Isolation and identification of (44-R,S)-44,55-dihydroxyyessotoxin from Protoceratium reticulatum, and its occurrence in extracts of shellfish from New Zealand, Norway and Canada

Are yessotoxins an emerging problem in Chile? Context and perspectives following the first report of YTX levels exceeding the regulatory limit in the Patagonian fjord system

In late summer and early autumn 2022, an intense bloom of Protoceratium reticulatum-the main yessotoxin (YTX) producer along Chilean coasts and a major threat to artisanal fisheries, the aquaculture industry, and environmental health-was recorded in the Patagonian fjord system. The high YTX levels (>3.75 mg kg-1) resulted in the first ban of shellfish collection in Chile. At Puyuhuapi Fjord, a global "hotspot" of harmful algal bloom events, the cell density of P. reticulatum determined in integrated tube samples (0-10 m) at the end of April 2022 reached 407,000 cells L-1. At the same time, YTX levels well exceeded the regulatory limit by roughly 2.5-fold, with concentrations as high as 9.42 mg kg-1 measured in native populations of the blue mussel Mytilus chilensis. Five different YTX analogues, 45-OH-YTX, COOH-45-keto-YTX, COOH-45-OH-YTX, COOH-YTX, and 45,55-diOH-YTX, were also detected in relevant amounts. While the ban lasted close to 3 months, accumulation and detoxification processes were monitored over a 1-year period. This study assessed the implications of high levels of YTXs and their analogues on the local economy and ecosystem health, given the increase in P. reticulatum blooms predicted for NW Patagonia in the context of a changing climate.

Effect of temperature on growth and yessotoxin production of Protoceratium reticulatum and Lingulodinium polyedra (Dinophyceae) isolates from the Portuguese coast (NE Atlantic)

The dinoflagellates Protoceratium reticulatum and Lingulodinium polyedra are potential yessotoxin (YTX) producers, which have been associated with blooms responsible for economic, social, and ecological impacts around the world. They occur in Iberian waters, but in this region, little is known of their ecophysiology and toxin profiles. This study investigated the growth and toxin production of two strains of each species, from the Portuguese coast, at 15 °C, 19 °C, and 23 °C. Growth curves showed higher growth rates at 19 °C, for both species. YTX and three analogs (homo YTX; 45-OH YTX; 45-OH homo YTX) were investigated by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and the presence of other analogs was investigated by Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). No evidence of toxin production was found in L. polyedra. By contrast, YTX and 45,55-diOH-YTX were detected in both strains of P. reticulatum. These results confirm P. reticulatum as a source of yessotoxins along the Portuguese coast and add to the observed high intraspecific variability on YTX production of both species, at a global scale.

Variability and profiles of lipophilic toxins in bivalves from Great Britain during five and a half years of monitoring: azaspiracids and yessotoxins

Cefas has been responsible for the delivery of official control biotoxin testing of bivalve molluscs from Great Britain for just over a decade. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) methodology has been used for the quantitation of lipophilic toxins (LTs) since 2011. The temporal and spatial distribution of okadaic acid group toxins and profiles in bivalves between 2011 and 2016 have been recently reported. Here we present data on the two other groups of regulated lipophilic toxins, azaspiracids (AZAs) and yessotoxins (YTXs), over the same period. The latter group has also been investigated for a potential link with Protoceratium reticulatum and Lingulodinium polyedra, both previously recognised as YTXs producing phytoplankton. On average, AZAs were quantified in 3.2% of all tested samples but notable inter-annual variation in abundance was observed. The majority of all AZA contaminated samples were found between July 2011 and August 2013 in Scotland, while only two, three-month long, AZA events were observed in 2015 and 2016 in the south-west of England. Maximum concentrations were generally reached in late summer or early autumn. Reasons for AZAs persistence during the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 winters are discussed. Only one toxin profile was identified, represented by both AZA1 and AZA2 toxins at an approximate ratio of 2 : 1, suggesting a single microalgal species was the source of AZAs in British bivalves. Although AZA1 was always the most dominant toxin, its proportion varied between mussels, Pacific oysters and surf clams. The YTXs were the least represented group among regulated LTs. YTXs were found almost exclusively on the south-west coast of Scotland, with the exception of 2013, when the majority of contaminated samples originated from the Shetland Islands. The highest levels were recorded in the summer months and followed a spike in Protoceratium reticulatum cell densities. YTX was the most dominant toxin in shellfish, further strengthening the link to P. reticulatum as the YTX source. Neither homo-YTX, nor 45-OH homo-YTX were detected throughout the monitored period. 45-OH YTX, thought to be a shellfish metabolite associated with YTX elimination, contributed on average 26% in mussels. Although the correlation between 45-OH YTX abundance and the speed of YTX depuration could not be confirmed, we noted the half-life of YTX was more than two-times longer in queen scallops, which contained 100% YTX, than in mussels. No other bivalve species were affected by YTXs. This is the first detailed evaluation of AZAs and YTXs occurrences and their profiles in shellfish from Great Britain over a period of multiple years.

