The role of PP2A-associated proteins and signal pathways in microcystin-LR toxicity

Toxicol Lett. 2015 Jul 2;236(1):1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.04.010. Epub 2015 Apr 25.

Abstract

Microcystins are a family of monocyclic heptapeptides produced by cyanobacteria during water blooms. Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) is the most common member of this family. Microcystins induce a variety of toxic cellular effects, including oxidative damage, apoptosis, cytoskeletal destabilization, and cancer cell invasion. Recent studies have examined the molecular mechanism of their toxicity. Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is emerging as a critical regulator of the microcystin-induced molecular network. Furthermore, it has been shown that several molecules or signal pathways associated with PP2A play important roles in microcystin-induced toxic effects. This review summarizes the recent research progress of the molecular mechanism and focuses on the role of PP2A in MC-LR toxicity, which will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of microcystin toxicity, and will provide biomarkers for toxicity assessment and control.

Keywords: Microcystin-LR; PP2A; Proteins; Signal pathways; Toxicity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Bacterial Toxins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Toxins / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins / toxicity*
  • Binding Sites
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / toxicity*
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Marine Toxins / chemistry
  • Marine Toxins / metabolism
  • Marine Toxins / toxicity
  • Microcystins / chemistry
  • Microcystins / metabolism
  • Microcystins / toxicity*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Mutagens / chemistry
  • Mutagens / metabolism
  • Mutagens / toxicity
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / chemistry
  • Protein Phosphatase 2 / metabolism
  • Protein Subunits / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Subunits / chemistry
  • Protein Subunits / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Marine Toxins
  • Microcystins
  • Mutagens
  • Protein Subunits
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • cyanoginosin LR