Pathological effects on mice by gambierol, possibly one of the ciguatera toxins

Natural Polyether Ionophores and Their Pharmacological Profile

This review is devoted to the study of the biological activity of polyether ionophores produced by bacteria, unicellular marine algae, red seaweeds, marine sponges, and coelenterates. Biological activities have been studied experimentally in various laboratories, as well as data obtained using QSAR (Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships) algorithms. According to the data obtained, it was shown that polyether toxins exhibit strong antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, and other activities. Along with this, it was found that natural polyether ionophores exhibit such properties as antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, cytostatic, anti-mycoplasmal, and antieczema activities. In addition, polyethers have been found to be potential regulators of lipid metabolism or inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Further study of the mechanisms of action and the search for new polyether ionophores and their derivatives may provide more effective therapeutic natural polyether ionophores for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. For some polyether ionophores, 3D graphs are presented, which demonstrate the predicted and calculated activities. The data presented in this review will be of interest to pharmacologists, chemists, practical medicine, and the pharmaceutical industry.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Toxins Produced by Marine Dinoflagellates: An Issue to Explore

This paper examined the toxins naturally produced by marine dinoflagellates and their effects on increases in β-amyloid plaques along with tau protein hyperphosphorylation, both major drivers of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This approach is in line with the demand for certain natural compounds, namely those produced by marine invertebrates that have the potential to be used in the treatment of AD. Current advances in AD treatment are discussed as well as the main factors that potentially affect the puzzling global AD pattern. This study focused on yessotoxins (YTXs), gymnodimine (GYM), spirolides (SPXs), and gambierol, all toxins that have been shown to reduce β-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation, thus preventing the neuronal or synaptic dysfunction that ultimately causes the cell death associated with AD (or other neurodegenerative diseases). Another group of toxins described, okadaic acid (OA) and its derivatives, inhibit protein phosphatase activity, which facilitates the presence of phosphorylated tau proteins. A few studies have used OA to trigger AD in zebrafish, providing an opportunity to test in vivo the effectiveness of new drugs in treating or attenuating AD. Constraints on the production of marine toxins for use in these tests have been considered. Different lines of research are anticipated regarding the action of the two groups of toxins.

Immune effects of the neurotoxins ciguatoxins and brevetoxins

Ciguatoxins (CTXs) and brevetoxins (PbTxs) are phycotoxins that can accumulate along the marine food chain and thus cause seafood poisoning in humans, namely "ciguatera fish poisoning" (CFP) and "neurotoxic shellfish poisoning" (NSP), respectively. CFP is characterized by early gastrointestinal symptoms and typical sensory disorders (paraesthesia, pain, pruritus and cold dysaesthesia), which can persist several weeks and, in some cases, several months or years. NSP is considered a mild form of CFP with similar but less severe symptoms. After inhaled exposure, PbTxs can also cause respiratory tract irritation in healthy subjects and asthma exacerbations in predisposed subjects, whose respiratory functions may be disrupted for several days following PbTx inhalation. Mechanistically, it is well established that CTX- or PbTx-induced disturbances are primarily mainly due to voltage-gated sodium channel activation in sensory and motor peripheral nervous system. However, little is known about the pathophysiology or a potential individual susceptibility to long lasting effects of CFP/NSP. In addition to their action on the nervous system, PbTxs and CTXs were also shown to exert effects on the immune system. However, their role in the pathophysiology of syndromes induced by CTX or PbTx exposure is poorly documented. The aim of this review is to inventory the literature thus far on the inflammatory and immune effects of PbTxs and CTXs.

Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates

The long-lasting interest in bioactive molecules (namely toxins) produced by (microalga) dinoflagellates has risen in recent years. Exhibiting wide diversity and complexity, said compounds are well-recognized for their biological features, with great potential for use as pharmaceutical therapies and biological research probes. Unfortunately, provision of those compounds is still far from sufficient, especially in view of an increasing demand for preclinical testing. Despite the difficulties to establish dinoflagellate cultures and obtain reasonable productivities of such compounds, intensive research has permitted a number of advances in the field. This paper accordingly reviews the characteristics of some of the most important biotoxins (and other bioactive substances) produced by dinoflagellates. It also presents and discusses (to some length) the main advances pertaining to dinoflagellate production, from bench to large scale-with an emphasis on material published since the latest review available on the subject. Such advances encompass improvements in nutrient formulation and light supply as major operational conditions; they have permitted adaptation of classical designs, and aided the development of novel configurations for dinoflagellate growth-even though shearing-related issues remain a major challenge.

