Microbial biotransformation as a source of chemical diversity in cane toad steroid toxins

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2009 Mar 15;19(6):1790-2. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.01.064. Epub 2009 Jan 27.

Abstract

The cane toad is an invasive pest that is rapidly colonising northern Australia. The cane toad parotoid gland secretes cardiotoxic steroids (bufadienolides) that are poisoning native predator species. This study reveals bufadienolide diversity within the secretions of Australian cane toads is different to cane toads from overseas, being far more structurally diverse than previously assumed. It is proposed that this variation is mediated by in situ bacterial biotransformation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-Butanol / analysis
  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution
  • Biotransformation
  • Bufanolides / analysis
  • Bufo marinus
  • Chemistry / methods
  • Chromatography / methods
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Ecosystem
  • Models, Chemical
  • Species Specificity
  • Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet / methods
  • Time Factors
  • Toxins, Biological / chemistry*
  • Toxins, Biological / physiology

Substances

  • Bufanolides
  • Toxins, Biological
  • 1-Butanol