Nodularin
Encyclopedia
Nodularin-R is a cyclic nonribosomal peptide
Nonribosomal peptide
Nonribosomal peptides are a class of peptide secondary metabolites, usually produced by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Nonribosomal peptides are also found in higher organisms, such as nudibranchs, but are thought to be made by bacteria inside these organisms...

 produced by the planktonic cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena. This cyanobacterium forms blooms in brackish water bodies throughout the world. The late summer blooms of Nodularia spumigena are among the largest cyanobacterial mass occurrences in the world. Nodularin-R is a pentapeptide and contains several unusual non-proteinogenic amino acid
Amino acid
Amino acids are molecules containing an amine group, a carboxylic acid group and a side-chain that varies between different amino acids. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen...

s such as methyldehydrobutyrine and the β-amino acid ADDA
Adda
Adda can refer to:*Adda in Italy.*River Adda in Wales.*Adda , a concept/slang in South Asia, especial Bengal, also Addabazi.*Adda , an archaeological site in Nigeria.*Adda Corporation, a Taiwanese fan manufacturer....

 ((all-S,all-E)-3-Amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4,6-diene acid). Nodularin-R is a cyanotoxin
Cyanotoxin
Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria . Cyanobacteria are found almost everywhere, but particularly in lakes and in the ocean where, under certain conditions, they reproduce exponentially to form blooms. Blooming cyanobacteria can produce cyanotoxins in such...

 and poses a health risk for wild and domestic animals as well as humans. Nodularin-R is a potent hepatotoxin
Hepatotoxin
A hepatotoxin is a toxic chemical substance that damages the liver.It can be a side-effect of medication, or found naturally, as microcystins, or in laboratory environments....

 and may cause serious damage to the liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...

.
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