Tetracyclic Truncated Analogue of the Marine Toxin Gambierol Modifies NMDA, Tau, and Amyloid β Expression in Mice Brains: Implications in AD Pathology

Gambierol and its two, tetra- and heptacyclic, analogues have been previously proved as promising molecules for the modulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) hallmarks in primary cortical neurons of 3xTg-AD fetuses. In this work, the effect of the tetracyclic analogue of gambierol was tested in vivo in 3xTg-AD mice (10 months old) after 1 month of weekly treatment with 50 μg/kg. Adverse effects were not reported throughout the whole treatment period and no pathological signs were observed for the analyzed organs. The compound was found in brain samples after intraperitoneal injection. The tetracyclic analogue of gambierol elicited a decrease of amyloid β_1-42 levels and a dose-dependent inhibition of β-secretase enzyme-1 activity. Moreover, this compound also reduced the phosphorylation of tau at the 181 and 159/163 residues with an increase of the inactive isoform of the glycogen synthase kinase-3β. In accordance with our in vitro neuronal model, this compound produced a reduction in the N2A subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The combined effect of this compound on amyloid β_1-42 and tau phosphorylation represents a multitarget therapeutic approach for AD which might be more effective for this multifactorial and complex neurodegenerative disease than the current treatments.

Gambierol inhibition of voltage-gated potassium channels augments spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in cerebrocortical neurons

Gambierol is a marine polycyclic ether toxin produced by the marine dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus and is a member of the ciguatoxin toxin family. Gambierol has been demonstrated to be either a low-efficacy partial agonist/antagonist of voltage-gated sodium channels or a potent blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kvs). Here we examined the influence of gambierol on intact cerebrocortical neurons. We found that gambierol produced both a concentration-dependent augmentation of spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations, and an inhibition of Kv channel function with similar potencies. In addition, an array of selective as well as universal Kv channel inhibitors mimicked gambierol in augmenting spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations in cerebrocortical neurons. These data are consistent with a gambierol blockade of Kv channels underlying the observed increase in spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillation frequency. We also found that gambierol produced a robust stimulation of phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2). Gambierol-stimulated ERK1/2 activation was dependent on both inotropic [N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)] and type I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) inasmuch as MK-801 [NMDA receptor inhibitor; (5S,10R)-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate], S-(4)-CGP [S-(4)-carboxyphenylglycine], and MTEP [type I mGluR inhibitors; 3-((2-methyl-4-thiazolyl)ethynyl) pyridine] attenuated the response. In addition, 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborane, an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibitor, and U73122 (1-[6-[[(17b)-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-yl]amino]hexyl]-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione), a phospholipase C inhibitor, both suppressed gambierol-induced ERK1/2 activation, further confirming the role of type I mGluR-mediated signaling in the observed ERK1/2 activation. Finally, we found that gambierol produced a concentration-dependent stimulation of neurite outgrowth that was mimicked by 4-aminopyridine, a universal potassium channel inhibitor. Considered together, these data demonstrate that gambierol alters both Ca(2+) signaling and neurite outgrowth in cerebrocortical neurons as a consequence of blockade of Kv channels.

