Hoplonemertine worms -- a new source of pyridine neurotoxins

Experientia. 1976 Jun 15;32(6):684-6. doi: 10.1007/BF01919831.

Abstract

Two pyridine bases were isolated from the marine hoplonemertine Amphiporus angulatus (Fabricius) and identified by mass and PMR-spectroscopy as 2, 3'-bipyridyl and 3, 2'; 3', 2"; 4", 3"'-tetrapyridyl (Nemertelline). Nemertelline, the first tetrapyridyl natural product to be reported, shows a structural resemblance to the tobacco constituent nicotelline. The crustacean toxicity of 2, 3' -bipyridyl is very similar to that of nicotine, but its mammalian toxicity is negligible.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chick Embryo
  • Dogs
  • Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Marine Toxins / analysis
  • Marine Toxins / isolation & purification*
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Platyhelminths / analysis*
  • Pyridines / analysis

Substances

  • Marine Toxins
  • Pyridines