Pentaplacodinium saltonense gen. et sp. nov. (Dinophyceae) and its relationship to the cyst-defined genus Operculodinium and yessotoxin-producing Protoceratium reticulatum

Strains of a dinoflagellate from the Salton Sea, previously identified as Protoceratium reticulatum and yessotoxin producing, have been reexamined morphologically and genetically and Pentaplacodinium saltonense n. gen. et sp. is erected to accommodate this species. Pentaplacodinium saltonense differs from Protoceratium reticulatum (Claparède et Lachmann 1859) Bütschli 1885 in the number of precingular plates (five vs. six), cingular displacement (two widths vs. one), and distinct cyst morphology. Incubation experiments (excystment and encystment) show that the resting cyst of Pentaplacodinium saltonense is morphologically most similar to the cyst-defined species Operculodinium israelianum (Rossignol, 1962) Wall (1967) and O. psilatum Wall (1967). Collections of comparative material from around the globe (including Protoceratium reticulatum and the genus Ceratocorys) and single cell PCR were used to clarify molecular phylogenies. Variable regions in the LSU (three new sequences), SSU (12 new sequences) and intergenic ITS 1-2 (14 new sequences) were obtained. These show that Pentaplacodinium saltonense and Protoceratium reticulatum form two distinct clades. Pentaplacodinium saltonense forms a monophyletic clade with several unidentified strains from Malaysia. LSU and SSU rDNA sequences of three species of Ceratocorys (C. armata, C. gourreti, C. horrida) from the Mediterranean and several other unidentified strains from Malaysia form a well-supported sister clade. The unique phylogenetic position of an unidentified strain from Hawaii is also documented and requires further examination. In addition, based on the V9 SSU topology (bootstrap values >80%), specimens from Elands Bay (South Africa), originally described as Gonyaulax grindleyi by Reinecke (1967), cluster with Protoceratium reticulatum. The known range of Pentaplacodinium saltonense is tropical to subtropical, and its cyst is recorded as a fossil in upper Cenozoic sediments. Protoceratium reticulatum and Pentaplacodinium saltonense seem to inhabit different niches: motile stages of these dinoflagellates have not been found in the same plankton sample.

LC-MS/MS analysis of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins, okadaic acid and dinophysistoxin analogues, and other lipophilic toxins

Diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) is a severe gastrointestinal illness caused by consumption of shellfish contaminated with DSP toxins that are originally produced by toxic dinoflagellates. Based on their structures, DSP toxins were initially classified into three groups, okadaic acid (OA)/dinophysistoxin (DTX) analogues, pectenotoxins (PTXs), and yessotoxins (YTXs). Because PTXs and YTXs have been subsequently shown to have no diarrhetic activities, PTXs and YTXs have recently been eliminated from the definition of DSP toxins. Mouse bioassay (MBA), which is the official testing method of DSP in Japan and many countries, also detects PTXs and YTXs, and thus alternative testing methods detecting only OA/DTX analogues are required in DSP monitoring. Electrospray ionization (ESI) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is a very powerful tool for the detection, identification and quantification of DSP and other lipophilic toxins. In the present review, application of ESI LC-MS techniques to the analysis of each toxin group is described.

