User:Cmcderm/Maculotoxin

'''

Maculotoxin new article content ...

Sources in nature
Maculotoxin (C11H17N3O8) is produced naturally in the Blue-ringed Octopus, in the Genus known as Hapalochlaena. The Blue Ringed Octopus lives from Australia to Japan in the Pacific Ocean. It secretes Maculotoxin through its saliva. Maculotoxin is the same chemically as Tetrodotoxin (C10-12H15-19O8-10N3), a toxin secreted by Pufferfish, a few salamanders, two types of shell fish, and a handful other animals.

Biochemistry
Maculotoxin binds to the sodium channels of the cell membrane (this is what allows sodium to pass through the cell membrane in and out of the cell). It binds to the TTXs (Tetrodotoxin)- Na+ sodium channel which affects the body’s nervous system.

Poisoning
A ½ mg of Maculotoxin is enough to kill a human. Bacteria found in the Blue Ringed octopus’s saliva secrets Maculotoxin. This bacteria was obtained from multiple specimens of Blue Ringed Octopus around the Phillipines and Japan area from 1985-1986. The bacteria was identified as Alteromonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio. Blue Ringed Octopus was later examined and found to have Tetrodotoxin located in every part of its body, not just the salivary glands.
 * Toxicity

After ingestion, people will feel numbness around the mouth. From there, the “pins and needles” feeling sets into the face and extremities of the body. At this point in time, headaches, stomach pains, gastric problems, and vomiting may occur. From here paralysis begins to set in. Respiratory and cardiac problems occur (the heart will not pump if the sodium channel is blocked). If Maculotoxin is ingested into the body at a high amount, the only treatment available to keep a human alive is CPR until the toxin has dissipated out of the body (this usually takes 24 hours). If treatment is not given, death usually occurs within four to six hours.
 * Symptoms and treatment