Design and synthesis of skeletal analogues of gambierol: attenuation of amyloid-β and tau pathology with voltage-gated potassium channel and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor implications

Gambierol is a potent neurotoxin that belongs to the family of marine polycyclic ether natural products and primarily targets voltage-gated potassium channels (K(v) channels) in excitable membranes. Previous work in the chemistry of marine polycyclic ethers has suggested the critical importance of the full length of polycyclic ether skeleton for potent biological activity. Although we have previously investigated structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the peripheral functionalities of gambierol, it remained unclear whether the whole polycyclic ether skeleton is needed for its cellular activity. In this work, we designed and synthesized two truncated skeletal analogues of gambierol comprising the EFGH- and BCDEFGH-rings of the parent compound, both of which surprisingly showed similar potency to gambierol on voltage-gated potassium channels (K(v)) inhibition. Moreover, we examined the effect of these compounds in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) obtained from triple transgenic (3xTg-AD) mice, which expresses amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation. In vitro preincubation of the cells with the compounds resulted in significant inhibition of K(+) currents, a reduction in the extra- and intracellular levels of Aβ, and a decrease in the levels of hyperphosphorylated tau. In addition, pretreatment with these compounds reduced the steady-state level of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2A without affecting the 2B subunit. The involvement of glutamate receptors was further suggested by the blockage of the effect of gambierol on tau hyperphosphorylation by glutamate receptor antagonists. The present study constitutes the first discovery of skeletally simplified, designed polycyclic ethers with potent cellular activity and demonstrates the utility of gambierol and its synthetic analogues as chemical probes for understanding the function of K(v) channels as well as the molecular mechanism of Aβ metabolism modulated by NMDA receptors.

Comparative cytotoxicity of gambierol versus other marine neurotoxins

Many microalgae produce compounds that exhibit potent biological activities. Ingestion of marine organisms contaminated with those toxins results in seafood poisonings. In many cases, the lack of toxic material turns out to be an obstacle to make the toxicological investigations needed. In this study, we evaluate the cytotoxicity of several marine toxins on neuroblastoma cells, focusing on gambierol and its effect on cytosolic calcium levels. In addition, we compared the effects of this toxin with ciguatoxin, brevetoxin, and gymnocin-A, with which gambierol shares a similar ladder-like backbone, as well as with polycavernoside A analogue 5, a glycosidic macrolide toxin. For this purpose, different fluorescent dyes were used: Fura-2 to monitor variations in cytosolic calcium levels, Alamar Blue to detect cytotoxicity, and Oregon Green 514 Phalloidin to quantify and visualize modifications in the actin cytoskeleton. Data showed that, while gambierol and ciguatoxin were successful in producing a calcium influx in neuroblastoma cells, gymnocin-A was unable to modify this parameter. Nevertheless, none of the toxins induced morphological changes or alterations in the actin assembly. Although polycavernoside A analogue 5 evoked a sharp reduction of the cellular metabolism of neuroblastoma cells, gambierol scarcely reduced it, and ciguatoxin, brevetoxin, and gymnocin-A failed to produce any signs of cytotoxicity. According to this, sharing a similar polycyclic ether backbone is not enough to produce the same effects on neuroblastoma cells; therefore, more studies should be carried out with these toxins, whose effects may be being underestimated.

Calcium oscillations induced by gambierol in cerebellar granule cells

Gambierol is a marine polyether ladder toxin derived from the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus. To date, gambierol has been reported to act either as a partial agonist or as an antagonist of sodium channels or as a blocker of voltage-dependent potassium channels. In this work, we examined the cellular effect of gambierol on cytosolic calcium concentration, membrane potential and sodium and potassium membrane currents in primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells. We found that at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 30 microM, gambierol-evoked [Ca(2+)]c oscillations that were dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium, irreversible and highly synchronous. Gambierol-evoked [Ca(2+)]c oscillations were completely eliminated by the NMDA receptor antagonist APV and by riluzole and delayed by CNQX. In addition, the K(+) channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-evoked cytosolic calcium oscillations in this neuronal system that were blocked by APV and delayed in the presence of CNQX. Electrophysiological recordings indicated that gambierol caused membrane potential oscillations, decreased inward sodium current amplitude and decreased also outward IA and IK current amplitude. The results presented here point to a common mechanism of action for gambierol and 4-AP and indicate that gambierol-induced oscillations in cerebellar neurons are most likely secondary to a blocking action of the toxin on voltage-dependent potassium channels and hyperpolarization of sodium current activation.

