Genotoxic and Cytotoxic Activity of Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algal) Toxin BMAA in Human Lymphocyte Cells

Year 2019, Volume: 1 Issue: 1, 8 - 14, 30.08.2019

Arif Ayar Deniz Altun Colak Handan Uysal Vahit Konar

Abstract

Cyanobacteria, one of the
oldest life forms, are also known as blue-green algae. Many species of cyanobacteria
produce metabolites called cyanotoxin, which are classified as hepatotoxins,
neurotoxins and cytotoxins and are highly toxic to vertebrate organisms. One of
these toxins is the Beta-N-methyl-amino-L-alanine (BMAA). Blooms (large numbers
or colonies) of the cyanobacteria or related organisms produce one or more toxins
that can be dangerous to fish, wild animals and humans. There is not
enough information in the literature related to the genotoxic effect of this
toxin. In this study, it was aimed to determine investigation of the cytotoxic
and genotoxic activity of cyanobacterial toxin BMAA in human lymphocyte cells
by micronucleus assay. Different concentrations (20, 10, 5 and 1 μg/ml) of BMAA
cyanotoxin were applied to human lymphocyte cell culture and micronucleus
frequencies (MN) and nuclear division index (NDI) were calculated to determine
genotoxic and cytotoxic effects. The data obtained from our study were compared
with the negative control group prepared with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and
with the well known ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) with genotoxic effect and
positive control group. According to these results; increasing the frequency of
micronucleus according to the whole control negative control group that we used
BMAA was not statistically significant compared with the EMS (positive control
group) (p>0.05). However, no significant cytotoxic effect was found when the
results of the NDI were examined (p>0.05). 

Keywords

Cyanobacteria, Genotoxicity, BMAA, Micronucles

Supporting Institution

Amasya University

Project Number

FMB-BAP 16-0205

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