Stereospecific acute neuronotoxicity of 'uncommon' plant amino acids linked to human motor-system diseases.

Abstract

The L-isomer of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), present in free form in seed of Cycas circinalis, elicits in spinal cord cultures a pattern of acute postsynaptic neuronal vacuolation comparable to that induced by beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA), an excitotoxic amino acid of greater potency isolated from seed of Lathyrus sativus. The neuronotoxic properties of these compounds may be linked to the etiology of motor-system degenerative disorders (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and lathyrism, respectively) found in human groups that have used these plant seeds for food.

• Authors: P B Nunn, M Seelig, J C Zagoren, P S Spencer
• Journal: Brain research (Brain Res) Vol. 410 Issue 2 Pg. 375-9 (May 05 1987) ISSN: 0006-8993 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 3109690 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids, Diamino
• Cyanobacteria Toxins
• beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine
• beta-Alanine
• oxalyldiaminopropionic acid
• Alanine

Topics

• Alanine (analogs & derivatives)
• Amino Acids, Diamino (toxicity)
• Animals
• Cells, Cultured
• Cyanobacteria Toxins
• Isomerism
• Mice
• Neuromuscular Diseases (chemically induced, pathology)
• Seeds
• Spinal Cord (drug effects, pathology)
• beta-Alanine (analogs & derivatives, toxicity)