Global distribution of ciguatera causing dinoflagellates in the genus Gambierdiscus

Dinoflagellates in the genus Gambierdiscus produce toxins that bioaccumulate in tropical and sub-tropical fishes causing ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Little is known about the diversity and distribution of Gambierdiscus species, the degree to which individual species vary in toxicity, and the role each plays in causing CFP. This paper presents the first global distribution of Gambierdiscus species. Phylogenetic analyses of the existing isolates indicate that five species are endemic to the Atlantic (including the Caribbean/West Indies and Gulf of Mexico), five are endemic to the tropical Pacific, and that two species, Gambierdiscus carpenteri and Gambierdiscus caribaeus are globally distributed. The differences in Gambierdiscus species composition in the Atlantic and Pacific correlated with structural differences in the ciguatoxins reported from Atlantic and Pacific fish. This correlation supports the hypothesis that Gambierdiscus species in each region produce different toxin suites. A literature survey indicated a >100-fold variation in toxicity among species compared with a 2 to 9-fold within species variation due to changing growth conditions. These observations suggest that CFP events are driven more by inherent differences in species toxicity than by environmental modulation. How variations in species toxicity may affect the development of an early warning system for CFP is discussed.

Update on methodologies available for ciguatoxin determination: perspectives to confront the onset of ciguatera fish poisoning in Europe

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) occurs mainly when humans ingest finfish contaminated with ciguatoxins (CTXs). The complexity and variability of such toxins have made it difficult to develop reliable methods to routinely monitor CFP with specificity and sensitivity. This review aims to describe the methodologies available for CTX detection, including those based on the toxicological, biochemical, chemical, and pharmaceutical properties of CTXs. Selecting any of these methodological approaches for routine monitoring of ciguatera may be dependent upon the applicability of the method. However, identifying a reference validation method for CTXs is a critical and urgent issue, and is dependent upon the availability of certified CTX standards and the coordinated action of laboratories. Reports of CFP cases in European hospitals have been described in several countries, and are mostly due to travel to CFP endemic areas. Additionally, the recent detection of the CTX-producing tropical genus Gambierdiscus in the eastern Atlantic Ocean of the northern hemisphere and in the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the confirmation of CFP in the Canary Islands and possibly in Madeira, constitute other reasons to study the onset of CFP in Europe [1]. The question of the possible contribution of climate change to the distribution of toxin-producing microalgae and ciguateric fish is raised. The impact of ciguatera onset on European Union (EU) policies will be discussed with respect to EU regulations on marine toxins in seafood. Critical analysis and availability of methodologies for CTX determination is required for a rapid response to suspected CFP cases and to conduct sound CFP risk analysis.

Species identification of ciguatoxin-carrying grouper implicated in food poisoning

Food poisoning due to ingestion of an unknown red grouper occurred in southern Taiwan. To identify the species of toxic red grouper implicated in food poisoning, a 475-bp sequence of the cytochrome b gene from six species of fresh red grouper meat was amplified by using a pair of primers (L14735/H15149). This fragment could be amplified when fish meat was treated with different heating processes. After sequencing, it was found that no variation in sequences was detected among individuals within each species. The species of toxic red grouper meat implicated in food poisoning was judged to be Lutjanus bohar based on sequence analysis. In addition, restriction enzyme analysis with HaeIII rapidly distinguished these six species of red grouper and the two samples implicated in food poisoning. No toxicity of viscera in 18 specimens of six red grouper species was detected, but two food poisoning samples were found to be toxic. This study indicated that DNA sequence and restriction enzyme analysis are powerful methods for identifying potentially toxic red grouper species as L. bohar.

Sodium channel inhibiting marine toxins

Saxitoxin (STX), tetrodotoxin (TTX) and their many chemical relatives are part of our daily lives. From killing people who eat seafood containing these toxins, to being valuable research tools unveiling the invisible structures of their pharmacological receptor, their global impact is beyond measure. The pharmacological receptor for these toxins is the voltage-gated sodium channel which transports Na ions between the exterior to the interior of cells. The two structurally divergent families of STX and TTX analogues bind at the same location on these Na channels to stop the flow of ions. This can affect nerves, muscles and biological senses of most animals. It is through these and other toxins that we have developed much of our fundamental understanding of the Na channel and its part in generating action potentials in excitable cells.

