Marine pharmacognosy; action of marine biotoxins at the cellular level (Cell biology)

Marine Pharmacognosy: Action of Marine Biotoxins at the Cellular Level focuses on the study and utilization of marine drugs. This book discusses the methods of isolation and characterization of bioactive agents, bioassays, microcalorimetry, voltage-clamp techniques, toxin-induced alterations, measurement of muscle contraction, and kinetics of toxin-induced hemolysis. Organized into nine chapters, this book starts with an overview of the use and usefulness of marine bioactive agents as research tools. This text then examines the pharmacological effects of maculotoxin, which are similar to those of tetrodoxin and saritoxin. Other chapters consider the role of choline in general cellular processes. This book discusses as well the rate of hemolysis as a function of prymnesin concentration. The final chapter deals with the features of the prymnesin–membrane interaction. This book is a valuable resource for pharmacologists, bacteriologists, zoologists, physiologists, botanists, and oceanographers. Scientists involved in biological oceanography and comparative physiology will also find this book useful. Content: CELL BIOLOGY: A Series of Monographs , Page ii Front Matter , Page iii Copyright , Page iv List of Contributors , Pages ix-x Preface , Pages xi-xii , Dean F. Martin, George M. Padilla CHAPTER I - Marine Bioactive Agents: Chemical and Cellular Correlates , Pages 1-35 , MARION T. DOIG III, DEAN F. MARTIN, GEORGE M. PADILLA CHAPTER II - Biochemistry of Nemertine Toxins , Pages 37-84 , WILLIAM R. KEM CHAPTER III - Effects of Toxin from the Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa) , Pages 85-106 , PETER W. GAGE, ANGELA F. DULHUNTY CHAPTER IV - Mode of Action of Nereistoxin on Excitable Tissues , Pages 107-126 , TOSHIO NARAHASHI CHAPTER V - Comparative Studies on Algal Toxins , Pages 127-177 , JOHN J. SASNER JR. CHAPTER VI - The Effects of Gymnodinium breve Toxin on Estuarine Animals , Pages 179-202 , K.A. STEIDINGER, M.A. BURKLEW, R.M. INGLE CHAPTER VII - Choline and Related Substances in Algae , Pages 203-240 , MIYOSHI IKAWA, RICHARD F. TAYLOR CHAPTER VIII - Pharmacology and Mode of Action of Prymnesin , Pages 241-263 , ZVI PASTER CHAPTER IX - Interactions of Prymnesin with Erythrocyte Membranes , Pages 265-295 , GEORGE M. PADILLA, DEAN F. MARTIN Author Index , Pages 297-306 Subject Index , Pages 307-317