-column oxidation high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) and LC-MS/MS. Interestingly, isolates differed in the amount and type of toxins produced, with the eight toxic strains containing the core and tailoring biosynthetic genes while non-toxic strains were devoid of these genes. Moreover, the presence of sxt tailoring genes in toxic strains correlated with the biosynthesis of analogues. A greater understanding of toxin profile/quantity from distinct sites around Australia will aid the management of these at-risk areas and provide information on the molecular control or physiological characteristics responsible for toxin production.]]> Tue 12 Feb 2019 13:12:12 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:37448 Mon 30 Nov 2020 10:12:19 AEDT ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:38846 Raphidiopsis raciborskii is an invasive bloom-forming cyanobacteria with the flexibility to utilize atmospheric and fixed nitrogen. Since nitrogen-fixation has a high requirement for iron as an ezyme cofactor, we hypothesize that iron availability would determine the success of the species under nitrogen-fixing conditions. This study compares the proteomic response of cylindrospermopsin-producing and non-toxic strains of R. racibroskii to reduced iron concentrations, under nitrogen-fixing conditions, to examine any strain-specific adaptations that might increase fitness under these conditions. We also compared their proteomic responses at exponential and stationary growth phases to capture the changes throughout the growth cycle. Overall, the toxic strain was more competitive under Fe-starved conditions during exponential phase, with upregulated growth and transport-related proteins. The non-toxic strain showed reduced protein expression across multiple primary metabolism pathways. We propose that the increased expression of porin proteins during the exponential growth phase enables toxic strains to persist under Fe-starved conditions with this ability providing a potential explanation for the increased fitness of cylindrospermoipsin-producing strains during unfavourable environmental conditions.]]> Mon 06 May 2024 13:15:09 AEST ]]> https://nova.newcastle.edu.au/vital/access/ /manager/Repository/uon:34852 Fri 20 May 2022 15:28:54 AEST ]]>