Yessotoxins, a group of marine polyether toxins: an overview

Yessotoxin (YTX) is a marine polyether toxin that was first isolated in 1986 from the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis. Subsequently, it was reported that YTX is produced by the dinoflagellates Protoceratium reticulatum, Lingulodinium polyedrum and Gonyaulax spinifera. YTXs have been associated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) because they are often simultaneously extracted with DSP toxins, and give positive results when tested in the conventional mouse bioassay for DSP toxins. However, recent evidence suggests that YTXs should be excluded from the DSP toxins group, because unlike okadaic acid (OA) and dinophyisistoxin-1 (DTX-1), YTXs do not cause either diarrhea or inhibition of protein phosphatases. In spite of the increasing number of molecular studies focused on the toxicity of YTX, the precise mechanism of action is currently unknown. Since the discovery of YTX, almost forty new analogues isolated from both mussels and dinoflagellates have been characterized by NMR or LC-MS/MS techniques. These studies indicate a wide variability in the profile and the relative abundance of YTXs in both, bivalves and dinoflagellates. This review covers current knowledge on the origin, producer organisms and vectors, chemical structures, metabolism, biosynthetic origin, toxicological properties, potential risks to human health and advances in detection methods of YTXs.

Azaspiracid shellfish poisoning: a review on the chemistry, ecology, and toxicology with an emphasis on human health impacts

Azaspiracids (AZA) are polyether marine toxins that accumulate in various shellfish species and have been associated with severe gastrointestinal human intoxications since 1995. This toxin class has since been reported from several countries, including Morocco and much of western Europe. A regulatory limit of 160 μg AZA/kg whole shellfish flesh was established by the EU in order to protect human health; however, in some cases, AZA concentrations far exceed the action level. Herein we discuss recent advances on the chemistry of various AZA analogs, review the ecology of AZAs, including the putative progenitor algal species, collectively interpret the in vitro and in vivo data on the toxicology of AZAs relating to human health issues, and outline the European legislature associated with AZAs.

Convenient large-scale purification of yessotoxin from Protoceratium reticulatum culture and isolation of a novel furanoyessotoxin

Yessotoxins from a large-scale culture (226 L) of Protoceratium reticulatum strain CAWD129 were harvested by filtration followed by solid-phase extraction. The extract was purified by column chromatography over basic alumina and reverse-phase flash chromatography to afford pure yessotoxin (193 mg). Isolation of yessotoxin was greatly facilitated by selection of a strain which did not produce analogues that interfered with yessotoxin isolation. In addition to yessotoxin, numerous minor yessotoxins were detected by LC-MS in other fractions. From one of these, an early eluting minor analogue with the same molecular weight as yessotoxin and a similar mass spectrometric fragmentation pattern was isolated. This analogue was identified by NMR and mass spectrometry as a novel yessotoxin analogue containing a furan ring in the side chain. This finding reveals biosynthetic flexibility of the yessotoxin pathway in P. reticulatum and confirms earlier findings of production of many minor yessotoxin analogues by this alga. Production of these analogues appeared to be a constitutive trait of P. reticulatum CAWD129.

Advanced studies for the application of high-performance capillary electrophoresis for the analysis of yessotoxin and 45-hydroxyyessotoxin

Yessotoxins (YTXs) are a group of polyether toxins which have been previously reported as responsible for seafood contamination in several places worldwide. Despite their toxicity, which is not yet fully discussed, YTXs have been reported as an interference in the success of mouse bioassay for the determination of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins, and therefore, efficient and reliable analytical methodologies are required to evaluate their presence, avoiding false positives for DSP. High-performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE) is presented in this work as an alternative to HPLC technique widely used for the analysis of YTXs. Improvements in the applicability of HPCE have been carried out through the development of different CE modes as well as different detection modes. With this aim, micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) has been considered for an increased selectivity while an increased sensitivity was achieved by using sample stacking. Moreover, the coupling of CE with mass spectrometry allowed the confirmation of YTXs present in the contaminated samples evaluated in this work. The results obtained showed the potential of CE as an alternative to HPLC for the analysis of YTXs present in naturally contaminated samples.