Convergent strategies for the total synthesis of polycyclic ether marine metabolites

Marine polycyclic ether natural products continue to fascinate chemists and biologists due to their exceptionally large and complex molecular architectures and potent and diverse biological activities. Tremendous progress has been made over the past decade toward the total synthesis of marine polycyclic ether natural products. In this area, a convergent strategy for assembling small fragments into an entire molecule always plays a key role in successful total synthesis. This review describes our efforts to develop convergent strategies for the synthesis of polycyclic ethers and their application to the total synthesis of gambierol, gymnocin-A, and brevenal, and to the partial synthesis of the central part of ciguatoxins and the nonacyclic polyether skeleton of gambieric acids.

Gambierol, a toxin produced by the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus, is a potent blocker of voltage-gated potassium channels

In this study, we pharmacologically characterized gambierol, a marine polycyclic ether toxin which is produced by the dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus. Besides several other polycyclic ether toxins like ciguatoxins, this scarcely studied toxin is one of the compounds that may be responsible for ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). Unfortunately, the biological target(s) that underlies CFP is still partly unknown. Today, ciguatoxins are described to specifically activate voltage-gated sodium channels by interacting with their receptor site 5. But some dispute about the role of gambierol in the CFP story shows up: some describe voltage-gated sodium channels as the target, while others pinpoint voltage-gated potassium channels as targets. Since gambierol was never tested on isolated ion channels before, it was subjected in this work to extensive screening on a panel of 17 ion channels: nine cloned voltage-gated ion channels (mammalian Na(v)1.1-Na(v)1.8 and insect Para) and eight cloned voltage-gated potassium channels (mammalian K(v)1.1-K(v)1.6, hERG and insect ShakerIR) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. All tested sodium channel subtypes are insensitive to gambierol concentrations up to 10 microM. In contrast, K(v)1.2 is the most sensitive voltage-gated potassium channel subtype with almost full block (>97%) and an half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC(50)) of 34.5 nM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where the selectivity of gambierol is tested on isolated voltage-gated ion channels. Therefore, these results lead to a better understanding of gambierol and its possible role in CFP and they may also be useful in the development of more effective treatments.

The continuing saga of the marine polyether biotoxins

The unprecedented structure of the marine natural product brevetoxin B was elucidated by the research group of Nakanishi and Clardy in 1981. The ladderlike molecular architecture of this fused polyether molecule, its potent toxicity, and fascinating voltage-sensitive sodium channel based mechanism of action immediately captured the imagination of synthetic chemists. Synthetic endeavors resulted in numerous new methods and strategies for the construction of cyclic ethers, and culminated in several impressive total syntheses of this molecule and some of its equally challenging siblings. Of the marine polyethers, maitotoxin is not only the most complex and most toxic of the class, but is also the largest nonpolymeric natural product known to date. This Review begins with a brief history of the isolation of these biotoxins and highlights their biological properties and mechanism of action. Chemical syntheses are then described, with particular emphasis on new methods developed and applied to the total syntheses. The Review ends with a discussion of the, as yet unfinished, story of maitotoxin, and projects into the future of this area of research.

Gambierol acts as a functional antagonist of neurotoxin site 5 on voltage-gated sodium channels in cerebellar granule neurons

The marine toxin gambierol, a polyether ladder toxin derived from the marine dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus, was evaluated for interaction with voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) in cerebellar granule neuron (CGN) cultures. At concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 10 microM, gambierol alone had no effect on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration [Ca2+]i of exposed CGN cultures. Furthermore, there was no evidence of neurotoxicity in CGN cultures exposed for 2 h to gambierol (1 nM-10 microM). However, gambierol was a potent inhibitor (IC50 = 189 nM) of the elevation of [Ca2+]i that accompanies exposure of CGN cultures to the VGSC activator brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2). To further explore the potential interaction of gambierol with VGSCs, the influence of gambierol on PbTx-2-induced neurotoxicity was assessed. Gambierol reduced the PbTx-2-induced efflux of lactate dehydrogenase in exposed CGN cultures in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 471 nM). It is noteworthy that the potencies of gambierol as an inhibitor of both PbTx-2-induced Ca2+ influx and cytotoxicity were coincident. Finally, the inhibitory effects of gambierol on PbTx-2-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i were compared with those of brevenal, a natural inhibitor of the toxic effects of brevetoxin isolated from cultures of Karina brevis. Like gambierol, brevenal inhibited PbTx-2-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 108.6 nM). These results provide evidence for gambierol acting as a functional antagonist of neurotoxin site 5 on neuronal VGSCs.

Total Synthesis of Gambierol: Subunit Coupling and Completion

The preceding manuscript detailed our synthesis of the gambierol A-C and F-H ring precursors. Reported herein is a description of the coupling of the two precursors and the conversion of the coupled material into gambierol. Coupling of the subunits involved ester formation, enol ether RCM, and mixed thioketal formation and reduction. By employing this strategy we were able to bring highly advanced subunits into the coupling and, as a result, we were able to minimize the number of post-coupling transformations required to complete gambierol. At the completion of the synthesis, we generated 7.5 mg (1.5 % overall yield) of (-)-gambierol in 44 steps (longest linear sequence).

Total Synthesis of Gambierol: The Generation of the A–C and F–H Subunits by Using a C-Glycoside Centered Strategy

Gambierol, a representative of the marine ladder toxin family, consists of eight ether rings, 18 stereocenters, and two challenging pyranyl rings having methyl groups that are in a 1,3-diaxial orientation to one another. Herein we describe the generation of gambierol's A-C and F-H ring systems and demonstrate the versatility of the glycosyl anhydride, enol ether-olefin RCM strategy to fused polycyclic ethers. This work has both enabled us to generate sufficient quantities of the gambierol precursors and has enabled us to better understand the chemical transformations that were key to these efforts. Fundamental work included efforts to C-glycosides and C-ketosides, Claisen rearrangements, and enol ether-olefin RCM reactions.

The Sodium Channel of Human Excitable Cells is a Target for Gambierol

BACKGROUND

Gambierol is a polycyclic ether toxin with the same biogenetic origin as ciguatoxins. Gambierol has been associated with neurological symptoms in humans even though its mechanism of action has not been fully characterized.

METHODS

We studied the effect of gambierol in human neuroblastoma cells by using bis-oxonol to measure membrane potential and FURA-2 to monitor intracellular calcium.

RESULTS

We found that this toxin: i) produced a membrane depolarization, ii) potentiated the effect of veratridine on membrane potential iii) decreased ciguatoxin-induced depolarization and iv) increased cytosolic calcium in neuroblastoma cells.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that gambierol modulate ion fluxes by acting as a partial agonist of sodium channels.

Inhibition of Voltage-Gated Potassium Currents by Gambierol in Mouse Taste Cells

Ciguatera is a food poisoning caused by toxins of Gambierdiscus toxicus, a marine dinoflagellate. The neurological features of this intoxication include sensory abnormalities, such as paraesthesia, heightened nociperception, and also taste alterations. Here, we have evaluated the effect of gambierol, one of the possible ciguatera toxins, on the voltage-gated ion currents in taste cells. Taste cells are excitable cells endowed with voltage-gated Na+, K+, and Cl- currents (I(Na), I(K), and I(Cl), respectively). By applying the patch-clamp technique to single cells in isolated taste buds obtained from the mouse vallate papilla, we have recorded such currents and determined the effect of bath-applied gambierol. We found that this toxin markedly inhibited I(K) in the nanomolar range (IC50 of 1.8 nM), whereas it showed no significant effect on I(Na) or I(Cl) even at high concentration (1 microM). The block of I(K) was irreversible even after a 50-min wash. In addition to affecting the current amplitude, we found that gambierol significantly altered both the activation and inactivation processes of I(K). In conclusion, unlike other toxins involved in ciguatera, such as ciguatoxins, which affect the functioning of voltage-gated sodium channels, the preferred molecular target of gambierol is the voltage-gated potassium channel, at least in taste cells. Voltage-gated potassium currents play an important role in the generation of the firing pattern during chemotransduction. Thus, gambierol may alter action potential discharge in taste cells and this could be associated with the taste alterations reported in the clinical literature.