Yessotoxins profile in strains of Protoceratium reticulatum from Spain and USA

Seven strains of Protoceratium reticulatum isolated from Spain and the USA were cultured in the laboratory. Yessotoxins (YTXs) quantification and toxin profile determination were performed by LC-FLD and LC-MS/MS. The four Spanish strains were found to produce YTX and known YTX analogs, however, YTX was not detected in any of the three USA strains. Among the strains that produced YTXs, toxin production ranged between 2.9 and 28.6pg/cell. The YTX profile was substantially different between strains, in three out of the four Spanish strains YTX was the main toxin and in the fourth homoYTX was the prominent toxin. This work demonstrates that YTX is not always the main toxin in P. reticulatum and a high variability in YTX amounts and profile found in other locations is confirmed.

Yessotoxin analogues in several strains of Protoceratium reticulatum in Japan determined by liquid chromatography–hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometry

Several strains of Protoceratium reticulatum, one of the dinoflagellates producing yessotoxins (YTXs), were collected from various shellfish producing areas in Japan. YTXs in the cultured strains were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Neutral loss scan monitoring, multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) for more than 20 YTX analogues, and full-scan MS/MS spectra obtained with a hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap mass spectrometer showed that yessotoxin (YTX), 45,46,47-trinoryessotoxin (trinorYTX), 1-homoyessotoxin (homoYTX), and 45,46,47-trinor-1-homoyessotoxin (trinor-1-homoYTX) were the dominant toxins in these strains of P. reticulatum. Enone isomer of 42,43,44,45,46,47,55-heptanor-41-oxoyessotoxin (noroxoYTX enone) was also detected in some strains. Toxin profiles and contents were different among the strains. Some strains produced YTX, trinorYTX, 1-homoYTX, trinor-1-homoYTX, and noroxoYTX enone, whereas other strains produced only YTX or 1-homoYTX. This is the first identification of 1-homoYTX and noroxoYTX enone in P. reticulutum in Japan. Some strains did not produce any detectable YTX analogues.

Study of the interaction between different phosphodiesterases and yessotoxin using a resonant mirror biosensor

Yessotoxins (YTXs) are disulfated polyether toxins that were first isolated from scallops in Japan. It has been proposed that these toxins activate cellular phosphodiesterases (PDEs). The interaction between YTX and PDEs was confirmed by resonant biosensor and fluorescence polarization studies. The aim of this work is to study the specificity of different PDEs for YTX binding. Association measurements are done in a resonant mirror biosensor. The instrument detects changes in the refractive index and/or thickness occurring within a few hundred nanometers from the sensor surface where the association PDEs-YTX takes place. We use aminosilane cuvettes, where exonuclease Phosphodiesterase I from Crotalus atrox (PDE I), exonuclease Phosphodiesterase II from bovine spleen (PDE II), or phosphodiesterase 3',5'-cyclic-nucleotide-specific from bovine brain (PDEs) are immobilized. Over immobilized exonuclease PDE I and exonuclease PDE II are added different amounts of YTX, and typical association curve profiles are observed. These association curves fit a pseudo-first-order kinetic equation where the apparent association rate constant (k(on)) can be calculated. The value of this constant increases with YTX concentration. From the representation of k(on) versus YTX concentration, the association rate constant (k(ass)) and the dissociation rate constant (k(diss)) are obtained. From these values, the kinetic equilibrium dissociation constant (K(D)) of the YTX-PDE association can be calculated, indicating the affinity between them. The specificity of cyclic nucleotide PDE families is studied using different inhibitors that are added over immobilized cyclic nucleotide PDEs. In these conditions, changes in the association PDEs-YTX curves are detected. The results show YTX affinity by cyclic nucleotide PDE 1, PDE 3, PDE 4, and exonuclease PDE I.

Detection and identification of glycoyessotoxin A in a culture of the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum

The toxin composition of a culture of the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum was investigated using LC-FLD, after derivatization with DMEQ-TAD (4-(2-(6,7-dimethoxy-4-methyl-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxalimylethyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione)). Besides yessotoxin (YTX), the new YTX analogue, glycoyessotoxin A (G-YTXA) was detected in culture medium as well as in cells. The conditions for extraction were optimized and the production profile established. Retention time of the resulting fluorescent G-YTXA adduct was identified by comparison of the appropriate standard. Additionally, both G-YTXA and the DMEQ-TAD-G-YTXA adduct were confirmed by LC-MS showing ion peaks at m/z 1273 [M-2Na+H](-) and m/z 1618 [M-2Na+H](-), respectively. The LC-MS(n) displayed a fragmentation pattern similar to that of the YTX series.

Study of the effect of temperature, irradiance and salinity on growth and yessotoxin production by the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum in culture by using a kinetic and factorial approach

A complete first order orthogonal plan was used to optimize the growth and the production of yessotoxin (YTX) by the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum in culture by controlling salinity, temperature and irradiance. Initially, an approach to the kinetic data of cellular density and YTX production for each one of the experimental design conditions was performed. The P. reticulatum growth and YTX production were fitted to logistical equations and to a first-order kinetic model, respectively. The parameters obtained from this adjustment were used as dependent variables for the formulation of the empirical equations of the factorial design tested. The results showed that in practically all the cases for both, P. reticulatum growth and YTX production, irradiance is the primary independent variable and has a positive effect in the range 50-90 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1). Additionally, in certain specific cases, temperature reveals significant positive effects when maintained between 15 and 23 degrees C and salinity in the range of 20-34 displays negative effects. Despite the narrow ranges used in the work, results showed the suitability of factorial analysis to evaluate the optimal conditions for growth and yessotoxin production by the dinoflagellate P. reticulatum.

Isolation of Yessotoxin 32-O-[β-l-arabinofuranosyl-(5′→1″)-β-l-arabinofuranoside] from Protoceratium reticulatum

Yessotoxin 32-O-[beta-L-arabinofuranosyl-(5'-->1'')-beta-L-arabinofuranoside] (3) was isolated from extracts of Protoceratium reticulatum during a large scale isolation of yessotoxin (1). The structure was characterized by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Di-glycoside-3, along with the corresponding mono-glycoside (2) were detected in cultures of P. reticulatum originating from Europe and New Zealand, suggesting that production of arabinosides of 1 is a normal feature of this alga. Formation of multiply charged anions and fragmentation of 3 occurred much more readily than for 1 and 2 under the LC-MS conditions used in this study.

Identification of 45-hydroxy-46,47-dinoryessotoxin, 44-oxo-45,46,47-trinoryessotoxin, and 9-methyl-42,43,44,45,46,47,55-heptanor-38-en-41-oxoyessotoxin, and partial characterization of some minor yessotoxins, from Protoceratium reticulatum

Preparative HPLC purification of a side-fraction obtained during purification of 44,55-dihydroxyyessotoxin (6) afforded fractions containing previously unidentified yessotoxin analogues. Careful analysis of these fractions by HPLC-UV, LC-MS3, and NMR spectroscopy, revealed the identities of some of these analogues as 45-hydroxy-46,47-dinoryessotoxin (1), 44-oxo-45,46,47-trinoryessotoxin (2) and 9-methyl-42,43,44,45,46,47,55-heptanor-38-en-41-oxoyessotoxin (5). Numerous other analogues were present but could only be characterized by HPLC-UV and LC-MS3 due to their low abundance. The HPLC-UV and LC-MS3 data confirm the presence of large numbers of yessotoxin analogues, some of which may be oxidative degradation products, in extracts of Protoceratium reticulatum. Compound-1 is the first 46,47-dinoryessotoxin to be identified.